"How dare you!"
Serena felt herself jump into action in an effort to console her sobbing client, the beautiful actress and model, Mina Aino, who glared angrily across the wooden table at the renowned rock star, and her soon to be ex-husband, Lucas Minoru. Obviously, no one sitting in the room had any desire to be there, listening to the shrill cries of Mina, especially Lucas, who currently sat next to his lawyer, his face the very epitome of sadness and regret. After remaining happily married for ten years, the couple had separated after Mina had caught her rock star husband in bed with the executive producer of his record company. Despite his nonstop apologies, she had fled their Manhattan penthouse and immediately phoned Serena for representation in the divorce proceedings. Now, two people who had once pledged their undying devotion to one another sat at opposing ends across a polished, wooden table, fighting over who would get the beach house and Mercedes Benz.
"You cheated on me!" Mina screamed through anguished cries. "You cheated on me with that whore!"
Serena saw Lucas give a pained flinch at Mina's words. Evidently, the divorce was Mina's idea, although Lucas brought it upon himself through his actions. Despite this, Serena felt her heart go out to the poor man. Strange how two people could seem so perfect for one another; so in love – and then it would all stop. Then again, love is nonexistent. Serena had reached this conclusion around her second week in the firm. Throughout her childhood, college, and graduate school years, she had always been a hopeless romantic who would look at nearly every attractive man on the street as a potential soulmate. She had visited psychics, drank so-called "love potions," and even visited a singles bar or two. However, after presiding at the divorce proceedings of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Yori, a couple firmly lodged in the belief that divorce was the best path for them despite the fact that they were the archetypal "perfect couple," Serena had lost all the belief she had left that true romance existed in the world. Now, as she shifted her eyes between the feuding lovers, she felt her heart sink once again at the thought that she was helping to break apart another marriage.
"Just give her anything she wants," Lucas finally said with a slow voice filled with anguish.
"Oh, no you don't!" retorted Mina. "Don't you dare make me out to be the bad one, here! You're keeping everything!"
"That's fine. Whatever you want, sweetie."
"Don't you dare call me sweetie! I'm getting the Malibu mansion!"
"Fine."
"What! What did you do to it? That's it; you're keeping the mansion! I want nothing to do with that house! I want the Mercedes!"
"Go ahead."
"How dare you!"
Five bickering-filled hours later, the settlement finally straightened out, with Mina having received the Malibu beach house, the BMW, the Mercedes, and half the savings. Lucas received their penthouse - after Mina angrily announced that she could never go back to that horrid place - as well as the other half of the savings. Drained, Serena shuffled out alongside her client.
"Well, I'm glad that's over!" announced Mina triumphantly. "Now I don't have to be tied to that cheating scumbag any longer. Yup, I'm just a single gal who may now focus solely on her career. I'm thinking of starring in my own sitcom about a woman recuperating from a divorce. She's sassy, fun, and independent. What do you think, Serena? Serena?"
"Uh-huh, yeah…" Serena answered monotonously; her head slumped over the receptionist desk. She couldn't wait to get home and empty her brain out in front of the television. "I don't have any other appointments for the rest of the day, right Molly?"
The receptionist looked up from her computer, her eyes filled with pity for the blonde lawyer before her. She slowly shook her head, causing her brown curls to flounce back and forth. "Sorry, Serena, but you still have a meeting with a new client. He's seeking a divorce from his wife and needs advice on how to best go about it."
"Ugh, can't I reschedule?" Serena whined, causing Mina to giggle. Aside from a professional relationship, the two were also good friends, as were Serena and Molly. "I'm so tired and I've got another negotiation tomorrow."
"Sorry," Molly answered. "He's waiting in the East Conference Room right now."
Serena hesitantly said goodbye to Molly and Mina before heading over to meet her client. Of course, Molly had already informed her of this meeting yesterday, but after the draining Mina-Lucas hearing, Serena's mind had become much too muddled to function properly. God help the poor soul looking for consultation next, for Serena's subconscious was now filled with thoughts of sleep and pork buns. When she wasn't practicing law, Serena's next favorite love was food – eating it, that is.
