Coffee, Sex and Law

by Avril Rose

“Yeah. And?”

  “I... I saw a photograph,” I stutter. “A photo of you. With your brother.”

  "Oh."

  He rubs his face with his hand. The pain in his eyes isn't physical this time, it’s much deeper and stronger than anything I’ve seen him suffer since he’s been in this hospital.

  “I shouldn’t have said anything,” I apologize, feeling guilty.

  "No, not at all. You did the right thing. It’s about time I talked to you about it. I’ve never talked to anyone about Colin. I don’t even know where to start.”

  “He passed away, right?”

  I start the conversation awkwardly, hoping to help him.

  “Yes. Colin was my older brother. He was great, you know. You really would have liked him. He was the one who was supposed to be a partner in Dad’s firm. He was a brilliant student, a star athlete, a real ladies’ man, and a good person through and through. I could talk him up for hours. We were all so close, the four of us. And then, after he finished law school, he met Cassandra. We all fell in love with her. She was kind, easygoing, pretty. But for some strange reason, Colin began to grow distant from us. When we saw them – which was less and less often – Cassandra would say she was so sorry he was pulling away from his family.”

  Liam tenses up as he says the woman’s name.

  “Colin decided to get some experience in another firm before joining Dad, and he worked insanely hard, non-stop, so we just figured it was due to his work,” he continues. But little by little, the extrovert he used to be morphed into a closed-off, isolated man.”

  “You couldn’t talk to him?” I ask softly.

  “My parents and I all tried, but he would snap shut like an oyster.”

  Liam goes quiet for a few seconds. I don’t want to interrupt the flow of his memories. I take his hand in mine, squeezing to let him know I'm here, by his side.

  “A few weeks later he committed suicide.”

  I’m in complete shock.

  He killed himself?! I wasn't expecting that at all. I thought it was a traffic accident or something, not a voluntary act.

  “But... why?”

  “Because he fell in love.”

  "What are you trying to say?”

  “Cassandra destroyed him, one day at a time. She was this innocent, sweet young woman, completely above all suspicion. But in reality she was a pathological narcissist.”

  I’ve heard the term in women’s magazines and popular articles on psychological disorders or on TV, but I don’t really know what it means.

  Liam seems to read my mind.

  “She went from charming to monstrous with Colin. Criticizing him daily, constantly playing power games, harassing him incessantly... eventually she wore him down. I think because he was a man, Colin never dared say anything, and he was left alone to face this woman he loved but who was destroying him. She exhausted him, isolated him from us and his friends, his old college buddies. The creepy part is that she could turn on the charm again as soon as she wanted something. And if Colin refused, she’d explode into a fit of dark anger and become this hateful woman you’d never imagine possible. Then she’d become the victim, using guilt to manipulate him, on top of everything.”

  Liam’s voice is growing more terse and angry as he continues. His body tenses up as the painful memories come flooding back.

  “How did he...”

  “It was peaceful. Sleeping pills. He fell asleep forever, pushed to the edge by the woman he loved to insanity.”

  “How do you know everything you just told me?”

  “He left a letter. It was a shock. We never could have imagined Cassandra was like that, under her sweet, ideal wife persona.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “Last we heard, she went to live in the South of France. I was so angry at her, you know. For a long time I wanted her dead. She didn’t deserve to live after what she put my brother through.”

  He gives me a moment to absorb his life story.

  “Mom really helped me accept my brother’s actions and stop thinking about Cassandra. I understood she was sick. I didn’t forgive her, I never will, but it has eased the pain a little.”

  Liam seems exhausted by the weight of his revelations. I’m silent, still in shock.

  “Thank you for trusting me with that. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to talk about it.”

  “I’m happy I did. It explains a lot about the rocky start to our relationship.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “After what happened to Colin, falling in love was out of the question for me. Losing Colin was the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced. I will miss him forever.”

  “Not all women are pathological narcissists,” I say softly.

  “Yes, but all pathological narcissists are lovely, innocent-seeming women at first glance.”

  Touché, I think.

  “And then, I met you. And you blew apart all my rules and warped ideas.”

  He moves closer to me and runs his thumb over my cheek, cupping my face with his hands and leaning in to kiss me sweetly.

  “Thank you for telling me,” I murmur into his soft lips.

  19

  Liam

  It feels amazing to breathe the polluted air of Paris, to hear the sounds of the city and get out of that hospital room. To feel free!

  It feels amazing to be with Zoe again!

  She’s been by my bedside for the past eight days. We’ve talked about so much. About what happened. About us. And Colin. I owe a lot to her friends, who took care of the coffee shop while she was away.

  My mother offered me a complete range of her emotions on the mess I got myself in. A mix of pride, anger, fear, and love.

  As for my dad, he supported my dangerous decision, and I quote: “What you did was heroic.”

  I’m still wearing the signs of my so-called heroism on my face. But I’m much better. The pain has mostly subsided.

  I’m confident in the future again and serene, despite the threats made against me by Anderson when he was arrested.

