Chapter 9: Devina
I look at him and he looks like he is on top of the world. Soon, he will be. I get my desire to always win from him. He's wearing a black suit that I'm sure my mother picked out for him because he doesn't have a remote sense of what style is. I held out a hand and I took it.
"Devina…" Skylar said in a concerned tone.
"I'm fine guys. Go to work. I'll meet you back at the office." I said and they both nodded. A moment later the car drove off and I started walking towards the courthouse. My father was undoubtedly right behind me. I started up the steps, and then I saw all the flashes of the paparazzi and reporters. People were screaming questions at me. . My family is no stranger to the press. Well, everyone except Lucas, we try to keep him out of the public eye as much as possible.
"Do you think you can defend Mr. Richmond the way you defend every other client?" A reporter hollered at me. "Why are you defending a murder?" A woman asks. I heard numerous questions about the court case and Mr. Richmond. "Did you bring the senator as your co-chair?" A man asked shoving something near my mouth. I realized I stopped and my father was now at my side. I looked at him and he nodded
"I plan on winning this court case no matter if Senator Martinez is at my side or not. I am not defending a murderer, I am defending a man who was attacked and enacted his right to defend his life." I said with a smile. "No matter what maneuvers I chose to perform, the outcome will be the same as my other outcomes. I will prove the innocent, innocent and I will do it the same way my family does anything; with grace and pride."
"Are you excited for your wedding?" A man asks. We strayed from the topic of the court case to my wedding. "Where will the ceremony be held?" another reporter asks.
"The details of my wedding will not be released but to answer the first question I heard, I've practically been married for eleven years, this just makes it official." I said with a smile and then I saw a town car pull up then my siblings and Lucinda's pet came out of the car. I looked to my father and he just looked at them. I can't believe he invited them to my court case.
"Dad…" I whispered in his ear. "Why in the hell are the siblings from hell here?"
"They're here to support you. It also helps me with my campaign." He said with a smile. He waved to them and I just pushed my fingers through my hair in annoyance. They all came to the steps and we took a lot of family pictures. I tried my hardest not to roll my eyes.
After ten minutes, I couldn't take it anymore, I went inside. I sped walked to the courtroom and I entered the room and there were still people filtering in. Arabella was sitting on the plaintiff's side while I took my seat on the defendant's side. I have to get into kick ass lawyer mode right now. I took out the files and started organizing. I began to re-read my talking points and notes on the case. I let out a cleansing breath and cleared my head. I let everything melt away and I was ready. I checked my watch 8:45 AM. Not even a minute later, my family strolled in with their 'I have money and I'm better than everyone else' walk that I hate oh so very much. My brother, sister and her pet sat in the first row directly behind me. My father however sat in my second chair.
"What are you doing?" I ask my father. "Why did you bring them?"
"I thought it was an opportunity. Remember what people always say 'Carpe Diem'."
"Yes, you can seize the day all you want but seize your day not mine. I have court and you brought the siblings from hell?" I ask in a semi-irritated tone. "Really dad? You know how this firm means the world to me and my work even more so. This is the one place that I have that those two can't touch."
"We're right here." Lucinda points out and I just roll my eyes.
"Wow Devina, you have your own fan club?" Arabella says and she picked the wrong day to mess with me. I turn my chair and look her dead in the eyes.
"Arabella" I say in a calm tone "Take your face in you hands and shove it up your ass." I turn back to them. "As for you three, you don't get to talk here. Mark, I don't go to your hospital and tell you how to stick a needle in someone's heart. Lucinda, I don't go to the DAR and tell you how to drink tea and Walden, I have no fucking clue what you do, but let me make this clear, if you talk I will burn off your hair while it's still attached to your skull." They all nod and then I turn to my father. "Dad, you need to move over one because I already have a second chair." I say and he complies with my wishes. "This is my arena, you are all on my team. Don't do anything and we'll be good."
"Where's the client?" My dad asks as if I am incompetent enough to forget to send someone to get the client.
"Nadi's getting him; his family too. I thought it would be good for the jury to see that he's a family man." I said and went back to my notes. Five minutes later, Nadi comes in with Malcolm Richmond, one of the wealthiest people in New York City. He is also the youngest billionaire in New York as well. Being twenty-five and having your father die and him inheriting the world is a pretty big deal. He has a wife; Helen and two kids; Sammy and Tori who came as well. I stand up and greet them.
"Hello Malcolm." I said and put out my hand. He shook it and I could tell he was nervous. "Listen to me Malcolm, I'm very good at what I do, okay?" He nodded. "I also want you to meet someone." I said pointing to my family "I wouldn't bring my father, the governor of New York here to watch me fail. I also brought my brother and sister because I want to show them that they got the short end of the stick and my job is way cooler than theirs." I said and he laughed.
