This chapter will be written from the 3rd person.
For you to witness the trial as if you were there!
Enjoy!
Chapter 15: Black File
Everyone stood outside, waiting for the trial to be called upon.
Janu stood arms crossed, discussing final details with Meryem and Murat. She kept her back to the entrance, specifically to were Nikola was standing.
"Ali and Meryem." They finally called on the trial.
Everyone started to walk into the courtroom, except Nikola.
Janu looked around trying to locate where Nikola was.
But he wasn't there!
Where could have he disappeared into?! Janu thought.
"Janu, hadi* let's go in." Murat said with a smile.
"Evet.*" She replied as she followed him inside.
Everyone took their seats. Janu sat down, nervously rubbing her clammy hands together.
Nerdesin Sen*?! Where are you?!
"Rise Judge Mehemt is coming in." They announced.
Everyone followed the order before sitting back down.
The courtroom's door opened, making everyone turn around. Janu sat on the edge of her seat, slightly raising her body to get a better view of the late comer.
Indeed it was him.
Nikola walked in and said apologetically "Sorry for being late."
Janu let out a small sigh while relaxing her shoulders.
He walked up to his seat then said loudly, smiling "Günaydın* Judge Mehmet. Everyone."
Some mumbled their reply, while others kept silent. Janu was from the latter.
He seemed to have collected himself, but still he wasn't looking in her direction.
Nikola took his seat, opened his briefcase, and pulled out 3 files.
Then he went on to organize his papers.
He looked up then placed his hands over the table, intertwining his fingers together.
He looked around the courtroom, at the clerk, at Luka, even at the ceiling.
Literally at everyone and everything, even at Janu's client.
But never at her, not even once.
Janu smacked her lips together as she promised herself
You come to face me today yet you avoid me. I will make you pay for this and ever single thing you did to me. I swear that I will make you regret everything you did.
"Order." They finally called.
Then it all began.
They started by reading the case.
Ali and Meryem got married 6 years ago. She was his third wife but he was her first.
They had no kids, which made this case a bit easier. They have an age gap of 15 years, Meryem being younger.
They are getting divorced for adultery. He cheated on her. Today was to fight back Janu's accusations.
The main goal of this trial was the financial aspect, really. How to divide their properties.
Ali had an investment company, 2 villas, and apartment in London, 4 cars, and the list goes on. On the other hands, Meryem had her own spa center, 2 cars, 1 chalet, and a few more things.
Nikola looked down at his intertwined finger as he started to think.
Where they ever in love really?!!! If they fell that easily out of it?!!! Yeah right!!!!
Two people can fall out of love. They do grow apart till they wake up on day a foreigner to one another. One would have already moved on before the other. They would cheating on their partner.
Janu told herself, trying to digest it all.
If two people truly loved one another, they will fight no matter the circumstances. They won't look for a lousy excuse such as that. They both went into this marriage for their own selfish interests. Love was never a part of it.
Nikola was already sold that they never truly loved one another.
Judge Mehemt started "We are here for the civil case of divorce between these two people before us Ali and Meryem. We have seen the proof that that accusing part has shared. Now Lawyer Bey* would you like to start."
"Tabiki*, your honour." Nikola said with enthusiasm.
He stood up from his seat and straightened his robes.
"I would like to start by calling the key witnesses in."
They called the first witness in.
After confirming her identity and completing the oath.
They started, Nikola started. "So do you know that man Hanım*?!"
"Evet*, I do." She replied, but even without looking at Janu, Nikola knew she was smiling to herself.
And she was indeed smiling!
"Tamam.* Enlighten me, please. How did you meet him and why?!"
The lady out a little laugh as she said "I am Ali Bey's secretary, off course I will know him!"
"You were in London with him, why?! Why did you visit him in his apartment?!" Nikola asked.
"Yes, we had a conference back in April. Being his secretary naturally meant I had to work, even on conferences abroad. I took some documents to him."
"You were there for 9 hours, between the hours of 11 PM to 7 AM, right?!"
"Evet, I had to stay the night. At the time Ali Bey was interested in an investment. I was giving him an insight over it. Then we took too long discussing details that I ended up falling asleep on the couch."
"OBJECTION YOU HONOUR." Janu shouted from the top of her lungs.
"Declined. Lawyer Bey go on."
Nikola licked his lips as he turned his head making sure he was in her eyesight, yet she wasn't in his. He smirked and nodded slightly his head while sliding his hands into his pockets.
"So you slept on his couch when exactly, at what time?!"
"Around 4 in the morning. Working with Ali bey means long hours of work. And with that investment he made me work extra hard."
"So it was solely work?!"
She nodded back.
