The Defiant Luna
Chapter 40

Jay-la POV

Jay-la walked into Tim’s office. Stephen was sitting out in the waiting area, hadn’t gotten up at all, had no intention of going into that office with her. Didn’t need to either, his hearing would pick everything up from out here.

Tim was pacing around his office, papers in his hand reading. Shed seen that many times before, over the years that she had known him, before she had dated him and while dating him. It was a completely normal thing for him to do while he was working. Thinking on his feet.’ He called it.

He looked right at her when she walked into his office, she’d been announced by his secretary, who then vacated the office and closed the door behind her. She watched him put the papers down on his desk and close the file they had been in. Confidently was a must for his job.

Then he stood and looked over her. “I’m really alright Tim.”

She told him, smiled even.

“Look’s it.” he nodded without smiling, “Have a seat on the couch Jay-la.”

She did, it was a bit weird, she kind of felt like he was her lawyer, shook it off as she sat down, “How are you, Tim?”

“I’m actually good myself,” He stated, as he sat in the single armchair opposite her.

“I’d like to apologise Tim, I’m sorry. There is a lot going on, and I wanted to talk to you in person not over the Phone.”

“I get it Jay-la. You’re going to live and work there now. Eric told me you dropped the charges against that man.”

“I did.” She nodded “He never actually hurt me, never laid a hand on me.”

“The k********g was his doing though.”

There wasn’t much she could say on that topic, there had been video footage of it. “It wasn’t supposed to happen like it did. We’ve sat and talked about it now.”

“Or that’s what he tells you, to get you to drop those charges…are you and he…back together now?”

“Yes.” She answered him, wasn’t going to lie or delay the truth, he had a right to know.

“Is he out there?” His hand indicated to his waiting room.

“No, I left to come and talk to you, without telling him.

“Do you have to tell him everywhere you go? Seems a bit controlling to me.”

“He can be.” Jay-la acknowledged “I am sorry Tim, about how this ended, you and I. It’s not what I expected at all to be honest.”

She turned at the sound of his office door opening, and watched a young lady stroll in. “Honey, I thought we could have lunch.” Watched as she walked right over to Tim, saw her narrow her eyes right on Jay-la and then look at Tim with a deep frown and a questioning look.

“I have to be back in court in one hour, Grace this is Jay-la.

Jay-la, Grace.” He introduced them to each other.

“I know who she is to you Tim.” She murmured, sounded somewhat annoyed as she sat herself on the arm of Tim’s chair and then placed his hand on her thigh. He didn’t stop her, Jay-la also noticed the diamond ring on the girl’s left hand as she linked her fingers with his.

“Congratulates.” Jay-la said to him “I didn’t know you’d gotten engaged.”

“I’s recent,” he told her simply “The announcement will officially be made, tomorrow.”

“Just this morning, in fact.” Grace smiled at her, then looked at the ring. “Isn’t it perfect, he knows me so well.”

“It’s very nice.” Jay-la smiled at Grace, she was staking her claim on the man. It looked to Jay-la that she came from a wealthy family as well, she was dressed impeccably, in brand name clothing.

“Grace, if you could give Jay-la and I a few minutes alone, then we’ll go and have lunch.”

She smiled right at him “I’d like that.” She said and stood up.

Jay-la watched him walk her to the door and she reached up and kissed him on the mouth, before he closed it, looked right at him, was very curious, it was good to see that he’d moved on, but he’d not said anything at all. If he had she’d likely not have needed to come here at all.

“I’ve known Grace for a long time, most of my life actually, weve dated on and off like you and I did.”

“She seems nice.”

“Is my family’s choice.” He nodded as he sat down.

“May I ask how long you’ve been seeing her?” she was curious, seeing as they were engaged, shed only been gone a few weeks. Not many people get engaged that quickly.

“Annoyed are we Jay-la?”

“No Tim, I’m actually happy for you.” and she was, didn’t have so much guilt.

“I’ve been seeing her as long as I’ve known you,” he answered.

That shocked her more than a bit. “Both of us at the same time?”

“Yes, she knew the whole time. Didn’t much like it.” he shrugged “But she has been patient and was willing to wait for me to make a clear cut decision between the two of you.”

