Together

Human hearts are dark

Robert

" So let's be very clear, Ma'am, you do not want to give your marriage a second chance. "

" Definitely not......"

" But, think about it...both of you have two children, your husband......he, too, is willing to make it work..... "

" Mr. Robert Rodriguez........... I appreciate your concern, but I am hiring you to get me the best out of this divorce. I hope to get at least two of the three properties that he owns. Apart from that, a share of the savings and the custody of the two children as well. Since he is a loser, it is better that I keep my kids away from that man. "

Having met Mr. Smith before, I disagreed with his wife's opinion, but seeing her attitude, I chose not to speak a word.

" Mr. Rodriguez.'

" I understand your requirements, Mrs. Smith...... I will do my best to ensure that your demands are met. "

" Mr. Rodriguez, don't use my surname while you address me. I will be removing it very soon. "

" I understand that Ma'am. Any other requirements......... "

" None for now. By the way, the coffee offered at your office is terrible. "

As she walked away, getting into her wealthy lover's car, a man who had evaded prison for 'lack of evidence' and who was at least twenty-five years older, I was worried about her children's future.

****

When I met Mr Smith along with his lawyer, I could understand the hardworking man's pain, who was willing to part with his assets but not his children.

" Robert....can you do something about this........"

I could not refuse my law school teacher who was fighting on behalf of Mr. Smith.

********

" To be able to get the old man to personally stand up for him, Mr. Smith is definitely not a simple person. "

" But, how to convince that woman, Joseph? I really wish I had not taken up her case now. "

" She is paying well, and our firm has just begun gaining a foothold. It would not be wise to turn down a profit. "

" I know.....but the kids....'

" Meet that man, her lover. Maybe we can persuade him to manipulate Mrs. Smith......."

" Joseph........'

" Both of us know that this woman does not love her kids. We are also clear, considering that man's background, that she is one of his lovers. Women like her deserve to suffer. Let's do a good deed and ensure that the children stay with their father. "

That's the first time my best friend and I donned the shade of gray. Mr. Smith and the old man cooperated and the lover........he was not interested in the kids.

Not surprisingly, the woman gave up all rights pertaining to her kids.

My career had just started, and I realized that not all women were victims. I was happy for the man who returned with his children to a home that had longed for its master. The man, an heir to a low-profile billionaire family, became one of our first permanent clients. As our firm gained stability, I could not help but thank Mrs. Smith in my heart. Till then, I had considered all women to be like my deceased mother-kind and gentle, one who could sacrifice herself to protect her family. Mrs. Smith taught me that women could be selfish as well. I had just begun discovering that true love was wishful thinking. Most relationships that broke were based on ruthless calculations where one party sought maximum benefits. I learned that human hearts are dark.