The Return Of His Ex Wife
Chapter 23: Revenge Plan

Chapter 23: Revenge Plan

Tara’s POV

I was sitting face to face with the iconic woman, a tall slender lady with a little too much makeup on, but she was still so beautiful. Expensively beautiful with all of her accessories and even her hairdo.

"It is an honor meeting you, madam Hernandez. Or would you prefer I called you some other name?" One thing about these classy rich people, they fear people who are confident around them. Just be strong, fierce, and you’ll gain their respect quickly.

"Call me Amor." She said with a smile.

Amor?

"Okay, Amor. It’s lovely meeting you again--"

"Madam Amor might suffice." She muttered but I pretended not to have heard. If she was already whispering instead of speaking so boldly, then it meant I was winning.

"So, I want us to get straight to the point. Please, take down the charges held against Marisol law firm. Tell me briefly what you want your negotiations to be." I think I might had over stepped with my bossy attitude because she started to laugh now. However, my composure remained calm.

"Honey, that idiot firm and the moron CEO, they can’t pay me what I asked for. Whatever my attorney might demand, do you think that that company with only millions dollars worth will be able to pay compensation to me? Ha!"

I nodded, knowing she would make this point. "So what do you want?"

"Nothing. I want that company sued! Let the court decide, plus my attorney." Her eyes lit with pride as she adjusted comfortably on the seat.

"Why don’t we try to think again, Amor." I didn’t like this at all, but I had no choice. I pulled out some of the files Arlo had gathered for me and dropped it on the table before her. She blinked, then opened to check it out. Her eyes lit open in shock before she shut them down again.

"What is this?" She pretended. As if those files did not relate to her at all! Arlo had called her a monster, and I couldn’t agree more. This woman had cases from mistreating her staff at home and at her boutique, with proof. There was proof from illegal businesses too, and news like that could tarnish her image. Mr. Hernandez wouldn’t even want that to happen at all. No one needed to tell her she would be in so much trouble if he found out. Lastly, there was a picture of her daughter actually stealing from the mall!

The whole case was that Derek had failed to represent her daughter when the charge was filed against her for stealing, but really, her daughter had stolen and when the mall sued her, she had lost the case. She was angry now as people started to point fingers to her daughter calling her a thief.

"I believe you know what these are." I said to her, "don’t you think so?" She blinked, shaking from right to left on her seat. "Amor, why don’t you come up with a different answer. Huh? Please, take down the charges held against Marisol law firm. Tell me briefly what you want your negotiations to be." I repeated. Shame took hold of her face but it did not last long.

"Okay, fine. I respect you, Tara Aniston. In fact, I should have brought this case to you instead of that moron who embarrassed me and my daughter!"

"Fine," she heaved in a deep sigh after I let her talk to herself for a while. Now she finally had my time again. "I’ll drop the case then. But I want a formal apology from the company."

"An apology? If we do that, news will spread and start to judge the competence of Marisol form. That’s too much of a price. How about you invite us to your party coming up soon, then we will share a sort of bond so people can know we have settled." I paused for a while, thinking of such bond.

"We can model your wares. Do something new for publicity and get everyone talking about us instead of this boring law case. It’s a couple themed party, right? The CEO of Marisol firm and I will model your most famous wears for the party." It was a bright idea, but I was waiting to see if she would like it or not.

"Perfect! Fashionable, and profitable for me. I like this. Okay then, will you and the Marisol guy be coming together as a date?" She asked.

I instantly shook my head in denial. "He is married so he’ll be there with his wife. I on the other hand, will be there with a plus one." I had no idea who my plus one would be of course!

"Okay then, come with as many people as you can. Also, it is children friendly. I hear you have a little boy?" She said, looking so anxious to hear my reply.

I gave her a soft smile as confirmation. "Yes."

"Good. Settle your end of the bargain, I know you’re a smart lady. Also, you’re paying for our meal."

I was forced to chuckle. "Yes. I’d be honored." There it was. This case was settled, finally I could breath again! Deep down, I knew this was all thanks to Arlo. I should thank him sometimes.

Once we were done, I decided to reach out to my dad for something important. A matter that had been bugging me since all this while now.

"Oh my love, how are you?" My dad said with such a warm voice that I was compelled to smile.

"Hey dad, I’m fine." I went on to ask about him and how he was doing and it seemed like all was well. Then I threw out the question, "so um, I’ve been meaning to ask you this question. It’s about Richard. He’s so eagar to meet his dad, and Derek, he’s still such a dick. But he deserves to know I had a son for him. Don’t you think so?"

He gave it a pause, taking his time to reply me. Finally, he started with a deep sigh and I knew he was going to start beating around the bush.

"Honestly," he concluded after so many long parables, "I am not in the position to tell you about it. I wish your mother was still alive, and Rebecca is the wrong figure for you to ask. How about you ask Margaret? She is a good woman and will have some motherly feedback to that question."

I gave it a thought and decided to do just that once I got home. My dad straight on told me he wouldn’t want Richard finding out about his father, at least for a very long time. And I laughed because we shared the same thought. Still, a part of me couldn’t help but wish that Derek deserved to know.

I headed home straight, knowing I was done at work for the day. Besides, I was expecting Arlo over later today.

Margaret was in my room after I had called for her that evening. After throwing the question out, it didn’t even take long before she scolded me.

"You should tell Derek about his child. He deserves to know! I understand he has been a bad husband to you all this while, but Derek still deserves to know about this. You should call him right now and meet up with him to confess. Maybe he will even chase away that wife of his and get back to you so you’ll live happily ever after!"

I nodded, then just at the slight movement of my head, was able to see Ella with her eyes bulging out in shock as she shook her head repeatedly. I smiled at Margaret and let her know she could leave, because I knew Ella had overheard and would certainly have a different opinion to this.

She sat down on the bed and let out a startling laughter. "What is it, Ella? It was a must ask question and you know it."

"Must ask??" She shot me a questioning gaze. "That’s nonsense! Then why didn’t you bother to ask me, huh??"

"I know what you’d say already. So I pass."

"You know I’m telling the truth, that’s what’s up. Tara, he doesn’t deserve Richard, or your love or pity! At least let him suffer and pay for his actions." She fixed her gaze on me so hard it started to feel uncomfortable.

"Fine. So I just keep lying to him? Huh? And Richard well." I lowered my voice to confirm if Richard was not standing by my room where he could overhear us. "What is going on in that thick skull of yours? I know that smile, Ella."

She jumped up to shut the door tight, then bounced back on the bed and held my hands. "Date Arlo."

I didn’t hear her well. "Are you nuts? Date who now? Did you not hear everything I tell you, Ella? I am not getting myself into a new relationship right now, I just can’t afford that!"

"Then start a fake relationship with him. You don’t even need to define anything at all, just go to this fancy plus one party with him. And take pictures with him with Richard too! Confuse Derek and make him pay for divorcing you like that! Hmm? Are you listening to me at all, T??"