Bratva Mother

James Part 1 *edited

This is from when Carol leaves New York to when she arrives in Seattle.

James entered his building briskly, he briefly looked to his wife's office. Today was her last day as his secretary. He agreed that she doesn’t need to be in the office with him but it is still strange Carol wouldn’t be in everyday. He had to admit even to himself that he was still annoyed with her for her stunt with the Russians.

However, he cannot really blame her. She was not born or raised in the life of currying favor. Well, he assumes she doesn’t. If it wasn’t for the inheritance and his father’s nagging; he probably would have waited a few years before getting married. Would have probably found someone more suited to the lifestyle his family led.

James shook his head and headed for his office. He will have to start interviewing for the new position and getting them trained for the job. He really should have done that Monday, instead of the emergency meetings his family insisted on having with the Sokolov family.

When he sat down he called his assistant in to get the day started. To his surprise Sam came in with a cup of his favorite coffee and a list of the day's meetings and projects he had to make a decision on. “Sam, how did you know I was going to ask for all this?” James gestured to the coffee and lists.

Sam turned a bit red at this moment but replied dutifully, “Mrs. Robington left a list of to-do’s and don’ts on her desk. The office next to you is fully cleaned out and ready for your next secretary. She has also finished all the files she was working on. I figured with you being so busy, you haven’t yet hired a new one so took the liberty to get your morning started, sir.”

Now this confused James, wasn’t her last day today? Why have everything done and ready early? Does this mean she isn’t coming in today? James looked at Sam, thought about the last week and nodded. “Sam, give me this list she compiled. I want to make sure it is to my standards.”

Sam quickly ran out to his desk, grabbed the papers and rushed back to James. He took a few minutes to review the list and was a little impressed with Carol. She made sure to add everything for the new person taking over her office. Even a few things he didn’t know she took care of. Everything from his preferences, doctor advice and even how to take notes so he can read it later.

As he was reading over this thorough list Carol made, a knock sounded on the office door. Sense Carol wasn’t there and Sam was in the room as well, no one knew who was on the other side of the door. James, without lifting his eyes from the documents said, “Enter” and a middle aged man walked in with a big yellow envelope under his arm. James put down the document and looked at the strange newcomer.

The new guy asked, “Are you Mr. James Robington?” While James confirmed that he was, the newcomer made it look like he was going to shake his hand and handed over the mysterious envelope instead.

He said, “I work in Mr. Bakers office of law, you have been served divorce papers. Thank you Mr. Robington for your time.” He saluted James, nodded to Sam and walked out of the office.

Meanwhile James just sat there dumbstruck. Did he say divorce papers? What is this, a joke? He looked from the envelope still in his hand to Sam who also looked surprised. James narrowed his eyes at Sam and said, “Leave, make sure no one enters my office until I say I am ready for people. Reschedule everything. I need to investigate this.”

Sam stood to attention with James' words and nodded. He quickly left and closed the door to the office. James opened the envelope and a stack of papers fell out. The top most being a letter, two under it were NDA contracts and the bottom set of papers were divorce papers. For some reason seeing the papers in front of him didn’t make him feel relieved like he once believed it would.

He picked up the letter and started to read, each line and paragraph making him even more confused and angry. The letter started to get wrinkles in it by the time he finished reading. What did all this mean? Did he really want all this? Yeah, at first he didn’t want marriage or any of it. He just wanted to be the top dog. If his parents wanted grandkids, they could hound Sophia.

But Carol’s letter didn’t make things easier. Didn’t make him feel free like he thought it would. It all made him even more angry with the whole situation. With Carol herself. Did she really leave the penthouse? She couldn’t have left, right?

James,

Being served must be a shock for you. That wasn’t my intention. However your views and my views are different. You never wanted a wife let alone children. I refuse my child to grow in an environment where they are a commodity and not a valued member of a family.

