ScotlandA small group of afternoon visitors sat busy on Alfonso Richmond III's mansion's porch. They discussed finances, the market, and the many properties they had purchased or sold in recent months.The majority of the attendees sipped on rare bourbon, top-shelf vodka, and well-aged whiskey, rather than hot dogs and beer. Smoke from a few cigars rippled around, swirling up and out into the evening air.Alfonso stood near the outdoor bar, enjoying a glass of fine Irish whiskey. It wasn't the most costly drink, but it was his favourite by far. Smooth and toasty, it was his go-to beverage.He'd been talking with his coworkers and friends about many issues, but something was bothering him. In fact, he'd probably had a few too many, and the one in his hand wasn't going down easily. He hadn't heard from Javier in a few hours, and the anxiety was driving him insane. Not that he was not already insane; some fears and worries were his enemies, but he'd been looking for something to assist
The next day, Shawn and Catherine rented another pickup to go back Lek-Mraphi's ancestral residence. His phone only rang twice on the other end before Shawn heard, "Mr. Richmond, I need a good explanation for all this! I found your butler with a dead friend in one of the nearby hospitals." Shawn smirked, "I take it you’re in Poland, Detective Rodrigues?" "Yes, sir, we’re at many tourist destinations. It’s a bloody mess over here. We found an unidentified corpse at the base of the stage in the sanctuary, a Russian. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?" "Detective, the Russian corpse shot at me first," Shawn replied plainly. "How is the friend of my butler?" "The corpse will be transferred to London tomorrow morning, and Eddie is going now to London. Care to tell me what exactly happened there?" "That’s good to hear. It's a long story. I guess they shot him to slow us down. They were gone once we got to the parking lot, but I know you know that already, yes?"
LondonElizabeth Grunt thought that with her only potential problems out of the way, she should be able to proceed with relative ease. Her men, who were trailing Shawn and his bitch of a wife, told her that this time there would be no more warning threats but a real thing. Elizabeth looked over at the old man in a grey, pinstriped suit. Eddie nodded. His very thin, almost bald silver hair was combed over to one side on top of a narrow face and a long, hooked nose. He's tired, greenish eyes were sunken back into his face.She had found it difficult to convince Eddie to betray his employer, but she knew his weaknesses. She used her body to get the old man to agree with her. After all, she knew that he wanted her above all else just because she looked like someone from his younger days. And, of course, it was no biggy; he was too willing to share the information he had gathered from Shawn’s little group, and now Elizabeth was grinning her heart out. It was time to let the mighty Richmon
Bangkok, ThailandNothing smelled sweeter than the rain in Bangkok. Catherine loved to look outside and just watch it fall, taking in the cool air, and soft scent just like how she remembered London and their family's little country home. It was the perfect place to be on days like this. Before, she didn't care much for the company since their parents passed away, leaving her and Dave to figure out this crazy world all by themselves.An hour after their trip, Catherine couldn't help herself but ask. "Are you sure telling that detective where we're up to was a good idea?" She cast her husband a sceptical look in the mirror while he was busy blurring his eyeballs from the Bangkok early morning traffic. "I mean, why wouldn’t he just set up a roadblock and bring us in?""I don’t think he'll do that, wife."Hearing him call her his wife many times now, Catherine couldn't help but smile. When he talked to her and looked at her, there was none of the bossy and demanding Catherine had used to
When they arrived at Lek-Mraphi's ancestral homes, the couple walked in the vast parking lot, holding hands like some ordinary tourist lovers on their honeymoon. Each wore a simple white and red-heart printed shirt and a pair of shoes, as they noticed how the business at the temple was on its usual day, like what happened days earlier never happened. The two each take a quarter of the room to search for any sign of the clues left by Dave. On the western side of the temple, there were colourful blossoms and symbols painted on the walls in different places. Some weren’t paintings at all but carvings engraved into the wall, floor, and stone underneath cutout recesses where small statues of Buddhas sat waiting to be worshipped. A vast altar space for monks' worship sat just on each side, which correlated with fire, air, earth, water, and wisdom. Shawn turned on his phone light to get a little extra help and began scanning every inch of the place. The room’s floor was mostly flat, save fo
"Shawn?" Catherine’s shouts echoed through the burial ground. "Where the hell are you?" "In here…" Shawn responded, "be careful…the floors are slippery." Two minutes later, Catherine appeared at the entrance with a small light from the tablet PC in her hand. "What on earth is this place?" "Come, let's see what’s down here." He knelt down in the centre of the rectangular indentation and started scraping away at the surface, working faster now that he had at least a minimal tool for the job. He added and motioned to his wife to see what he was pointing at. "This looks like Ban Chiang. I've been there before with my grandfather." "What is that?" "Ban Chiang, the... well- it was considered the most important prehistoric settlement so far discovered in Southeast Asia. It marks an important stage in human cultural, social, and technological evolution." "Really? You mean, a burial ground?" "Yes. The site presents the earliest evidence of farming in the region and of the manufacture and
London Elizabeth leaned on the railing, palms against the weld surface, fingers curled around the arched metal. She looked out the window at the enormous city below, a satisfied expression on her face, as she watched the ring on her finger. She had been anticipating this moment for months, and it had finally arrived. It was time to totally own the world, and maybe Alfonso could go to hell and she'd be smiling with no worry in the world, because the bastard deserved to suffer in there anyway. Eddie was standing next to her, arms crossed and a foot away from the glass that stretched the length of the wall and provided tourists with a 360-degree view of the city from the observation deck. A dozen feet beyond them, three men in suits stood on the stairs leading to another platform. Her secret lover was one of them, studying the admissions and departures with hawk-like eyes and looking for hostility in Eddie. After all, the old man did not know about her engagement with the younger guy.
