by Sloan Storm
Suddenly, for a reason I couldn’t explain, something seemed wrong.
Not wanting to seem anxious, I replied calmly, “Right, right away. Is there anything else I should bring besides Mr. Rhys’s files?”
Again, there was another extended pause.
“Excuse us, Dani…” Leopold replied, once again sounding like he was attempting to cover the microphone.
To say that their behavior was strange would be an understatement. In all the time I’d worked for them, I’d never known them to be anything but direct and to the point with everything. They weren't the type of men who wasted time – or words. I found my attention riveted in the direction of the phone. I sat up straight, focusing and listening for the slightest noise that sounded out of place. After what seemed like forever, Bernard came back on the line.
“That will be all, Dani. Please bring everything we’ve asked for and join us in the conference room as soon as you possibly can.”
With that, Bernard disconnected the call. I leaned back in my chair, uncertainty lacing every thought in my mind.
What the hell is going on?
The only thing that made any sense was that perhaps they thought I didn’t have Marco’s signature. I hadn’t spoken to either of them in more than a week, so to think that they might have had their doubts didn’t seem that far-fetched. Still, no matter how I tried to rationalize their uncharacteristic behavior, something gnawed at me. I sat there for another second or two until at last, I shook my head, determined to move forward.
“This is ridiculous…” I said, placing my palms flat on the desk. “I’m getting worked up over nothing.”
Doing my best to put my worries aside, I did what Bernard and Leopold asked of me. Gathering up everything related to Marco’s file, I tucked the stack underneath my arm. I stood tall and straightened my spine before leaving the office, reminding myself, one last time, of what was at stake.
“Come on,” I began, reaching for the doorknob and wrapping my hand around it. “Make it happen, Dani.”
With my pep talk still in the front of the mind, I made my way towards the conference room. Nearing the frosted glass doors, I noticed the shapes of multiple people inside.
In other words, more than Bernard and Leopold.
I chewed my lip, nibbling along the bottom one. My doubt returned. The distracting noises I’d heard in the background while talking to Bernard and Leopold made more sense, but not much more. Who was in there? Why were they in there? And then, just when I reached for the door, it dawned on me. It was the other partners.
It had to be.
It was the only thing that made any sense. Even though Bernard and Leopold didn’t know I’d closed the deal with Marco, if I had, the other partners would have to be present to sign the agreement welcoming me into the firm as an equity shareholder.
“Oh my God, thank God.” I whispered, looking upward and sighing a much-needed breath of relief.
My panic attack averted, I grabbed hold of the door handle to the conference room and opened it. The instant I stepped inside, my short-lived relief turned to immediate horror.
DANI
For a single second, and even that was one too many, our eyes met. I looked away, swallowing hard and turning my back on everyone to close the door of the conference room.
Silence filled the air.
Holy shit.
I exhaled a shallow breath and turned around to face them.
Before I could say a word, Bernard spoke and gestured towards an open seat at the conference table, “Dani, please join us.”
I walked towards the table, feeling like they studied each step I took. Still not looking at her, I eased into the only open chair, placing the folder with Marco’s paperwork on the table in front of me. Leopold cleared his throat. I looked at him, feeling her eyes on me at the same time.
“Dani,” he began, lifting his chin. “Do you have any idea why you’re here right now?”
I shook my head. It was beyond obvious the reason I thought I’d been summoned, wasn’t.
Leopold gestured towards the woman. “Do you know this person?”
Lying wouldn’t do me any good. Clearly there was more going on here than I realized and so, nodding, I looked right at her.
“I only know her first name, Serena.”
No sooner had I uttered those words than Serena turned and whispered to a man seated on her left. I’d never seen him before either. While I watched their exchange, Bernard spoke.
“Dani,” he began, folding his hands and placing them on the conference table with uneasiness. “We need you to tell us everything you know about her and we need you to do it now.”
Still dumbfounded, I shrugged.
“Um, I met her at Marco Rhys’ condominium, the night he invited me to the gala. He never indicated to me exactly who she was, and I didn’t ask. However, judging by the way they interacted with each other, the only thing I could assume was that they dated at some point. Other than that, I really don’t know. As I said, I’ve only met her once.”
While I spoke, Serena flung her hair away from her face with a defiant snap of her neck. I glanced at her for just a moment before looking at Bernard and Leopold once again. I noticed her leaning into the strange man and whispering something once I finished talking and the room went silent again for a few seconds.
Feeling uncertain, I dropped my hands into my lap. On either side of Bernard and Leopold sat the attorneys for the investment firm. In between my answers to their questions, the attorneys would lean towards my bosses and whisper in their ears. Without turning my head to face her, I glanced towards Serena.
What the hell was she doing here?
Who was that man with her?
Why were Bernard and Leopold acting so strange?
Why were the firm’s attorneys here?
My head started to spin. The entire focus of the meeting seemed to be aimed at me, but since I had no idea why, attempting to defend myself would only make me look like I had done something wrong. I hadn’t. Had I? So, rather than implicate myself, I waited for the next question to come. It didn't take long.
