Passage 50
Avery sat there with her mother beside her . Caden was sitting in Rogers office doodling on his electronic doodle pad as he was into drawing cartoons and making graphic novels. Roger suggested they do deliberations in the far office at the end of the building since his office windows were being replaced after Regina broke them in anger.
Mr. Savior entered the room as he raised his eye brows at the sight of a woman he never laid eyes on sitting beside his client. He assumed it was the mother which was supposed to be out of town and abandoned the estate unless that was a lie as well. He gathered his paperwork as he sat beside his client and waited for the other parties to enter. He stayed up all night preparing for this case because he wanted to get this over with . Mr.Anders walked in with his clients as Axel and Bethany entered the room . Mr. Savior looked at the two woman notice each other it was apparent his client was not happy with her brothers guest to a private deliberation as well. Avery cut her eyes at Bethany with scorn. Sunshine was at Sandra and Wanda's house as Bethany knew not to bring children to a business meeting.
" What is she doing here No one invited her to a private matter?" Barked Avery with venom on her words.
" Mrs. Jing and I are here on behalf of the same property you served me papers for." Said Axel in a cold disconnect tone towards his sister.
Mr. Savior raised his eyebrows at the fact she didn't mention who her brother was marrying . He looked nervously to Bethany in an apologetic manner. Avery hadn't mentioned to her mother Axel had gotten married and this was the first time she met Bethany. When they were in school Mrs. Jing the original one was always out of town on trips. Avery's mother narrowed her eyes at her daughter's lack of communication.
" Hello mother. Jing . I am Bethany . Axels wife. It is nice to meet you. I'm sorry we met under these circumstances it truly was not intentional." Said Bethany reaching her hand out to shake the old woman's hand over the table.
The former mrs. Jing looked at Bethany's hand and thought then place a big smile on her face and shook her hand in the sitting position.
"Hěn gāoxìng jiàn dào nǐ." Said the former mrs. Jing pretending to not know English in front of her new daughter Avery neglected to mention.
Bethany smiled as she understood the woman but knew very well she spoke complete English. Ms. Jing did not fool her but now was not the time to point out this action. Bethany was sent to many schools and had four language Tudors. Her father insisted on it since she was his only legitimate daughter.
Bethany made a small respectable bow to show some honor , but Avery rolled her eyes at the display Bethany showed. Axel looked pleased his new wife knew how to address people in a mixed crowd.
" Well I don't see why it is any her concern for her to be here during a family dispute." Snipped Avery making sure she made Bethany feel like she was second rate family.
" Avery. She is my wife. So she is my family. Have you no honor for your brothers family?" Pointed out Axel with fire in his voice.
" I am your family. Not her she just married you." She cried on protest.
" It sure doesn't look like it. Family wouldn't serve legal papers of family owned lands on their wedding day. Your hate for me and Bethany's union is so great that you had to hurt us on our happiest day." He said in a calm tone that was very scary in its context.
The room watched the siblings as they could feel the strife between siblings.
" All you had to do was ask for the property. I would have gave it to you free of this. " Declared Axel hurt.
" Why ask permission when you can ask for forgiveness later." Sassed Avery .
" The ansestors will forgive you before I do with that statement." Rebuttaled Axel.
" Let's get started. " Cleared Mr. Anders throat seeing the hostility in the room.
" Axel and Bethany Jing wish to give up the property with the stipulations that the house will be placed in one Caden Jing name until his eighteenth birthday. Avery Jing will be held responsible for the upkeep of this residence as well as the the care of said minor until the age to inherit. Upon this agreement the house and property will be paid in full and taxes handled for the remainder of the time Caden Jing owns this property. The house or any assets, or material properly that is on this land can not be sold or exchanged unless cleared by one Axel Jing as executor of this property until Caden Jing's eighteenth birthday." Said Mr. Anders now taking a breath.
" Do you know how stupid it is to give a nine year old kid a property and land ? What the hell is he going to do with it he has no job and he is still a minor ?" Said Avery crossly .
