Till The Rope Gives Way

v. (jasmine)

The day Michael left is one I'll never forget, leaving me in a world of confusion. He is gone from the office, which I am glad of. Seeing his ex around is still annoying, but I've learned to tolerate it. I couldn't lie, she was good at her job. Along with seeing a counselor regarding my previous issues, I'm doing what I can to move on. There is one more proceeding we have to go through, as the investigators (I hired, of course) have found all the evidence they need to convict Samuel of breaking and entering, as well as invasion of privacy on two accounts. It seems that not only the footage of Michael and I is criminal, but there have been footage of me with clients and discussing confidential company information. He was going to go down, nonetheless, but what he did was nothing short of a nightmare. From the abuse, the manipulation, the cheating, and now this? I would be glad to finally get Sam out of my life for good. As for Michael, I just didn't know if we would even be an option anymore. It was something that happened so fast, so I don't know why I care so much. Perhaps he was a rebound. I keep telling myself that because there's no way I could've fallen for such a guy that quickly, and want to forgive him with the same quickness. Whatever the case, I tried even harder to drown myself in work. I came home that night, to boxes of my belongings all over the place. Once this was all over, I would be moving into my own condo. I had to have a fresh start from everything and everyone.

The time had come for us to have our final hearing. I pretty much acted as if he was dead for the remainder of the times I had to endure him. I arrived right on time, and even my older sister Bethany was here to join me. She had been an enormous support throughout this whole thing. "You ready?" Beth asked sitting in the driver's seat of her rental. "More than ready. I'm ready for this bastard to burn already." She laughed as she took a sip of her coffee. "Well, after this, we gon' celebrate. I know that you will win. There's already so much shit against him. They'll rule in your favor." "B, I just want this mess gone. That's it. I don't want my or Michael's career on the line." "To hell with him. Wasn't he supposed to be here for you?" Beth was right, but at the same time, if you were caught on camera going at it with your boss, with their ex threatening to expose you both resulting in complete termination of both of your positions, would you stay around? "Still, if he had of lost his new job on account of me, the same job he got on account of me, I would've never forgiven myself. That wouldn't have been fair." "Has he called at all?" I shook my head no, looking down at my latte. "That's fucked up if you ask me. He really just left you?" "B please now...I have a lot on my mind as it is. I still have compassion for him; I didn't say I'd take him back." "Chile, whatever. That man did something to you, something good. You didn't even get the chance to see him at his full potential. I hate him because I think he could've really been perfect for you. But I hate his ass, so you better not go back." I swear my sister was a walking contradiction sometimes. All I could do was ignore her, and focus on the task at hand.

"This divorce proceeding is regarding Mrs. Jasmine Sims-Jackson against her husband Samuel T. Jackson, with special attention to evidence 541, brought up under the statue of personal invasion of privacy as well as breaking and entering a privately owned company. Mr. Davidson, please begin with your examination." The hearing began on what seemed to be a good and strong note. For starters, I would walk away with all of my assets including full ownership of my company, and would not have to pay the name replacement fine. Sam would end up with everything he started with. In terms of his belongings, I would have to pay a fine for that, whatever; the money that was originally for the name change of "Jackson Helps" would go to that, which was fine. Onto the suit about the footage, as it turned out I was suing him for $150,000 for breaking into private-based government financed property (with an NPO, it is usually some sort of state funding, so huge offense). As well, not only was he invading my office but potentially endangering the connections between my company and my clients. That was a big deal. "I am ruling in favor of Mrs. Sims-Jackson, legally changing her name back to Ms. Sims, as well as the $150,000 for installing of defamatory surveillance footage on private property, another $4500 for voyeurism charges. While the actions on Ms. Sims part and her employee were against her own company and employee relation claims, she has willingly paid to have that removed, as had it not been for Mr. Jackson's team trying to humiliate his wife in the first place, she would not have gotten caught. As well, I'm demanding a payment be sent to the employee in question, a sum of $3500 for defamation of character, as well as voyeurism and failure to consent. The footage will be destroyed, Ms. Sims, so you and all parties involved are not going to be charged criminally. The house will be sold back to the market; neither you nor Mr. Jackson will receive any compensation back on that, as per the prenuptial agreement. In total, Ms. Sims you owe your former spouse, a total of $6582.82 for damages of his belongings. Mr. Jackson, you will owe your former spouse a total of $158,000, with $3500 going to the unnamed employee. As of today, the termination of the marriage between both parties is now in effect unless otherwise noted, with the power invested in me and the state of California. Case dismissed." The judge hit the gavel, and it was the sweetest sound I could've ever heard.

That night, my sister and I celebrated my big win over drinks at one of the nicest spa resorts in Beverly Hills, all on Sam's bill of course. "He will have to talk to you eventually," Beth said while sipping a Long Island. "I know...especially with this check going out. I'll see what happens." Beth shrugs, "Maybe he will apologize." All I could do was stare at my indecisive mess of a sister. "Do you hate him or do you want him?! What is your deal?" "Look, look. Ok sis, I liked him for you. You seemed so happy with him. He's a jackass for leaving you high and dry, but he was probably just scared for his job. He gave it to you so well, c'mon did he not?" "It was more than that, least I want to believe it was going in that direction. He was really a good person. But, I don't think it'll ever get back to that point, rightfully so," I said sipping my drink with sheer disappointment. "Rightfully so?! Girl ain't nothing right about that! Sam did this! And by rights he should be the one to fix it. But he won't. In any regard, I would like if you two could work things out." I could only hope.