After getting back to the resort on the Boogie Bus, Chad went back to his suite and napped for a few hours. After his little snooze, Chad still wanted to relax so he decided to lay by the pool and enjoy the outdoors under a big umbrella. He also took his electronics with him, taking his laptop with him this time along with his cell phone. He wasn't the kind of guy to hit social media that much, but he was having a lot of fun and wanted to make sure everyone at home knew that. He had taken some pictures during the boat tour but didn't post any of them online because Rachel was in them, and Peters would have his throat if he did anything like that. But there were some solo pics of him that Frankie Junior took for him. Some nice pictures with palm trees and even the ocean in the background, which told Chad that little Frankie was quite a photographer. Most kids were these days thanks to technology. While surfing on his laptop, Chad found the best pictures that he uploaded from his cell, and then posted them up for his alleged friends and even family could see online. He even posted a message, telling them that he was having a lot of fun and even met someone special out there. That would be enough to get everyone in a whirlwind, especially at the law firm. They'll be gossiping about it at the office all afternoon instead of doing their work, which would piss off his boss. That was just fine with Chad because it was Murphy's fault he was not working right now; despite how much fun he was having. The thought of losing a client upset him sometimes, but so far no one had the balls to even suggest it, let have the courage to actually do it. While Chad didn't particularly enjoy ruling his clients with fear, it seems like a very effective way to keep them all in line. He'd always come off as a total asshole but when it came time to make a critical decision that could seriously affect their future, it was nice to know they trusted him to make the right call. 

     They didn't pay Chad Barrington to be nice; they paid him to be their warrior, a gladiator in the courtroom. When he went to battle, Chad was like Spartacus: ruthless and without mercy. Yet it was that kind of attitude that rubbed the wrong way with many of his fellow attorneys, something Chad honestly stopped giving a shit about years ago. This was something that his court ordered shrink spend a few weeks trying to pry out of him with no success. Despite how many years had passed, he just wasn't ready to talk about it; to talk about her. To talk about Paula and why they were no longer married. He wasn't raised by people who actually gave a rat's ass about feelings, and that usually came out in how Chad interacted with others. He wasn't going to blame his parents, as they did their best to deal with him and his brothers. Chad was a staunch believer, especially since he was a lawyer, that people should get what they deserve if they do something wrong. The bills must always be paid. While this might seem hypocritical to the average person, Chad took great pleasure in defending people. If any of his clients were ever to lose, it would be because they truly were guilty, and that the justice system had worked. There would also be one less appeal to make as no one would ever accuse Chad of being inadequate council. But something happened when he broke up with his now ex-wife. For the longest time, Chad felt broken, abused and tossed aside like a piece of trash. Chad knew what his father would have said if he was there with him right now. The old man would tell Chad that he was acting like a pussy, a real coward. Dust yourself off and get back on that horse. Chad was also certain he would have had another coronary if he found out his son was a Mets fan. That part made Chad chuckle to himself for just a moment.

     It was not a good time to be Chad those years ago when he first moved out of condo he and his wife had shared for almost a decade. Some husbands try to fight for their home, eager kicking the cheating bitch out of the house she took for granted. Not Chad, as he vacated the premises the moment he realized everything was over. He didn't even speak to her that day. Instead, she came home to an empty closet, along with an envelope that contained separation papers and his ring lying on the kitchen counter. It was already over, what good would it do to have the loud, anger filled fight? Chad only wanted to retreat, and that's what he did. Moving out to a new location that wasn't a nice as the one he shared with Paula but was available immediately. The rest was the same old same old that couples go through when dealing with divorce. Chad hired one of the best in divorce law, knowing that senior partner of her firm owed him a few favors. Still, it wasn't an ugly case, but it still managed to drag out just a bit. The final papers were home, waiting for his signature. He hesitated for just a second and now Paula was on his case, wondering why he wasn't eager to end it as soon as possible. Chad was still thinking about those papers when someone stood in front of the sun, blocking it out like the moon.

     "Hey Douche bag," the man called out.

     "Harrison," Chad said looking up, "We must stop meeting like this."

     "Not possible," Harrison informed him, "We're both staying at the same resort."

     "Fair enough," Chad said, not in the mood to argue.

     "Is that seat taken?" Harrison asked.

     "Not this time," Chad said, gesturing to it. "It's all yours."

     "Thanks," Harrison said, waddling over, layed down, and put his feet up. "You look deep in thought, working on a case in paradise?"

     "No," Chad replied, "I didn't bring any work with me. I'm just reflecting on my divorce and its impending conclusion."

     "I've been there man," Harrison said, sympathizing with him, "How close is the impending conclusion."

     "I forgot to sign the papers before I left," Chad confessed, "Once they're signed and submitted, it will be over in 30 days."

     "That's when it will be time to get the party started." Harrison added.

     "Pretty much," Chad said, though he never really considered celebrating.

     "My divorce became final four years ago," Harrison told him, "Those thirty days just happened to end on my fortieth birthday. Who said she never got me anything?"

     Chad couldn't help but laugh, "That's what I call timing."

     "I had two reasons to celebrate." Harrison added, "How did your marriage end?"

     "Unfaithful," Chad replied, shocked he even answered the question.

     "That's rough man, so brutal!" Harrison told him, "My old lady was just bat shit crazy and drove me up the wall. I can spend the whole day telling you how insane our marriage was, but she was loyal. Sometimes too loyal if you ask me."

     "Didn't realize there was such a thing as too loyal," Chad said.