“Dani,” Bernard began, gesturing towards me. “I am assuming that is Mr. Rhys’ file in front of you. Is that correct?”
Removing my hands from my lap, I placed them on top of it.
Feeling suddenly territorial, I swallowed hard ahead of my reply. “It is.”
“Has Mr. Rhys signed the signature page?” Leopold added.
I felt like I was being backed into a corner. I was the only person at the table who didn’t have an attorney present. If there was ever a time to defend myself, this was it and I looked towards my bosses.
“May I speak frankly?”
They glanced at one another in silence before nodding.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m not comfortable discussing confidential client information when the client isn’t present. As far as I know, that is also a policy of firm. Isn’t that correct?”
Bernard nodded. “It is. That’s why you shouldn’t have any reservations about discussing Mr. Rhys' account.”
I frowned. “Bernard,” I began, shaking my head. “You’re not making any sense. Mr. Rhys isn’t here. Without a duly authorized representative of the client, I am under no obligation to disclose any details about our discussions.”
Serena cut me off, snarling with her faint French accent.
“You need to get your facts straight.”
“I’m sorry?” I replied, wrinkling my brow. “Get my facts straight? What are you talking about?”
Just then, the man seated next to Serena reached in her direction and hooked his hand at the inside of her elbow, leaning in and whispering something to her. Looking at my bosses, I used the opportunity to clarify what she meant.
“Would either of you like to explain what she’s talking about?”
I couldn’t explain the expressions on their faces. In a word, maybe the only one, they were looks of disappointment. Bu
t even after being in the room with all of them for almost ten minutes, I had no idea why they would feel that way.
Leopold leaned forward, matching Bernard’s posture.
“Dani,” he began, exhaling before he continued. “Bernard and I are going to give you another opportunity to tell us what you know.”
I shook my head, shrugging at the same time.
“Leopold, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Do you mean about Serena? Is that what you’re asking me?”
He nodded but didn’t speak.
Under the circumstances I felt like I had absolutely nothing to lose. And so, I told him everything about the first night I’d met her. I told him about the full details of the gala, about coming home to Marco’s condominium only to find her there in a ball gown. Basically, I told him everything I knew about her, or at least everything Marco saw fit to tell me.
Once I finished, there was a smattering of throat clearing’s and then, nothing. Again, only silence. Finally, the man sitting next to Serena turned and looked at Bernard and Leopold.
“Gentlemen,” he began, straightening the lapels of his suit jacket. “I think we’ve heard all we need to hear. Don’t you agree?”
Baffled, I shook my head.
“Bernard… Leopold,” I said, leaning over the table and looking at them. “What is going on?”
Bernard leaned back in his chair, pointing at Serena.
“Mrs. Rhys and her attorney are here to…” He started, stopping mid-sentence and glaring at me.
Mrs. Rhys?
One of the firm’s attorneys cleared his throat.
“Not now, Marvin!” Bernard snapped, glaring at the man.
Still in utter disbelief, I muttered. “Mrs. Rhys?”
Leopold interrupted.
“Yes, Dani, that’s right,” he said gesturing towards Serena. “This woman is the wife of Marco Rhys.”
DANI
It couldn’t be.
It.
Just.
Couldn’t.
Be.
I felt queasy, as if I might be sick. All the time he and I spent together, the places we went and things we did – it didn’t make any sense. He wouldn’t…
“Dani,” Bernard began, glaring at me. “If you have anything to say for yourself, now would be the time.”
Say? What would I possibly say? I could hardly breathe.
I racked my brain, trying to think of something, anything to say in my defense, but before I could say a word, Leopold spoke.
“Dani, Bernard and I, along with counsel, have discussed this situation. We believe that at this point, unless you can offer a reasonable defense of your behavior, we are not left with many options…”
I turned and looked at him.
“My behavior?” I scoffed. “What is that supposed to mean? What have I done?”
Just then, the mystery man seated next to Serena spoke up.
“Gentlemen, if I may?”
Bernard, Leopold and the firm’s attorneys nodded together in agreement. My eyes darted back and forth between them while I tried to decipher their communication.
“What is going on?” I said, growing increasingly frustrated.
“Miss Simms,” the man began, opening a folder on the table in front of him. He gestured towards Serena before speaking. “My name is Pablo Dumas, and I am the attorney for Mrs. Rhys. I should inform you that we have indisputable evidence that your attempts to sign Mr. Rhys as a client of this firm have violated my client’s rights as a party with an interest in the estate.”
I shook my head.
“Can you just please tell me what you’re talking about. In English?”
He paused, flashing a smug smile to his lips before continuing.
“We believe you have abused your fiduciary responsibility and manipulated Mr. Rhys into becoming a client of this firm.”
“Manipulated?” I said, almost chuckling at the insinuation. “How have I manipulated him?”
Serena’s face flashed with rage. She slapped the table.
“You know exactly what you did, you slut!”
Leaning back, with my breath caught in my throat, I looked towards Bernard and Leopold. Stone-faced, they gave me no indication about Serena’s sudden outburst. Whatever was happening, it was clear I was being left to fend for myself.
