10th Commandment | Revamped

Chapter 10

*First Divorce Settlement Meeting*

Fantasia, her lawyer, and Taraji's attorney were all gathered in a boardroom, waiting for Taraji, who was already 20 minutes late. Fantasia was fuming, irritated that her morning was being wasted when she had to pick up Alycia from the airport in half an hour. She kept glancing at the clock.

"Where on earth is she?" she grumbled quietly to herself. After 30 minutes, Fantasia stood up, ready to storm out. Just then, Taraji strolled in, looking utterly unfazed and even a bit pampered as if she had just stepped out of the spa.

"I'm here, let's get this started," she declared, exuding confidence as if she owned the place. Fantasia gritted her teeth and immediately dialed a number.

"Can you please pick up Alycia from the airport for me? I'll send you her contact info right now," she said before hanging up.

"Can we kick this off now?" Fantasia’s lawyer inquired. Taraji merely shrugged. "Yes!" her lawyer replied. "Let’s just wrap this up already," Fantasia pressed.

"Alright, we've reviewed the settlement requests from your side. Don’t you think it’s a bit excessive for a seven-day marriage? Come on, it was just a Vegas wedding," Fantasia's lawyer pointed out. Taraji leaned in to whisper to her attorney, prompting an eye-roll from Fantasia.

"This marriage is serious for my client, and she’s devastated at the thought of divorce. She demands half, and that’s non-negotiable," Taraji’s lawyer insisted.

"My client is willing to offer $5 million as a settlement," the lawyer countered.

"That's not going to work; she wants half," was the firm response.

“$20 million!” Fantasia's lawyer exclaimed, Taraji's lawyer looked at Taraji for support, but she shook her head dismissively. “Come on!” Fantasia’s lawyer shot back. Taraji whispered again to her attorney, who then stated, “We’re asking for the townhouse, a factory, a teen club, and a new Ferrari.” Fantasia's lawyer was quick to dismiss it. "That’s simply off the table."

“Then I’m finished here. Call me when you’re ready to meet my demands,” Taraji said, striding out like a reality TV star.

"That's ridiculous! Your client is just a gold digger; she’s getting nothing from us," the lawyer declared. Fantasia, overwhelmed, stood up and headed to the restroom to vent her frustration.

As she paced inside, Taraji walked out of a stall and started washing her hands. “Why are you doing this? I’m trying to secure my kids' future before I retire, and you’re making it impossible. Why?” she pressed. “Did you ever consider my feelings when you rushed into this? You dropped the divorce on me like I’m made of stone, as if I could just move on. Why treat me like this?”

“I thought this was the easy way out,” Fantasia explained.

“It is! I agree; we were both tipsy when we got hitched, and frankly, we don’t even remember the details. But you should have talked it over with me first. This was meant to be a mutual decision. But of course, Fantasia Barrino—Smith, the self-proclaimed queen of everything, couldn’t just compromise!” Taraji fired back.

“Okay, I admit I was wrong. Can we hit the reset button? Can I come over tonight so we can sort this out?” Fantasia suggested.

“No, I want half. I’m done negotiating. I have kids to care for too,” Taraji said dismissively as she made her exit.

“So, just because of that, you think it’s okay to act like a gold digger?” Fantasia snapped back. Taraji spun around, taken aback.

“What did you just call me?” she questioned sharply.