     "When she tries to kill you," Harrison informed him, "Because she couldn't stand the thought of being without you... that is when you're taking things too far."

     "Okay, that is too loyal." Chad conceded, "Where is she now?"

     "In the loony bin," Harrison answered, "I still visit her."

     "Damn," Chad said, as he suddenly looked at his own divorce in a new light. Despite the heartbreak and the loss, at least he and Paula were civil. The police were never needed to intervene at any point. If anyone were to go bat shit crazy during the end of their marriage, Chad was pretty sure it would have been him. If you had asked the people Chad worked with at the firm, they would say the change in his work and attitude at work was quite noticeable. He took his anger and his rage out on his cases and while it resulted in a lot of wins... it also resulted in a lot of bad blood with many people in his profession.

     "I recently realized you and I have a friend in common," Harrison said, smiling. "Do you remember a guy name Joseph Clarke?"

     "The name sounds familiar," Chad confessed, pausing to think about it. "Wasn't he the restaurant owner who was charged for assaulting a thief?"

     "Yes," Harrison confirmed, "He's a close friend of mine, and you took that D.A. to the shed and really raked the shit out of him during trail. It was a real ass whooping."

     "The guy ordered over two hundred in product," Chad recalled, "Then he tried to dine and dash. That prick should have been arrested for theft rather than the owner who was trying to stop someone from ripping him off."

     "I can't believe you're the same guy," Harrison added, "Councillor Douche Bag."

     "Don't believe everything you read," Chad said, "Do you think it was coincidence that evidence exonerating Peters came out a week later? My tantrum just happened to save my client, who was innocent, from being publicly flogged."

     "You did that on purpose?" Harrison asked.

     "No," Chad lied, eager to protect his client, "The day before Paula's lawyer delivered the final papers to my divorce attorney. I was a little hot heated already going into the courtroom."

     "Wow, you really did luck out there." Harrison said, buying his story. Truth was the papers arrived a week before the incident with the judge.

     "I'm just lucky she didn't put me before the bar for that," Chad admitted.

     "Yeah, I was curious about that too." Harrison agreed.

     "Two months forced vacation and court ordered therapy," Chad informed him, "It was the shrink that recommended I come here. He insisted that I put a little vacation in my forced vacation."

     "How long do you have to see that shrink?" Harrison asked.

     "A few months," Chad answered, "But I like him, so I might continue seeing the bloke after my court ordered commitment expires."

     "Well, you must be doing well," Harrison said, "You looked like you were having fun with that fine looking red head on the tour. Who was that woman?"

     Chad was tight lipped, "No one you know, but I do like her."

     "Is she from your part of the world?" Harrison inquired.

     "I honestly don't know," Chad said, laughing at the thought. "But I guess it wouldn't matter, because I can afford to visit her."

     "Man, you must really like her," Harrison observed, as he noticed a change in Chad's tone and demeanor since they started talking about her.

     "Surprisingly, I do." Chad told him, "I never thought it would happen again."

     "I think everyone back home is going to notice too," Harrison told him. "She seems to have really left a mark on you."

     "Oh, you have no idea," Chad said, laughing again as he was aware of many marks Rachel left on him in the limo.

     After that statement, both men were content to relax and let silence fill the air. Chad never suspected that he and Harrison would have so much in common, let alone get alone as well as they are considering how nasty he was to him the first few times they had met. Chad put the computer down content with the dozen pictures of paradise would be enough to make everyone he knew jealous. He could only imagine how the people at work would feel, seeing the dick from the office laying up by the beach and sipping drinks instead of being brought before the bar for being an asshole in court. The partners knew better to mess with Chad Barrington, as he was drawing in more money and clients than most of the other associates combined. If he was dismissed, he would have been scooped up by a rival in minutes. They couldn't afford to lose him but at the same time they had to find some sense of control, or the illusion of it to show the rest of the staff so they didn't rebel like he had. Success is the only reason the partners hadn't fired him long ago. They didn't seem to have a problem as long as the cash rolled in. It was while he was thinking of work when someone called out for him. Chad sat up and looked into the pool to see Frankie Junior flapping around with the other kids in there.

     "Hey man," Frankie called out, "How have you been doing?"

     "I'm doing all right," Chad answered, "How are you doing?"

     "I'm cool," Frankie informed him, "My parents will be down soon. They're getting lunch right now."

     "The pool looks a little crowded," Chad observed, "Do you want me to grab a Brooklyn Bar for you?"

     "No, it's okay." Frankie said, "I'm alright."

     "That's cool," Chad replied, very impressed with the young man.

     "Hold on," Harrison said, as he couldn't help but overhear the conversation. "You were the one who tossed the candy bar into the pool?"

     "Yeah," Chad said, smiling. "Frankie hates big crowds, but he seems to be faring better since the incident."

     "Real dick move there," Harrison admitted, "But it appears did it for the right reasons. You're not such a bad guy after all, are you?"

     "Spread that lie and I'll show you how bad I can be," Chad chided at him. "I have a reputation to uphold back in my city."

     "Your secret is safe with me," Harrison informed him.

     "Hey Chad," Frankie called out again from the pool, "Did you hang out with Rachel Jones again yesterday?"

     Harrison sat up this time upon hearing that little tidbit, "Hey, that woman on the tour... that was Rachel Jones?"

     "It was," Chad confirmed, "And she would have beaten you silly if you stole her seat while she was in the bathroom. I was trying to save you from getting your ass handed to you. You're welcome."

     "Damn," Harrison said, lying back down. "You like them rough, don't you?"

     "You have no idea," Chad said, smiling as he also layed back down.