"I am sorry but I need a verbal reply." Nikola requested.
"Evet work, only."
"I have to ask you this." He asked for permission.
"Go ahead." She replied.
"Did you perfect your job?! Did you succeed in making him get that investment?!" He asked subtly winking at her.
She lightly laughed at that as she said "Evet the property was moved to him in May."
"Let's hope it stays his. Thank you very much, Hanımefendi*. Thank you your honour, I am done." Nikola said taking his seat.
Now it was Janu's turn.
She stood up took a deep breath and started "So you were only there for work?!" Janu asked emphasizing on the word work.
"Evet."
"Nothing else?!"
"Yes"
Janu let out an exhale.
"I have to ask you this."
"Buyrun.*"
"You never witnessed Ali Bey getting into any relationships outside his marriage?!"
"'Hayir*"
"Ever?!"
"Never"
"I am sorry but I have to ask you this. Did you enter an affair during his marriage?!"
Her mouth fell apart at Janu's question.
"Objection your honour." Niko said calmly.
"Declined. Go on Janu hanım." The judge said.
"Will you please answer me?" Janu said trying to keep her composure.
Truly Janu wasn't breaking any law, it was a simple question.
"No" she said quietly.
Janu was barely keeping her calm. She looked at Murat as he motioned to her to stay calm. She placed a hand over the snowflake pin and took a deep breath.
She cleared her throat then requested from the witness "Can you raise your voice, please."
"No"
"What about before his marriage?!"
"Evet. Ali Bey and I had a fling before he got married, but it ended as soon as he met Meryem." She replied looking away.
"Objection your honour. Janu hanım is diverting away from the case."
"Granted." Judge Mehmet announced.
"That's it for me your honour." Janu said as she walked back to her seat.
Tough lady! We will see how strong you truly are today. Nikola thought to himself.
The first witness left the witness stand.
Now was the turn for the second witness.
She confirmed her identity and took her oath before Nikola started.
"So how did you meet Ali Bey and why?!"
"Well I was looking for an investment really. And his company is huge and well known as everyone knows..."
"OBJECTION YOUR HONOUR." Janu screamed from the top of her lungs.
"Declined. Go on, Lawyer Bey." Judge Mehmet replied.
"So you were looking for an investment. Then why meet him in a hotel?!" Nikola asked.
"He was holding a conference in Trabzon and it coincided with me being there."
"Why did you go up to his hotel room?!"
"Well Ali Bey wanted me to meet one of his employee so he can explain the details for me, while he gave his speech at the conference hall."
"And did you meet him, the employer?!"
"Evet. I did. And his name was Sarp."
"Then why stay for 2 more hours after that?!"
"He and I talked a bit. I offered him a tour around Trabzon. And no we didn't tour the city. He flat out declined my offer."
"That's it your honour." Nikola finally said.
"Lawyer hanım anything to add?!"
"Yok* your honour." Janu said quietly.
She knew this lady was a lost case since she talked to her. But her hopes laid in the last key witness.
Hadi bring her in. She will talk I know she will.
She finally came in. Similarly to the two previous client, Nikola started with the same question.
"So tell me what is your story?! How did you meet my man?!"
"I met Ali through work."
Ahhhh she slipped. Janu clapped to herself.
"Ali?!' Nikola asked as he turned his head sideways puzzled 'First term basis, I see?!"
Evet hadi hadi. Janu thought to herself, expose the phony old twat.
"Oh I am sorry I meant to say Ali Bey, I am used to calling him that."
"Why?! May I ask." Nikola questioned.
Evet hadi soyle*, say it.
Janu was sitting on the edge of her seat impatiently. She seemed like she would jump out of her seat, any second from the excitement of hearing it.
"Well. I call him that because, I am used to it. I will tell you why.' She said nodding as if knowing what Nikola will ask next 'Ali Bey visits our orphanage often. He makes the kids call him that, and I got used to hearing it around."
"You work in a orphanage?!"
"Evet."
"And Ali Bey visit the kids there?!"
"Evet."
"Why did you meet him at his house?!"
"I met him because he was planning an event for our kids."
"Evet, FINALLY!!" Janu shouted as she hopped to her feet.
She gained stares from everyone around the courtroom as Nikola cracked a small laugh. Judge Mehmet raised an eyebrow at her.
"Excited aren't we?!" Nikola teased her, turning his body in her direction, yet keeping his gaze on the witness.
It doomed on her then what she have done and what the witness had said.
"I am really sorry your honour." She apologized.
Janu tucked her hair behind her ears as she fell back into her chair.
Nikola trying to conceal his grin as he asked the witness
"So he was planning an event for the kids?! And did it take place?!"
