The Casa Del Castaneda

Final Decision

Tatiana showed a look of dislike with Rogelio's spicy speech. But he also knows himself. Tatiana put aside her sense of regret, in order to accompany Rafael. In fact, Tatiana was a very proud rich woman.

“Do not take heart,” said Rafael, when Rogelio and Paloma have passed from the living room. Rogelio delivered Paloma to the room he had prepared for him.

“Don't worry, Honey. My mentality is not that weak,” Tatiana said with a gentle smile. He kissed Rafael's lips without any hesitation. They had just stopped, when Rogelio returned to the living room.

Without saying much, Rogelio simply passed by. Not long after, Paloma appeared. He doesn't talk much either. The young woman headed straight for the front yard, where Rogelio was already waiting. Meanwhile, Rafael and Tatiana soon followed.

“Women sit in the back,” Rogelio said as he got into the car. He threw the keys to Rafael's vehicle. No one disputes the man's words. Neither did Rafael who immediately took a position behind the wheel. Paloma sits next to Tatiana. “You still remember the office address of Lawyer Ramos?” ask Rogelio.

“As long as the place has not moved,” sahut Rafael while turning on the car engine. “Again, why don't we go with the driver?” Rafael exhales with a short complaint.

“I purposely told you to drive, to remind you of Chihuahua City. In the next two to five years, you will be here,” Rogelio said indifferently. His gaze was fixed to the front, on the bustling city streets.

“Dad again forced the will on me,” protested Rafael.

“Close your mouth. Focus on driving.” Rafael did not want to hear any more objections from his adopted son. He took out the phone from the pocket of the blazer. Rogelio appeared to be in a message.

Meanwhile, Paloma and Tatiana were silent to each other. The two women did not even want to look at each other, let alone greet and mince words.

About half an hour into the trip, Rafael's car had arrived at the Ramos Attorney's office. The men go down first. Rogelio opens the door for Paloma, while Rafael helps Tatiana out. He used to hold the woman's hand affectionately, every time he would get in or out of the vehicle. That was what caused Tatiana to be so infatuated with the gray-eyed man, because Rafael treated her like a queen.

The four of them entered a two-story building with typical Mexican architecture. Rogelio walked ahead with a woman who was the assistant to the lawyer, to the room of the owner of the law firm. After arriving at the door of the intended room, the woman knocked on the door. Without waiting for an inside answer, the woman went in and told her that Rogelio had arrived.

“Request login.” Lawyer Ramos nodded slowly. Soon, Rogelio and the others were welcome to enter.

“Master Gallardo,” Welcome Lawyer Ramos. “How are you doing?” warm sap. They shake hands and embrace like close friends.

“Very good, Mr. Ramos,” Reply Rogelio. He and the others sat on the available sofa.

“Rafael? Long time no see you?” greet Ramos Lawyer.

“I just got back from Spain,” replied Rafael clumsy.

“Oh, worth it.” Ramos' lawyer then turned his attention to Paloma. “How is Paloma? You look very different,” greet the man with half bald hair. She knew Paloma as Raphael's wife.

“Good, Sir. You also look youthful,” Paloma reply accompanied by a warm and sincere smile.

Lawyer Ramos chuckled at the small flattery earlier. However, a moment later the tail of his eyes fell on the unfamiliar face sitting next to Rafael. The middle-aged man was already about to ask, but Rogelio immediately held him back by directing at another conversation.

“I hope you're not busy. We came here because we wanted to ask for your help, Mr. Ramos,” Rogelio said.

Rogelio dehem quietly. He shook his head as he turned to Paloma and Rafael in turn. “Not me, Mr. Ramos. My children who are in need of legal assistance,” he explained.

Ramos' lawyer looked at the couple in turn. “What can I help you with?” ask the man.

“We want a divorce,” Paloma replied straightforwardly. Made Rafael look at him immediately. “We want you to be able to help take care of everything, related to this divorce process legally,” Paloma said again.

Ramos' lawyer was shocked to hear Paloma's explanation. Long time no see and meet the couple, suddenly they appear with the news of divorce. “Is this your final decision?” ask lawyer Ramos reassuringly.

“Ya,” Paloma and Rafael reply simultaneously. Meanwhile, Tatiana was silent. He no longer wanted to accept the scathing words from Rogelio.

“Good. However, before filing the divorce lawsuit file to the court, I must listen to the reasons that are the cause of your divorce intentions. So, tell me frankly about everything that's behind this divorce lawsuit.” Lawyer Ramos looks so authoritative. “Mr Gallardo, can you and this lady come out for a moment?” Ramos' lawyer pointed his hand at the door politely.

Rogelio nodded in agreement. Another case with Tatiana who looks put on an unacceptable face. The woman wanted to stay beside Rafael. However, after Rafael gestured, Tatiana nodded in agreement. He got up from the chair, followed Rogelio out of the room.

Now, in the lawyer's room there were only three of them. At first, Rafael and Paloma both fell silent. Every now and then, the couple glanced at each other, then turned their faces. The attitude they show, like children who are fighting over something and end up in a fight.

Lawyer Ramos smiled slightly. “Good. Now there's only the three of us here. So, can we start?”

Paloma and Rafael looked at each other. After that, they returned their eyes to the lawyer. “You only talk first,” said Rafael.

“Why?” Paloma's gaze looked full of challenges to the husband. The woman glared, before turning her eyes back to Lawyer Ramos. Paloma corrected his sitting posture. After feeling ready, he began to describe a series of problems that occurred in his marriage with Rogelio's adopted son.

Paloma told me everything in detail. There was nothing he reduced or exaggerated. Meanwhile, Rafael fell silent while occasionally lowering his face, then scratching his forehead.

Ramos' lawyer listened carefully to Paloma's account. There was not a single thing he did not record in memory. Every now and then, the middle-aged, half-bald-haired man was bearded. He has often found the same case, in every divorce suit that asks for legal assistance from him. For Lawyer Ramos, it's nothing new anymore. He was already able to capture and summarize the outline.

Almost an hour of conversation took place. Paloma and Rafael have agreed to divorce. They won't bother about anything else, other than just wanting to part ways soon. That facilitates the work of Lawyer Ramos, in drafting the file of the lawsuit to the court.

“Good. I will accept this case and do my best. I don't like divorce, but the decision is yours. As long as the divorce lawsuit has not been passed by the court, I hope we can work well together so that this case can be quickly completed,”, Ramos' lawyer closed the meeting that day.

After they finished, they immediately said goodbye to the senior lawyer earlier. Rafael drives Rogelio's black sedan. This time, they headed to the parish church to have the marriage annulled religiously. There, they were greeted by a priest who received his fourth coming warmly. Rogelio immediately raised the reason for his arrival to that place.

The pastor listened to the words of Paloma and Raphael well. “Before, we will do an investigation first before making a submission. As long as it lasts, we hope that couples who are troubled in marriage, to stay together. The goal is that they can reflect on each other's mistakes. Consider again this decision that has been taken, not to be a big regret someday. Recall the beautiful things and all the sweet memories that you have shared,” the pastor suggested with a speech that sounded so soothing.

“We have agreed and steady to divorce,” said Paloma sure.

“For example, there are many people making decisions in a state of turmoil. That's not the right solution. It's good, you and your husband reflect on each other first. Therefore, keep together.”