Page 1 of Mr. Charming

Chapter One

Tristan

All this legal crap was just not my scene. Divorce papers were more complicated than the legalese behind building a tech start up from the ground up. First, the consent for uncontested and no-fault divorce was the biggest load of shit out of all of them, this was all her fault. Every piece of it. I already got through the petition to dissolve the marriage, why would I stay with someone who betrayed me in the worst way imaginable? And then tried to hide it.

And the alimony. I knew she was going to try to get her piece. I told my lawyers to do what was fair for someone married for ten years, and nothing more. I skipped the motion for modifying spousal support, she wouldn’t be getting anything else out of me. No kids, so that made this process a whole lot faster. The only thing holding me up wasn’t even the financial statements, it was the damned answer to divorce petition. I should have known she would try and drag this out, just to get to me. She seemed awfully content underneath the man she left me for. She just wanted to torture me.

I sat behind my desk at home, selling a billion-dollar tech start up meant I never have to step foot in an office building again. Or wear a suit.

I called my lawyer, to see if he had any news.

“It’s been almost three weeks, Levi. What the hell is the hold up?” Frustration seeped through my voice. I hated to take it out on the guy, but something had to give.

Levi was a friend from way back in college. He cared about his grades, while I just went through the motions, graduated with the ‘C’s get Degrees’ motto.

“I know man, I’m sorry. Vivian’s lawyers are giving me a shit storm of demands. I have to play around with them, I know this game a little too well, I’m afraid.”

I sighed, not hiding my complete annoyance with the entire situation.

“Fine. As long as you aren’t giving them any more of my money.” I grumbled. My hand combed through my hair in frustration before I rubbed my eyes. All this lawyer shit had me stressed, I needed a haircut and a shave. The gateman barely recognized me last night.

“Nope. Standard eight million. Uh, it might help if you pay her lawyer fees.”

Blood rose to my face in anger. My fist balled up on the desk, the other almost broke my phone.

“Hell no. You think I’m going to pay her for fucking that gardener?”

“Uh, it was her optometrist.”

“Whatever.”

He cleared his throat nervously. Again, I didn’t mean to yell at the guy, but this was damned ridiculous.

“I’ll take that as a no. I’ll push her tomorrow. I hope I can get her to make her answer to the divorce petition a yes by Monday. I know you don’t want to drag this out.”

“Obviously.”

He cleared his throat and I heard the ruffling of papers on his line.

“Look, I know we didn’t really talk about all this. But I’m sorry, man.”

I kind of froze as I blinked in surprise. Levi wasn’t evil, no. But we were not as close as we used to be. In college, we were close. Not just partying but talking about shit. He was my best man when I married Vivian. We just got busy with work and didn’t get to talk much anymore. When I called, and asked him to help me out with this, we hadn’t spoken for about a year before that.

So, I never really talked about anything besides, ‘I know you’re a criminal litigator, but my wife cheated on me and I need to take her down without going to court.’ The media would have a field day if we did, and I was still a decent guy. Couldn’t do that to her, even still.

“Thanks. We can meet up soon, I know life got ahead of us.” I said. He chuckled in response.

“Yeah, that’s for sure. Hopefully I can call you in on Monday with good news. Once the papers are signed, we can get financial in here and theoretically, you’ll be done with her.” He said, I heard the slight smile in his voice.

“Hopefully. Thanks again, I know you’re busy.”

“Don’t sweat it. This is better than almost getting shot every day I walk into court. Speaking of, I have a hearing in ten.”

“Oh, of course. Thanks.”

“No problem, see you.” The line went dead.

I swung back in my chair. Maybe I would feel better once I got out of my pajamas. Maybe eat something or see some sunlight for once in a blue moon, well, three days. I checked emails, nothing was dire, so I went ahead and left my den and set off for the kitchen.

Of course, I didn’t have any food. I shook my head in disappointment, mostly at myself. I took a shower and got dressed in some jeans and a polo, so I could run to the café around the block. I went there so much; the cashier knew my order. She stopped writing her number on my cup a few weeks ago.

“You look awful tired today, Tristan.” We got on a first name basis a few months back.

She was very young, college-age tops. And a typical one at that. Trendy dirty blonde hair, blue contacts, and a leaf tattoo on her wrist.

“Little bit, thanks for noticing.” I paid her and stepped to the side, feeling her eyes follow me as I did.

Things were different now. In my mind, I wasn’t married anymore; I’ve done my signing. It wouldn’t hurt anyone to show that girl a good time, maybe I would feel better. Maybe not better, but far from not having had sex in the past two months.

But instead of making a move I sat down at a table alone and ate. I could still feel her eyes on me. This wasn’t the time, or the place.

Maybe one day.

On the way home I stopped at my usual barber and got my haircut and wet shave.

“Haven’t seen you in a while, you make my job harder you know.” Tony, my barber who probably faked his Mediterranean accent, pretended to be pissed.

“Sorry. I’ve been busy.” He draped the cloth over me and I relaxed into the chair for a much-needed grooming session.

Perhaps I shouldn’t let myself go too much, but the shit I’ve been under for the past few months was enough for anyone to let themselves go.

“Maybe I do something new, what do you think?” He asked.

I chuckled softly, “Sure. Why not?”

I walked out of there with a new haircut and decided to keep my beard as a low fade. Made me look wiser, and less like a divorced man at thirty. Maybe that was all in my head.