" The same as trying to take property from the male representative in our culture. By our tradition it is my house first . Avery you never really owned the house." Explained Axel.
Mr. Savior looked nervously at Avery as this was news to him. He understood the former Ms. Jing passing it over but he didn't realize his client didn't even have rights to the property.
" Also part of the agreement is mother has to move out. Bethany and I have agreed to set her up in a modest facility with an allowance and a personal driver. I do not want her interfering with Caden's inheritance by any means. This property can have only one owner .This also includes that any future lovers can not move in this home through marriage or by any means and retain titles and ownership of this property. If anyone tries to remove Caden's name from this home they will be removed from the home and I will resume duties of a guardian if he is a minor. " Axel said looking at his mother and sister.
Avery admitted that serving him papers at his wedding was cold. But this. This was cruelty. Avery lost the house to her son . He wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for her. And her mother was forced toove out . This was outrageous.
" Who is paying off the house and land? I don't see any proof of financial capabilities to remove this property from my care." Scoffed Avery knowing Axel didn't have the money to do this. She was going to call his bluff .
" I am. Hello Mr. Savior .Do you remember me as a little girl?You knew my father Antonio Bruno. " Said Bethany with a professional smile on her face.
Mr. Savior eyes grew in realization what she said. When Mr. Bruno died Roger Evenburg was his partner and he took over his business and dropped the Bruno and Evenburg law offices and changed it to Evenburg and Associates. Mr. Savior cleared his throat like it was too hot to breath.
" I see we have a conflict of professional interest here. Miss Jing although I love to represent you in this matter, but it seems my hands are folded with these revolutions. I would advise you to take Mr. And Mrs. Jing up on their offer to avoid any further legal charges that may occur." He said dryly as his face grew white.
" What? I paid you." Yelled Avery.
" I also told you that this was regardless of outcome. Please miss Jing before you incurre any more charges to your account . I believe the best method is to settle to these terms and let the said child collect his property." He said hurriedly not to offend Bethany any further.
" I do apologize miss Bruno I'm sorry Mrs. Jing . If I had any idea who your father was I would have never taken this case. He was a good and honorable man and I'm sorry for your loss. " Apologized Mr. Savior.
" That proves nothing. I hired you. I want my money back if all your going to do is coward before her." Avery said raising her voice.
Mr. Savior eyes looked worried as he looked at Bethany for confirmation.
" Give back her money . I'll also cover her legal fees to compensate for the loss to the firm." Said Bethany not breaking eye contact with Avery.
" I don't need your damn charity. Honestly Bethany you flashing your money like I have a price tag . You spoiled entitled little rich girls that abuse power . I don't see why my brother even married you." Yelled Avery now upset .
Axel stood up angry now but it was his mother who spoke up."Jiēshòu zhège tíyì. Zuò xià, nǐ ràng wǒ hěn gāngà." Said the former Ms. Jing. She heard the getting her own place and an allowance. She could be free from her daughter's poor life.
" Mom." Avery pleaded.
" No. You stupid stupid girl. This deal is good. Give the boy the house. I'll move out and you stop fighting with your brother now." Said the former mrs. Jing in coherent English.
" Avery bowed her head as she was scolded by her mother. Her face grew red with embarrassment. Her mother was supposed to be her to intemidate Axel not support him. She felt her anger grow more against Bethany. She thought this would work. Now she lost her house to her son.
" Don't you dare be mean to my nephew over this either ,Avery ." Reminded Axel seeing Avery in her own thoughts.
" Than you can have him for all I care. He listens to you anyways I only kept him in case his father came back. I see he is just a pawn anyways." She said breaking out in tears.
" Avery you don't mean that. He is not at fault here." Bethany said holding Axel back.
" Is he not. I'm his mother and I don't outrank my own son. I gave him life. He wouldn't be here if I hadn't kept him." She said crying. Feeling dejected and replaced by the child she chose to keep for her own selfish reasons.
The two lawyers looked at each other as they didn't know if they both should stop taking notes about the meeting for court records. Both paused a moment before knowing they had to turn in all notes and their findings.