Slowly walking up to the bright, wooden door of the East Conference Room, Serena pondered whether or not to grab a quick drink from the water cooler first. However, she was already five minutes late and as the client was paying a very high price to meet with her, she decided to just get it over with. She heard muffled shuffling behind the closed door, which meant that someone was already inside, waiting. Not bothering to knock, Serena pushed open the door and immediately came face-to-face with a man, and not just any man. He was the powerful, and quite handsome CEO of one of Japan's leading technological industries. He was Darien Shields.
"I was just going to see where you were," said Darien with a smile, stepping back and plopping himself into one of the room's plush, leather armchairs.
"Right, sorry about that," said Serena, sitting down across the table. "I got a little caught up beforehand, with another meeting."
"Oh, of course," responded Darien, knowingly. "It happens to everyone."
Serena smiled. She had to admit that he was very attractive, and had she been in her previous, romantic phase, she would have immediately pinned him down as a potential "soulmate." His blue eyes glinted under the bright lighting of the room, and his dark ebony hair was slightly tousled in a way that pinned him as neat, but not obsessive; busy but not stressed; stylish, but not eccentric – in other words, just perfect. He wore a plain, dark grey suit that appeared extremely expensive. However, despite all this, it was his smile that seemed the most attractive. As a lawyer, Serena had learned long ago to initially and quickly calculate a person based on immediate appearances, and Darien's smile reminded her of that of someone sarcastic and witty, but caring at the same time. All traits which she valued, but alas, Serena's beliefs in romance and soulmates were a thing of the past – as of now, the man before her was merely a client.
"So, let me examine your file for a moment," she said, rustling through her briefcase. Of course, Molly had given her a brief description of Darien and a copy of the prenuptial agreement that both he and his wife had signed at their wedding. From the bio, Serena learned that Darien had been married five years, and was seeking divorce on the grounds of adultery. His wife was the gorgeous supermodel, Beryl, and neither had any children.
"Well," spoke Serena after a few minutes of skimming. "Before we begin, I just need to ask who committed the adultery?"
Darien hesitated before bitterly spitting out the words, "She did."
"I see," responded Serena, glancing over the pre-nup. "Then you have the upper hand, here. According to your agreement, with her having committed adultery after only a five-year marriage, she will receive next to none of your fortune, and less than half of the property that you two share."
Darien merely looked away angrily. Serena could not blame him. Money and property were little consolation compared with the fact that the so-called "love of his life" had slept with another. As with all her other clients, Serena felt herself reach across the table and grasp his hand gently. Upon doing this, she felt a fleeting sensation, almost like a tiny spark of lightning tingling along her fingertips. Of course, it must have been her imagination – or static electricity.
"I know it's not much, but at least you will get to keep almost everything," she said sympathetically, glancing across the table at Darien. "I've had some clients who've lost more than half their wealth, as well as the love of their lives. At least you will be able to start anew, unscathed."
"She cheated on me," Darien spat. "I had told her that I would be working late, but in reality, I had been out buying a surprise for her – it was out anniversary, you know – and then I came home to find her with the cable guy!"
At his final words, Darien pulled his hand from Serena's grasp and massaged his temples in an effort to quell an oncoming headache. The world's youngest and most successful CEO, cowering pathetically under his failure at the one thing that had once seemed most important to him. Helpless, Serena merely watched sympathetically, horrified that yet another would ruthlessly toss away the sacred vows she had made on her wedding day for a fleeting romance. Especially on the anniversary of her marriage! Serena had always admired Beryl for her beauty and her wonderful performances on the catwalk, but after hearing this story, she lost a great amount of respect for the woman.
"I'm sorry," Darien sighed. "I guess I'm still in shock over the whole ordeal. I just can't believe Beryl would do such a thing!"
After offering further consolation, Serena pulled out some more papers and began advising Darien on the proper procedures for his divorce. As the sun began to set, the two continued to work into the night, often allowing casual, friendly conversations to interrupt their meeting.
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Sorry for the lack of excitement. I promise a much more exciting chapter(s) to come! Just bear with me for the time being xD. This is my first fanfic, so who knows when the next chapter will come? I don't. However, I am on summer vacay, so hopefully, it won't be too long. PLEASE REVIEW! I hate flamers, but constructive criticism would be just dandy! 3