Chapter 3
842 Words
Kimberly:
I felt stuck. The papers slowly turned hazy in my gaze the more I stared at them.
" Just to help you think better, if you decide to let us sue, you will need a lawyer and that charges around five thousand dollars to get a good lawyer that would match the standard of mine and even with that, you will still be found guilty because of the video and witness evidence, so that will be a fine of nothing less than fifteen thousand dollars excluding fees for the emotional damage that traumatic experience caused me."
My jaw dropped.
What the heck? My parents did not have that kind of money and would rather I get jailed than pay all of that.
I stared directly at Noah, his face stern as he stared at his phone. The other plainclothed man had a smug smile on his face. He was definitely enjoying this more than he was supposed to.
"I'm thinking".
" Yes, because you think we have all the time to sit down for you to put on your thinking cap?"
I wanted to burrow my face into a hole and stay there for as long as it would take for this to go away.
Mortification washed over me like a wave, my sigh feeling tender as I stared at the documents again.
I was leaving a toxic relationship and was definitely not looking to go back into one anytime soon, but that felt near impossible now.
I bit my lips.
“I can offer a sincere public apology. Tell everyone the truth. That it was a drunken mistake…”
“And make everyone think Noah’s career is some game. What do you think, that apologies and tears can fix this?
Do you know how much damage you have caused? An apology would only intensify the situation so don’t think about it.” The same man in plain clothes, the manager Mr Humphrey. He was visibly angry.
“The fake relationship will fix this mess, so will you sign it or would you prefer a court case?”
" How long is it going to take?" My voice was low.
" It's a six-month contract. After that, you can go back to living your life without him in it, plus you get full immunity for your actions."
" Can I have some time to go through the documents? Read it and understand it?"
"We don't have that kind of time," the man was beginning to say, but the lawyer raised a hand.
“You have until 2pm today to sign the document. Noah has a game tonight and you have to be there. You can't come looking downcast and weird though. Preferably all dressed up and smiley. It helps it feel more believable."
What the heck?
"The document isn’t even signed yet.” I echoed
“ You can take your time to sign the document but this is a big and important game. You have to be there and let people see you both together or the contract goes to s**t. I'm sure twenty thousand dollars is not something you just happen to have lying at the back of your wardrobe is it?"
" Fine. " I managed to grit out, wishing I could chuck a few dollars at him and get this over with.
The smile of satisfaction crept on the manager’s face again.
" Won't you at least get to know me better? If we have to pretend to be dating we should be civil with each other or don't you think?" I managed to croak out, feeling half my wit die as he got up, attempting to leave without a second thought.
Shit.
" Wait!" I yelled out and to my surprise, he actually did stop.
He turned around, eyes roaming me, bored as he eyed me.
I took in a small shaky breath.
" So I understand that the first impression you have of me is probably trash. I promise I don't go around beating young men in the club.
I was just very distraught and the fact that you looked like Ryan just tipped me off.
My ex was Ryan and I was trying to get over him by drinking, I'm sorry if that cost you so much".
He scoffed, a condescending look on his face.
" You keep saying sorry like it would fix the goddamn mess I'm in right now because of you. I did not need any more of this s**t but I guess it is what it is.
Your sorry does not change the fact that you almost ruined the career I worked so hard to build and now, you’re taking your precious time to sign the document that would otherwise determine if it ever gets rectified "
Shame spread across my neck, a cold feeling that left me biting my lips in disgust, both at myself and at the person I was in the club.
" I'm sorry?" I tried again.
" Just stay the hell out of my way today."
- Writer
