by Hicks, I. M.
I was trying my best to pretend I was happy and had a good vacation. Deadlines were approaching fast for fall/winter line development and sample production keeping everyone busy, so it was easy to pretend I was busy as well and keep my answers short.
Rob made sure to lay some rules on me for the remainder of our time left in Toronto. He fired Phillip and had one of his drivers drive me to and from work. I wasn’t allowed to leave my office during lunch unless he was picking me up, and I had to be home by whatever time he dictated. In a matter of a week I had become his prisoner and I was terrified of him.
First thing I went through were my messages as I knew after 8:30 the phone will start ringing off the hook. I noticed that Nathan had called a few times last week, with a call back number but no message attached.
Shortly after 8:30 the phone started ringing.
“There’s a Nathan on the line for you” said Jerry over the intercom.
“Busy, take a message” I said. That was the last person I wanted to speak to today. Whatever he had on me, no longer mattered as the cat was already out of the bag.
“He says it’s important” said Jerry.
“I’m busy” I said sternly.
Rob gave me back my cell phone shortly after we landed, but I hadn’t turned it on, I figured I would deal with whatever needed to be dealt with today. As soon as I turned it on, messages started to pour in.
Victor: Welcome back baby girl, lunch today?
Me: “Can’t busy today, sorry”
Victor: “You ok?”
Me: “Yes”
Victor: “Call me when you can”
Rob: “Be home no later than 6pm today”
Me: “Yes Rob”
Rob: “The flight is booked”
Me: “Great”
Nathan: “We need to talk”
Me: “How did you get this number?”
Nathan: “It’s important Alex”
Me: “Nathan whatever you think you saw that day, it no longer matters”
Nathan: “What are you talking about?”
Me: “Marc”
Nathan: “I need to talk to you about Rob, please meet me sometime today”
Me: “Ok fine, come to my office this afternoon”
I deleted all my messages and I wondered what Nathan was scheming. I was sick and tired of being told what to do and Nathan had being a sore on my side for years, this was my chance to give it back to him.
I had a few meetings this mornings and the interview with Toronto Life at 11am.
I had just finished my meeting with the senior designers and the makeup artist was waiting for me in my office. The Toronto Life camera crew and my interviewer were already there setting up. It was 10:30 and the pressure was on. I hated interviews and I had been putting this one off for a while now, but they were eager to get my feedback on the success of the partnership with Neiman Marcus.
At 10:45 I heard a commotion in the lobby. A woman was yelling and the receptionist was telling her something about not being available. My makeup artist was busy finishing my makeup and was about to work on my hair. My office door sprung open and Jerry came in my office frantic. “There’s some lunatic with a stroller that is demanding to talk to you Alex”
“Who?” I asked perplexed.
“She says her name is Pamela Collins?”
“Oh Pam, well I have a couple of minutes, let her in”
“You know her?” he asked puzzled.
Then there was loud knocking on my door “Alex!” yelled Pam.
“Its ok Jerry, open the door for her”
As soon as Jerry opened the door, Pamela marched in my office glaring at me with an envelope in her hand, she left the stroller carrying the baby and Lucy in the hallway.
“Hi Pam, long time no see, sorry it’s crazy around here, I have an interview in a few minutes”
“How could you!” she yelled.
The look on her face made me nervous, this was not a friendly visit.
“What’s wrong Pam?”
She opened the envelope and poured the pictures I had seen earlier last week on my desk.
Jerry, the Toronto Life Interviewer, my makeup artist and some of my staff were standing by the desk watching this happening.
“Pam, can we discuss this privately please?” my voice was shaky.
“No Alex, I trusted you with everything. Was your life not perfect enough that you had to do this? With my husband?”
“Pam I’m begging you, let’s talk privately” I begged.
“No” she began “Everyone needs to know what a whore you are”
“Pam I can explain” I began but she slapped me across the face.
“You can have him!”
Our entire friendship flashed before my eyes as I was sitting there feeling the burn on my face.
“Pam, he left me for you, don’t do that, he loves you” I said still defending him.
“You make me sick Alex, you are nothing, just a whore with money” she said and stormed out.
Everyone that heard or seen what just happened was standing around quietly. I was vacantly looking at the floor still sitting on the makeup chair. “Everyone get out” I said finally.
Jerry was the last one out and closed the door behind him leaving me alone in my office.
I was mortified, just something else I had Rob to thank for. He was grinding me down to nothing, removing every ounce of dignity I had left, and he was succeeding.
I put the pictures back in the envelope and inside my desk in the locked cabinet.
After a few minutes of sitting at my desk Jerry paged.
“Toronto Life is waiting”
I had totally forgotten about the interview, and as embarrassed and ashamed as I felt, I couldn’t get out of it.
I sighed “Ok, I need the makeup artist to finish me up”
“She’s coming in”
After a long and grueling interview with TO Life, I went off the record with the interviewer and made her promise me not to publish anything about the events today. Surprisingly enough she sympathized with me and told me she’d been in a similar situation and she knew all about the embarrassment. We left it at that and I hoped for the best.
