Forgotten Passion

Divorce settlement

I peered out of the car window, trying to recognize any familiar landmarks. We were not too far away from London now, another twenty minutes and I would be there. Charles had not wanted me to come, of course but the lawyer had insisted me to come to London, so I had finally agreed.

 I smiled warmly as I thought about Charles Blair. He was everything that a girl would want-kind and gentle, with laughing eyes and a wonderful sense of humor. I had met him as soon as I had gone as a secretary to Gazette Editorial where he was the head of the editorial department. He had been a great help to me in the early stages of my work and at the same time had plainly shown that he was interested in me.

I discouraged him at first, not wishing to become involved again after my disastrous marriage. But the warmth of his personality had won me over and now here I am asking Blake Reid for a divorce so that I could marry Charles.

It should be an ideal marriage. I thought happily. We have known each other almost six years and we are both mature enough to know what we wanted. Our interest was similar and most important of all Charles was a very fond of my son Mike, a feeling that Mike reciprocated. I thought thankfully. There was not the same magic when I was in his arms but well perhaps that was a good thing it was that special magic that had caused many of the problems in my first marriage. We will probably have another chance of success without it. I thought sadly.

But immediately when I thought about him, I had hatred in my eyes.

The car jerked to stop with the squeal of brakes, and I glanced quickly at my watch. I was early so I would have plenty of time to get to the lawyers office. So Perhaps, I could have a quick look at some of the dress shops in Regent Street. I looked down ruefully at my dark linen trouser suit, it had most certainly been better days but there was little money to spare from my own wardrobe. Mike was growing at such a rate that I had to be careful of my finances.

I was quite aware that today I was looking particularly beautiful my thick blonde hair drawn into a knot on top of my head and all though the suit I was wearing was out of season it emphasized my light golden tan and well-shaped figure beautifully.

I left the car at the main parking and told the driver to wait there, while I finish my work. My boss had allowed me to use the company’s car as I was travelling alone. After walking through the barrier I went into the temporally deserted rest room. I looked at myself critically at the reflection in the mirror. I would have to do it, but I did not exactly look like an estranged wife of a member of Italy’s wealthiest family. Well I would not be for long as there was absolutely no need to feel nervous about my coming here to the lawyer to make the final settlement of the divorce. I mentally tried to make myself strong and left the rest room heading towards the fashion shops and an hour’s window shopping.

At one-thirty I arrived outside the lawyer’s office wondering for at least the tenth time why he had specifically asked me to see him, why everything could not have been sorted out by them and my own lawyer. Oh well, I was going to find out now wasn't I?

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves I pushed open the glass door and walked with more confidence than I was feeling over the reception. I had barely time to sit in the seat to which I was shown before I was being urged into a large and luxurious appointed office.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Reid! May I introduce myself? I am Viktor Jones.” The tall grey head man smiled coolly at me and after shaking hands said: “Please let me introduce my friend who has flown down from Milan.

I looked around at the corner of the room. “Oh! For a moment I thought …..” I paled with embarrassment as Mr. Jones interrupted me smoothly.

“I don't believe you've met your husbands younger brother Jamie Reid. “I shook hands rather shakily with this younger version of Blake and as I did so someone else moved from the other side of the room.

“Lara! My dear!”

I turned and saw Kate Reid, Blake's’ mother standing there smiling at me. I have forgotten how tall Kate was I thought in her arms the older women had the thickest bones in her body. I looked at her and saw the brown skin, the very black eyes which held a tender sadness, the straight nose and pale mouth. She looked older. Six years ago, she had been a middle-aged woman who had always tried to look like a young one. Now she looked tired and haggard.

“How I've missed you Kate.” She said huskily trying to smile.

“I've missed you too.” The admission was not easy. I did not want to feel anything. My voice was rough almost unkind.

Kate got the note in it and smiled at me almost compassionately. “How ironic life can be that at last I get to meet you in such a terrible situation.”

That sentence caught me off guard and I asked, “What happened?”

“Lara I had to come and meet you because if I had called you, you wouldn't have understood what I had to say.” Kate said flatly.

“Kate if you are trying to talk me out of getting divorce from Blake then I will be heading back.” I said sternly.

Kate started sobbing and Jamie came beside her and held her in his arms.

“Mom I  told you she won't understand.” Jamie intervened.

“Please do not cry Kate, you must not let it upset you, Blake is not worth it.

The sound came again more deeply, I forgot that we were in the lawyer’s office and went and took her in my arms and said, “Kate don't cry for God sake. I am sorry if I said anything to hurt you.”

 “He's dying,” Kate whispered. “Dying Lara.”