"Yes he was. And it did back in June."
"So you never met him outside work?!"
"Hayir. Never."
Janu sat arms crossed, biting the inside of her cheek with frustration.
She looked like a child who her father promised to take her to the park, but when the time came he never did.
"Tamam. Thank you hanimefendi. Thank you, your honour." Nikola finished.
"What are we going to do now?!" Meryem whispered into Janu's ear. Janu placed a comforting hand over Meryem's arm, then took a deep breath.
She rose from her seat.
She looked down at the table in front of her at the files spread out on the table, not knowing what to do next.
Attentively, Nikola watched her.
She looked like a wild animal.
But for the first time in a long time, Nikola saw that young lady at the coffee table. The innocent girl that took his cup of coffee by mistake. The girl that offered him a sugar cube.
She was thoughtless, without any choices or tricks up her sleeve.
Janu squeezed her eyes shut as she placed a hand over her left side, on that pin. She recalled her promise to Toska.
You can do this Janu. You can.
She let out a loud exhale, opened her eyes ,and then looked up. She proudly flared out her chest, after which she cleared her throat and asked. "So you never met him outside work?!!"
"Hayir."
She grinded on her teeth as she pushed down on the back of her peach heels. The pain shot from her feet up into her body, but it was nothing compared to the pain of losing her first independent case.
"I have to ask you this. Have you ever been in an affair with him?!"
"Hayir."
"You didn't visit him at different times, outside work?!"
"Hayir."
At this point, Ali Bey elbowed Nikola so he can object but Nikola held up his hand to shush him.
"You didn't sleep with him?! He never promised you to vacation in Paris?!" Janu asked in an urgent tone.
"No. No. AND NO. I ALREADY SAID THIS HE AND I WERE NEVER IN A RELATIONSHIP."
"Lawyer Hanım mind your language. The way you are talking to the witness is inappropriate." Judge Mehmet cut in threatening.
"Affedersiniz*. Tamam. But this is not exactly what she told me a month ago, your honour." Janu replied still trying to control herself.
"WELL I AM UNDER AN OATH NOW AND SAYING THE TRUTH." She shouted at Janu.
"WOW, SO ALI BEY DIDN'T...."
"OBJECTION YOUR HONOUR." Nikola interrupted her.
"Accepted." Judge Mehmet said.
"I am done." Janu said quietly as she headed back to her seat.
"Would either parties add anything to this matter?!" The judge asked.
Both parties agreed to not having anything more to add.
"Does either party have any other evidence to provide?!"
"YES YOUR HONOUR." Janu said loudly. She managed to collect herself a bit.
Nikola raised an eyebrow at her, which she ignored.
"I would like Ali Bey to take the stand."
Ali looked at Nikola. He shrugged and nodded back at Ali.
"I am here with you." He tried to calm Ali down.
Ali then took the oath.
"So Ali bey. What's your biggest fortune?!" Janu asked.
"My hard work."
"Your hard work, you mean your big company?!" Janu said with a calm voice. She was provoking him, even with her faked calm tone.
"Yes if you want to call it that!" He said in a quite voice.
He was trying to keep calm, but really all he wanted to do was get up and throw a shoe in Janu's direction.
You see, the biggest thing to be divided today was Ali Bey company. He didn't want to share it with anyone, but that was the thing Janu's eyes were on.
"I want to go down memory lane, 3 years ago to be exact. Recall how you had some financial troubles. Didn't you?!" She said in a tale-like voice.
Nikola was sitting his right hand on the armchair, while his left leaning on the table, fisting his palm.
He looked around the courtroom. He is the one that seemed troubled this time.
"Evet, I did."
"And who helped you during that time?!"
"Meryem." Ali said in a low voice.
"And how did she?!"
"She gave me the money."
"How did she get that money?!"
"Through her father's inheritance."
"Damn." Nikola whispered under his breath just as he leaned back into his seat, surrendering.
"Oh hadi ama* Ali Bey. Affedersiniz, ama you are a terrible storyteller. I will tell you all what happened.' She said turning to the courtroom 'Meryem sold her childhood house, her father's summer chalet, she stopped shopping and going out into society to support her husband. She did what he called what 'no other woman did for him' right?!"
Ali looked down and away.
"And how did you pay her back?! By working and giving donations, off course." She said with a fake smile while looking at him.
Janu stood beside her client and went on to say "Well he also did the one thing he never did before. He signed a paper saying that the company Meryem saved with her own inheritance is hers. Although she begged him at the time not to do so, but he did. And that was hidden and forgotten up to this moment."
She grabbed the black file from her table and handed it to Judge Mehmet.
Ali placed a hand over his face covering his eyes, he was devastated.