By three o’clock I was done, I was exhausted but the last thing I wanted to do was go home, so I laid down for a nap. Not even fifteen minutes later I get a page from Jerry.
“Nathan Larsen is here to see you”
Oh for Pete’s sake!
“Ok, let him in” I replied getting up off the couch.
I barely made it back to my desk when he appeared in my office.
“Hey sis”
“Hey Nathan”
“You look like shit”
“Jesus Nathan”
“I’m sorry sis, but when I saw you a few weeks ago you looked stunning”
“Thank you Nathan, but since when do you give a shit what I look like?”
He sighed “Ok forget I said anything, I have a more pressing matter to discuss with you and I was supposed to be here a couple of weeks ago but I was busy, then last week you were on vacation so…”
“Like I said, Nathan if this is about Marc, you’re too late, Rob already knows, you won’t get a cent from me”
“Come again?”
“Nathan, I won’t pay to keep you quiet”
“Alexandra Larsen, why would you think I need your money?”
“Well after mom’s funeral I got the feeling you were after mom’s assets for your drinking problem perhaps”
“Well that’s why I’m here Alex, and I was happy to see you with Collins, I never liked Rob, and after what I’m about to tell you, you won’t either”
I sat back on my chair. “I’m listening”
“I guess I should start by telling you I joined the Police Force and I’m a detective now”
“What? Are you serious?” I was genuinely happy for him and pleasantly surprised.
“Yes dead serious. I finally got my shit together Alex, w
ith mom gone and you abandoning me I had no choice”
“Abandoning you? Nathan you showed up drunk to her funeral, you accused me of not caring and called me several names I’d rather not repeat.”
“I know and I’m sorry. Truth is, that’s exactly what I needed. I needed a push to make it on my own and without you around I had no one to rely on, no one to bail me out. So I thank you Alex”
That was by far the most sincere thing I’ve ever heard my brother say.
“Anyway this thing about the lack of contact between mom’s doctors and you prior to her death really bothered me. After doing some digging, I found out the Doctors had been contacting but the calls were going to Rob’s office”
“Say what?”
“For over six months. Rob spoke to them, and after reviewing the responses they got from him” he said shaking his head.
“He told them you didn’t have the means to pay for the treatments.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“So she was forced to sell the house and guess whom she sold it too?” he began “Mason Development, an old subsidiary of Mason Investments which no longer exists and it was owned at the time by Rob and Bill Warren, in fact they bought the entire block” he continued. And all of a sudden the relationship with Bill and Robert made sense.
“Anyway, after the house was demolished, do you know what was built there?”
“A mall” I whispered.
“Yes exactly an outlet mall and movie theatre that was financed by none other than Mason Investments”
“Son of a bitch” I blurted.
“Yes well, mom had been receiving threats and letters from his goons for over a year. In the beginning they offered her five hundred thousand dollars for the property, when she got sick that offer went down to three hundred thousand, three months before she died that offer decreased to fifty thousand and she took it. Of course that wasn’t enough to cover her treatment.”
“One second Nathan” I said reaching for the intercom.
“Jerry?”
“Yes”
“Find a law firm not in any way shape or form affiliated with Mason Investments, and book me an appointment for tomorrow morning.”
“Not a problem, uh what kind of law firm?”
“Divorce Lawyers, the best you can find”
After I hung up with Jerry, I looked at my brother. Despite the fact that were only a few years apart, he looked much older and mature to me now and I finally felt like we were family again.
“Nathan you have some time?”
“Yes why?”
“I’m going to tell you a story and you’ll need to take notes Detective”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
By 2pm Tuesday afternoon, all Alexam Limited financial records were seized from Mason Investments.
By 3pm Tuesday afternoon, Robert was served with a 200 feet restraining order from me and from Victor’s workplace and condo, which pretty much kept Robert out of the downtown core.
By 4pm Phillip, Paul and Jerry along with hired security were at my house cleaning out my closet and anything that belonged to me.
By 7:55am Wednesday morning, I along with hired personal security and Nathan were are the TSX ready to make an announcement.
I was the first one up, since Robert had set it up that way.
“Ladies and Gentleman of the press. Following up with the ongoing rumors that I will be stepping down as CEO of Alexam Limited, I personally will like to put everyone’s mind at ease and say that this is completely untrue. In fact we are expanding our business by opening an office in New York by the end of the Year.”
“Mrs. Mason, there was talk about you moving to London, is this false?”
“Completely”
“Are you staying in Toronto or moving to New York when the new office opens?”
“Toronto is my home, I have no intention of leaving”
“One last question Mrs. Mason before you leave and we interview your husband. Are there any other changes we’ll be seeing with Alexam Limited in the near future?
“Oh yes, we’re rebranding, and that includes a company name change. In fact it’s already in the works.
“Any ideas on the new company name?”
“Absolutely” I began “Alex Larsen & Co.”
By 8:15 Wednesday morning, Robert made the announcement of moving his business along with himself to London.
He refused to answer any questions pertaining to my plans.
Before he left the TSX, he was served with Divorce documents.