"You know, I didn't mean to kill him… I just panicked and I tried to take the gun…" He said and he was shaking.
"Malcolm, I know. We have a secret weapon and it will liberate you from all of this. I promise I will get you to stay home with your family." I said and he nodded. I turned to his family and they all smiled at me. "Hi guys, you know, I have a son. He's going to turn eleven in about a month."
"You do not look old enough to have an eleven year old." Helen said and I just smiled.
"I was eighteen when I had him and it was a roller coaster. Kinda like the one you are on right now. I promise to get you off this ride as fast as I can." I said and she nodded. I turned to the kids and they smiled at me. "Well, this must be Sammy and this has to be Tori." I said and the little boy nodded. "How old are you two?"
"I'm four. Tori's five." Sammy said and I just smiled. I remember when Lucas was at that age and wanted to talk to anyone and everyone. Sammy looked a lot like Helen, with his golden blonde hair and light green eyes, while Tori shared quite a bit of resemblance to Malcolm with his jet black hair and hunter green eyes. "Why don't you sit next to my family? I requested it was a private courtroom due to the fact that this is a very sensitive subject."
"Thank you Ms. Martinez." Helen says and I nod. I sit down next to Nadi who is still shaking in awe of just meeting my father. My father aquatints himself with Malcolm and I re-read my notes one last time. The jury just came in and the bailiff was looking at the door.
"Just relax. You're innocent. Remember that." I said to Malcolm and he gave a slight smile.
"Well, this is court case 9815 Richmond V. New York. All rise for Judge Randall." The bailiff said and the room rose. I know the judge quite well; she's my mother's best friend.
"You may be seated." She bangs the gavel and we all sit back down. "Does the jury know their duties as being a jury of peers for Mr. Richmond?"
"We do your honor." The lead juror said and Judge Randall nodded. She looked towards me and my father and nodded.
"Let's call the first witness to the stand. Mrs. Campbell, you're up." Judge Randall said and Arabella rose.
"The city calls Malcolm Richmond to the stand." Arabella says and Malcolm stands. He touches Helen's hand and makes his way to the stand. The bailiff holds a bible before Malcolm and he puts his hand upon it.
"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?" The bailiff asks and Malcolm freezes.
"I do." Malcolm says and takes his seat. Arabella stands and unbuttons her jacket.
"Hello Mr. Richmond. How are you doing today?" Arabella asks.
"I'm good."
"Well, can you tell me who this man is?" Arabella asks as she pulls up a photo onto the TV screen set up in the courtroom. She shows a picture of a dead man.
"That is the man that I shot. Nathan Davis."
"The city would like to submit this as Evidence A. So you admit that you shot him?"
"yes."
"So you are aware that you killed him?"
"Yes."
"You shot him and he is dead. He can no longer visit his family, he can longer see his children. He can no longer say I love you to anyone."
"Objection your honor! She's pestering the defendant." I said standing up.
"Sustained. Get to the point Mrs. Campbell."
"How you feel now that you have killed a man?"
"I regret it." Malcolm said and he looked down.
"Do you love your family?"
"Of course I love my family."
"Would you do anything for your family?"
"yes."
"Don't you think Mr. Davis should have been able to see his family for one more day? To at least say goodbye?"
"Everyone deserves that right."
"No further questions." Arabella says and she gives me a slight grin. Oh how I want to punch her in the face. I stood up and went to the jury. I looked at all of them and smiled.
"Mr. Richmond, can you tell us about the night you shot Mr. Davis."
"It was the night of my daughter's dance recital. I was late coming from the office and I wanted to get her flowers. So, I went to the store around the corner from my office and I got her flowers. When I came out, I was going to go get a cab, when the man pulled a gun on me. I didn't see his face because he came from behind me and he told me to give him everything I had. I gave him my wallet and my watch and my phone, but then he wanted my wedding ring. When I refused, he said he'd kill me if I didn't give it to him. I turned around and I tried to fight him off. I grabbed the side of the gun and forced it to face him, but I don't know if he knew that I was turning the gun toward him, but he pulled the trigger and I saw the light go out of his eyes." Malcolm said letting a tear slip. I nodded and I looked at Helen and she couldn't hold it in.
"What happened after that?"
"I threw the gun in the dumpster and I ran."
"Why?"
"I was scared of what might happen."
"Did it ever occur to you to go the police?"
"I did, but I didn't think they would believe me."
"Maybe they'll believe this. Let this be shown as the defendants Evidence A. The video surveillance of the store the night of May 5 at 8:10 PM." I said and the video showed exactly what Mr. Richmond said. When it was done, I looked at him and nodded. "Why were you crying?"