" Fine. Give me my nephew. I always knew you would do this to him. Avery he is a child not a pawn for your scheme to get Roger back. How selfish of you to think that. You don't deserve to be a mother with that type of thinking. He is family not a means to a goal.I need you moved out of the house by the end of the month. Caden will stay with me and Bethany until your ready to think of someone else besides yourself." Barked Axel temper flairing.
Avery stood up abruptly startling the two lawyers and ran out of the room red faced and tempered . She didn't even stop by to grab Caden. Caden looked up at his mom as he saw her get on the elevator and leave him there.
"Momma." Yelled Caden as he rushed out to see his mom leaving. Roger looked up to see what happened at the last minute. He didn't know why the boy ran out of the room .he put his head back down reviewing legal documents on his desk.Just then Axel looked at Bethany and his face was concerned. Ms. Jing nodded at went to Rogers office and retrieved Caden . She walked him to his uncle and patted the boy to go to his uncle.
" Shushu , where is momma going? " Caden said tears in his eyes.
" She had some things to take care of. I tell you what. You can stay with me and Bethany if you want. It will be a bit before your mom will." Axel stopped not sure how to tell his nephew his mom left him.
" Sunny will be so happy your going to stay with us. I'll make your favorite dinner and you'll have your own room. It will be okay. Don't you want to see your cousin." Said Bethany hugging the boy .
" Okay shushu. " Is all Caden said.
Axel and Bethany shook the hands in all the lawyers in the room while holding onto Caden tightly . The former mrs. Jing stood in the corner as Bethany approached her with greatful heart. Even though she knew her agenda was selfish it was what was best for Caden .
" Xièxiè. I will always remember your kindness on this day." Said Bethany as the mother Jings face looked impressed and shocked Bethany knew her language. She nodded approvingly and nodded to her son in approval.
" We shall set you up with what we promised by the end of the month." She said as she returned to axel's side. The former mrs.Jing smiled at her son and left the room. Mr. Savior looked nervously.
" I will handle your legal efforts . I'm sorry to blindsight you about this. Please keep my father's name and what transpired today between us. I know you work for Roger but I don't want him to fire you if he found out. You understand right." Said Bethany softly for only Mr. Savior to hear.
Mr. Savior nodded and bowed out of the room. Roger looked up as he saw Caden run out of the room but when his grandma came to get him he simply waved it off as he didn't have to watch him anymore. He figure Avery would tell him later but right now he wasn't concerned about where the boy went . He just was watching him because Avery once again brought a kid to a meeting. It aggervated him that she kept doing that.
Axel walked Caden and Bethany to the elevator as he blocked Rogers view of Bethany with Mr. Anders on the other side of Bethany. Mr. Savior went to his office and sat down as he layed his head on the desk and closed his eyes. This was the case that could have ended his career. He focused on his notes as he drafted the outcome for legal standards. Opting out the admission of Bethany's claim to the firm.
He knew when to push and to pull. Antonio Bruno saved him more times then he'd like to admit. When his daughter asked him this favor. He owed Antonio this for her. Roger stood at the door of Mr. Saviors office.
" How did it go? He inquired more professional rather than an actual interest in the case.
" Bad. She just i don't know how to explain it,but it went bad. She demanded her money back for her not winning. Well to be honest she didn't stick around to see if she won or lost she just bolted the moment the deliberation went south." He said torn trying not to reveal too much.
" Oh shit really. Well did you get paid for your service or are we going to have to file a motion of payment?" Said Roger . Not to be confused with concern , but to be more of a relief he didn't have to entertain the moody child anymore. Roger liked the idea of a son in pure curiosity at first. But when the boy was a closed book and wasn't open to a relationship with him he stopped trying to be his friend. Like Roger said he never wanted any children
" No I got the payment squared away. That was the good news. " He said remembering Bethany's warning not to alert Roger . He heard Rogers name in the mention of the child's father .Mr. Savior was at a cross road on what he knew and how he should act around Roger now he knew the things he overheard.