“Honestly Tim, I never saw us getting married. Did you?”

“I don’t know. But you’re completely different to her. You’re not clingy or emotionally demanding. You didn’t mind us only have s*x and hanging out. The s*x is also very different with you compared to her.”

Jay-a raised an eyebrow at him, “Alright.” She knew she was demanding in that department, liked to be in control and could be rough at times, was a part of who she truly was and her need to sate herself, not really doable with a human. Not completely anyway. “You got engaged this morning though?” that couldn’t be a coincidence.

“I did.” He nodded “You and I, are done right?”

“Yes.” She nodded.

“Then I will marry Grace. She’s put in her due’s where I’m concerned and waited years for me. Loves me, spent many nights at mine over the years, even though she knew about you and I.”

“Why did I not know about her? If she knew about me?”

“I honestly didn’t think you’d like that” He shrugged “You’re not the type to share.”

“I’m not.” Jay-la agreed with him, if she had known about Grace would have ended it with Tim right away. “She was just okay with you sleeping with me? I don’t understand that, Tim.”

“She loves me Jay-la. Understands, that what you I had, the hard roughness and the sheer duration of s*x, I really enjoy that, she however is not up for that, so…” he shrugged once more, “allowed me that with you.”

Jay-la just stared at him now, apparently she didn’t know Tim at all. He had two women all this time, “Well, I guess she gave you, what I couldn’t.”

“Yes, honesty” He commented, “Devotion and love, and she is still willing to share me with another on occasion.”

“That is very unusual Tim.” She shook her head “I would get that in writing in your prenup.”

“It will be, I will also allow her the same. Weve got an understanding.”

“As long as your happy Tim.”

“She’s lovely, and wants to marry me, I know her family as well. So, it’s all good.” He told her.

“Well, I’II let you go and have lunch with your future wife.”

She smiled at him and stood up.

“I hope for your sake Jay-la, Nathan Browning shows you the same kind of devotion and loyalty as Grace does me.”

“He does.” She nodded and left his office.

She found Stephen standing waiting on her, also found Grace looking at her, she smiled at her, even held the door for her to go into Tim’s office.

‘That was weird even for me Jay-la. Stephen mind-linked to her.

‘I honestly had no idea he was with Grace, or that she even knew about me.*

‘Oh she did. He commented ‘Did not like you being in there alone with him at all. Muttered he was her fiancé now. That you’d better not be in there asking him to take you back

Jay-la looked at him ‘Shell be happy, I didn’t’

“I think he would have if you wanted it. Sounds like she also thought he would*

“She’s got nothing to worry about on that front.’

1 never once heard him state he was happy Jay-la.’

She pressed the elevator button to wait for it to take them to go up to Eric’s office, she’d not heard him state he was happy either, only that she’d paid her dues and was his family’s choice for a wife. He was likely going to need one hell of a prenup or that girl was going to get everything he had, when he decided to go out and sleep with another, as he stated he would.

It was going to be one weird prenup, and she wondered if the girl’s family would be allowed to see it at all. If it was her and that was going into her prenup she wouldn’t want her family knowing that her husband was going to stepping out on her, whenever he felt like it, to have the type of s*x that she wouldn’t give him. Nearly sighed out loud, likely that girl deserved better.

She and Stephen headed for her office and she saw her secretary smile at her “Jay-la, you’re back?” He seemed happy to see her.

“Only for a few days, sorry.”

He sighed “I thought as much…Eric’s had people in and out of your office the past few days, and your clients are being divided up amongst the other lawyers, from what I can tell.”

She nodded “To be expected.” There was nothing else she could say. “Am I allowed in my office? Eric did know I was coming today.”

“He didn’t say you weren’t.”

She sighed, “I’d better not without permission.” Turned and headed back to the elevator to go up to Eric’s office, though they were going to be early now. Arrived and Eric’s secretary waved her and Stephen at the chairs in his waiting area.

“Not likely to go so well, Jay-la.” Stephen commented as he sat down next to her.

“No it’s not. But I knew that coming here, likely going to be yelled at, probably best that Nathan is not here.”

“Agreed. He would not stand for it.”

