Enjoy!
Chapter Two: A Royal Argument
Mercedes felt her leg shake under the table as she listened to the flat-out lies that came out of Penny's lips. She felt Sam's hand on her shoulder and a part of her wanted to push him off, but she knew he was trying to be comforting.
Sitting beside her was her business lawyer Roz Washington and her second chair, Mercedes' personal lawyer, Sebastian Smythe. She was glad to have the support because, at this point, the entire trial was based on Penny's twisted delusions.
"Your honor, all I wanted was to find love, and I trusted Ms. Jones and her partner. They promised me that I would find the love of my life and then set me up with my estranged husband. I thought it was fate. But color me surprised when I walked into her office and she was kissing him! She saw me and grabbed his butt, your honor, it was so trashy."
"That's a lie!" Mercedes said, standing from her seat. Sebastian took her hand as the judge banged his gavel.
"Order! I will have Order in this courtroom." Judge Schuester said. "One more outburst and I will hold you in contempt of court."
"We are sorry, your Honor," Roz said. She looked at Mercedes. "I know you are upset but you can't keep calling her out on her lies, that's my job. And trust and believe I will catch her in these lies."
"Mercedes, just breathe," Sam said soothingly. "We all know the truth, and they will too." She didn't say anything, just sat back as Penny continued.
"Ms. Owens, we can appreciate how difficult this is for you; please continue." Her Lawyer, Biff McIntosh, said, offering her a tissue.
"Oh, this bitch." Mercedes stewed as Penny began to cry and Roz gave her a warning glare.
"I was appalled, But Ms. Jones said that's how she works; she 'Tests the merchandise' before she lets others date the men." Sebastian gripped Mercedes's hand, knowing she was about to go off.
"Your honor, I have no other questions for my brave client; she's speaking up against her attackers," Biff said with a sympathetic smile.
Biff smirked looking at Roz. "Your witness."
Roz stood, tugging down her black suit jacket. "Ms. Owens, you said you and your husband were estranged?"
"That's right."
"And why is that?"
"Objection!" Biff said standing up. "My client isn't on trial here."
"Your Honor, Ms. Owens was married and sought out my client to find her a new relationship."
"Overruled." Judge Schuester said. "I will allow it. Answer the question Ms. Owens."
Penny sniffed, wiping her eyes. "After I had our beautiful daughter I felt so overwhelmed, I didn't know why. I wasn't able to be a good mom and I just needed a little bit of space. It wasn't until later did I find out i had postpartum." Penny closed her eyes dramatically. "I tried to return but I felt like my daughter was better off without me. She deserved so much better than I could give her."
Judge Schuester handed her a tissue. "Take your time."
"Oh give me a break." Sam said angrily.
Penny looked at Sam. "When I found out that we were both on the Matchmaking site, I thought it was fate. And Sam thought so too. We were going to make our family work, until Mercedes got her hooks in him."
Roz nodded. "So you are saying you have proof that you and Mr. Evans were going to get back together?"
"I didn't record our conversation if that's what you are asking. But the moment Sam and I decided to make things work, Ms. Jones told me that Sam had found a match and that we would not be meeting."
"Wait. if you hadn't met Mr. Evans, how did you find him."
"I uh."
"So you knew where your child and your husband were, but you didn't go to them on your own?"
"I didn't know if he would see me…" Penny said softly.
"But if you didn't meet with him, and Ms. Jones didn't know who you were to Mr. Evans, why did you go to him? There was no indication he would see you."
Penny stared at Sam. "I took a leap of faith for my family."
"Why haven't you seen your daughter in years if you wanted to be a good mother?"
Penny opened her mouth to speak but stopped, before bursting out in tears.
"Your honor, I request a recess. It's clear my client is upset," Biff said, standing.
Judge Schuster nodded. "I agree; court is adjourned for a brief recess. We will continue in fifteen minutes." He hit the gavel and Penny stepped down from the stand.
"I swear that woman is delusional, we never met up. We never spoke." Sam said through gritted teeth.
Roz frowned. "That doesn't mean anything, she's convincing and that's the problem." She said, grabbing her phone and texting her assistant. "But since she mentioned messages and phone calls, we can get a court order to look into her phone records."
Mercedes rubbed her temples, feeling the permanent headache she'd been having coming back. "Why can't I just get up there and tell them that she's lying? I had no idea who Penny was to Sam. We never talked about her in detail… she was mentioned twice at best and now I'm being sued because of this shit. Do you know how bad this looks?"
"Babe, we're gonna get it right. Penny is lying through her teeth and we know." Sam assured.
She shook her head. "That's not the point Sam, she has already cast that stone and it can't be taken back! If I get angry and show too much emotion, I'm the angry black woman and if I don't show any emotion, I'm heartless. I am my company, me. My clients have to want to trust me and this… she has ruined my entire family's business because she felt slighted."
Roz nodded, as she understood what Mercedes was saying. "I hear you and I can promise you we will be counter-suing her. She won't come out of this unscathed and I plan on introducing it when we go back. Defamation is not easy to win but in this case we have more than enough proof… our biggest concern should be Marley."
