by Anthology
No emotions, Chad. Strictly business.
I probably should have prepared a speech of some sort. Something to help guide me through the meeting we are about to attend. Usually, when meeting potential buyers and clients, I am cool, calm and a professional hard ass. But today I am nothing of the sort.
Stopping in front of Savannah’s firm’s building, each of us exits the car. With a quick glance, I look to Delilah. The determination and drive in her eyes gives me the support and motivation I need. It may have taken me three years, six months and ten days to do what I’m about to do, but believe you me, I’m ready to play.
As we reach the fifteenth floor of the building, Savannah’s assistant greets us before escorting us into the large board room. Glancing at the clock hung on the wall, I see we are right on time, yet Savannah is yet to arrive.
“Savannah will be here momentarily. I just phoned her and her flight was a bit delayed in its arrival. According to the driver, she’s about five minutes away.”
“Excellent, Kiki. I appreciate you keeping us posted.”
“Of course. Can I get you anything to drink?”
“No, I believe we are fine. Thank you.”
As Donnie and Delilah find seats, I take an opportunity to look out the wall to wall windows within the room. As the sun shines brightly, I’m reminded of the day I felt everything begin to fall apart.
Chapter Six
No matter how hard I want to smack her upside the head, I know I need to use my words, not my hand.
The sound of her voice pulls my attention to the other side of the room. Turning on my heels, she looks as professional as ever. Even after everything I’ve discovered, the lies and the internal turmoil she’s put me through, the woman will always look beautiful . . . even if she is the ugliest of human beings.
Stay focused, Chad.
“Great, you’re all here,” she says while removing her coat and setting her briefcase onto the table. “Kiki said you had an important project you wanted to discuss. I’d apologize for running late, but I can’t control the sky or the traffic.”
Ahh, there’s the bitch I know and despise.
Looking into her eyes, I can feel the annoyance steaming from her body. Being here, with us unexpected, is torture for her. She is selfish, egotistical and this random meeting must have set her proper schedule into frenzy.
This woman does not do things for the benefit of others, instead its life on her terms. She is all business and cut throat to those she is up against. For years it was one of the characteristics I admired about her, but now, now it’s my turn to flip the switch. No longer will I allow her to run over the things I’ve worked so hard to build. Our marriage may have been a joke, a disturbing game she intended to win, yet this time I’m ready to play with everything I have in me.
This is really happening.
The uneasy feeling I was overwhelmed with earlier has diminished. The levels of anxiety and uncertainty I felt are now gone. The nagging sensation that has been reeling through my mind over the years, about my brother and wife will soon be a distant memory.
Moving toward the table, I stand with confidence before the three other individuals in the room. Delilah sits quietly while resting her hands on the various papers she’s worked so hard to obtain. Donnie appears to be a bit nervous, uncomfortably adjusting his position in the chair and refusing to make eye contact with anyone. Savannah continues to glance at me, then Delilah, then Donnie before staring long and hard at the clock on the wall and rambling on about her busy schedule. Paying her no attention, which I know is thoroughly pissing her off, I choose to focus my attention to the papers splayed out in front of Delilah.
All of the hard work we have poured into this mission is about to blow up in front of Savannah’s face. With a jolt of devilish internal laughter, I scoop up the papers and move toward the head of the table.
“I’m sure you are wondering what brought us here today, but before I get to the point, I’d like to start off by taking a trip down memory lane.” I pause, attempting to hide the smile slowly spreading across my face.
“Chad, I don’t really have the time to sit and listen to the drawn out story you’ve concocted in your head. Is this supposed trip down memory lane necessary? Why don’t you cut to the chase and tell me why you called this business meeting.”
“Savannah, my dear, it is most definitely necessary. Now if you’d shut your God damn mouth for more than five seconds, I can proceed. Thank you.”
“Excuse me?” she stammers, her mouth hanging wide open and her eyes appearing as though they are going to bulge out of their sockets and fall onto the floor.
“Chad!” my brother shouts, moving to stand. “Show a little respect to your wife.”
“Is there really an excuse for someone like you, Savannah?” Delilah exclaims before moving from her seat at the table and to my side.
As a few audible sounds filter through the room, I look to Delilah. The expression on her face is absolutely priceless. Her love/hate feelings toward Savannah are not dismissive. In fact, she despises her just about as much as I have grown to over the last few months. It’s this woman beside me who has given me the power to destroy the woman I married.
Reaching for her hand, I intertwine our fingers and gently squeeze our palms together.
“Is this?” Savannah stops looking at the gesture of affection I’ve put on display. “Are you two . . . wait, you’re married to me, Chad. What in the fuck is going on here? Donnie, did you know about this. You work in the same damn building as them. How could you have kept this from me?” Her tone heightens, a vein along her temple popping out as her face turns from a pristine complexion to a shade of dark red.
“I - I had . . .” Donnie begins, but not before I cut him off.