She saw Eric come from his meeting and look right at her, look at Stephen and then just frown and state flatly “My office Jay-la.” Then turn to his secretary. “Is it printed?”

“Yes, on your desk awaiting your signature Eric.” She answered him as Jay-la stood up.

“Good.” He nodded, looked back at Jay-la “I don’t have all day Jay-la.” He snapped right at her.

She walked into his office and he closed the door behind him. “Good to see that man knows he’s not welcome in this office.”

“His name is Stephen.”

“I don’t much care for his name Jay-la.” He remarked as he walked behind his desk and picked up a piece of paper to read it “Sit.” He stated

She sat and waited, watched him as he put the paper down and then signed it, then just sat behind his desk and stared at her for a long quiet minute. Jay-la understood he was more than annoyed with her, but there wasn’t much she could say that hadn’t already been said over the phone.

“Where is Nathan Browning?”

“Not here.”

“Let you come out here on your own, did he?”

“He didn’t really get a say in it. I just left to come here.

“

Saw him lean forward now “You left?”

“Not like that, Eric. I did not leave him. I just came here on my own to talk to you is all.”

“Not on your own, that is one of his CEO’s out there.”

“Yes, I grew up with Stephen, actually I came here with him, he had business here, I just hitched a ride.”

“I don’t really care to be honest. You disappoint me, are a good lawyer, fitted in well here. Usually have an excellent work ethic, now…l don’t see that anymore.”

“Extenuating circumstances Eric, you knew where I was, I answered every call, and all your questions at that.”

“Left the company for over nearly three weeks now, you missed your court dates, and I had to have things rescheduled, appoint new lawyers, get permission from your clients, after explaining you were off on the other side of the country and not likely to come back as well.”

“Most of my clients would have moved over to Gillian or Adrian without issue. We all work together, when more than one Lawyer is involved, you know this, put us all together.” She remarked right back, knowing it wouldn’t have really been that hard for him to do, if he himself had done it.

Which she doubted, likely Gillian or Adrian themselves would have made those calls.

“You’re here to do what Jay-la? Resign, I presume. I know that man and his company have a law firm, looked into him myself.” He completely ignored her remark.

“I know you did.” She nodded “And yes, that is why I am here.”‘

“Well, don’t bother.” He stood and picked up that piece of paper, walked around his desk and handed it to her ” Despite your being a good lawyer, with a good track record.

We here at Stanton and Co, no longer require your services.

“

Jay-la sighed as she read the letter, it was a letter of termination of her current contract. Which she was under, and due to be renewed in just over a month. It stated she was derelict in her duties, had failed to turn up for court or to her office for the entire period of work she had missed.

That the company and it’s entire board, now saw that she was irresponsible and they no longer believed she fit with the company’s core values. It was effective immediately.

She looked up at him after reading it, he didn’t look happy at all, though she had watched him sign it right in front of her. He had wanted her to see him sign it and knew it.

That letter of termination had a break of contract fee on it, which it stated she had to pay, even though they were breaking it, she was expected to pay them out the reason listed for her having to pay it ‘as per above.’

Frowned at him now,

, “What did you expect would happen,

Jay-la?”

Shed not expected that, “I’ll have a check made out Eric.” She stated there was nothing else she could state.

“You’ll also be receiving a complete bill, for my time, for all this company’s time and efforts on your behalf.” He stated as his office door opened

They both turned to see who would walk into his office unannounced, not many she knew would do that. She nearly sighed when she watched Nathan walk in and stroll across the room. He was wearing a full three-piece business suit and tie, in dark charcoal gray, dressed for the office or any interaction between Eric and himself, she thought.

He looked at her, looked at Eric and stated “Ill just pay it now, write it up.” He took the letter from her hand and glanced at it, then looked right at Eric. He didn’t look happy either.

She watched the two of them come face to face for the first time ever and stood up to step between them, she had no idea what would happen between them.

“Fine.” Eric stated, leaned over his desk and hit his intercom “Stacey have Jay-la’s bill prepared at once, call accounting and tell them it will be paid today. Immediately, don’t make them wait on it.”

Turned and looked back at Nathan. “I hope that card of yours is unlimited, she had a lot of lawyers.”