Sam and Mercedes both shared looks. "I didn't…" Mercedes started but Roz held up her hand.
"We're in mixed company." Roz said, nodding over to where Biff and Penny were talking.
Sam looked at them, feeling anger. "She's lying and I think I have a way to speed this along… It'll take a day or two but if I can find my old phone I can prove she's the one that wanted to end things."
Mercedes looked at him. "You didn't?"
"Didn't what?" He asked.
"Want to end things… you wanted to stay with her?"
Sam looked at his wife confused. "What? Wait, no I didn't want to stay. I stayed for Izzy and the crazy idea of having a family but that didn't do anything but prolong things. When she left, I was glad for me but sad for Izzy, you know that."
Mercedes nodded. "It's… you never really told me the whole story of her leaving so… I don't know… guess I should've asked."
Roz rolled her eyes. "Do it in couples therapy, we need to get this case over with first. Has she ever sought out Izzy? Has she spent any time with her since all this started?"
"No." They said in unison.
"She left when Izzy was small and reappeared a few years ago." Sam explained.
Mercedes nodded. "When I met them, she'd been out of their lives for a while and I've been raising her since. She is mine not hers… she might've given birth to her but that's my daughter." She said possessively.
Sam smiled. "She's right."
Roz nodded. "And she never mentioned wanting her back?"
Mercedes shook her head. "Not that I've ever heard."
Shifting, Sam pulled out his phone and handed it to Roz. "She texted me this two days ago…"
Mercedes grabbed the phone reading the message before looking at Sam, anger and tears feeling her eyes. "Why… why didn't you tell me this?" She asked and he sighed.
"Merce, she's been sending these empty threats for a month and you've been stressed and I just didn't want to add to that."
"A MONTH!" She shouted before quickly lowering her voice. "A fucking month Sam? This has been going on for a year, you didn't think this wouldn't help? God, how could you be that careless?"
"Hey. I resent that and you can't really be mad at me for not wanting to add more stress on you. What the hell do you want from me Mercedes? I'm here and I'm trying but this…" He stopped before he said something he'd regret.
Roz snapped her fingers. "Again, mixed company!"
Mercedes exhaled shaking her head. "You know right, you and I are not gonna fix this right now, but trust I will hear your 'but' later."
Roz folded her arms. "Can you get her to admit that she is doing this just to get back at you in person?"
"Why can't my texts work?" Sam asked.
Roz stepped closer to Sam and spoke in hushed tones. "Like I said she's a master manipulator, and so is her lawyer, they will find a way to figure out how to lie and say it wasn't her. But you get her on tape and get her to say that she is just trying to get revenge, that she is lying and we can get this case dismissed."
Sam looked at Mercedes, but she wouldn't make eye contact with him. "I'll set it up and we will get her to confess all of it on tape."
"Good, now tell me what I need to know about Marley again? Is there anything you didn't tell me?"
Sam shook his head. "No, we were matched and I did like her, but she wasn't Mercedes, I broke up with her because I had no intention of being with her."
"She has a vendetta for sure, but as long as she tells the truth we should be good." Sebastian said, walking over them. "Roz I found her profile like you asked."
"Thanks now, let me finish questioning Penny, if I can get her on record in a bold face lie and we prove she's lying on that tape you will get then we got this."
As Judge Schuester called court to order, Roz stood walking over to Penny who was sworn in again.
"Ms. Owens I do hope you feel better, all if this is a lot."
Penny nodded. "It is, but if its writing a wrong I will deal with it."
Roz offered her a smile. "Ms. Owens, you testified that you didn't want your marriage to end, correct?"
"That's correct, I just wanted a break. Its why we never officially divorced."
"Ms. Owens, isn't it true, Mr. Evans sent you divorce papers and you never signed?"
"Yes, which proves my point. I loved my family, they meant so much to me…Izzy…" She sniffed. "My beautiful baby girl, she needs a mother. Her real mother." Penny said, looking directly at Mercedes.
Roz followed her gaze and nodded. "So, you are saying she doesn't have a mother?"
"Not her real one. I love her, I gave birth to her."
"When Izzy broke her leg last year were you there?"
"She…broke her what?" Penny asked, surprised. "See, that woman is a danger to my daughter!"
"Actually, that woman, who I am assuming you mean my client, rushed to Izzy's side. Izzy was climbing the pyramid at school when she fell. Ms. Jones was who Izzy cried out for."
"Objection! That's speculation." Biff roared, sitting up. "She could have just as well called for my client, we don't know."
Roz went to the table, and pulled a paper up handing it to the Judge. "I have an affidavit signed by two nurses, stating that Izzy cried for Ms. Jones when she woke and that Ms. Jones was the one who took care of her, both in the hospital and at home."
Judge Schuester looked at the paper and sighed. "Overruled, you may continue Ms. Washington."
"Ms. Owens, for someone who loves their daugther, you know nothing about her." Roz stated.
"That's her fault!" Penny snared. "Mercedes Jones showed up and took my family! She turned Sam and my daughter against me! I tried to reach out and she wouldn't let me!"