The Serena sitting across from me was a far cry from the woman I met that night in Marco’s condominium. She was the exact opposite of the wounded, jilted lover. She glared at me, her words carrying an icy and vindictive tone. Even so, I had no idea what her attorney was trying to say.
I gathered myself, clearing my throat one last time before I tried to mount a defense.
“Serena’s outburst aside,” I began, nodding in the direction of her attorney. “Whatever accusations she is making against me are purely hearsay. However angry she might be, I don’t see what…”
Just then, her attorney lifted his hand, showing me his palm.
“We have evidence, Miss Simms. As I mentioned, it’s indisputable.”
“Evidence? Evidence of what exactly?”
Before the attorney could say a word, Serena lurched forward, pointing a finger in my direction.
“You fucked him!” she snarled, pounding the table, this time with her fist, instead of her palm. “You did it just to get the contract! You are nothing but a prostitute, a common whore!”
Stunned, I sat there with my mouth open, unable to say a word.
Serena continued, “That’s right! You’ve been caught! We’ve got the whole thing on video and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
She finished and lingered there for a moment, glaring at me. At last, Serena eased back into her chair with a look of victory in her eyes. Time stood still.
I had the distinct feeling that no matter what I said, I’d only be digging myself into a deeper hole. I didn’t know anything about a video, and I certainly didn’t know anything about her and Marco being married. This was such despicable and awful news on so many fronts, I found it difficult to come up with my next word. In the end, I just did what I thought was right. I turned my gaze towards Serena.
“Serena,” I began, shaking my head and holding my hands up in a gesture of mock surrender. “I had no idea, none whatsoever, that you and Marco were married. If I had, I never would have done anything with him. I’m not trying to excuse my behavior or convince you not to be angry. As his wife, you have every right to be upset. All I ask is that you try and see this from my point of view just as I am trying to do that for you.”
Serena crossed her arms at her chest. She looked at her attorney. The man cleared his throat.
“Miss Simms,” he said, glancing towards Serena for a moment. “While my client is appreciative of your candor, the remedy she seeks is, well, what we believe to be fair considering the circumstances.”
I shook my head.
“Remedy? What are you…”
Leopold interrupted.
“Dani,” he said, turning first to look at Bernard and then nodding at one of the firm’s attorneys. “We’ve discussed this matter and believe it is in the firm’s best interest to accept the terms of Mrs. Rhys’ demands.”
I closed my eyes and when he finished talking I replied, “Could someone just tell me what is going on? I feel like I’m defending myself for something I didn’t do and now, you’re all talking about punishing me for it!”
DANI
Leopold interrupted me, gesturing towards Serena and her attorney.
“Dani,” he said, looking in their direction. “Mrs. Rhys has agreed not to take legal action against our firm for your transgressions.”
Frowning, I shook my head.
“I don’t understand, Leopold. I’ve already explained my side of this. This is obviously a miscommunication. I had no idea that Marco was married, and if I had I never would have had any romantic contact with him at all.”
If nothing else, Leopold at least allowed me to finish, but he picked up righ
t where he left off.
“Be that as it may, Dani, there is still the issue of the video evidence of what happened between you and Mr. Rhys.”
Placing my elbow on the arm of my chair, I dropped my head into my hand. It was the first moment I realized the possibility existed that everyone in this room, besides me, had likely seen the contents of Serena’s alleged video. Even though I had no idea what it was specifically, I had a pretty good notion. It sickened me. Mortified, I found myself unable to look at anyone while Leopold continued.
“Because of that evidence, the firm is in the uncomfortable position of having to acknowledge what you’ve done and then agree to whatever corrective action Mrs. Rhys sees fit to pursue. To that end, she has agreed not to sue the firm for trying to manipulate the outcome of Mr. Rhys’s decision regarding his estate.”
While he paused, I glanced up through wisps of my hair and looked in Serena’s direction. Her expression never changed. Turning, I looked at Leopold.
“Well, I’m glad to hear that,” I began, before looking at Serena once more. I placed my hand over my heart. “Serena, thank you, for your kindness. I hope that you can find a way to forgive me for what’s happened.”
Serena didn’t respond. Instead, she turned and looked at her attorney.
“Thank you for your heartfelt apology, Ms. Simms,” the man said. He finished and looked towards Bernard and Leopold. “Gentlemen, we're ready to proceed. Once the issue with Ms. Simms is handled, Mrs. Rhys is prepared to engage your firm in the management of her estate.”
When my situation is handled?
I snapped my eyes towards Bernard and Leopold. “What’s he talking about?”
Both men shifted in their seats. Before they could say a word, the firm’s attorney started to speak.
“No!” I warned, pointing at him. I moved my finger between Bernard and Leopold. “Whatever it is, I want to hear it from them.”
Bernard exhaled and cleared his throat.
“Dani, you’re an intelligent woman. For your own sake, I’d prefer it if we can discuss this matter in your office, privately.”
“No,” I said, lowering my tone and my gaze. “Tell me. Now. What is this ‘situation’ that’s being referred to?”
