The Revenge of The Worthless son in law

09. A Friend.

"How are you handling things?" Erika's reply was a slight nod, meaning things weren't going well. When she told him her father was arrested on the allegations of a crime he was completely innocent of, Jason felt bad for her. That was the reason behind her depression, the reason she had visited his former apartment. "How's Mrs Anderson?"

"She's fine, barely."

"What are the officers saying about the case?"

"They said we should get him a competent lawyer, because the chances that he'll end up going to court are on the high side."

"I'm really sorry Erika, I wish I could help–" the moment he said that, he realized that he actually could. He was rich now, and he was sure that if he pleaded enough, he could get Matthew to help him.

"JP?"

"Right, I'm not promising anything but I'll see what I can do to help."

"Really?!" She perked up with excitement, a smile brightening up her face.

"Sure. But don't get your hopes too high."

"Got it." Her smile lasted a few more seconds before it vanished, leaving the frown she had on earlier. "Are you okay?"

"What?" He hadn't mentioned anything about his divorce to her so he was unsure of what her question meant. "Yeah I'm okay."

"I know things aren't going smoothly between you and the wifey." She said without looking at him.

"W--huh?"

"You can talk to me JP, I'm your friend."

Jason hadn't discussed his divorce with anyone, even he was still having a had time coming to terms with the fact that he was currently back to being single. He heaved a deep breath. "Well, it all started the day I got a job at your parents Store…" he started, and just like that he narrated the whole incident to her, not leaving out a single detail.

While he spoke, Erika had a serious expression on her face and he couldn't quite tell what she was thinking. Once, she removed a hankie from her purse and dabbed at her eyes, was she crying?

Was his story really that pathetic that she was crying for him?

When he got to the end of his story, she rose up from her seat and moved to the other side of the table where he was. "Is something wrong–" she put her arms around his shoulders, pulling him to rest on her chest.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through all that."

Jason froze up completely at the touch. What was happening? Was she…consoling him?

"You don't think it's my fault?"

"Your fault? How the hell is this your fault?"

"Well..if I had just been rich from the start–"

"Nonsense! Did you choose to be poor? What dummy would reason things like that?"

His brother in law…and apparently him. Somehow Jason felt like he was the one at fault as well. While it was true that he didn't choose a broke life for himself, he couldn't help but think that none of it would have happened if he was indeed wealthy. "I…"

"Listen JP, I'm not saying your wife was lying when she said she did it for you, and I'm not saying she's telling the truth either. But if one thing is clear, it's that she doesn't love you anymore.

She got used to the luxuries her other man offered her, and you became nothing to her. That was the reason she left you. Not because you aren't rich.

Don't let her have the last laugh.

Use this pain you're feeling, the sadness in your heart. Use it as a motivation. You said you got a new job, one that pays well. Work hard, work twice as hard as a normal person would. Become wealthy, and prove to her that you are NOT a nobody."

Jason knew his eyes widened, no one had ever given him a pep talk like that before, not even Lauren. It seemed a bit redundant since he was already wealthy but it still got to him. It made him want to work hard to become even more wealthy. He wanted to be the best!

"And I'm ready to be by your side till the end." She finished and Jason's gaze found its way to her face.

"Erika…."

"I'm not asking you to marry me or anything, I'm just saying I'm going to support you as a friend." She quickly added as she released her hold on him.

"Thank you."

~•~><~•~

"What do you want?" Jason was shocked when Lauren's new partner asked him to meet up. His initial thought was to decline his invitation, but Erika said to see what he wanted. 'Backing out would make you look like a coward' she had said.

"So, this is all of you." Phil commented after observing Jason's profile.

"I'm sorry?"

"If I'm being completely honest, I feel rather disappointed."

What the hell was he talking about?

"Lauren told me everything." He said simply, still staring at Jason with disdain.

"And?"

"I don't understand. How could she put up with half a man for all these years? Oh, and in case you were wondering, you're half a man.

Didn't you feel ashamed? Living under a woman's roof, eating her food, wearing the clothes she bought you?

And yet you had the guts to call yourself a husband."

So that was it. He invited him over just to insult him. Well, if he thought Jason was just going to sit and let him talk all over him, then he was totally wrong. "Well, you look like you have all the time in the world to do nothing, but not everyone is like you. Some of us actually have work to do.

So, if you'll excuse me." He started to walk away but deciding that he hadn't annoyed him enough, he stopped and added. "Oh, and if this is your way of worrying that I might try to take Lauren back, you can be rest assured that I have no intention of doing that.

I'm way too busy to worry about what my ex wife is doing with some dude."

He didn't turn back till he left the Cafe but Jason could feel Phil's cold glare, and it sent shivers down his spine. Definitely he had made himself an enemy.