(Aurora)
We both turned around to see Aurelia and Mason holding hands.
Mason was wearing a black suit trouser and a white shirt, with black suede shoes, screaming his profession.
But he still looked good in it. He looked more handsome in reality than pictures. This was my first time meeting him face-to-face.
Aurelia wore a black revealing slim-fit dress, outlining her tiny curves, and black leather boots. It gave her a slutty vibe.
I ran over and threw my arms around her.
Mason spread his arms wide open and I enclosed the space, hugging him, too.
He had a nice scent.
"Aurora, how are you?" he asked, disengaging the hug.
I smiled. "Well, I'm good. And you?"
"I'm glad to meet you in person," he replied, grinning.
"Same here."
"Hi, Adrian," Aurelia said, walking up to him.
"Aren't you still mad at me?" he asked, stepping back. We all laughed.
"This is a new day. So, meet my boyfriend; Mason. Mason, this is Adrian," she introduced them to each other.
Mason and Adrian shook their hands, exchanging greetings. "Good day," they said, simultaneously.
"Please, you may have your seats," Adrian offered.
"Thank you," Mason and Aurelia chorused, then sat down on a two-seater sofa.
"Can I offer you guys something to drink?" I asked.
Adrian scoffed. "You don't even know the way to the kitchen."
I crossed my arms in defeat. "Whatever. I could ask Clara for help."
"Don't worry. I will take the responsibility," he said, then turned to face them. "Water, wine or fruit juice?" he asked.
"Ladies first. Aurelia, what do you want?" Mason asked.
"A glass of wine will do," she replied.
He averted his gaze to Adrian. "Two glasses."
"I don't want wine, again. Just give me water," Aurelia requested.
"Uh, me too," Mason said.
She shot a glare at him. "Mason, stop it. Do you have to do this everytime?"
"But I want water, too. I had a change of mind, as well," he defended.
"Sorry, Adrian. I need fruit juice."
Mason raised his hand. "I want the same."
Adrian shook his head in frustration. "You both are going to keep arguing. I will just bring all."
Aurelia punched Mason's arm when he was gone. "See what you caused."
"Ouch," he rubbed his arm, pouting. "Now, you see what I always talk about. She tortures me all the time," he complained to me.
"It's because you're annoying," she pressed her lips into a thin line.
"I can't believe that is coming from you, Aurelia. You're the most annoying person on Earth," I commented.
"No way. You said it was Adrian–"
"I heard my name," Adrian cut her off. We didn't expect him to be that fast, but here he was.
He dropped the tray on the table; consisting of four wineglasses, a pack of juice, a bottle of wine and two water bottles.
"It's nothing–"
I tried to cover up, but Aurelia interrupted.
"No, Aurora was telling us how annoying you are," she lied.
"I didn't. Mason, please tell him the truth."
"You… you said it," he stuttered.
"Mason, even you?"
"I believe you, Aurora. I know you didn't say it."
"Thank you," I muttered under one breath.
I shielded my face with a throw pillow, my cheeks were red as tomatoes.
When I thought no one noticed, I heard Aurelia scream. "Stop blushing, blondie!"
Everyone started laughing and I joined them before the atmosphere died down.
The fact that she called me blondie—I was going to kill this girl, one day.
Adrian opened the wine bottle and poured it in the four glasses, then served us each and sat across me.
"I will like to reintroduce myself," Mason began, and we nodded, giving him a go-ahead.
"I'm Mason Reed. Not just Aurelia's boyfriend, but a renowned divorce lawyer."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, once again. So, what's special about this visit?" Adrian asked.
"You and Aurora. Well, it's about the divorce," Aurelia replied, on his behalf.
"What about it?" he asked, again.
Mason cleared his throat to speak. "The petition has been suspended by the Court–"
"But I received a grant earlier," Adrian cut him off.
"It must have been issued by an illegal practitioner. You can only get a divorce or dissolution after you've been married or in your civil partnership for at least 1 year, and you've been married for barely two months," Mason explained further.
He took a sip of his glass of wine, and continued.
"However, if you still want to go through with the divorce after a year, the divorce judgment will include orders about marital property and marital debts, as well as child custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support; where both parties are in agreement or decided by the court. If I'm certain, those orders weren't attached. Right?" he asked.
Adrian nodded, then he continued.
"Assuming you have been married for at least a year, depending on the progress, including cooperation and a likelihood of settlement, this could take approximately 3 to 4 months to reach a final settlement. After a settlement is reached, the final divorce documents are prepared and sent to the court for signature. So, how could it just happen in less than 48 hours?"
Mason sat back, leaving us to reason it.
A part of me was getting excited. "So, what are you saying?" I asked.
"In all, the divorce is invalid, but we aren't leaving it that way. We have to sue the individual or individuals, as the case may be, behind this unlawful act," Aurelia said, and gave me a smile.
"Yes. Please, come with me, Adrian," Mason said, getting on his feet.
He walked up to Aurelia and gave her a side hug, then patted my shoulder.
"You girls should stay back. We'll come back soon," he said, and left the house with Adrian.
"I'm so happy for you, Aurora," Aurelia squealed, pulling me into a hug.
I didn't reciprocate the hug yet because of my anxieties.
What if the plan fails or backfires?
"But what if Adrian really wants the divorce?" I let out.
"Shh. I know he doesn't. Can't you tell from his eyes how bad he wants you in his arms? He doesn't even miss a chance to be around you. And you know why? Because he still loves you."
I stared at her with a blank expression on my face.
"Honestly, I feel there's something more to it that he can't tell you, but I bet he will open up to Mason, then we can resolve everything. Okay?" she asked, and I nodded.
She cupped my chin, staring into my eyes. "I know how scared you are, but I assure you this phase is going to be over soon. Let's keep hoping on the Almighty. I just want to see you happy, again."
I just want to be happy, again.