There’s a knock on the meeting-room door. The three of us shift our attention to the sound.
‘I have Mr Pearson and his lawyers for you,’ the receptionist announces.
My breaths come shallow and fast and the receptionist makes way for two lawyers. Then my jaw drops as I stare at the six-feet-tall monster stepping into the room. His body shape and the way he holds himself are not dissimilar to Gregory. He has dark features, too, but it’s clear Gregory gets his looks from Lara. Pearson flashes me the sort of seedy smile that I’d love to wipe straight off his face.
My fists clench at my sides and I don’t return the hands offered to me by Pearson’s lawyers because all I can do is glare at Pearson and try not to hurl myself across the room and scratch out his eyes. My body is rocked by profound anger – heart thrumming, fingers trembling. I don’t want Gregory to come here. I don’t want him to be anywhere near this man.
Pearson speaks with a strong South African accent, holding out a hand. ‘Stephen Lawrence, it’s been a long time.’
Lawrence doesn’t move to accept the hand but he does nod in response. He seems to have composed himself a little now. More than I can say for myself. Williams rolls his jaw and introduces himself with a clipped manner.
Bile rises in my throat as I watch the monster’s two suit-clad lawyers explain the documents to him. My mind flashes to the image of the little boy from my dad’s hospital and I close my eyes to make him disappear.
I take a seat, my focus held intently on the tabletop, and my hands shakily move the documents from one side of the table to the other for Williams to sign. He eyes me briefly. I know I can’t give the game away.
As Williams signs the final document, there’s another soft rap on the door.
‘I have Mr Ryans for you.’
I swallow sick as it reaches my throat. My fingertips rise to meet my mouth. I want to run towards him and stop him from coming into this room. Chills trace my spine, making the hairs on my neck stand up. My head throbs as my heart pounds. I close my eyes and when I open them again, he’s there, in the doorway, a man, a grown-up, taller than Pearson, stronger.
There’s noise in the room but my ears hear nothing as I watch Gregory step inside, glaring at his biological father.
‘Gregory, you need to sign here,’ I manage as I shuffle the documents towards him.
He begins to sign. The Sale and Purchase Agreement is first. I can feel sweat beads forming at my temples.
He pauses after signing the final document and looks up to the devil on the opposite side of the table.
Time stops.
Pearson’s face contorts as he realises he’s staring into the eyes of his son.
Gregory grins, a sick, sadistic grin, baring his teeth to his father. ‘Time to tear it apart.’
Pearson is out of his seat, sending the chair crashing to the ground. Water glasses shatter and documents fly as he launches himself across the table.
‘Fucker! You fucker!’
He grabs Gregory’s tie, pulling his neck towards him. I can see and feel the rage build in Gregory. His entire body tenses as he clenches his fist and pulls his right arm backwards. Acting on instinct, I wrap both my hands around Gregory’s fist as Pearson is pulled back by his lawyers.
‘You’re better than him,’ I say, staring into Gregory’s eyes. ‘Don’t let yourself be like him. Don’t let him win.’
The fire in Gregory dissipates.
‘Ja, controlled by a woman, huh?’ Pearson yells. ‘A bitch’s boy again, ja? Don’t worry, bru, I know exactly how to treat a woman.’ He throws his head back on a sardonic laugh.
Gregory pulls from my grasp and dives towards his father; this time, it takes Williams and Lawrence to restrain him.
Pearson’s lawyers drag him from the room.
‘You’ll regret this, boy! And so will your bitch!’ he spits as he fights against them, his face red, his words menacing. ‘Ja, ja!’ Gregory yells, tearing himself away from Williams and Lawrence.
I realise I’ve been holding my breath. My shaking hands are now rocking my entire body. I fumble around the table and floor, trying to collect the scattered documents into a pile but dropping them. Gregory bends down with me to pick them up from the floor. I close my eyes to stop tears from running out, reaching up a hand to steady myself on a chair as I rest on my hunkers.
Then Gregory’s warm palm is on my face. ‘Are you okay?’
My lip wobbles as I nod unconvincingly. He strokes my cheek and I lean into the heat of his touch. The warmth of his soft skin making everything feel better.
