Pressure Points

Standing at the door to the balcony off the spacious kitchen, Timothy greeted Rafaella with a friendly "Hi, Mrs. Latimer." "I heard you want to see me," he said.

"Yes, Tim." He smiled at the man and said, "And please call me Rafaella. Have a seat inside."

They locked gazes. They never exchanged more than a few words except for a cordial hello. The fact that, upon her husband's return from the workplace, he would enter his study room and, shortly after that, Timothy would enter Alexus' study room made it clear to her that the two were relatively close. She had to wonder what they were discussing at times.

Rafaella looked at him with interest. "I was wondering how long you've been with Alex. We grew up together. Or let me say I grew up with him around, and he never once brought you up."

"Certainly, the last five years have passed, and maybe more like..."

"I see. That happened after I left," she said to herself. 'Don't sugarcoat it, Tim. What are you, his caretaker or bodyguard? Why