Roger nodded his head and pushed off the door and went back to his temporary office to finish up doing some work. Sure he felt bad that Avery lost her case, but there was nothing he could do about it now. He looked at his phone to see if Avery called or should he call avery to comfort her. Shit man your becoming like those love sick idiots you hate. Roger thought. He turned his phone over and returned his attention back to his computer screen.
Caden sat in the back of Bethany's car as she drove to pick up Sunny. Caden was muddled in his own thoughts as he thought about seeing how his momma went into the elevator and didn't even come back to get him. He knew his mom was there with nainai to handle some business in Rogers office building , but he didn't know his shushu was there . When did his shushu get there ?
Avery and Roger had been fighting a lot lately over him and then making up. Caden noticed his momma was either sad or mad when she started to bring Roger around more. He didn't understand their relationship where they would be fine and then full blown argument then silent and back to normal. There was a lot a meals eaten alone in his room .
Then Nainai would come home and no one would talk to each other. He looked out the window as he wondered if his shushu and his wife acted the same now that they were married. He wanted to go home and put his headphones in his ears and turn up some music to distract him from his thoughts. He did that many night until he fell asleep with the music soothing him over the voices and then the silence that came .
As soon as Sunny saw Caden she saw Caden's cold glare into space. He layed his head on the glass with his headphones in and just looking sad .she gave her mother a look. Bethany shook her head to tell her not now and Sunny ran around to the other side of the vehicle to get inside not to disturb caden. Every once and a while she would silently look at him and he still laid his head on the window not responding to anyone around him.
Bethany and Axel hadn't had time to set up the guest room all the sheets and bedding was still sitting on the mattress. Some of the stuff was unboxed but it was a slow progress with both his and her work schedule and school for sunny.
They had always planned to make it Caden's room when he spent a night so they got art supplies and a gaming system. They would have to get clothes but the bedding was black and white and there were animated posters still waiting to be hung up.
They got out of the car and Sunny went upstairs as Caden followed silently. Axel showed him his room and Caden looked at the large room . He saw the window box and the magna books on a shelf beside the window seat overlooking the back yard garden. It wasn't like the Jing garden but it was nice to look at. It had a gazebo and climbing roses and jasmine and a rock path , even a small pond but no fish in it like the Jing fountain .
" Hey . You can set up the room the way you want it. Bethany isn't too strict on where things go. We hlgot all kinds of stuff we haven't pulled out yet and We can go clothes shopping for you in the morning if you want?" Said Axel as he watched his nephew carefully as he came in the room.
"The Latest edition of magna thats really neat. " Replied Caden grabbing a series to read.
" There is an art desk with charcoal and paint pens over there. And posters for you to hang up if you like them. The bed has L.E.D. lights on the headboard with blootooth speakers so the radio is built in the headboard well that's what the box said it had. we haven't used it yet to see what it does." Explained Axel as Caden just turned the page of the book. Axel nodded because he knew Caden would work out his room when he was ready.
After how Avery disappeared on him Axel wouldn't blame him if he was angry. Axel would call Avery to see what she was thinking later. Right now he wanted his nephew comfortable.
Bethany came and sat in Sunny's room that she was still working on since she was still placing things how she liked it. Sunny sat on the bed and looked at her mother concerned.
" Sunshine . Can I ask you something?" Asked Bethany cautiously.
" Yeah momma." She said chippery.
" Miss Avery got really mad at Axel and momma today and we'll left Caden with us. " Said Bethany cautiously." Be mindful about mentioning his mother to him in case you upset him. He really needs a friend right now." Bethany said knowing her kind hearted daughter would understand.
" Okay momma. Is Miss Avery coming back for Caden? " Asked sunny concerned for her friend.
"I honestly don't know. It was a shock to us when it happened. She might just need to cool off a few days or it might be permanent. Only time can tell. Just be kind to him . He may want to be alone to think about bout things or act different sometimes people do that when they are hurt." Explain Bethany to her bright child.