By Friday afternoon, myself, Nathan, and my team of lawyers along with hired security were at the conference room of Williams & Walker Law Offices.
Robert and his lawyers hired and paid for by Mason Developments walked into the conference room. Robert glared at me as soon as he walked in and continued as he sat down.
Richard Williams, my lawyer, wasted no time with pleasantries.
“Mr. Mason, my client wants these proceedings to be dealt with as quickly as possible due to the nature of both your public profiles, I suggest you comply with her demands.”
“I’m not giving her a divorce” said Robert sternly.
Richard looked at Robert intently and continued.
“Mr. Mason, my client is entitled 50% your net worth, but since you are the sole proprietor to Mason Investments she’s also entitled to 50% of the shares, along with 50% of all assets as stipulated in the Prenuptial agreement”
“Preposterous, I never abused her”
“Mr. Mason all matters of a divorce proceeding are public record, you don’t want to go this route” Richard warned.
“Robert we talked about this” warned one of Rob’s lawyers.
“I did not abuse you” yelled Robert pounding his fist on the table.
Nathan opened his folder and spread out several 8x10 photos that Carlos took from the slap he gave me at the party.
“Along with that, there’s the mental abuse and the medical records of the multiple times you raped her while in Cairo a week ago” Continued Richard “All of it admissible in court”
Robert’s face was red with anger and indignation.
“The restraining orders will stand indefinitely as you are a danger to her Mr. Mason” he added.
“She’s pregnant with our child” Robert yelled.
“Unfortunately that is another matter. My client’s brother, Detective Nathan Larsen, Toronto Police has confiscated all medical records pertaining to you and my client from a Doctor Daren whose license has been suspended due to unlawful activity Mr. Mason” he began “Mr. Larsen would you like to explain the terms to Mr. Mason?” asked Richard.
“Gladly” my brother began “You are to have no contact with the baby until a DNA test has been done and the results confirmed. If it comes back as you being the paternal father, then you and my sister will have to discuss your rights at that point” he continued “Unfortunately for you Robert, due to your abusive behavior toward Alexandra, I can tell you from personal experience the chances of you having visitation rights are slim” concluded Nathan.
“Well I think we’re done here Mr. Mason unless there are any other questions or concerns you’d like to bring up?” said Richard, but Robert’s lawyers shook their heads.
“Ok then, we need a few signatures from you Mr. Mason so we can finalize this in a civil manner” Said Richard passing him the rather thick divorce document.
Richard glared at me the entire time this was happening.
“I gave you everything you fucking whore” he began “you’d be nothing without me and like I told in Cairo I’m going to ridicule you with those pictures, you are done, you hear me!” his voice volatile.
“Actually, about that Robert” began my brother calm and cool. “Aside from the fact that it was an invasion of privacy which is a crime. The footage taken does not belong to you, it belongs to the IP service that sends the pictures from your house to your phone. My sister purchased the rights to the footage and if you d
istribute or sell, not only will you be arrested but you will be sued as well” he finished.
“Mr. Mason please sign the documents” said my lawyer.
Robert was livid, and continued to glare at me, his jaw twitching.
“Robert, just sign, this is done” said one of Rob’s lawyers.
We spent the next half hour watching Robert sign the divorce documents, and it was the longest half hour of my life.
When he was done, he put the pen down and looked at me again.
“No restraining order will keep me away from you Alexandra, I will come after you when you least expected.” he said.
“Robert!” yelled one his lawyers.
“Robert, Alex can afford full time security if need be, just like she could afford our mother’s cancer treatment, but I’m sure you’re aware of that, aren’t you? You sick son of a bitch”
said my brother.
“Do not say a word Robert” warned one of Rob’s lawyers sternly.
Robert stood up and looked massive before me breathing heavily. I’d never seen him so angry. My security guards stood beside me pulling my chair back slightly.
Nathan left the office immediately and called the two uniforms he had waiting outside. The Police officers came in the office and stood behind Robert waiting for him to make the first move.
“Robert, time to go” said my brother. Robert turned around with his lawyers in toe and walked out of the office escorted by the Police Officers.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
My baby girl was born April 15th, the following year, and by the end of July I was back at work. Nathan and Victor were with me at the hospital when I had her. And Nathan took some time off to be with me for a few weeks after I brought her home.
I had a house built just outside Toronto in a gated community where I knew Robert would have a hard time getting to me.
He continued his threats from abroad until about six months ago while he was visiting Toronto he broke the restraining order by barging into my work place, luckily security caught up with him just before he made it into my office and was arrested on the spot. That was the last time I heard from him.
It was Friday afternoon, last day of July and I was trying to wrap up things early at work. I wanted to go home to be with her and I had to do some running around before Victor’s big day on Saturday. Victor and Carlos were getting married at the Ritz-Carlton in Toronto and I couldn’t be more excited for them. They had a guest list of over 500 hundred people, and Victor was being secretive of the details of the weeding including not telling me whom he had invited. So naturally I was very excited to attend because knowing my dear friend I knew it was going to be an all-out extravagant affair.