Haley's heart thumped wildly as she mentally prepared herself to set foot in the meeting that would ultimately change her life.
"You okay?" Oliver, her attorney, whispered.
"I'm fine. I just hope they're not here already waiting on us."
"We're not late", he checked his watch.
"No, I don't mean that. I just wanted to get here first, if you know what I mean."
He did. He had heard all about the events of the previous day and it had infuriated him to no end. They had no right and he would not stand for any more of the Scott family and their bullying.
They stepped in front of the double wooden doors that led to the large, private conference room at Dan's dealership. So much for a neutral setting. Originally the offer had been to have the meeting take place at the Scott home but Oliver had steadfastly refused. Reluctantly he had settled for a location at Dan Scott Motors.
"You ready for this, Haley?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
Her heels clicked a little louder than she wanted them to on the perfectly finished marble coated floor and she struggled to keep her head up as they entered the room. Waiting like a pack of wolves were two attorneys, Nathan, Megan, Dan and Deb.
"Wow, they actually showed up on time", Dan quipped. "How about that?"
Haley closed her eyes. It was starting already.
"And who might you be, sir?"
"Daniel Scott", he smirked. "And you're Oliver."
"You can call me Mr. Rout."
The shit eating grin quickly disappeared from Dan's face.
"Mr. Rout, is it?"
"Yes. Now, I take it Counsel is present to represent the interests of Mr. Nathan Scott. Mr. Hill and Mr. Adams, correct?"
The two men nodded.
"Very well, gentlemen. Let's get down to business. I spoke with Mr. Adams on the telephone and it is accurate to say that we have spent a considerable amount of time respectively combing over laws in order to expedite the matter of Scott versus Scott."
"Yes, Mr. Rout", Adams began. "I received your fax on the Samson versus Samson case a few years ago with similar circumstances so I filed an emergency petition for immediate absolute divorce with Family Court last night but my secretary has advised me that the judge ruled against our motion."
"What the hell does that mean?" Nathan snorted.
"It means that quite possibly that was our last hope unless anyone has any other options to bring to the table. Mr. Adams? Mr. Hill?"
The two men shook their heads to indicate no. Nathan cursed out loud as Megan and Deb sighed.
"Let's get this show on the road", Dan started again. "It can't be that hard. As you all can see, I'm in the car business. I have quite a successful deal going on her if I may say so myself. I see this little predicament much like an auto sale and I am very customer oriented. That's what has allowed me to make it this far. A kid comes in looking to trade his old, beat up, unreliable Buick for a shiny new sports car that's all pretty and classy and sophisticated and ready to take on any bump in the road. Now I know anxious that kid is to move on with his life and get rid of the old and get on with the new. It's my job to make sure that happens. I get paid six figures to do so. Now it's no secret you gentlemen are being compensated quite handsomely as well so l expect the same caliber of service."
"Mr. Scott, I kindly ask that you keep your editorials to yourself", Oliver instructed.
Dan looked surprised before laughing haughtily.
"Are you talking to me, son? You're a big shot Yankee lawyer but you have no idea just who you're dealing with, do you?"
"It is my understanding these proceedings deal directly with the dissolution of marriage between Nathan and Haley Scott. Nowhere in my notes is it annotated that Daniel Scott has anything to do with it."
"Your point?"
"This is none of your business, sir."
"Au contraire. Everything that happens in this damned town is my business especially when it comes to my family."
"Maybe in your world but I suggest you take a reality check real quick. Legally you have no standing and your insults and smart alec comments are not helping matters. If you cannot control yourself like a civilized adult, then I will ask that you be removed from these proceedings."
"Oh I'd like to see you try, buddy."
"Mr. Adams, Mr. Hill…"
Haley couldn't take it anymore. The bickering had commenced.
"Please everyone stop."
"Oh shut your selfish little mouth, Haley", Dan shouted. "This is all your fault. You took advantage of my boy and coerced him into filing for emancipation and then marrying you. Then you broke, what would be a heart if we Scott men had one, by running off on the first tour bus that came through Tree Hill with your new little punk boyfriend. Then you hire an idiot for a layer who couldn't even turn in a simple piece of paper on time. You have ruined Nathan's life and we need to fix this mess before it's too late. Save the Mary Poppins Mother Teresa peacemaking routine."
"That's it", Oliver shook his head. "Mr. Hill, I respectfully ask that your client and the others not pertaining to this matter be removed from litigation."
"You don't instruct me to do anything, Sonny", Dan sneered.
"This is bullshit!" Nathan claimed.
"Nathan…"
"Everybody just shut the hell up for a minute!" Haley yelled, standing up. "Look, I can't do this anymore. This isn't getting anybody anywhere. Nathan, obviously you want to divorce me and believe me, it's no picnic being married to you either so I'd say the common goal here is to end this thing as soon as possible. All our lawyers have been working night and day looking for a way out and so far legally, we're at the end of our rope and no closer to a solution. Well, I think I have something."
"Haley?" Oliver questioned.
"No, it's okay. Listen, I didn't want to bring this up but now I don't think we have any other choice. I did some research on bifurcated divorces. It's legal and it can be processed in a few days. The only thing is, it has to be done in the Dominican Republic."
"Mail order divorces?" Nathan asked with a smirk. "I've heard it all. Nice try, Rock Star. We do a quickie divorce in the Dominican Republic probably from some dumb website you found and in a few months or God forbid years, I find out that I'm still married to your ass? No fucking thanks."
"Nathan, wait", Meg interjected. "I've heard about these. Haley, how is it processed?"
"Since it's non contested, an immediate order will be filed. The decree then gets translated into English by an official Judicial Interpreter, the Interpreter's signature is certified again by the Procuraduria, of the Dominican Republic and the Procuraduria's signature gets verified by the Consular Section of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. The Ministry's signature is certified by the corresponding International Consulate and therefore it's recognized in the U.S. One weekend, quick and painless and it's over."
"Hell no."
"Nathan, maybe you should consider it, sweetie", Deb offered.
"No! It's the dumbest idea I ever heard."
"Nathan, it's our only choice, babe", Megan prodded gently.
"No!"
"Nathan, actually Ms. James has a point", Mr. Adams stated.
"So it's valid, legal and quick?" Dan asked.
"Yes."
"Don't be a fool, son. One weekend won't kill you. We're talking about the rest of your life here. Just do it. It's worth it."
Nathan sighed.
"Sweetie, come on. We'll go, take care of this and it'll be over. It's not a bad idea and it's our only option. Please", Megan practically begged.
"Fine. If it will end this nightmare, then whatever."
Haley breathed a sigh of relief. The problem had been solved. Finally it would end and everything would be okay. She should have felt a level of comfort but it wouldn't come. There would be no comfort until it was over. Comfort would then bring closure. Haley welcomed closure. She needed it. She needed something, anything other than the icy glare coming from the pair of eyes that had once loved her but now hated her with far more passion.