CHAPTER 7–DAVID NEEDS CONTROL

               April enjoyed David and Chloe’s early exit from the dining room. She didn’t enjoy how Beatrice blocked her from speaking to Carolyn about the trouble Chloe and David would cause. April felt it’s her fault.

               She wouldn’t thank David for his insistence of separate rooms. He thought his affairs were a secret; they weren’t. April’s no fool; that’s Chloe. How would Chloe respond when she learned of David’s other lovers?

               “What am I thinking?” April stared out at the darkness. The picture windows revealed, a hint of the dark, landscape by the well-placed lighting throughout the resort’s gardens.

               It’s her thoughts that lashed out, intent on making them feel her pain. April didn’t fool herself into believing they’d feel it like her.

               April wondered if Damien would care that she wished to hurt Chloe. She wondered about the personal questions he’d asked and what he said to David. His dislike of Chloe was a surprise. April’s mind returned to Damien, admitting he’d stalked her. He wanted to speak to her. What about prom? There’d been more acceptable girls. He couldn’t be serious. She suspected his motives boiled down to his friendship with Neil and keeping Carolyn, the bride, happy for the wedding, through April.

               She had to talk to Carolyn about David and Chloe before they cause trouble.

               A knock at her door made her jump, which interrupted her thoughts. Dread filled her mind when the knocking didn’t stop. David did that. When she heard, someone had failed to enter the suite with a key card. April’s hands shook until they curled into fists. David thought she’d give him a key card. She had his card because she paid for everything.

               A glance into the corridor surprised April. David was alone. What did he want? April didn’t think, and she did something stupid; April opened the door. David stumbled against the doorjamb. Good, he’s not sober. She’d have the faster mind. He liked to leave bruises, but April was playing possum to protect herself. Even as she mourned her foolish ideas about David and their future together.

               David was unaware that April knew why he’d married her. April married David, believing he cared for her, and build a family. She’d learned he’d planned to abandon her with scandal, criminal charges, and debts. He planned to pretend to know nothing and disappear with the money. After he’d accepted everyone’s sympathy about being scammed by his spouse. Too bad for him the plot failed, and his plan never happened. At the end, David ended up with, April.

               “What do you want? I thought you’d found a friend. Go play with her. I’ll call you when the paperwork is ready, but I won’t have time until after the wedding.”

               “I’ve been thinking that I won’t sign the divorce until you sign something first.”

               “Oh, and what’s that?” Right then, April would sign almost anything. She could smell whiskey on his breath and it’s not quality. The fumes irritated her eyes. April walked to the table where she’d placed her phone and set it to record. She pretended to avoid him, it wasn’t hard. “David, what’re you demanding I sign before you’ll sign the divorce papers?”

               David entered the suite and closed the door. He relished the moment, and it showed. David smiled and watched April’s discomfort, as he rubbed his hands together. David realized what his actions were, and he stopped, straightened, his face sobered. “I want you to sign a post-nuptial agreement giving me half of your business. It’s not unreasonable to adjust our prenuptial agreement since our situation’s changed.”

               “You bring the document to me before I bring the divorce papers, and we’ll see if I’ll sign them.” April knew he’d expected her to argue. Or say no. Instead, she gave him hope, and a half smile.

               “You’d give me half of the business?”

               “We’ll see how it plays out. It depends. You want half of what I own of the business I started after we married. Is that what you want?”

               “Well, yes.”

               “We’ll see how your document reads and if I am fine with it. I may sign it. Also, you must have it ready, and I must agree with it before the divorce papers are ready.”

               “You keep talking like the divorce papers are being readied now.”

               “They are, David. I sent the video to my lawyer after dessert. His staff’s working on final touches now.”

               “You bitch.”

               “Bitch? You’re the serial cheater. You don’t have a reliable income. Who kept us solvent. What will Chloe do when she learns she’s not alone in your bed with you? But she’s alone paying the bills. No, I don’t want you. Chloe can keep my sloppy seconds. Oh, don’t panic, I’ll say nothing. It’s just food for thought.” April said. Where’d my bitter and tainted words come from? It felt good to say this. I knew he’d retaliate, but when? April felt her dread surface deep within her, a reminder that David would sober and give back.

               David was a danger. He’d beat and abandon her. It’s why she recorded this. Her lawyer was aware to search for this if something happened.

               “Wait, you’d sign the post-nuptial agreement giving me half of what you own.”

               “If I agree with how it’s written, and I receive it before I deliver the divorce papers.” April said again. She’d a two-stage plan in her mind. David didn’t have a clue what he’d end up with. He’d have a fit upon seeing his sad haul from stage one.

               Stage one was done. April placed many of her shares into a trust for her future children should she’d have any or to charity if she dies without children. She owned fifteen percent to maintain voting rights; she was a guardian of forty percent of the company. David would gain five, maybe ten percent of the company. Carolyn would sign over more to her after the divorce so she could maintain voting rights and she would thwart David.

               Stage two was new. It’s complicated to enact and illegal. April found an entertaining way to sign the post-nuptial agreement. Another woman admitted after the statues of limitations on her divorce case had expired that she had done this with her prenuptial agreement. April loved internet stories. When David’s lawyer submitted the post-nuptial agreement to the judge, he’d have complications.

               “Fine. I’ll have it written and sent over.”

               “Good luck, David.”

               David ignored her. He rushed from her suite, so focused, he left the door open. April stood there, blinking in surprise. She thought he’d hit or threaten her. He didn’t. He’d fled. To have a lawyer to send him a post-nuptial agreement and print it. She shut off the recording. Did David have a lawyer?

               “How am I going to block his actions now?” April said. She dialled Carolyn and prayed she’d answer. She closed the door, and Carolyn’s voice came from April’s phone.

               “Hello, April. Are you alright?” She asked. Her concern felt so clear through the phone.

               April could hear Neil in the background. “What was going on?”

               “Well, he didn’t hurt me. David’s going after the business. He wants half of my part of the business.”

               “Neil, it’s April. I think David’s done something give me a second. She’s explaining. He’s what? Oh, hell no. That’s why we juggled the shares? He’ll end up with what? Five percent? I still say that’s too much.”

               “Right. Well, I’ve got another idea. It’s less than legal and I need a little help.”

               “I’m all ears.”

               “I need a pen. You have a party planner who can buy weird things, no one questions. Do you think you could have him buy it? No one can figure out how I did it. This must appear as an accident. The person who bought the pen won’t know why they’ve bought it. You must pretend to find it, when I ask you for it. I’ll use it ‘not knowing’ what it is. Item three, row two.” April sent Carolyn a link to a web store which carried several items, including several novelty items.

               “I’m lost. What’s special about this pen? Oh!” Carolyn asked, and she laughed.

               “The ink. It’s designed to last a few hours. After that, it’s untraceable.”

               “Oh god. He’ll see you sign it. Then it’s your word against his. If the judge believes him, he’ll look petty for five percent of our business. Priceless. I’ll call the wedding planner. I’m sure he’ll buy it. You should call the Concierge and request not to be bothered with business generated by your husband. This is his holiday. It’s not a time for legal matters.”

               “Of course. Tell me when you’ve acquired the pen. If I must sign the post-nuptial agreement. I’ll ask you for a pen. Look about for one and find it. I’ll use it and then lose it. I need to call the Concierge. Thank you, bye.”

               “Love it. Bye.”