Malcolm looked at his wife and his children and let a tear slip. "Anyone with their humanity would cry after they had just taken a life."
"No further questions." I said and I winked at Arabella and took my seat.
"We'll recess until tomorrow morning at 9 AM." Judge Randall said. The bailiff announced her retreat back into her chambers. I looked at Arabella and she looks very nervous. She gathered her things and I turned to Nadi.
"Okay, so you're interview with Jeffery and I will be tomorrow after this case is recessed. So, you're free for the rest of the day. Go do stuff." I said and she smiled at me.
"You were really good today." She said as she picked up her bag.
"Thank you." She nodded and walked out. I gathered my files into my bag and then I realized my family is still here. I looked at my father and he looked proud. My brother and sister were looking at me with admiration, but I really don't have time to deal with them right now.
"So, what do you think?" Malcolm said as he came back from the stand. "Do you think we'll be done with this soon?"
"Are you kidding? We'll most likely be done by the time I leave for my wedding on Friday." I said and he smiled. "You were great. Actually, Helen, I want to call you to the stand. If I know anything about Arabella, she will try to play the emotions really high on this one. I need you and anyone else who can vouch for Malcolm's character."
"I can do that. I'll try to get his sister too."
"Thank you. Go home you guys; it's enough for one day." I said and they nodded. They all walked out as a family which I thought was so cute. I turned to my family and they were all smiling at me. "What are you all staring at?"
"I want to be a lawyer." Lucinda says and I just laugh.
"Lucinda, you don't have the brain capacity to be a lawyer." I said and I just kept packing my things. "I don't even know why any of you came here."
"We wanted to see how you work. I don't get it, one minute you are talking about us like we're family and the other your attitude changes to bitch mode again." Lucinda says and I just roll my eyes.
"That wasn't for your sake it was for theirs. You what, whatever. I'm going to have lunch with my family now." I said picking up my bag.
"You never set up a lunch with us. I thought we were meeting for dinner?" Mark said in a concerned tone.
"Not with you. You aren't my family." I said and started to walk away. "I'll see you all at dinner. Lucas is coming so don't you dare say anything about the situation we have. If you do, I'll have your heads."
"Okay, I didn't know I was sisters with the red queen."
"It would be a pleasure to chop off your head." I said and walked out. I went through the front doors without being seen and I tried to flag down a cab.
"Devina!" A voice yelled and when I turn around, it's my brother. "Let me ride with you."
"Hell no." I said flatly. I waved down a cab and it was waiting for me.
"Come on, I'll pay." He said and I rolled my eyes. I got into the cab and he came in after me.
"Central park West." I told the cab driver and we were on our way. We were silent for ten minutes and I found strength in it. "Why are you here Mark?"
"Why didn't you tell Zeke I wanted to be in your life again?" He asked and I just laughed.
"I warned all of you that once you walked out there was no coming back. I hoped that you would stay on your side of the country, but apparently no one ever wants to do what I say. I say stay here and help me raise our brother and you move three thousand miles away. I say stay away and you come back. If I knew that everything I said to do, you would do the opposite, that would've made me life a hell of a lot easier."
"Devina…"
"no please, keep talking." I said as I pulled out my phone. I got a lot of texts from Skylar and Trisha asking me if I was alright and I got another text from Zeke reminding me of the lunch and to have a good time in court. Little did he knew that Lucifer sent little minion devils after me.
"Devina, I'm sorry. I was twenty four. You're still holding that against me?"
"Time doesn't heal all wounds Mark. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to raise Lucas with Zeke? When you tried to get back in contact I didn't care anymore. I was doing fine on my own and I didn't need a big brother."
"I came back here because I don't want to live in California anymore. I want to move back here."
"Absolutely not. This works better with me here you there and Lucinda chasing Walden wherever the hell he goes."
"I'm not asking for your permission. I have a job waiting for me at Bellevue. They need a new head of Cardio there. Dad's letting me move into the Martinez house just a block away from you."
"What?" I look at him like he's crazy. "A block away from me? I really loved it when you were three thousand miles away from me."
"no. Little did I know that it was already furnished so I need to find a place to put the furniture I brought from California?"
"Mark, slow down. Why are you doing this?"
"I don't want to be exiled anymore. I want to come home."
"No one forced you to leave."
"You think living in a world where everything I do can and will be judged by you, being reminded everyday of my mistake? I get that leaving Lucas and leaving you was a mistake. I understand that now. I want to be apart of the life you built."