"Are you stating that my client stopped you from filing for custody? If you love your daughter so much, why are you here suing my client instead of trying to have a relationship with your daughter?"
"Because that bitch turned them against me!" Penny roared standing. "You ruined everything! My daughter won't even talk to me. How dare you let her call you mom you whore!"
Judge Schuster banged his gavel. "Order! Order! Calm down Ms. Owens!"
"That's fine judge, I have no further questions." Roz said, walking back to her seat.
Izzy stood in front of Chloe's full length mirror, applying mascara and bobbing her head to the music playing. "So, you sure aunt Quinn is okay with us using this stuff?" She asked.
"Yeah, she was gonna throw it out but I told her to let me have it. My mom buys the best make up." Chloe replied, flipping through her magazine. "Doesn't aunt Cedes have some?"
Izzy rolled her eyes, grunting. "She has a ton but she won't let me use it. She literally has been so mean lately. I swear she needs a chill pill or something."
Chloe snickered. "I can't see aunt Cedes being mean but my mom did say it was going to be a rough couple of months cause… well your mom."
"That woman is not my mother!" Izzy snapped. "She may have been there when I was born but she is not my mom…"
"Okay, okay… chill. Did you ask about the sleepover at Casey's?" Chloe asked, rolling over and looking at her cousin. "It's in like three days."
Izzy bit her nail. "No… me and mom got into it and I can't ask my dad… they've been arguing so I can play one against the other right now and…" she turned, walking over to the bed and sitting. "You can't tell anyone but I think my mom is pregnant."
"WHIAT!" Chloe shouted before Izzy quickly covered her mouth.
"Shhhh! I found the test in her bathroom when I was looking for a pad… I don't think my dad knows."
Chloe scrunched up her face. "Eww, why are they still making babies?"
Laughing, she shrugged. " I seriously don't want to know but I think that's a part of her being mean…"
'Well maybe we can do something that will cheer her up? Oooo what if we have our dads buy them a spa day? Her and mom get along and they can get Aunt Stace to go too!"
"Can pregnant people go to the spa?"
Mike happened to walk his daughter's room when he heard the question and quickly opened the door. "Hey… what… ah are you two talking about?"
Both girls turn and looked at him. "Nothing." They said and he nodded.
"You sure? You know you can talk to me about anything, right?" He asked, easing into Chloe's room. He walked over to the closet peeking into, then over the window quickly opening the drapes.
"What is he doing?" Izzy whispered.
Chloe shrugged. "He's been acting weird for awhile…" she whispered back. "Ah dad… what are you doin'?"
"Nothing… nothing… umm you're Nǎinai will be here in a few hours." He informed.
"Really? I didn't know she was coming over." Chloe said smiling. "Is she going to cook?"
Mike smirked. "Doesn't she always? She's only coming over for dinner then she and I will be heading to the airport."
"I forgot you were going with her to Hong Kong… how long will you be gone?"
'"Just a few weeks, she's going home to see some family and I have a conference over there but I promise to be back in time for the father-daughter dance." He answered. "You told your dad right?"
Izzy shook her head. "I forgot but I will when I go home…" She replied, looking down as her phone when off.
PO: I miss you Izzy, I really want to see you…
Izzy read the message, feeling herself getting angry. "Excuse me, I need to go call my mom." She said, walking out of the room and into her aunt's office. She dialed her mom and waited for an answer but got her voicemail.
"Ugh!" She said, opting to texting her instead.
IE: mom… call me back please.
MJE: Izz… I'm in a meeting, I'll call as soon as we get out. Is everything okay?
IE: yes… kinda.
IE:Idk can you like leave the meeting?
MJE: It's almost over and I promise I'll call okay?
IE: sure… whatever.
Kurt saw the frown on Mercedes' face and offered her a small smile. "You good?" He asked, handing her a cup of coffee.
Mercedes let out a harsh laugh. "No… hell no." She replied, sipping her coffee. "My life and career are a complete shit show and what's worse, I keep dropping the ball with Izzy."
"Mercy me I know that you are stressed and struggling, but this too will pass I promise, and Penny may be doing some damage, but not a lot considering we got this in the mail." Kurt said, holding up the letter.
Mercedes took the letter and raised an eyebrow as she saw a royal crest. "What is this?"
"Open it." Kurt encouraged.
Mercedes put the cup down and opened it, skimming the letter and freezing. "Oh my God…"
"What! What is it!"
"Esteemed Mrs. Evans,
I am Santana Lopez, trusted advisor to the Crown Prince of Cordona, and I humbly request your assistance. Our beloved Prince Finn is set to ascend the throne in a mere six months, yet he lacks a suitable companion to share his rule. Your illustrious reputation precedes you, and we believe that your expertise and connections may help us in this pressing matter. We shall be gracing the country with our presence for several months on official business and will arrive in New York this Friday. It would be a tremendous honor if you could grace us with your services and find a worthy bride for His Highness. We eagerly await our meeting at your esteemed office on Monday morning at nine o'clock sharp. May the divine bless your gracious efforts.
Sincerely,
Santana Lopez
Chief Staff Advisor
Wellllll that was a lot! Until next time xoxo!