  Zoe, however, is terrified. My efforts to reassure her have not succeeded, despite the protective detail sent by Pierre Chesnier for us and our loved ones.

  After stopping by the office and then my apartment, all at the speed of a snail, I get in a taxi and head to Temple Coffee. I put presents I got for everyone to thank them on the passenger seat. I'm so anxious to squeeze Zoe in my arms.

  Hmm, that’s weird, it’s already closed? But it’s only 7 p.m....

  While the officer in charge of her safety is at his post, looking calm and alert, I approach with a bad feeling in my stomach.

  The door isn’t locked. I walk in and see her immediately. She’s sitting on a bar stool in the darkness, her back turned.

  “Zoe?”

  “We’re closed!” she replies, her voice broken by sobs.

  “Zoe, what happened?” I ask, worried.

  I go to her. Her face is marked with tears. She brings a glass of wine to her lips, her hand trembling.

  “I’m drinking to celebrate the sale of Temple Coffee! Yay!” she says sarcastically, barely able to articulate the words.

  She picks up the almost empty wine bottle to pour herself another glass.

  “Victor must be throwing a party! I told him he was a bastard and that he’d burn in hell,” she laughs.

  “Zoe, what are you talking about?”

  I try to get her attention, but there’s no use. She's completely drunk.

  “I sold Temple, Liam. That’s it, it’s over!” she declares between two sobs, defeated.

  She rubs her eyes with her forearm.

  "What? To whom? And why?” I ask, incredulous.

  “To Anderson, of course! You know that man can do business, even from jail? Crazy, right?” she says ironically.

  “Why did you do that? W
hy?” I ask, indignant.

  I shake her softly to make her finally look at me. I regret it immediately. She’s devastated.

  “Because I don’t want Anderson to hurt us. To hurt you.”

  “Zoe, but... we’re protected!” I argue.

  “At least we won’t need to be anymore,” she retorts.

  Talking to Miss Stubborn is one thing. But talking to Miss Stubborn and Drunk is another entirely.

  “Come on, I’m taking you home.”

  I don’t have to insist. I put her arm around my neck and help her up, trying to ignore the intense physical pain this effort causes.

  “Will you stay with me?” she asks, crying hot tears.

  “Yes, darling,” I assure her, kissing her forehead.

  I lie down next to her. She fell asleep quickly, exhausted by what she’s just been through.

  This pocket-sized woman never ceases to surprise me. She’s been living with the weight of her decision for days, without telling anyone about it so no one would convince her to change her mind. She chose me. Over her shop.

  How long will it take her to realize what a horrible mistake she’s made? To start regretting her decision?

  I know what that place means to her. It’s everything she had left of her dad and she promised herself she’d do right by it. How can you move on to something else when you've invested your entire body and soul into such a thing?

  I’m not responsible for what Anderson does and all of this would have happened, even if I had never worked for him. Everything would have gone badly for Zoe. So why do I feel so guilty? Why do I feel like I’ve failed?

  All of these questions keep me from sleeping. I turn onto my side, propped up on my forearm to watch Zoe as she groans and jerks around, revealing that her sleep is not so peaceful.

  No, I can't let her do this.

  I suddenly get out of bed and go searching for the sale agreement Zoe signed this afternoon. I notice a folder in her bag. My good and bad conscience begin to struggle with one another. The voice of wisdom advises me to wait until Zoe wakes up to ask her permission before taking the document. I swipe away my good manners with the back of my hand and grab the folder. There's no time to lose.

  I sit down at the kitchen table with a hot cup of coffee and begin reading the agreement meticulously. Real estate law is not my area of expertise, but I must remember some things from law school that will be useful. Victor’s signature on the contract jumps out at me. I'm enraged when I think of his betrayal.

  A few hours later, after some intense Internet searches, the document is littered with my handwritten comments and I have another sheet of paper listing the possible plans of action.

  I just need to contact Anatole Lambert, a lawyer colleague who is a real estate specialist. I worked with him when we both had the same client, and I must say I was impressed.

  I just hope he'll agree to help me. Quickly.

  Three in the morning. I’m going to have to wait a few hours to call him...

  ***

  "Hello. It's Liam Desages. Is Mister Lambert available?”

  “One moment, please.”

  I pray he'll take my call, tapping my fingers impatiently on the table.

  “Hello Mister Desages!” the deep, enthusiastic voice greets me.

  "Hello! Thanks for taking my call, Mister Lambert.’

  “Of course. What can I do for you, dear colleague?”

  “I have an urgent case to send your way. Would you be able to meet with me today?”

  “My schedule is pretty tight...”

  I hear him typing on his computer.

  “But I could fit you in in half an hour if that’s possible for you. That’s the best I can do, unfortunately.”

  “Perfect! Thank you so much. I'll be right over.”

  The day is off to a good start, I can feel it.

  How lucky is it to get a meeting with the most sought-after lawyer in his field?

  “Mister Desages, what a pleasure to see you. How is your father?”

  “Very well, thank you.”