“It will be pocket change for me, and Jay-la is worth every penny I have. She’ll now be free and clear of you. From today, won’t have to take your calls.”

“Good luck Jay-la…I hope the man is faithful this time, unlike the last time you two were together.” Shw watched Eric turn and go and sit behind his desk. It was a low blow and one that was uncalled for as well.

“I am sorry, Eric.”

“So am I.” he stated flatly “The door is open, go and collect your personal belongings, pay your bill and go Jay-la.

She sighed as she turned to leave his office, stopped when she didn’t hear Nathan follow her. “Nathan?”

Saw him lean on Eric’s desk and put his phone in front of Eric. “Family emergencies, are acceptable reasons to be away from work unexpectedly. Jay-la’s mother was attacked by a wolf. These are her injuries. Take a good look, see for yourself. If you like Mr Stanton, I can hold another press conference and show all your clients and shareholders, that you fired Jay-la for dereliction of duty, when really, she was attending a family emergency. That you clearly knew about, your company is breaking her contract, not her.”

“She came here to resign.” Eric stated.

“She did, but you didn’t give her the chance to, sacked her and broke that contract yourself. I now have the written proof here in my hand of why it is so very wrong. Lets go to battle Eric, see who wins. I could pit Jay-la up against you, she loves contract law. Does that sound good to you? Do you think you’ll win?”

She was watching Eric look through the photos and he was frowning

“I can also produce the medical paperwork to prove what injuries her mother sustained, the severity of them, how close to death she actually was…” watched Eric look right at Nathan “You needn’t be so harsh, to someone going through a family crisis. Or an employee you clearly normally respected and valued.” He picked his phone up “I will pay the bill and this.” He waved the termination paper at Eric,

, “Then I’ll hand it to my lawyers to sue you for wrongful dismissal. Goodbye Eric, I’ll see you in court, I hope you and your company enjoy the publicity you’re about to get.” He turned to leave the office. “Oh Eric.” He smiled from the doorway “I hope your funds are unlimited, mine certainly are.” Then he stepped out of the office and looked right at her as she held the door open.

She sighed once more, closed the door to Eric’s office and asked “Was that really necessary?”

“Yes.” He stated with a frown down at her “Come on, let’s go and get your things.”

“Why are you even here?” she asked him.

“I’m here because you are here. You left without me, used the children to hide the fact you were leaving even.”

“I did not.” She walked ahead of him. “You wanted to take them shopping, I just let you.”

“You had your own agenda, as well.”

“Yes I did.” She acknowledged “Give me that.” She took the letter from him and headed back down to her office, “I’m not going to sue him. I’ll just pay it.”

“You could win that easily.”

“I’m not going to take Eric to court. The man hired me right out of Law School, gave me a job and let me keep it. That job allowed me to raise the children and pay for all the things they needed.”

He was quiet after that, just walked along next to her to her office, saw her secretary and sighed he to, was going to be looking for a new job if they didn’t find a place here for him.

“Jay-la?”

“Fired.” She stated “‘ll make a couple of calls if you need me to, I also write you an excellent reference if you need one.” Saw him nod and not look happy at all.

She walked into her office and looked around, this had been her office for two years now, gotten that big office with her promotion, saw the empty box waiting for her to pack up her things, Eric had everything all laid out for her to leave. She didn’t have many personal belongings in here, kept her office just that an office.

Stephen took her box of belongings and she looked at her very comfortable office chair. She’d bought that herself with her own money, rolled it out of her office, she would take it back to the pack, she liked her chair and it would be more comfortable than the one Luna Darla used

Two meetings shed had today and neither had gone at all as she had expected, she had known that both were not going to be nice or happy. But she had not expected Tim to tell her he had another woman the whole time they were together. Kind of sounded like she was the other woman at that. His mistress, where as Grace had stayed over at his place all the time, was his girlfriend

Had also not expected Eric to fire her on the spot, to accept her resignation, yes, but to fire her like that, lay it out as she was derelict in her duties, that was not like him. Though she guessed he likely felt somewhat betrayed by her, so she couldn’t really blame him.

” All she had to do now, was pack up her apartment. She had a vacate date for that, so everything here was done.

Her human life was all closed out in a matter of just over an hour. Shed thought it would take longer than that.