The whole reason for our arrangement was for you to get your inheritance and shut your father up. Well we secured the inheritance, there is nothing for me to do about your father being down your throat however. So I want to serve ties with the Robington family and find a man that will love not only me but any child I will have. Do not fret, the divorce papers that will be under this letter are very cut and dry. I do not want anything from you, but the wages I earned working for you. No spousal support or anything like that.

I have reviewed the NDA I signed along with the prenup and noticed there were discrepancies. I have drafted a new one that will cover everything and signed it along with the divorce papers. You will find I am no longer in the penthouse you set up for me or anywhere else you would think of. If you need to get a hold of me, my lawyer will deliver any messages I need to know about.

I ask that you not drag this out and make us both suffer. I have informed the lawyer that if you contest then I will make sure it goes to court and you will not want your dirty laundry out for the whole world to view via an open court hearing. By the time you receive these documents, I will be long gone.

You will not be able to find me at all. I have gone to great lengths to disappear. The phone you provided me will be left in the safe in the penthouse along with the jewelry and anything else provided to me. They aren’t mine but the family's items. Do the right thing and just sign the papers.

Carol

James yelled for Sam again, who scurried into the office like a timid mouse. James threw the two NDA’s and the divorce papers at him. “Have the top lawyer we employ go through these papers and make sure nothing is amiss. I am leaving.”

James grabbed the letter and his jacket then left the office. He climbed into the back of his vehicle and told his driver to go to Carol’s residence. All while trying to call her. But it just kept ringing and going to voicemail. For some reason he felt like his heart was racing and he couldn’t get enough air. What was happening?

When he pulled up, he didn’t wait for the car to come to a complete stop. He rushed out and went straight to Carol’s penthouse. He rushed in, looking around. The fruit bowl on the kitchen island was empty, her degrees were missing. He ran to the bedroom and looked in the closet. Most of the clothes were there. The ones he insisted she buy, but HER clothes were gone.

He went to the office and noticed it was spotless. The computer was off, but nothing personal. He opened the safe and saw that all the jewelry, including her wedding rings were there. Her phone and anything else bought by Robington money was sitting in the safe.

Then his phone suddenly rang. He pulled it out to see Sam calling. “What do you know?” Was the first thing out of James' mouth.

Sam felt a little uncomfortable with this whole morning (It just started) but said, “Mr. Robington, our lawyer said whoever fixed the original NDA did you and this company a huge favor. The old one did have a few loopholes and gaps where things could have been said. The new one covers from when Mrs. Robington met your parents to her death. It closed the legal gaps the original lawyer left. As for the divorce papers, he said and I quote ‘It's a steal. Any man of your status would die for a divorce agreement like this,’ end quote. Sir, all she wants is her earnings she made while married. No assets, shares, properties or alimony.”

Again James was shocked, he was sure Carol would want at least half of everything. Given that she was from a middle class family.

If Carol wasn’t after the money or status, why did she agree to the marriage? What was in it for her? James didn’t understand what was going on. While he silently agonized over all these questions he got another phone call. He looked down to see Mr. Sokolov was calling him. Just the person he needed. If anyone could find his wife it was Mikhail. So James answered the phone “Hello”

“Mr. Robongton, we had a meeting scheduled today and I hear from your assistant that you're canceling. Why?” Mikhail didn’t beat around the bush and cut straight into the conversation. He has been a bit colder and shorter with people these last few days. However, it all worked out in James' favor this time.

“Mr. Sokolov, I apologize for the sudden canceling and rescheduling of our meeting. My wife is missing. I rushed over to see if anything was off. I was just getting ready to call you about lending some assistance.”

Mikhail thought about it, Carol is doing a pretty good job of evading his questions. He has no doubt she could hide anything and disappear. So he agreed to help. Just to see if he can track her down or not. The hunt was on. Mikhail gave a cold and dry chuckle, agreed to meet James at Carol’s penthouse and hung up. James didn’t know that Mikhail visited his wife twice or that either of them were on speaking terms, believing the low chuckle he heard was evil and dark.