“That is an interesting comment, coming from you. From this moment forward, you need to sit back and listen. Listen long and hard, Savannah, because the world as you know it, is about to change.”
“You have some nerve coming into my office and talking to me like this. You may be my husband at home, but within . . .”
Delilah removes her hand from mine and leans forward toward the table. With her hands planted firmly on the glass, she stares back at Savannah.
“Seriously, woman. I don’t know where the hell you get off, but for Christ’s sake, shut up and listen. I’m sure you’ll learn a thing or two about personal and professional etiquette by the time your hus . . . Chad is through.”
God damn, I don’t think I could be prouder of my assistant than I am in this exact second. Not only is she here to support me in this meeting, but by the look on her face, she’s ready to take down Savannah with me.
“Chad, I don’t know what in the hell is going on here or why you called this meeting, but nothing about this situation is benefitting anyone. If you and Delilah have something to share, out with it. Otherwise I don’t see a need to berate Savannah in her own office.”
Glancing toward my brother I nod and gesture for Delilah to take a seat. I’m about to give both Donnie and Savannah exactly what it is that they are asking for, I’m coming at them with everything I know . . . it’s their turn to feel the pain of betrayal.
Chapter Seven
Standing at the free throw line, I know it’s go time. It’s now or never, there’s no time to choke on the truth.
“I’ve always had a sense that something was off, but living in denial, I pushed past it and made every attempt to do what was right. On our wedding day, Savannah, I knew. I saw it the moment you walked down the aisle. It wasn’t me you were smiling and gazing at, no, it wasn’t me at all. Later that day, I saw the two of you, both you and Donnie out on the terrace. You were deep in conversation and I could tell that you were crying. Instead of rushing to see what was wrong, I turned away.”
“On our one year anniversary, when we arrived home only to see that Donnie was there with another woman, you were distraught once again. I knew it then just as I had felt it before. You ran a
way from the situation in tears because of hurt and jealousy. Once again, I let it go and continued on with our lives in hopes I was overreacting.”
“When we went away for our second anniversary you were so enthusiastic about your firm’s win and taking over our offer, that you made the start of our trip unbearable. I knew that day that things were spiraling faster and faster out of control, yet I stayed firm to my wedding vows and did what I could to make you happy.”
A loud gasp sound pulls from Savannah, as she moves to stand from the table and walks over to me. The look on her face is dreadful. The bright green eyes I had always loved are filled with hate as she stares daggers in my direction.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve done nothing wrong and I don’t understand this obsession you’ve invented in regards to your brother and me. Are you insane?”
She looks to Donnie and then back to me. I’m not quite sure how she expects me to respond.
Am I insane?
The only thing that I’ve been crazed over is the fact that I continued to deny what was happening right in front of me. For three years, I knew something was amiss, yet I didn’t act on it. Looking back now, had I known the truth I do today, I would have done things much differently.
“Me . . . insane? No not at all, Savannah. I’m just the opposite. For years you’ve played me for a fool, you both have, and it’s time to come clean once and for all. Had it not been for that lost deal, I probably would have continued living my life in denial. For that, I have you to thank.”
“Thank me? For winning over a corporate seller? That deal was my firm’s, not yours.”
“Ha, that’s rich. That deal wasn’t even something you would have known about. It was not in your firm’s best interest to purchase the land or the building. In fact, it’s still abandoned and the zoning boards have denied your firm’s requests at least a half dozen times.”
“That is none of your business. We purchased that area and what we choose to do with it is our concern, not yours.”
“Yes, that’s all well indeed, my dear. However, you would not have known about it without Donnie. He was well educated on our plans. He knew exactly what our intent was on the prospective purchase. The only thing he was missing were the actual details of the plan. That right there was your missing link.”
“This is absurd,” she rants while shifting away from me and moving toward the windows.
Silence fills the large meeting space. There is so much more to throw at her. I have proof of their affair, the deceit behind the purchase and the fact that she used our marriage as a way to control the power between our firms. I want to hit her where it hurts. I want her to feel the pain I have. I want to destroy her because of everything I rightfully should take from her.
“Nothing is as absurd as learning that your brother and wife have betrayed you over the last few years. I don’t know when it started. In fact, I don’t really want to know. But what I can tell you is that each meeting, every private encounter you two have shared has been observed. What you’ve done within your personal lives is one thing, it’s the business transactions, stealing and deception that I will seek vengeance on.”
“We need to talk this through. Don’t be irrational, Chad. I’m sure there is a way we can make it work,” Savannah states in a pleading tone.
I’m taken by her voice; it almost seems that she’s regretful. But I know this woman and I know there isn’t an emotional cell in her body . . . not anymore.
“I may have been blind and living in denial for years, but I have the proof. Delilah has worked her ass off to present me with what the two of you have done over the last few years. I can swallow my pride when it comes to the two of you together. I will get over that, but the mere fact that my brother, my own blood took a project that was mine and handed it straight over to you . . . that is unforgiveable. The two of you had it all planned out, every move you made we were able to go back and track. I don’t know why I didn’t see it coming sooner, but thank God for this woman standing right here. She figured it all out. She opened my eyes to exactly what had transpired in my own office . . . at my own firm.”
