Chapter 18

Once we were all seated and Nina and I had declined refreshments, Nina got straight to the point.

"So gentlemen what business do you want to talk about?" She asked enthusiastically.

"First off, let me start by saying; Diane I am so sorry for what I have done to you. I don't have the words to say how sorry I am. I would never make up for everything I have done to you and I plead for your forgiveness" he said looking directly in my

eyes.

| looked at Nina rolling my eyes.

"My client sees no use for your apology but nevertheless accepts it. Now, Mr. Dwight, my client is a woman on a time budget. Time is money. Please let's hear this business of yours"

"Diane I also want to say how sorry I am" Eric Timmons started.

Okay, what was this Dr. Phil? I am not here to talk about my feelings, I am here for business!

"Gentlemen, please let us refrain from the apologies for the time being. We are here as a favor and would really appreciate our time and energy being put to good use"

"Can your client speak for herself?" Eric retorted. Wasn't it just a moment ago that he was pleading for my forgiveness? And now he is insulting my friend.

At this Nina just smiled at him and replied in a sweet voice that left no room for argument "Yes she can. But she'll prefer not to. If that is okay with you?"

At this, he just grunted and looked away. Leaving the room in silence once more. I felt like screaming at the top of my lungs

"Somebody please tell me what I am doing here" at the top of my lungs. Of course I refrained from doing so.

"For the last time gentlemen, what and why have we been called here? You have exactly two minutes before we leave this room" Nina said in a firm voice causing the men to peer

up.

"Well there is no easy way to say this, so I will come right out and say it" Collins said in a slow, solemn flamboyant way that I used to find attractive and demure. But right now irritable.

"That would be preferred" Nina cut in. I almost laughed out loud but managed to restrain myself for the look that Collins threw at my lawyer. Tina sure had a knack for getting under people's skin.

"I want to be in my son's life. I want to meet him and get to know him. I want to be a father and dad that I should be" he breathed looking at me the entire time.

I let out an emotional deep breath. That puts a stop to the speculation. I have got to admit Collins has some balls to ask that. Did he know the kind of woman that he was dealing with? The woman he knew 11 years ago is beyond different. If you would prefer she is dead and has been laid to rest.

Inside I was not panicking, instead I felt like laughing my head off. I remember before the boys were born I hoped that he would at least use his connections and come to see I and the

boys; his sons. For two years I was pining for the day when a limo would pull up to my apartment and his driver would open the door and Collins will step out in all his glory and his $3000 suit. Then he would walk up the rickety stairs and demand to see his sons.

But after 5 years I knew it was useless to hope. What was he expecting from me? I could laugh at how naive I was to imagine he would think of me.

At this moment he was looking at me intently, trying to find out what I was thinking or where my mind was. You can look but you won't find Collins. You won't find a broken mess of a woman. Not today, not ever. At this I turned to my defender and nodded her head for her to proceed.

Clearing her voice "Is that all?" Nina asked.

"In a nutshell, yes" he replied still looking at me intently.

"That is why we were called here?" She asked again.

"Yes. My client, is also willing to pay and reimburse your client for all the pain and emotional distress she suffered" his lawyer quickly added sliding a folder across the table.

Tina looked it over and chuckled, then handed it to me.

Glancing it over I started to chuckle myself. The nerve of this man. You want to know what this prick had the nerve of doing?

Well I'll tell you. The document was basically giving me half of everything that Collins was worth in exchange for him being in the lives of my son's and the return of his parental rights and privileges. And with a rough estimation that would bring it to be about $18 billion. Which was downright and completely surprising and off guard for a man like Collins Dwight. But that was not the funny and best part. No no I had not gotten to the best part. The only way I could receive the money and be entitled to it is if I agree to a gag order where I would never tell my sons our history together. Meaning my sons were never to learn that he disowned and threw them away like yesterday's trash. The document was basically, a cock and bull story of how he couldn't be in their lives because of the danger it would have put them in. So he had to watch them from afar. But he always loved them and was looking forward to the day that we would all be together like one big happy family.

I had to give the man points for originality and ingenuity. This was good, in fact this was awesome. This right here deserved a standing ovation. A round of applause ladies and gentlemen for Collins Dwight!

As I finished reading the crap in front of me, I threw it across the table back to his lawyer.

"Okay. That was simple and straight to the point" Nina said clearing her throat.

"Maybe you'll need some time to think this over?" His lawyer suggested to me.

I think this charade has gone on far enough.

"No I think we are ready to make a deal. Gentlemen, I must admit the contract and proposal looks good. But I am slightly confused about what child your referring to" I said crossing my hands on the table.

Collins looked shocked and surprised. But he quickly recovered himself. "The child we created"

"I am sorry, I don't ever recall having a child with you. Ever" I said shaking my head in confusion.

"Diane we had a child. A son. Eleven years ago! You were pregnant" he said in a raised voice.

"Oh l'm not denying that I was pregnant. I am just stating the facts that you are not the father of my child"

"But I am" he argued.

"No you're not"

Really Collins have you forgotten already. The part where you and I signed that you were never to be known or even spoken

of that you were the father of my baby.

"Diane please don't play dumb" he pleaded. "You know very well what I am talking about" he growled out. Rage apparent in his eyes.

"NO I don't. I have no child with you. End of story. And this will bring us to the end of this meeting" Getting ready to leave.

"Listen we can play this the nice way. Or we can play this the hard way" Eric finally spoke anger in his face and in his voice. I was wondering how long he was holding out till he came to save his precious godson.

I forget but wasn't it this very man who not just ten minutes ago begging for my forgiveness.

"Or we can play this my way. With me getting up from this seat and getting the hell out of this office" I said right back staring at him and mimicking every move he made. I stared at this man long and hard for him to know that I was not joking around.