" I always wanted a brother to play with. I know he is my cousin now but I like him a lot. I like kids at my school too but they have to go home to their parents and I get board entertaining myself alot.I promise momma I won't hurt him .I'll try my best to be his friend ." Said sunny now sad for her friend .
" That's all I ask from you right now. Thank you." Bethany said kissing sunny forehead thinking she had such a wonderful daughter to have such a heart.
Bethany cooked dinner as the table was set for four. Caden pushes his food around on his plate as Bethany looked concerned at the little boy. Axel also looked measured at him as he wanted to say something to comfort him,but he was also angry about what his sister did to his nephew. He knew Avery would take out her frustration out on him when she gets upset. She always did it to Axel when they were kids when someone bullied her at school for looking different.
Then growing up watching their parents fight and makeup then fight again instilled ome resentment in her heart about how you treat people you may love. When Avery became a teenager her first was her therapy. Paul had to redirect her wild temper more times than once. She was a good fighter just as poor sportsman ship when she lost a fight and be irritated about it for days. When she fell pregnant with Caden Paul had to make her stop and think of the life in her.
Their mother didn't make Avery's life easy with her ridicule of how a proper woman attracts a man and marrys before children. When Caden was born with the lawyers grey eyes Avery lost it. It would have been easier for her if he looked like her instead of his father. He was. Constant reminder of the man that broke her heart.
" Axel and momma was thinking about getting a set of puppies to make this home feel like a home .what do you think about that, caden." Stated sunny as she never heard them say it to her but more of a private jest.
Bethany shot a look at Axel as she knew he taught her to spy like that.it was a thought not a concrete action. Now the thought was out in the open there was no way to put it back in the box .
" A puppy really. I always wanted a dog but momma said she end up taking care of it when I lost interest in it. I always liked huskies or those dogs that had the brown and black on them. I told her I take care of it but she said I wouldn't." Caden said now looking up excited.
" We can get a brother and sister pair from the same litter. You know to represent us. I always wanted a brother. " Smiles sunny that the idea distracted Caden. Bethany was poking her food where sunny was making it harder for her to tell them no now sunny was making plans for puppies that was metaphorically taken out of context.
" Can we get a brother and sister puppies ,shushu?" Asked Caden more interested.
" We did mention it ," he said shooting a look at sunny for ease dropping on a private conversation" I think it's an excellent idea. I know a friend who just had a little of puppies in fact but it will be a few weeks before they are wiened off their mother. It be easier to get them when they are eating puppy food." Confirmed Axel as Bethany shot him a look now. She thought you too what was I left out of this idea of puppies being an actual concept instead of an idea for making babies .
" I think that is an excellent idea. Caden do you want your very own puppy?" Asked Bethany as she looked between the two schemers at the table . As she gave up. If you can't beat them then join them. With the room being three to one odds she was out numbered here.
" Yes please. I will name him Roger ." He stated stabbing his food now. Bethany noticed this action something Avery used to do often when Axelade he upset. Seeing him now doing it worried her .
Bethany eyebrows rose at the mention of caden's father and her previous lawyer. She worried why he would want to name him that?
" That's an interesting name for a dog . Might I ask why the name?" Bethany approached worried.
" Because that is momma new boyfriend. She said he is my father but that man looks at me like I'm not wanted. Momma been spending a lot of time alone in he room with him making strange noises . He comes over and pats me on the head like well I'm a dog. It's only appropriate I name my dog after him." He said now putting food in his mouth.
" Oh. Well. A puppy should be named out of love. Do you want to be reminded of him every time you call your new puppy's name? " Reasoned Bethany.
" What strange noise do they make,Caden." Interjected sunny now curious.
" Sunshine Marie Valentine." Scolded Bethany to stop the curious little girl.
Sunny tilted her head down knowing momma only used her fully name when she was in trouble or well on her way to it.
" I am sorry momma ?" She said now focusing on her plate of food. Caden picked up that what he heard was something the adults didn't want to discuss. He looked up at his uncle axel's face and saw the heat cross it. Axel poked at his food a few more minutes then said." Bethany is right. A puppy should be named out of love. Think of him as a furry family member not a revenge name." He said more calmly than necessary.