“Chad,” my brother’s voice echoes within the walls.
Taking a step away from Savannah, I stare back into his dark eyes. He is my brother, my own flesh and blood. Walking out of a relationship with my wife may appear to be an easy task, but emotionally disconnecting from him, I don’t know how or if that is possible. I’m hurt. I’m torn into a million pieces, but regardless of my family connection to this man, he is no longer welcome in my life.
“Donnie, there’s nothing you or Savannah can say to change what has happened. What’s done is done and I’m moving forward with my decisions and my life.”
As I look away from him and to Delilah, I see she is organizing the stack of papers on the table. I need to end this, no need in prolonging what I know needs to happen. Moving toward her, I lean forward and grab the divorce papers Savannah will need to sign.
“I don’t expect you’re going to make this easy on any of us, but I do know what I’m presenting to you is more than fair. With everything that has happened, I want to walk way, attempt to forget about the past and live the rest of my life . . . without you in it.”
Her mouth gapes open, her eyes going wide as I hand her the papers.
All of our marital assets have been evenly divided. I don’t want her money and there’s no way in hell I’ll allow her to take mine. There’s nothing she can do to argue what I’m presenting her, especially having everything I need to completely shred her professional career. I don’t want to go that route, but it is my last chance back up plan.
Everyone needs a Plan B.
“You can’t expect me to sign these. Not here. Not right now. I would be an absolute idiot to do this without my lawyer reviewing the documents. You could be taking me for everything I have.”
The look on her face is frightful as she begins to fidget with the papers. I can tell she’s becoming anxious and for a brief moment a thrill of delight courses down my spine.
“Those documents represent the evidence of your deceit. If made public, you won’t be able to find a job in this field anywhere ever again. I’ll give you twenty-four hours, Savannah. Not a minute longer. My attorney is prepared to file, don’t keep us waiting.”
With that, I step away from her. I feel as if a tremendous weight has been lifted from me. I need to move on with my life. I want to enjoy the success I’ve earned and that is one thing that she will never be able to take away from me again.
Epilogue
One Year Later
I banked my shot. I scored the winning point. I took back my life.
Glancing around the vast property, I’m astounded by what we were able to accomplish in a year’s time. This land was an inspiration from the first time I set foot on the pavement. When I saw the run down building, the vandalism and the destruction, I knew it could be something amazing. Now looking at everything we’ve done, I couldn’t be prouder. This is only the start of what I want to create in this section of the city.
Tomorrow is the ribbon cutting ceremony and, for the first time in a decade, this section of town has something to look forward to for years to come. I’ve made it my mission to bring out the beauty and possibilities of inner city areas. I want to create a better community. I may be only one man with a purpose, but I know in time, my firm and our visions will be able to make a difference.
Walking to my car, I have an extra skip in my step as excitement builds through my body. Tonight, I want to celebrate and there’s only one person in the world I want to do it with. No one has supported my decisions and stood by my side as much as she has. Through the most difficult times of the past few years, she is the woman who wanted me to succeed and encouraged me along the way. A year ago I made a decision to move on with my life and do things on my terms. The day I walked away from Savannah was the best day of my life. I knew my marriage was crumbling. The ideas in my hea
d of what made a happy marriage were all a façade. Now, today, yesterday and the past year, I’ve learned what true happiness is to me. I don’t need to second guess my choices, there’s no hesitation in what I want out of life. Professionally, I am exactly where I want to be and personally, I am making strides to keep what I should have had all along.
As I approach my house, the home I purchased after the divorce papers were signed, I notice that her car is parked in the driveway. So many emotions rush through me. For once in what seems like forever, I’m genuinely happy and looking forward to what my future holds.
With a deep breath and a long drawn out yawn, I exit my car and enter my home. The aroma of garlic and herbs fills my sense of smell while my mouth begins to water. I’m exhausted from the day and starving, but not so much for the food I know she’s prepared. As I enter the kitchen, I catch sight of her back to me as she stands in front of the stove. Quietly I step in closer to her and wrap my arms around her waist while nuzzling my lips against her neck. She jumps back into my arms, the spoon that was in the pot of sauce flying onto the stovetop. Turning toward me, she places her arms around my neck as our lips meet. She tastes divine and the smell of her perfume sends my mind racing. I may have just seen her a few hours ago, but having her here and in my arms, it’s an emotional feeling I don’t know that I’ll ever stop wanting.
“You scared the shit out of me,” she says after slightly pulling away from me.
Smiling against her lips, I gently kiss her again.
“I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too. How did the rest of your day go?” she asks with a smile before turning back to the mess of sauce.
“Amazing and I couldn’t have done it without you. You do realize that this is our success, not just mine.”