Bangkok, Thailand. Wat Phra Kaew, or The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. ***** Dave asked the local guy how to get to the legendary temple, and the long-haired Thai happily assisted them. "My friend, The Wat, is located on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok." The man offered them some local spicy street food, which Dave heartily declined. He continued, "River taxis are the most inexpensive and enjoyable way to get to the Grand Palace and the temple. Unless an important ceremony is being conducted, the temple is generally open to the public. The complex gets busy; arrive early before the tour groups and tropical heat do." "Thank you for the information," Dave responded, his nose wrinkled at the smell of garbage in the area near the food stand vendors. "Neh, do not worry. Are you sure you don't want my chicken intestines?" Dave and Javier shook their heads as the man added, "OK! But you know, photography is allowed around the grounds of the Grand Palace, and it is forbidden in
Another rising moan. Chelsea chanted his name. Soft. A whimper. She threw her head back again, her soft hair sliding over his arms, her face flushed with arousal. Dave loved her like that. That perfect moment before her body clamped down like a vise on his, drawing out his hot release. Her unknowing song, her heat. The look on her face. It all combined to give him a fierce, primitive satisfaction and added to the wicked pleasure swamping his own body. The first wave hit her hard, consuming her. He drove deep, his shaft stretching her tight channel. A ripple went through her, from her womb to her belly and up to her breasts. He actually felt it. Another loud moan and her entire body locked around him, a vise that clamped down so hard for a moment that he couldn’t separate pain from pleasure. She shuddered again as another wave built. He felt the contraction move through her, through him, swelling like the tide, a shock wave jolting outward from her feminine sheath, surrounding him, vib
Over the next few weeks, I take Jane and Catherine’s advice and try to turn off my brain. Dave and I started going out together as a couple. Nothing explicit is said. We don’t wear little badges, but our interactions make it obvious. Jane and I were planning to finish the design of her gown, and I started going out with them. While Dave had started his own business, Christie and her son occupied our old apartment while I went to Dave's apartment in the city.When we’re out, Dave always touches me, but not in a way that makes me feel like he’s trying to mark his territory or show off. He’s just super physical. If I’m near him, his hand is somewhere on my body. Usually his palm is glued to the top of my ass, but sometimes he brushes my hair back or dangles his fingers over my shoulder. He kisses my temples and cheeks. Not once do I feel like he’s holding me back.The most important thing is that we’re happy—way happier than I’ve felt in a long time. Which is fucking mind-boggling. If so
40The trailer is damp and dark. Two solemn-looking officers sat on a table piled high with walkie-talkies, badges, and cold cups of coffee, facing a giant monitor. The fan in the corner does little to cool things down, and the whole place is wired shut like a prison cell, with no windows and thus no connection to the outside world. It's much smaller than I expected from the outside, and I find myself frozen in place for a few moments after entering."Chelsea," Christie says behind me, placing an arm around my shoulders. "Everything will be okay, sweetheart. The orphanage will not suffer, and Dave will be alright." She appears nervous but still manages to calm me down. That is my sister, brave as ever."They’re in!" shouts one of the agents. Christie and I shuffled our way around the table. We stare earnestly at the big screen, focusing on each movement while holding our breath. Inside the building, the two actors pretending to be investors are dressed to look the part perfectly. Thei
Dave encourages me not to worry on the way back to the flat, but it is difficult. No matter how many times he assures me that we will stop Sebastian, I have my doubts. I knew Sebastian was a horrible person, but I never dreamed he was capable of such atrocities, especially after Dave showed him the photographs of the community and the orphans. What will become of my darling children?! I push back the tears that threaten to spill from my eyes. As we carefully ascend the stairs to the apartment, my fingers begin to tremble.Dave walks quietly beside me and grips my hand tightly, silently reassuring me that everything will be okay."Chelsea," he whispers as we stand face-to-face at my door. "Chelsea, look at me..." He slips a finger under my chin and lifts my head to gaze into his eyes. I finally let the tears flow, the gravity of the situation too strong to overcome.Chelsea, we're going to fight this. Trust me..." I sniffle and gaze into his piercing blue eyes that offer some comfort.