"Why don't you be apart of Lucinda's life? You don't need to be apart of mine." I said and let out a sigh. "I don't know any of my family. I know grandma and grandpa. They were always there when you guys weren't. Zeke's family was there when you weren't. I had people that replaced you. I'm not saying any of this to hurt you, I don't need you."
"Mom always said that the more love doesn't take away from the love you already gave." Mark said and I just don't want to hear it anymore.
"Don't you get it? Do any of you get it? It hurt too much to be involved in yours and Lucinda's life. You both left me. Dad left me. The life we had before mom died, it wasn't perfect but at least you were still apart of it. In a way, I'm glad we weren't close before because it hurt a little less when you left." I said and he looked disappointed. "You can stop here." I got out of the car and closed the door. "I'll see you at dinner." I walked away and I didn't turn back. I walked up the steps to my door and unlocked it. I went to my study and out down my bag. I went to the kitchen and saw Marcella and Jelly just playing on the Xbox.
"What are you two doing here?" I ask pouring myself a glass of wine. I sat next to them on the couch and took a sip.
"Devina, not to say you're an alcoholic or anything, but it's 11:30 and you're drinking." Marcella said and I just nodded.
"You have no idea what I just went through." I said and I told them about my cab ride with Mark. "So, what do you guys think?"
"Shit…" Jelly said and I just laughed.
"Come on, I have to get ready for lunch." I said and we all moved up the stairs and made our way to my bedroom. We walked into my bathroom and to my closet.
"I mean, I don't get it. He has been trying to get in touch with you since Lucas was two and you said nothing to us?"
"I didn't know how to handle it so I didn't. I thought there was no harm in ignoring something that was three thousand miles away."
"Well, he's not three thousand miles away now." Jelly said and I just laughed. I put on some jean shorts and a black tank top and topped it off with a see through cardigan. I also put my one shoulder blue dress in a travel bag.
"What are you going to do now? He's not sight hours away anymore, he's eight minutes away." Marcella added to Jelly's statement.
"I don't know. Are you coming with us to Mom's?"
"No, I have to go home and do some stuff." Marcella responds. "I'm just waiting for the guys to get back from going go cart racing."
"They went go cart racing without me?" I say pouting and then I hear the front door open.
"Devina! You should come downstairs right now!" Zeke yells and I look at Marcella and Jelly. I shrug my shoulders and I get my things and start the great trek down the staircase. When I get down, both of the front doors are open and the guys are at the top of the stairs looking out onto the street.
"Babe? What are you all looking at?" I ask them and Zeke turns around. Obviously in shock, but it is a happy shock.
"Can I keep it?" He asks jumping up and down like a four year old. I move past all of them and I see my father, my sister and my brother and beside them were two cars I had never seen before; a Mercedez SUV and a convertible sports car I don't know the name of with bows attached to them. I stopped at the first step and I was dumbfounded to even think that they got cars for me.
"What is this?" I ask finally moving down the steps. Zeke and Lucas came down with me and I looked at my father. "Please tell me you're here to gloat because you got cars for thing one and thing two."
"Nope." He said with a satisfied grin on his face. "These cars are for you and Zeke. Let's call it a wedding present."
"the registery said napkin set not two hundred thousand dollars worth of metal." I said but Zeke was so excited. He went up to my father.
"Key's please." He said and Lucinda tossed them to him. "Zeke, you get the sports car and Devina, you get the SUV."
"Zeke!" I said and I looked at him.
"Come on babe, it's just a car." He said as he got into the drivers seat.
"Mom, let Grandpa do this for you. You work hard and you're the best mom in the world. Accept the rewards." Lucas said to me and I could feel Mark's stare at me. He walked up to me and handed me the keys.
"I made sure I couldn't get a refund and you can't return it." My father said with a huge smile on his face. "You're stuck with them."
"Dad…"
"Devina, let me do this for you. For your sisters wedding present I gave her the house in Ireland." My father responded and put a hand on my shoulder. "Let me do this for your wedding since you wont let me pay for it."
"Fine." I said reluctantly. "I'll see you all at dinner." I said and he nodded. He got in his car with Lucinda and Mark walked the other way, I'm assuming to his house. I look to my friends and they look so excited for me. "We better get going or mom's going to kill X." I said and they all laughed.
"The last one to leave the house, lock up." I said moving into the drivers' seat of my new car. "Zeke, you want to drive your car there?"
"Hell Yeah! Lucas go with your mom." Zeke said and Lucas hopped into the passenger's seat. "Babe, you may want to take the bow off of the car."
"See you there." I said and I took off the bow. Xavier was the first one to speed away, then me and then Zeke. In less than an hour we were at the Parker Estate.
Thanks for reading. You're all amazing and have a good day!