“I was just checking what time you two were in, so pop in and say hi before you leave.” He stretched across and gently kissed Tasha on the cheek.
Jim led her to a reception desk in front of the lift where they were almost dazzled by the smile of the tall, beautiful brunette greeting them. Tasha studied her. She looked like the humanoid persona of some superhero like Wonder Woman with her perfect make up, hair pinned up in a bun and spectacles she occasionally looked over the top of.
“Good morning, how may I help you?” she asked brightly.
“Jim Maybury and Natasha Winters for Bryce Farley and Nadine Law,” Jim said authoritatively.
“Of course.” The receptionist checked her list and immediately phoned through to someone to announce their arrival. “Please take a seat.” She gestured towards a rather plush selection of chairs.
They had barely taken their seats when a man of around forty-five appeared.
“Jim, hi.” He extended an open hand towards Jim before turning to Tasha, “And you must be Natasha. Very nice to meet you.”
“This is Bryce,” Jim said as Tasha shook Bryce’s hand.
“This way.” Bryce directed them down a corridor.
Jim took Tasha’s hand and led her to the location of their meeting, obviously knowing the way. They entered a fairly typical corporate conference room and as Bryce took a seat at the huge table a woman of around thirty-five stood then approached Tasha. She wore a well cut grey trouser suit that cried of quality and expense.
“Miss Winters, Nadine Law, your attorney.”
“Hello.” Tasha accepted the hand offered. “This is my fiancé, Jim Maybury, and I assume you’re already known to Mr Farley.”
Nadine nodded, a hand outstretched towards Jim before Bryce interrupted, “Shall we get on now that the introductions are done.”
Jim sat next to Bryce and Tasha automatically sat next to Jim making Nadine frown as she sat opposite her fellow attorney.
“Sorry, am I not allowed to sit next to Jim?” She seriously wondered whether she’d made some awful error in legal etiquette.
“It’s not that you’re not allowed, as such, but normally you would sit with your attorney,” Nadine explained with a smile.
“Oh.” Tasha obediently got up and moved to the other side of the table and took the seat next to Nadine when she realised that Jim was studying her.
The pre-nup document was revealed and all four of them had a copy to work through. Much of it was in legal speak and each attorney expanded on various clauses and details.
“So what does that mean?” Tasha pointed to a specific clause.
Nadine looked across. “That relates to real estate. In the event of you divorcing for any reason other than your adultery Mr Maybury would provide you with a home of a similar standard to your primary residence together; however if you have multiple homes and children Mr Maybury will provide you with a home of a similar standard to each property in neighbouring areas to allow for continuity of residency for you and your children. You would be at will to engage your own, independent realtor to agreesimilar standards.
“Oh,” said Tasha again, but threw in a nod too. “And this?” She pointed to another clause.
“That is the amount of money Mr Maybury would pay to you for each year of your marriage,” explained Nadine.
“Really? I’m not entirely sure what number that is with all of those zeros,” she exclaimed and instantly felt embarrassed as she realised she may sound have like some kind of gold digger.
She looked across at Jim and was relieved to find him smiling at her.
“That is reliant on your fidelity,” Nadine pointed out.
“It is all reliant on your fidelity,” interrupted Bryce. “Except for the child support elements,” he added.
This was all far more complicated than Tasha had thought it might be; she had anticipated them just signing the agreement once the attorneys had agreed the details.
“This is stupid,” muttered Tasha.
She took her own copy of the agreement and returned to the other side of the table, next to Jim. Reaching forward she picked up a pen from the desk and signed her own copy of the agreement before taking Jim’s copy and signing that one too. As she slumped back in her seat she noticed Bryce and Nadine staring at her while Jim grinned.
“Looks like we’re all done here then.” Jim prepared to get to his feet.
