ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON ELEVEN

Episode 164

Richard couldn't remember the firm. Or this Claire person that Ethan babbled about. Hell. He could just barely recall Ethan himself. What he remembered about the man was from law school really. Especially that one day he had tried so hard to forget. That one night he hoped Ethan would never remember.  But even though he couldn't remember the firm after his partner's words he felt such a baffling loss. It was like he was losing his own identity. It wasn't bad enough he couldn't remember what he wanted to when he wanted to. He felt like he was walking on quicksand.

He walked into the bedroom still holding the phone up to his ear just as Nigel was getting out of bed looking tired still and a little stiff. "What do you mean I'm no longer with the firm, Ethan? ," he asked sharply as Nigel looked at his husband and put the phone on speaker.

Nigel sucked in a breath and he quickly moved over to Richard's side just as Ethan Stone said from the phone," I'm sorry. As I said Claire , well you know how she can be, ..... I guess you can't...... well she called an early morning meeting of all partners. Except for you. For obvious reasons. "

" What ! ," Nigel exclaimed. " Why wasn't I there ! I should have been notified. "

Nigel reached out Richard's hand which he squeezed in much support.

There was a long pause on the phone until Ethan spoke again saying," Nigel ? That you? Look. There was no reason for you to be notified about company business....."

Nigel snapped," I'm his husband. I could have been there to plead his case. Maybe put a stop to this nonsense. This is beyond cruel , Ethan. He doesn't deserve this. What was the vote ? "

" The vote? "

Richard felt tension growing within his husband's body as Nigel repeated ," What was the damn vote ? "

" Seven for his removal as partner and from the firm. Four for his staying. "

Nigel said through gritted teeth ," Who voted for him to stay? "

" I did. Of course. Jeremiah Duncan. Amanda Charm. And Judith Xi. Look. I don't want to rehash this especially on speaker with certain people knowing company business. Richard, we will follow the senior partner agreement we three signed. You will receive the ten million dollar package. I just ask that you agree to accepting five million now and the remaining in six months. I mean we can pay you the entirety now if you really want but....."

" I don't care ," Richard shot out tersely, feeling empty inside. He felt lost. He felt betrayed. " Two payments is fine. Goodbye, Ethan. "

" Richard.... , " they both heard Ethan Stone say in an almost pleading voice just as Richard hung up.

" Richard," he heard from his husband just he turned around and fell into Nigel's arms with an odd surge of hot tears escaping his eyes to cascade down his face.