Everything Started Here With You

Father. Brother. Friend

"Trust is not something that falls from the sky one day. Trust is something you build through time and relationships. If people don't trust you, it's because you haven't built up a good relationship. You shouldn't place the blame on others."

-- Gu Family Book

Hayden was sure that his day off wasn't going to be productive in any way. He'd already sent the kids off to a friend he was more than sure would take care of them. Sha'Kera was at work again. She was going to be fine. The girls and Jacobi said they'd take care of her. Being the plaintiff in a case was different than being the attorney.

"Luca and Lexi are going back to court tomorrow," Asher said.

"That fast?" Hayden asked.

"Mhm. That fast. It'll scare him, because he doesn't know what's about to hit him. Today's his last day trying to figure out what he wants."

"What do you got?"

"Firstly, you know that he abused her, right? I'm covering that and Ian is coming over to discuss something else. He won't say. I have a couple of other friends who have ties with the media. Once they cover that, then...you can guess the rest."

"I wish I could help. You know I'd love to bury Luca and his flings six feet under."

"Who wouldn't?"

A knock on the door startles Hayden from our silence. Asher said he should answer it, but it was his day off. Who could possibly be at the door at ten in the morning? Hmm...

"Shouldn't you be asleep right now?" Hayden asked. "I know it's early over there."

"It is," Asher admitted. "I can't sleep knowing Luca hasn't gotten what he deserves yet. You know, when I told Brad I loved Lexi when we were dating...he thought I was doing it to get back at him."

"Really? Of course he'd think something like that."

Hayden opened the front door and sighed. His friend was at the door with Mina in his arms. He thought he was going to get away with being away from them for at least another hour.

"Brett, what's up?" he exclaimed.

"I have a meeting in the afternoon and my secretary needs to go over some things with me. I would take the kids, but I don't want anyone getting distracted. Mika is away with her mother for the day, so she can't watch them," Brett explained.

"No problem. Thanks for watching them anyway. I was just about to call and check up on them."

"Mhm...How'd the meeting go?"

"...The same as always. Boring and quite long. We're starting another show next week and I want to rest as much as I can before they force me to come back to work."

"I guess being both a doctor and model can bring its downfalls. I'll see you tomorrow. Sorry about this."

"Perfectly fine. I guess they need to be with me anyway."

Brett left without another word. Addison brought her siblings in the house and retreated to their rooms. He guessed they'd be out of his way for a couple of minutes. He could order something for lunch and put on a movie. Maybe get some time alone in his room. It's better he try to catch up on sleep. For some reason, trust that Addison will watch her siblings and not make a mess. How hard could raising a 5-year-old be?

"It sucks we have to hurt him like this to get him to see that not everything can go his way," Asher said suddenly. Hayden jumped in surprise.

"...Right, right." He sighed. "When you're Luca, you become blind to what's real and what isn't. I don't think he wants to know that more than half of the world may hate him tomorrow. What's my sister doing about this court thing?"