~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ “Is Maria aware of the room’s video cameras?” I wondered if she knew if those men had observed her. “No, she doesn’t. We didn’t want her giving away their existence by looking at them or trying to give us a message through them. Though she has her phone beside her, and I think she has it taking video. I believe she’s recording their conversation. That may become valuable later. I desire action in a relaxed environment. I want to see if we sedate him.” The Head Investigator said to us. I spoke as the leader and Maria’s husband. It’s insane because I had Jake pushing to get paperwork processed to match the tax paperwork. “How do you plan to do that? Maria is in there.” Josy asked. She demanded before I could, and I’m glad she’s as concerned as I am. Maria is in a dangerous position, regardless of anyone’s actions. “It’s simple. We can use a dart to sedate him. The door is behind him, it needs to ajar. Then he
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ David had come through with the police and they had removed Raoul without him attacking me. Raoul shared many facts with me in his confessions. I’m ashamed that I admitted to David that I thought I was on my own.Without pride, I gave David a copy of the video I made and tried to forget as the night progressed. David ushered me into the limousine, along with Jake and Josy. But I noticed a difference between Jake and Josy. Josy wasn’t ready to go toe-to-toe with Jake anymore. She was sitting beside him and leaning against him. They didn’t talk to each other. We didn’t speak as the car took us home. It’s not a surprise that David continued to hold me. I didn’t mind it at all. After speaking to Raoul, I wondered when he would tire of my words. Then attack me as he’d planned to. I still couldn’t get over how old he’d become and how tired he appeared. With this situation, I’d banked on a few thing
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ We were home, and Janet did her duty with dinner. Late, but under the circumstances, she did an excellent job. She also slipped away when she was no longer needed. Perfect. Jake and Josy didn’t stay long either. Though I’d made it clear, I didn’t want her pushed too hard. She’s healing from being poisoned and now having a man wave a knife at her. Her face’s expression during dinner music was priceless. I wish I’d taken a picture. It’s what she needed. The change that came over her. I could see it and feel it. I had my Bella Bell back. This time, I’m not pushing her into anything. I almost watched as she’s taken from me. That won’t happen again. When she first mentioned her security to me, and I thought she was a nobody. I’d laughed at her, because I believed she wanted bodyguards to pretend she was someone special. Impress her friends and others. I told her she had a driver for that.I found bruises on her
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ Morning brought some ease, as I had thought. My guess is that it would take time for my world to become perfect. We talked, and I had to have Maria admit that things between us were different. They were closer to what she wanted. However, we fell into a deep sleep in time. We weren’t arguing anymore.The breakfast room became the morning jump off area for Jake and me. I found him pouring coffees and laying files out. “Morning David. I’ve got everything here for the morning. We assumed working from home was the best route for today until we knew what unexpected events would affect everyone’s calendars. Did we anticipate incorrect?” David smiled and handed me a cup of coffee before directing me to a seat. Josy and Maria weren’t here yet. So, it’s the two of us talking to each other and having breakfast. It’s something I’d grown to like since we moved in here. “No. I want to stay near Maria. Jake, how should w
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ David left the bedroom, and it didn’t take Josy over fifteen minutes to appear in it. “Hey are you awake? How are you feeling? What the hell girl? You need to tell me everything.” Josy poked her head into the bedroom. She knew Maria was alone when David passed her in the corridor where she’d been waiting. “Me? How about you? Jake whisked you off so fast I don’t think you had a chance for your feet to touch the ground. Geez. He grabbed dinner, you, and gone. Time for a confession. What are you up to?” Maria sat up in bed and pelted Josy with several questions. With eyes alight and a smile, she searched for something to wear. “Oh, uh, well, you see. Remember how I told you he was taking lessons from David?” Josy moved like she was a bug caught under a pin. I gave her a raised eyebrow with a half-smile. “Please tell me you’re mistaken.” I said to Josy. I looked at her and dared her to inform me I was mistaken.
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ When we entered the breakfast room. David and Jake stopped talking. They didn’t want us to hear what they were talking about. I don’t know what they were planning. So, that had my curiosity up. We didn’t want to interrupt breakfast, so we declined. Yesterday, David clarified that today is a day off. On slow days, we do very little. “Okay, I still want to swim this morning. “I have a question,” Josy said. She was finishing her breakfast and sitting back in her chair. I knew she was going to war and didn’t want to discuss the Belgrave Family Home with David afterward. “Hey, Josy, let’s hold off. For now. You know I want to speak to David on that matter first.” I tried to catch up eating to everyone else. David’s eyebrow rose as he put down the file he’d finished reviewing. We’d discussed each one as he found details of interest as we ate. It made breakfast go very well. We reviewed the files and devoured the food. So far, w
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ Maria and Josy swam in the large swimming pool. On the table’s other side, Jake sat in a sheltered spot. They took their time and worked preparing for my meetings while watching them relaxing and enjoying the water. Our conversation this morning lingers in my mind. It bothered me how I missed her intelligence for so long, even though I must have enjoyed and benefited from her intelligence in several ways. Now, without holding back her thoughts, I can perceive her mind and its direction. It’s as a beautiful process. It’s as beautiful to fall as it’s watching her. Can’t believe my luck in finding a woman like her. I can’t express how lucky I am to find a woman who grasps my needs, both in personal and professional aspects. My family can’t understand the luck we’ve had when we welcomed her into our midst. Any of my family who criticized her or judged her showed their failure and short-sightedness.
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “Josy, what’s this?” I asked. I found several boxes set out in a neat stack in the main entrance. “Do you know anything about them?” I poked at the boxes as I searched for the different shipping labels. “No, sorry. I didn’t accept them, and I have nothing on my list for today for delivery. Maybe they are a delivery for David or Jake?” Josy poked at her pockets until she found her phone and searched for a delivery notice for today. She became more confused the longer she scrolled through her phone. “No, my name is on their labels, and I don’t remember ordering anything.” I didn’t remember buying anything from these companies. “Josy, did I have you buy anything from Gucci, Lyme-Lym, wait what do they sell? I’ve never heard of them.” “Searching. Okay, it’s a new designer who creates clothing in a near zero footprint. They can’t keep their clothing in stock.” Josy showed me her phone with an article on the desi