"So today is the day, huh?"
"And not a moment too soon, either."
"Well, at least it'll be over and done with. After this you two will be finally rid of one another and you can move on with both your lives, Nate", Lucas spoke into the phone.
"Hallelujah to that one."
"Can I just say I'm proud of you being in the same hotel and not killing each other?"
"Yeah, yeah. I just don't know what I'd do with the body."
"Nathan…
"Just kidding, bro but you walked right into that one", he laughed.
Nathan was sitting in the extravagant dining facility of the hotel, finishing up his omelet breakfast, sipping coffee and chatting on his cell with his brother. The smile quickly faded from his face when he saw her. His heart caught in his throat.
There she was, her lightened auburn, almost blonde curly hair fell onto bare tanned shoulders, blending perfectly with her light multi colored sundress. Her breasts, which had always been a beautiful sight to behold, were pushed up against the thin material, her slender arms toned as well as golden legs that seemed to go for miles. Yes, he had always remembered a sexy body underneath the jeans and ponchos but the woman before him was an incredible, mature beauty. She seemed to have a glow about her and heads turned in the direction of her aura.
"Nate…dude, are you listening to me?"
"Huh?"
"Man, you haven't heard a word I said, have you?"
"What? Luke, sorry. Hey, I have to go. Can I call you back?"
"Sure thing, dude", the older Scott sighed. "Just one thing."
"What's that?"
"Be nice", Lucas said.
Nathan grinned in the phone before hanging up.
"You got it, bro. Just call me, Mr. Congeniality."
Nathan stood and put on his shades, walking outside to the waiting cab, which would take him to the building where the divorce proceedings would go down.
"Mr. Scott", the driver nodded, getting out and opening the back door.
"Thanks, man."
"Wait!" Haley yelled as she bounded from the hotel, purse in hand, sunglasses on top of her head.
"Yes ma'am?"
"Hi, sir. I called for a car 15 minutes ago and it hasn't arrived yet", she checked her watch. "Mr. Scott and I are going to the same place. Is it possible for you to give me a ride as well?"
The driver shrugged.
"I don't see why not, Miss, as long as Mr. Scott doesn't object."
They looked at Nathan, Haley's eyes particularly pleading. He looked at her and his blue eyes softened a bit. For a split second she saw the sweet young man she had married.
"Actually, Mr. Scott does object", he grinned evilly.
"What?" Haley protested. "Nathan!"
"Driver, I'm in a hurry. Please, can we get out of here? This lady can get her own cab."
"Nathan!"
"Sorry, Charlie", he laughed as the car slowly pulled away. "I did all my charity work for the year."
They left, leaving behind an irate young woman calling her estranged husband every name in the book. 10 minutes later in the blistering sun, the other car finally arrived with the Latin version of Grandpa Moses at the wheel, taking his sweet time and finding perhaps the only traffic jam in the whole Dominican Republic. By the time Haley arrived, she literally had seconds to make the appointment. Out of breath, she climbed the stairs, tripping and nearly severing a heel along the way.
She arrived at the appropriate room disheveled and disoriented, sweaty and her hair tussled.
"Haley J. James?"
"Yes", she panted. "Sorry, I'm late."
Nathan chuckled out loud, sounding eerily like Dan Scott.
"Okay", the official began. "To the matter at hand. Scott versus Scott. A petition for dissolution of marriage has been filed. Is Mr. Nathan Scott present?"
"Yes", he nodded.
"And Haley James? The late Haley James?" he asked, garnering a few snickers from Nathan and some others.
"Yes", she rolled her eyes, embarrassed and wanting to beat Nathan with her shoe.
"Is this a Mutual Consent Divorce, meaning there has been no specific cause for dissolving the bond of matrimony, however both parties show mutual agreement for the termination of the marriage?"
"Yes", Nathan and Haley stated in unison.
"Very well. Residency and presence of attorneys are not required. Mr. Scott, do you, of sound mind and body wish to permanently dissolve your union with your wife, Haley James Scott?"
"You bet", he said sarcastically.
"A simple yes or no for the record will suffice, sir."
"Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes! A hundred times yes."
The official shook his head. It was a real life War of the Roses.
"And do you, Mrs. Scott being of sound mind and body wish to permanently dissolve your union with your husband, Nathan Daniel Scott?"
Haley looked at the smirk he had borrowed from Dan and thought about all the insults over the weeks combined with being left to roast in the sun while waiting for a car.
"Actually, I wish to murder my husband, Mr. Scott, and string him up on a meat cleaver by his balls but if divorce is the best you can do…"
"Mrs. Scott, please!"
"Fine! Yes, I wish to dissolve the union."
"So be it. The motion to your mutual petition has been granted and the judgment will be filed in the Office of the Civil Registry effective immediately. In one to three business days, the U.S. Embassy will send the papers to you. Please sign and hand deliver them back to the same Embassy and absolute divorce will be granted immediately. Thank you and have a good day."
The gavel sounded and it was over. Well, almost. But just like that. Seven years was about to be over. Haley was relieved. She thought it would hurt more but Nathan made it impossible to hurt. He was however good at pissing her off. He seemed to excel in that.
In as little as 24 hours and 72 at the most, they would be divorce. A package would be mailed to the hotel, they would sign it, return it to the Embassy and the Scott union and any connection thereafter, would be finished.
Standing outside, it was hot. The sun was unbearable. Finally a single taxi pulled in front of the building. She could see him going for it and it was payback time. Seeing a golden opportunity, a devilish grin appeared on Haley's face. She let him take a few more precious steps before setting her plan into motion. Sunglasses concealing her eyes, she approached a group of adolescent boys.
"Do you all speak English?"
They shook their heads no. Damn! At times like that, Haley cursed herself for not finishing high school.
"Um, okay…basketball?" she made a dribbling motion.
"Si, si!" the boys said excitedly.
Bingo! Jackpot!
"Quiere usted el baloncesto?" she asked, hoping she had just inquired whether or not they liked basketball.
"Si! Si!"
"Look", she pointed. "Nathan Scott."
The boys' eyes widened as they began to converse animatedly in Spanish before rushing the unsuspecting superstar. In the blistering sun surrounded by a bunch of kids who didn't speak English. That should keep the asshole occupied for a while, she thought. The perfect payback.
She breezed ahead and hopped in the taxi as Nathan frowned, knowing what she had done. She could only grin and wave and say one thing…
"See you later, sucker!"