" Okay shushu. I'm sorry. While we are waiting on them to be old enough to take care of I will think of a good name. Can he sleep in my room too." Said Caden more interested.
" Yes of course. A puppy should be near his human. As long as you show great love to him a dog will be loyal. All puppy's wants us to be loved . Puppies grow up with love." Said Axel as he weighed his nephew thoughts afraid Avery and his mom had rubbed off on him.
"Okay shushu." Smiled Caden as sunny looked confused at the word she didn't know. Bethany chuckled at her daughter. Bethany understood since her father had her taking language classes for business class when she was eleven. She knew he did it to be able to run her mother's business one day.
" Perhaps it's time you start some language classes. So you can understand your cousin better." Suggested Bethany.
" Momma I'm eight I'm not even nine. We have to learn our language for twelve years in school . I'm still learning my language." Stated sunny. As a frown came across her little face.
" Sunshine. " Axel said as she knew that meant he didn't like her smarting off to her mother.
" Yes sir." She replied as she didn't like her full name being used as a yielding point.
" Your mother is right. One day you will meet others like me. I would like you to understand our language. It's a good skill to have for the future . How I taught my mother English was by learning it first. My dad was born here so English was second nature to him. My mother was not . She came over when she was sixteen as a foreign exchange student . I went to English speaking schools but I still learned my mother's language. Besides you can't be a spy if you can't understand what they are saying." He said including her interest in the topic.
" Oooohhhhh. Spies shall rise and rule the world. I'm going to be the best spy the world has ever seen." She beemed as he and Axel laughed.
" Shushu can you also teach sunny our routine. A girl should learn how to defend herself too. I don't mind if we all did it together." Offered Caden . Axel smiled at his nephews suggestion. Usually only him and his nephew did that as a bonding method through discipline and patience.
" I'm sure it won't hurt her to learn ." Replied Axel proud of how well his nephew was willing to share his uncle with sunny.
" Besides we are family now. I too always wanted a sister. But it's always been me. I'm still getting used to school . The kids ask me too many questions and I get overwhelmed with too many people around I don't know . But Sunny i know." He said smiling at sunny .
Sunny and Caden bonded over promises of puppies and training. She smiled at her cousin and looked around the table happily eating her food. Axel was deep in thought at the revelations about Avery bringing Roger over to the house and leaving Caden alone. What was she thinking having relations in his father's estate in front of her son. What type of man was this Roger to disregard how it looked to his nephew how Avery has been acting around him. He was glad Avery gave Caden to him, but sad in how she did it. It was mean, and cruel to force this change upon him so fast.
" So tomorrow we will go clothes shopping. Pick out whatever you want ,Caden . The sky is the limit. " Said Bethany excited.
" It depends on how long I'm going to stay here?" Reverted Caden. Axel shot Bethany a look of concern. Caden didn't realize it might take a while for his mom to come and get him.
" Well how long do you want to stay?" Asked Bethany cautiously.
" I like it here. The posters and books are awesome here. I like being able to decorate my room how I like it. All momma wanted was boring grey colors. I like the color but I like other things too. Can I live here with you?" He said in a sad tone.
" Of course. You can stay as long as you want. " Smiled Bethany. She felt sadness for the boy in front of her. This poor boy living under the whim of his mother's desires. She wondered what Roger subjected him to in a short amount of time to make the boy want to name a dog after him. Perhaps it was subliminal. How he worked out his issues. Axel smiled while reading Bethany's expressions as he squeezed her hand under the table to ease her troubled thoughts.
Later on Caden busied himself setting up his room with Sunny's help. They both talked and unpacked the items as Axel leaned against the door frame watching the two cousins take comfort in each other as they worked together to set up the room . Caden blootoothed his playlist to his bed frame as the lights moved with the rythmic beat of the music.
Axel nodded and reminded sunny she had school in the morning and left the cousins to enjoy each other's company.