And If there was a tomorrow

Chapter 14

As promised, Maurice held off the broadcast until the morning of the fifth day. When it went public, it felt like a bomb had been dropped at the hospital, as well as several media channels that had accessed the content in the previous days but were requested to keep it confidential until that day. Ed's morning was very tense. The journalists surrounded him at the time he was leaving home, early in the morning. On that specific day, Mary Ann and Ed were supposed to head to Paris, and she was with him at his house, but the situation got very delicate when journalists surrounded the property and started taking pictures and trying to talk to her, to find out what he was like, and if she were his mistress as Linda said in the interview. She simply ran away as fast as she could, splitting from Ed, who got very irritated from the reaction and with the encirclement. He hadn't heard the interview yet, so he didn't know what they were talking about, so he only said that he had nothing to declare, while he called his lawyer to get instructions.

On the way, he tried to get informed about what happened and got furious upon hearing the accusations against him. As always, he assumed the position of a victim, believing that he was being offended and wronged, and called his lawyer again to prepare a legal prosecution against Peter and Linda. He gasped fury. His breath was heavy, and his face turned red. He looked like a bull that was about to attack. He took another way to his lawyer's office and, after arriving, received instructions from him.

Mark asked Ed many questions.

─ Are you sure they can't prove anything they are saying?

─ Of course.

─ You have never cut the hair of this Pietra person, and never dragged her across the school patio?

─ Well, maybe I did that. But there isn't proof.

─ What about witnesses?

─ There were witnesses. But we can pay for their silence, right? Everybody has a price.

─ It's very risky. Not everyone has a price.

─ Of course, everyone has a price. We just need to find what it is.

─ It doesn't work that way, Ed.

─ Sure, it does. We just need to match their price.

─ What about your mother? She didn't write a letter with her handwriting, and you didn't have a mistress, and never did anything Linda said, right?

─ I don't know about any letter. Linda told me about it, but I didn't speak to my mother. I don't think she'd do that. She wouldn't leave evidence laying around like that. She is not that dumb. As for the mistress, nobody can prove it.

─ Is she faithful to you?

─ Who?

─ Your mistress.

─ You mean my current girlfriend, right? Mary loves me. We really like each other, in a way that Linda will never understand. She would do anything for me. She is much better than my ex. In all possible ways.

─ So, we can instruct her, then.

─ Of course, we can. But let me ask you a question. Do you think we can board to Paris today? Mary and I were supposed to travel together.

─ Actually, with all these things happening, I don't think you can.

─ So, I'm going to have to tell her to go first, without me. She must go today, otherwise she'll lose the internship I arranged for her. How long do you think it will take for everything to be resolved?

─ I believe it will take one or two weeks, if we don't run into problems.

─ What kind of problems?

─ If they don't have proof, if we manage to bribe the witnesses, and guide your ex-lover and current girlfriend, and nothing else appears from nowhere.

─ So, we are safe.

─ You are extremely optimistic. If something goes wrong, you may have to pay for moral damages for both of them, which can cause a great financial loss.

─ It's not going to happen.

─ I hope you are right.

─ I'm always right.

─ So, I'm going to prepare the petition, get the lawsuit started and notify them both, okay?

─ Deal. Will you keep me posted?

─ Sure!

─ Thank you. ─ they shook hands and Ed left, while calling Mary.

─ Hi Ed. How are you doing? I was worried about you, with all that circus in your house. I'm sorry I left that way, I got nervous.

─ No problem, baby. I'm leaving my lawyer's office and he will take all proper legal measures possible. I'm going to rip-off those two. The only problem is that I can't go to Paris with you today, my lawyer doesn't think it'd be smart. But he told me that this whole thing should be solved in a week or two, so I'll meet you there. Are you going to be mad at me?

─ Of course not, my love. I understand. These unpredicted things happen. But you'll call me every day until you arrive, right?

─ Obviously.

─ We have a deal. I'll let you know when I arrive at the airport.

─ I'll be waiting. I miss you already, just from knowing that I won't see you for a week. You know I can't live without you, right?

─ I do. I can't live without you neither. I'm sad you aren't coming with me. Should I postpone my departure too?

─ No honey, you can't, remember? If you're not there tomorrow, you'll lose your internship. You need to go. We'll survive one week apart. Our love is stronger than all of this.

─ I know.

─ So, call me from the airport. Have a good trip.

─ Thank you love. I will.

As soon as they hung up, Mary Ann called Peter.

─ Peter?

─ Hi Mary.

─ All good. Ed's lawyer told him not to travel, so I'll go by myself, and he is preparing a lawsuit against you guys. Now, you just need to use the evidence that you have, including my handwritten letter assuming to be his mistress, and the pictures of us together for a long time. I'll start my internship tomorrow and I think he will be completely broke in one week. I don't think he will be able to travel anywhere nearby, let alone Paris.

─ I hope you are right, otherwise we are all going to be in bad shape.

─ We won't. He is so confident in his victory that the defeat is certain. Thank you for your help.

─ I thank you too. Have a safe trip and a great internship.

─ Thanks!

Peter hung up the phone and a smile of satisfaction invaded his face. Everything really seemed to be moving towards the best direction possible.