A New Form of Therapy

The Beginning Of The End: Part 2

Justin's words have me in tears. In the middle of the court room. I can't help it though. He just announced to the world- well, to the small world that is sitting in the court room, but I'm a hundred per cent sure it will get out one way or another- that he loves me.

"That's all, Your Honor," the lawyer says. I look at him as he sits down. He mumbles something to the team sitting around him. My lawyer looks at me and smiles. That has to be a good sign.

He stands up and walks over to Justin. I tense up, not entirely sure why, and ball my hands into fists. I can feel my fingernails digging into my palms but I don't relax them.

Justin reiterates everything that he just said to the other lawyer. I can't hide the smile on my face. I can see some of the jury are wearing similar expressions. Justin makes it very clear his feelings for me and that I never once forced him into anything. He admits that he was the one that started the relationship.

Justin is the final witness in the long week of court and once he is excused, the judge dismisses the jury to discuss and decide. I walk out silently with my lawyer but as soon as we are outside the court room, he turns to me.

"That could not have gone any better," he says. "Justin is a great person."

"Yeah, he is." I can't help but smile. I want to search the crowd and find him, run to him and hug him. Kiss him. Thank him.

"Let's get you to the car," my lawyer says. "It's quite a crowd out there right now. Remember to not answer any questions that might be thrown out at you. And don't pay attention to them; chances are they are making things up to get you to say something wrong."

"Got it." The crowds started gathering after the first day of trials. It was mostly younger girls that were throwing hateful comments to me. Then it grew to include news outlets. Then more crowds. Each day was a struggle to get through the crowd and to the car.

As they descended down the steps, words and shouts came from all directions. Accusations that she slept with Justin. She forced him. That she paid him to lie for her on the stands. That one got her attention. She looks from the person who asked to her lawyer. It was clear they heard it too and the look on his face planted a seed of doubt and lack of trust in her lawyer. And in Justin. Would he have done that? I know he was upset about the Marcus thing and the fact that I've never officially ended it with him, but would he really take a bribe to help me win? Would her legal team stoop that low?

I get to the car and immediately turn to the lawyer. "What did that person mean when they said you paid Justin to lie?"

"I told you," he says, turning to look at me from the front seat. "They make up things to get your attention."

"So what he said was true?" I ask. "He wasn't just saying it because you paid him?"

"We'll talk about this later," he says. Nothing else is added to that.

The entire ride back to the office, there are no words shared. I keep to myself, wondering what he means by that comment. Would he have bribed Justin? Did Justin really not care about me? What does that mean for me?

My phone lit up with a couple of texts from Selena and Taylor. They are wishing me luck. It was all up to the jury and judge now. Everything that could be said was. I respond to their texts with 'thank you' and 'we just have to wait now'. There are no texts from Justin.

I'm hanging out at the law office today because the jury shouldn't take too long with the decision and we will be called back. Also, as my lawyer explained earlier in the week, depending on how the jury decides, we need to be prepared for what to do next.

For me, it is simple. If they rule in favor of me, I will continue my practice like normal. I will keep it professional. No more overnight stays. No more meeting outside of my apartment. Everything else will remain the same though. Available 24/7. Personal phone. Private phone.

If they rule in favor of the company, I will move back home. I will go back to school and hope to land another good job. I'm still young. I can change my career easily. I don't want to, but if I need to I can.

I am at the office for four hours, listening to plans being made on my behalf. I don't speak up but no one seems to notice. Stuck inside my own head, that seed of doubt starts to become a full-blown tree. Then it becomes a forest. Do I still enjoy this job? I love helping the clients, of course- that will never change- but do I want to have to put up with stuff like this all the time? Working with celebrities is hard enough, but now I feel as though it is going to be impossible. I'll probably have to move since everyone who is anyone knows where I live. No thanks to the news outlets and gossip columns. I'll have to change phones again. I'm sure this story isn't going to go away any time soon, no matter the ruling.

"I want to quit," I say aloud. The room goes quiet and all eyes are on me.

"What?" one person dares to speak after several moments.

"I said I want to quit. Whether the court rules in my favor or not, I think it is time for a break from helping others. I need to help myself get back into a good place. I've been so bogged down with keeping secrets and all of this that I've forgotten to take care of me. I'm stressed to the max and I don't know how I'm going to resume a normal life after this. I just want to take a break from it all." I decide in my head, as I continue my speech, what I want to do. "I'm going back home. Just for a couple of months to clear my head and let all of this blow over. I will keep in contact, but I want to leave as soon as the trial is over."

**BOMB DROPPED! DIDN'T EXPECT THAT, DID YOU? BUT GUESS WHAT?? THAT JUST MEANS THERE IS GOING TO BE A THIRD INSTALLMENT TO THIS! I WILL OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE IT LATER TONIGHT!**