  “Time really flies. I can still remember sitting in class with him back in law school. I must say, when you and I worked together it made me feel a little strange. I never imagined I would one day work with Paul’s son and that he’d be even more talented than his father,” he flatters me. “Please pass on my best wishes to him.”

  “I’ll be sure to do that.”

  “So, tell me, what’s this urgent case?”

  I know his time is precious, so I get straight to the point, telling him about the Anderson business and showing him the agreement Zoe signed under duress, highlighting the weak spots I was able to identify.

  I sit quietly while he makes a few phone calls, and watch his talent in action as he quickly prepares a motion for summary judgment from the court, partly based on my overnight work.

  “So we're going ahead with this, then? Shall I start the proceedings?”

  “Yes, let’s move ahead with it,” I confirm.

  I took the responsibility for these urgent proceedings, at the risk of losing Zoe’s trust. I know she'll be angry that I went over her head like this, without talking to her first. But at the moment, she's in no state to make decisions. My only goal is to ensure her happiness. And it’s not by sitting around doing nothing that I’m going to make her happy.

  Without Temple Coffee, the joyous, fulfilled Zoe I first met won’t exist anymore.

  20

  Zoe

  “You signed? You sold Temple Coffee to that piece of garbage?” Lisa almost yells, incensed. I can imagine her face contorted with anger and defeat on the other end of the line.

  “Yes. I had no choice. We can’t be under protection forever. I don’t want to live the rest of my life hiding, looking behind me at every turn to make sure I’m not being followed, in constant fear. It was the best solution. For me. But especially for Liam. He almost lost his life. I don't want that to happen again. Believe me, it was the best solution!”

  Who am I trying to convince? Lisa? Or myself?

  “Maybe,” she says, calming down. “But it’s unfair.”

  “I know,” I agree, fighting back tears.

  "How do you feel?"

  “I feel empty, horribly empty. I feel like my entire life is a failure. Here I am, twenty-six years old, and I have nothing to show for it.”

  “You'll be back on your feet in no time. I’m sure of it.”

  I don't reply. I’m overcome with doubt.

  “Does your mom know?”

  “No. How am I going to tell her? When I took over Temple Coffee,” I say, “I promised my sister and my mom that I'd preserve the place, every bit of it. In memory of my dad, our family, of all the moments we shared there.”

  “You did everything you could, Zoe. You showed great maturity, bravery, and determination since you took over. And I know you overcame a lot of hardships, despite your age and your lack of experience. You should be proud.”

  “Of what, Lisa? Look what's come of it! In a few months, the whole thing will be destroyed to make room for a tacky, soulless Bellagio knockoff. I failed, it's as simple as that.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself,” she admonishes me.

  Our conversation is interrupted by the doorbell.

  “Come in, Liam! I gotta go, Lisa.”

  “Call me if you need to talk, okay?”

  “Okay,” I promise.

  Liam’s forced smile doesn’t bode well.

  “How are you?” he asks.

  “Just peachy!” I say sarcastically.

  He frowns.

  “I feel useless, broken. And I have a delightful hangover,” I add, smiling to lighten the mood.

  “The hangover will pass.”

  “And the rest?”

  “I have something to tell you. Come here,” he says, guiding me to t
he couch.

  He sits down next to me and takes my hand in both of his. With a determined look in his eyes, he launches off on his speech.

  “What you did last night – and I’m not talking about the bottle of wine you guzzled down – was the biggest mistake of your life. Giving in to Anderson’s threats is not the solution. You don't see it today, but one day you're going to wake up, maybe tomorrow, or in one month or one year, and you'll realize you made the wrong decision, that you gave up the most important thing in your life. But it will be too late. I’m convinced Anderson will soon be nothing more than a bad memory. Julia’s team is working day and night to get him kicked out of France for good, and the latest update has been rather encouraging.”

  "But—"

  “Please, let me finish. I have complete confidence in the police and the justice system. People are starting to talk. Some top government officials have been arrested. It’s just a matter of time, and during that time we'll be under protection. Anderson can’t get to us anymore. And even if he were to find a way, what life do you want to live? A shorter, but more passionate life, where you were true to yourself and your beliefs? Or a long life full of regrets, controlled by a crook?”

  His words go straight to my soul. I suddenly begin crying, shaken by Liam’s vision of the future. I can see myself in what he's saying. I would much rather my life be short and full than long and boring.

  My God, what have I done?

  “I’m having the sale agreement annulled,” he reveals suddenly.

  "What?’

  Did I hear that right?

  “I know I should have talked to you first, but you're so stubborn sometimes. I had a lawyer file a motion for summary

  judgment—”

  “Save me the legal jargon, I don’t understand a word,” I say, stopping him. "You managed to get the sale cancelled? How is that possible?”

  I cry and laugh at the same time. Yes, I’m laughing. I feel like I'm floating. The relief that washes over me proves my decision was a huge mistake.

  “You're not angry with me?” Liam asks, surprised.

  “No! Of course not!” I confirm, jumping to hug him.

  I start kissing him feverishly, as if my life depended on it.

  “And that’s not all. I decided to test out some blackmail on Victor, and guess what: it worked,” he rejoices.