"Thank you Ali Bey. That's it for me." Janu finished before heading to her table.
Judge Mehemt went through the file then asked Ali to leave the stand.
Meryem smiled to Janu as she whispered "You are good."
Janu replied with a small smile.
She turned her head in Niko's direction.
He was sitting back into his chair.
He seemed calm?!!!
Nikola kept his gaze away from hers, but he seemed like he was fighting a certain facial expression.
He was fighting the urge to smile!!!
So I shatter your client and you are smiling?!!!
Huh, we will see in a bit who will be smiling.
"Nikola Bey anything to say back?!" The judge asked.
"I don't know." He said with a shrug.
Ali elbowed Nikola and they started whispering. They kept whispering back and forth.
It was heating up between them.
"No I will not let her win." Ali shouted in anger. He was on his feet now.
"Ali sit back down." Nikola ordered his client through gritted teeth.
He turned to the Judge that knew him for many years now.
"Five minutes break." Judge Mehemt announced with a sigh.
Nikola got up from his seat, pulling Ali by the arm outside the courtroom.
No one really left the courtroom besides Nikola and Ali, it was a short break.
Janu leaned on her client and started celebrating their victory.
Nikola and Ali re-emerged 4 minutes later.
"Affedersiniz your honour. We may go on." Nikola said firmly, taking his seat.
Whatever that was discussed during that time seemed to have been painfully serious. Ali was holding a sour expression, while Nikola had a straight face with furrowed eyebrows.
"Does either sides have more evidence to present before the court?!" Judge Mehmet asked.
"Hayir your honour." Said Nikola.
"Hayir your honour." Repeated Janu.
"We will take half an hour break to look at the evidence provided and come back with the decision." Judge Mehmet announced.
"I am sorry I couldn't prove how he cheated on you." Janu told her client.
"Olsun.* I am taking away his biggest accomplishment. The thing he is most proud of." Mereyem told her lawyer happily.
The court was called to order again.
It was time to announce the final decision.
"Your honour my client would like to say a final word to her soon-to be ex-husband." Janu requested.
Judge Mehmet nodded as he said "Tamam."
Meryem stood up from her seat "Thank you, your honour. Ali,' She turned to him 'this is my last time talking to you as you wife. I truly loved you with all my heart but it was never enough for you. I never cared for the money but you choose to use me and wreck me. Whether I could have proved what you did to me or not, it doesn't matter Allah have his ways. I hope you will get to taste how you made me feel, in return for all the heartache you caused me. Salim Ali for everything, you taught me to be this strong and selfish. Thank you, your honour."
"The court has taken decision for the case number 233 under the civil law between the two parts for the divorce between Ali Bey and Meryem Hanım.
The decision it follows and it say the property shall be divided equally with the company moving to Meryem Hanım.
The rest shall be discussed among the two parties. Case over." The judge announced as he banged with his hammer.
Meryem got to her feet, happily hugging Janu.
Janu was all smiles till her gaze fell upon Nikola.
He was on his feet collecting his files, smiling to himself. He pushed the last file inside before closing his briefcase.
But Janu was interrupted from observing him by Murat walking over and congratulating her.
"You did it kizim*. I am proud of you."
"Teşekkur ederim*" she replied with a smile.
She turned her back to where Nikola was sitting. But he wasn't there. She turned her head and saw the back of his at the entrance.
She started to hastily collect her files.
Janu tried to push her way through the small crowd to the exit, leaving her client and Murat back.
At last she reached hallway.
She saw him walking alongside Luka.
"How did you get that file?!" Murat asked when he reached her.
She kept her eyes locked on Nikola as she replied with an absent mind "I don't know".
Nikola ran his right hand through his hair and through those stubborn curls, while his left arm moved to Luka's right shoulder.
Nikola Bey, you and I shall meet, very soon.
Nikola outstretched his hand to Luka's neck.
It's confrontation time.
He held up an okay sign to her, before disappearing around the corner.As if he already knew what was on her mind in that moment in time.
-------------------------------------------------------
TURKISH WORDS*
hadi* -come on
Evet* -yes
Nerdesin Sen* -where are you
Günaydın* -good morning
Lawyer Bey* -Mr lawyer
Hanım* -miss
Tamam* -okay
Hanımefendi* -lady
Buyrun* -go ahead
Hayir* -no
Yok* -no
soyle* -speak
Affedersiniz* -excuse me
ama* -but
Olsun.* -get
Teşekkur ederim* -thank you
PHHHEEWWWWW!
What a long chapter!
Honestly it took all that time that I was away in.
Perks of a bigger chapter I guess.
Till next chapter!
Sending you all my love.
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