Months Earlier
My life has been one big blur of paparazzi. The media is hounding me; wanting my comments on Beau and Diana. Pictures of them on dates have been leaked to the media recently. Beau’s camp has gone on the long lost love route romanticizing his infidelity. Diana has been very vocal about her love for Beau. I can’t escape it; they are everywhere, on every magazine and newspaper, pictures of their smiling faces attending charity functions together with his family. It’s amazing how quickly I’ve been replaced. I am constantly being harassed by photographers trying to stir up reactions from me as they throw Diana and Beau’s relationship in my face. I’ve had to hire security to keep them away after one particularly nasty incident that led to my tear soaked face spread across the pages of the weekend newspapers.
I was going to have to come face to face with Beau and his lawyers today in regards to our divorce. I wanted this over and done with so I could move on with my life just like Beau has done. Meeting my lawyer outside Beau’s offices, he gave me a quick pep talk before we made our way through the glass doors. The receptionist gave me a timid smile showing us towards meeting room number 5. Seeing Beau, looking handsome in his dark grey suit, wearing the silver tie I bought him, my heart fluttered remembering all the good in him. Trying to calm myself down, I had to tell myself, he’s not yours anymore. You can do this Sienna.
Then I see HIM! My steps falter for a moment. Of course, he would be here this is the best day of his life, watching his son finally get rid of me for good. Sitting in the chair across from the group of imposing men, Beau’s blue eyes look at me greedily as I walk in. I made sure I looked good for that very reason.
“Miss Hayes.” Beau’s father Phillip stands.
I haven’t heard my maiden name in over a decade, it sounded strange to be called that again. I better get used to it. No pleasantries are exchanged. We get stuck right into it.
“We have found some interesting information that has changed this case,” The tight smile that slid across his face told me what I needed to know. I was about to be screwed over.
Beau sat up straighter. “Dad, what are you talking about?”
“Son, be quiet, let me handle this,” Phillip yelled.
Beau sat back, he didn’t argue with him, his eyes flashed to me, he was as lost by his father’s ramblings as I was.
“Looking through your wedding paperwork from Las Vegas …” The grimace that set across his face still there after all these years, “they weren’t filed correctly so your marriage isn’t legal.”
My lawyer spoke up; looking over the paperwork Phillip was waving in my face.
“What the hell is he talking about? Beau?” Panic gripped my body.
“You will not address my son, Miss Hayes,” Phillip snapped at me, silencing the room.
“But as Miss Hayes and Mr. Williams have been living with each other for the past ten years, she is legally his de facto,” My lawyer argued.
Not married? Those words are running around in my mind. Beau and I were never married. Nine years of marriage never existed legally. Numb. I was numb as the lawyers continued arguing around me, it was all white noise to me now.
“Miss Hayes.” My lawyer caught my attention. “Did you hear that?”
Shit, no, I just missed something important.
“Dad, this is cruel, even by your standards.” Beau’s face was red; his knuckles had gone white he was holding them so tight.
I had spaced out at the wrong time. “Can you repeat it again for me?”
My lawyer looked at me, hopelessness in his eyes, shit this wasn’t good.
I listened as my attorney informed me that the houses, cars, and the three buildings that housed my business were all purchased via the family trust, not outright by Beau as I believed them to be. If I were willing to walk away from my businesses and not contest them, I would get a lump sum of money and all my employees would keep their jobs. If I contested them they would close it down, lease out the space destroying everything I have worked on for the past six years. How could I have been so bloody stupid? I trusted my husband. When he said he bought the property I didn’t even check how. Fuck, fuck, fuck. A migraine gripped into my forehead. “What does that mean?” Nausea settled in my stomach
Without skipping a beat, Phillip answered my question. “Miss Hayes, it means that you have no claim to any of the property because my son doesn’t legally own any of it. I am willing to be generous, but don’t push me or I will quickly take my generosity away. We will be in touch.” He couldn’t help himself from chuckling as he walked out of the meeting, slamming the door behind him. His lawyers quickly following after him.
“Sienna, I’ll fix this; I won’t let him get away with it, I promise.” Beau whispered, before disappearing after his father.
“I just got fucked over, didn’t I?” I questioned, looking at my lawyer.
“Yeah, they just screwed you over on all of those considerable assets. We can try and fight it, but it will be a lengthy and expensive process. We have the joint bank accounts plus any items you bought together. Anything that is in his name, not the trusts, you have a claim to.”
The room spun as the reality of my situation sinks in. “Thank you, Anthony, for trying to help me, I can’t fight them though, Phillip won and he knows it.”
