Chapter One Hundred and Sixty - Questioning Mel

Frowning, while scrolling through my call information, noticing mom called twice and by the timing, someone or Hailey spoke to her.

Aware that my mom has hidden agendas concerning Hailey, I'm sure the conversation wasn't a friendly one.

Mel and Ger were with her at the time of the call, so I'll try Mel first since she's somewhere around the apartment.

Strolling into the kitchen, watching Hailey, Mrs. Har and Mel prepare dinner, with Bas and Ger meeting up with the private investigator.

If I had gone instead, Hailey would have definitely questioned me, since she assumes speaking to her about my findings in her therapy files would be more important.

"Mel" I call and two of the women looked up at me. Hailey with a frown and Mel, confused.

Mrs. Har, just continued with her chores.

"Uh, can I speak to you for a moment?" I asked and she nods, still confused.

"Yeah, em, okay" Mel agrees and walks towards the pipe to rinse her hands.

With a smile, I walked up to Hailey and hugged her tightly, silently assuring her, that all is well.

When I got to my home office, Mel instantly starting apologizing nervously.

Grabbing her shoulders, "hey, hey" I said firmly. "I just need some information from you because Gerard is not here" I calmly informed her, watching sadly as she tries to compose herself.

I could kill Gary because of what he did to her. Bas is a good man who really seems to love her, though I still wonder if she is with him for protection or does she genuinely love him.

Shaking those thought out of my head, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and walked around to my desk, taking a seat and indicated a chair opposite me for her to sit.

Still fidgeting, "please speak quickly before I explode here" Mel chuckles nervously.

Nodding, I opened my phone and started talking, "my mother called and since Hailey had my phone, I would like to know what happened, because according to the duration of the call, I know that they had a conversation and knowing my mother and her feelings towards Hailey, it could not have been a healthy conversation." Unsmiling, I stared at her, hoping that she's honest, because Hailey will say nothing, even if ask her.

Turning to look behind the open door, Mel turned back to me, "Um, she uh" Mel started, before lowering her eyes, she took a deep breath, lifting her eyes to stare at me, before speaking with confidence.

"Your mother was being her normal mean self, trying to undermine Hailey's self-esteem, with threats of you leaving her, when you get want you want. She said some mean things about Hailey's, mother and her parents relationship." Mel was saying, before pausing and looking downwards for a brief moment, then makes eye contact with me.

"Hailey had a panic attack, which your mother heard and while she was having the attack, your mother, whom Hailey had on speaker, continued to goad her." Mel finishes, with anger clearly evident now.

If I didn't seem surprise, Mel didn't show it because she was so angry, but I had to know.

"Why didn't anyone say anything before?" I asked her and she shook her head.

Taking another deep breath, "Gerard was going to tell you but in front of Hailey. He told her he would, but with the meetings all day, I assumed he would when we got home, but he is not here." Mel assures me, and I am grateful that they respect me, because this is all I want around me, honest people.

Unable to share about Bas and Ger whereabouts, I smiled, "okay, I understand." I said and she stood up.

Since I had another topic for discussion, I decided to use this opportunity, since I may not get around to it again.

"Wait," I stopped her motioning for her to sit down.

When Mel was seated, again facing me nervously, "have you filed for divorce yet?" I asked because I wanted ties with Gary out of my life and with Mel living here, still legally married to Gary, I had to know.

Shaking her head, her lips started quivering, "I... I no... um.. not yet" Mel stammers.

Raising my eyebrows, I nod for her to continue, "I was waiting for him to serve me and then I will just have to sign it." She explained, "I have a well paying job, that would enable me to take care of myself and plus I have you and Hailey." She says, sadly.

"And Bas" I reminded her, when she went silent.

Her eyes twinkling with a soft expression, "of course I have Basil." Mel agrees with a shy smile and I breath a sigh of relief.

"I will hire Hailey's lawyer and you can meet with him, explain yours and Gary's relationship, then proceed with a divorce, if it is what you want." I told, her watching her nod quickly,

Standing up, I again motion for her to walk with me, but stopped to remind her. "You can tell Hailey we discuss your divorce but not the conversation we had concerning my mother." I said firmly and with a quick not, she bolted from the room.

I despise men who treated women the way Gary treated his wife. I would never do that to Hailey, especially with two kids on the way.

Smiling, I returned to the kitchen, checking the time, when I realize that Mrs. Har was working late.

"I can drop you off when you're ready" I offered and she shook her head.

Chuckling, she started packing containers in a bag, "no thank you Adian, Gerard called to say they were on their way back so he will drop me off, which is why I have already packed his dinner." Mrs. Har said.

"Okay" I responded, moving to hug Hailey around her waist, where she stood washing dishes at the sink.

"I'm hungry!"