"Yes but not tonight, maybe tomorrow," Dave said, shifting in his heels.The thought of him leaving without any intimate contact is driving Chelsea crazy. And I may just find myself running after him. I wait with bated breath for him to continue."Actually. I booked a room for a few days at a nearby hotel. I'd really like to see you tomorrow, Chelsea. Is that’s okay? I want to talk more about us." I stare at him like a young child opening presents on Christmas morning."Sure, I would like that," I say, releasing the smile I can no longer contain. "There's a great place just down the street where we can go for lunch." He grins. "Sounds great. I'll pick you up around 11? ""Sounds good.""Okay, well, have a good night's sleep, Chelsea.""Goodnight, Dave." I closed the door behind him and leaned back against it. My heart is giddy and my hands are shaky. He wants to talk about us? As in our relationship? Now that I am face-to-face with the reality of how much I want and miss him, it scar
Christie welcomes us to the living room. As we sit on the sofa, Dave takes another long breath before speaking. "I feel like we left a lot of things unanswered the last time we saw each other. I don't think anything was cleared up in the midst of all the yelling and screaming. But first and foremost, Christie, I need to apologise for Sebastian's harsh tone toward you. I can't claim to know what he was thinking at the time, but he had no right to speak to you in that manner.""He is an asshole, Dave, and the way he treated Christie is the same way he will treat those workers in Kenya." The animosity in my voice is clear. "Listen, Chelsea, I know you’re angry." He turns away from Christie and looks back at me. "But I need you to understand that I still care about you deeply and that everything we had was real. The truth is I know all about my partner’s activities in Kenya. But I'm not as involved in it as you think. I take care of the paperwork. But it doesn’t have much to do with me.
The space is considerably more apparent now that I am alone. Christie and I don't have any furniture, food, or money. And neither of us is employed. It will take months to restore this property to its previous glitzy splendour. I have no idea how to get us back on our feet, and I am quite frightened about starting the process. Christie, I'm sure, is as well. In that case, where are they?I get up from the floor mattress and walk to the bathroom. I let the water run over my fair skin and blond hair.Despite the heat, I find the water really calming.As it rushes over my body, the water represents my freedom. It envelops me, drop by drop, freeing my confined senses and conflicting emotions. It reminds me that I have returned home and am no longer burdened by the dreadful life I had at the mansion.I hurriedly exit the shower and grab my towel. I walk on tiptoe across the white tiles, around the empty flat, to my bag in the corner. I pull on a pair of jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and my
"Chelsea, don’t do this. You don’t know what you’re saying." I feel Dave’s strong hands around my right arm tighten. I glare up into his blue eyes. Our eyes interlock, and for a brief second, I am contained by lust. But the moment ends swiftly, and I pull my hand away, pushing him violently against the wall."Don’t you touch me!" I hurl at him. I take a large step away from him and turn back to Christie. "Come on, sister. Let’s get out of here!""I can’t, Chelsea, Sebastian is my fiancée.""So you’re choosing a man over your own sister?" I stared at her in shock."Chelsea, please don’t do this," Christie cries, her tears running wild down her face.Now is the time for me to make a quick exit. My suitcases thud on each step as I hurl them down the stairs. My sister trails behind me, upset as ever."Chelsea, wait! Please do not leave! "Just as I reach the large white double doors, I drop my suitcases and turn to face her again."Why don’t you just ask Sebastian Christie? Ask him if he’
I do not recognise my voice. It is thick with animosity. My hands are shaky and tears are threatening to spill from my eyes. Appearing to realise the seriousness of the situation, Dave turns to his colleagues. "Gentleman, please excuse me for a moment?"He gets up and strides over to me, gripping my forearm as he gently pulls me out of the room. We walk down a short corridor and into an empty office. Dave shuts the door and glares at me, anger fueling his eyes. "What the hell was that, Chelsea?!" he states, his tone biting."Explain this to me!" I half-shout, flinging the documents into his hands. "You lied about what the company is doing in Kenya. You have plans to use children? and exploit the people in an area that is too damn close to the orphanage I volunteered at. And you plan to pay the workers practically nothing!"He begins to scan the papers, his eyes darting back and forth hastily."How did you get this?!" he asks, puzzled yet still furious."What does it matter? It’s out i