My lawyer gave my shoulder a squeeze. “I’m sorry, Sienna, you can always fight but they will tie you up in litigation for years if they want to waste any money you do have.”
He was right, Phillip would do that. My only choice is to agree to his demands then move on with my life. Whatever that will be.
***
Walking through the door of Derrick’s apartment, I felt shell shocked.
“Oh shit,” Derrick says, seeing my face.” This is bad.” Turning towards the bedroom he shouts, “Come out NOW.”
The bedroom door swings open, and there standing before me, is my oldest friend Vanessa, who I thought was in the US.
“Sisi,” she screams, pulling me into a tight hug. I melt into her arms, and then the tears start, which turn into uncontrollable sobs.
Pushing my hair off my face and out of my eyes, Vanessa grabs my attention. “Sisi, I’m here now, it’s going to be okay,” she reassures me.
A couple of hours later I have calmed down enough from the shock of my day. The tequila helped calm my frayed nerves and I was able to appreciate Vanessa finally being here. I still couldn’t believe she had flown half way across the world to be with me. She wanted to spend Christmas and New Year with me, the first one as a single lady.
Vanessa had organized for us to go home to Byron Bay to see our families and spend the holidays relaxing. It helped that our families owned their own health retreat. That sounded like exactly what I needed, to get away from Sydney, hang out with Mum and Dad, do some yoga, sun bathe at the beach, go horse riding and get back to nature. Find my bliss.
“I’m going to take Phillip’s deal, I don’t have a choice. I can’t let all those people lose their jobs just before Christmas; not after all those years of service.”
“You’re a better woman than I am, Si, “Derrick says, placing his arms around me.
“What do you think you want to do next? Would you and Derrick start over again? Will you stay in Sydney? What about Melbourne? You could always move there,” Vanessa asks, shooting me a load of questions.
These were all great questions, ones I have been thinking about myself. I’m not sure if I even want to stay in Sydney, having to live with Beau and Diana prancing around everywhere, no thank you.
“You know, I will follow you wherever you go,” Derrick adds, bringing me to tears. He’s a good man and one that I would be lost without. He has been by my side helping me run my business for the past six years. He was never just an employee; he was my partner, my friend. He is my family.
“I know you’re probably not in the mood, but I have organized a little surprise for you. I want to make you feel better,” Vanessa says, smiling as she flips open her laptop.
Derrick is bouncing beside me.
What has she got planned?
Vanessa pulls out her lap top and types away for a couple of moments, a male voice filters through.
“Hey, Queen V, miss me?” My eyes widen at Christian Taylor! Guitarist and all round bad boy of Dirty Texas. Over the years, I have seen him pop up on Vanessa’s screen when we have been chatting. It’s crazy to know my best friend lives and works with the superstar. Derrick’s face is priceless; he has the biggest crush on him.
“No, my life has been quite pleasant. I haven’t missed you, much.”
Christian laughs. “V, I know you love me. I miss you, babe, the house feels empty without you in it.”
That had to be the sweetest thing I have heard. Vanessa is tight-lipped about her relationship with Christian saying they are just friends. I know something has happened between them before she worked with the band but nothing since then. He is such a flirt, plus he’s hot, not sure how she can keep her hands off him.
“I’m sure you have filled the house up with enough bimbos to compensate for me not being there.”
Christian’s booming laugh echoes through the screen. “You know me so well, V.”
“Just tell me you have been behaving, I don’t want TMZ contacting me again.” Vanessa sounds like a mother checking up on her wayward child.
There was silence for a moment.
“Seeing as I haven’t had people trying to sell naked photos of you, I guess you have been good.” Vanessa laughs.
“Mom’s in town, so yeah he’s been good.” Another voice calls out from behind Christian.
“Good to know, Axel,” Vanessa says, “Tell Viv and Ken I say hi, and sorry I’m missing Christmas with them this year. I promise I’ll give your mum a call on Christmas day for a chat.”
“She’s sad she’s missing you this year but she understands.” Axel adds in the background.
“I’m sad as well, I’m missing you,” Christian whispers.
“I’ll be home in a couple of weeks, Chris; I miss you too.” Vanessa confesses. All jokes aside for that moment, they both stare at each other for a touch longer than maybe they should. Vanessa shakes off the moment, quickly bringing the conversation back to them.
“Now don’t forget that I’m here to make Sienna happy, remember,” She says, ushering me towards the screen.
“Hey, Sienna,” Christian smiles into the camera, far out he is hot and that Texan accent is so sexy.
Giving him a timid smile, because talking to your favorite band makes you act like a mute.
Axel pushes his brother out of the way. “V asked us if we could cheer you up.”
Shocked, I turned towards my best friend. She was the best.