~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ Our first stop was the shops. This was going to be fun. I’ve been to these places many times with David’s money. Buying things with David in mind. But tonight, I was in a panic. The late hour and I needed everything. They knew me as a gold-digger, not a mourning heiress. “Miss Bell. This is an unusual surprise.” The manager arrived, wearing his signature smile, aware that David would overspend. “Giles, hello. Well, I need you discretion love. Can I trust you to keep this out of the media?” My question had him looking at my left hand. “Oh, grief, when this leaks, he’ll wish he had. No, I left David. Don’t worry, you won’t lose me as a customer. Can we go somewhere more private?” “My dear, you’re in luck. You’re the only client. Now spill the tea.” He appeared eager, as if he had waited all day. “I know you, Giles. You’ll need to sit for this. Oh, this is my best friend. Memorize her face as yo
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ Josy and I found the new place. I must admit it’s nice. “Oh my God! Are you serious? The photos don’t do it justice Maria. The exterior alone is stunning. Come on. Remove the lock and reveal what’s inside.” Josy bounced out of the cab and snapped up the bags of clothing the driver was unloading onto the circular drive. “This is a significant improvement.” “I warned you. Be careful. There’s a security alarm inside, we must disengage and reengage too. The company will visit tomorrow.” I typed in the combination for the locked box and retrieved the second key. One key for the house. One for the padlock the real estate company put on the house, plus the locked box and the security system. “Welcome to Fort Knox.” “No kidding. My Uncle Jonesy who’s a conspiracy nut isn’t this crazy about locks. But we have a pool.” I hadn’t fixed the security system yet and Josy was running through the house toward the backyard.
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “Okay, I’m liking this twist. The shock is fading, and the real Maria is coming back. I’m coming to get my bags. You’re helping me with my makeup. We’ll make this bad-boy weep by the end of the night. Or do the walk of shame. I haven’t decided on which yet.”Let’s not complicate things, Josy. Keep in mind that walks of shame don’t apply to men. It’s more the strut of conquer or some such stupidity. Also, nine months later.” “Oh, like you’re one.” “I’ve dealt with that, so it won’t happen. Ugh, changing addresses must be added to my to-do list. Movies never show this, do they? Look, tonight I’ll sit here and figure this out. You need a mover to pack up your place and bring it here. We both need a list of who to call to cancel or change addresses. I’ll start that for both of us, along with work. I must go visit the main office after the funeral. We need to get this moving.” “I can cancel this date. I could he
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “David, why are you calling?” Why did David have to call now? While I was getting ready to work. Here he is coming along and once again agitating me. Reminding me of what I want to forget for a few hours. “I asked the first question Maria. You must answer first.” It’s going to be one of those bad girl calls. I used to love these calls. “Ugh, it’s a house David. What do you care? Why are you asking?” I’m not stupid. But he’s being stubborn. Can’t he back off a bit? “You aren’t here.” Was he sitting in the condo now? Waiting for me to show up? I want to scream because he thinks I’m so pathetic and stupid. However, I’m frustrated because a part of me desires to return. I know it makes little sense. But I hate this fighting. I’m not happier now than I was before. “What? Where? I’m busy.” Maybe he’ll get the hint if I concentrate on what I’m doing rather than his call. “You were sup
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ The guards watched both Josy and Maria. Jake had filled me in on last night’s dinner date. He discovered several things after a late night. He’d earned his bonus. Jake plied Josy with drinks throughout dinner and after, she’d reveal anything to him. Josy knew Maria from school and taken her in when she had family trouble. Maria had a valid reason for not being a family member anymore. They didn’t claim her either. Maria hid from them as they sought her money. She had assisted Josy in a difficult situation and improved her life. For that Josy would always feel loyal to Maria. Maria changed more than anyone she’d ever known and worked harder, too. She didn’t care what anyone said because they’d never change her mind about her friend. Maria’s family was Uber rich by Josy’s description and greedy for more. Jake thought he’d heard something about an evil stepmother hag, but he’d h
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “There’s no good-looking photo identification. Is there?” Josy winced as she looked at what they’d handed her once we’d toured the head office. I smiled and shook my head. We’re hiding in the executive woman’s washroom for this conversation because of David’s bodyguards. “Portrait photographers would be unnecessary. Remember they never look at it.” I found it funny. The man who identified didn’t check who owned this ID, and he made two badges for me. One as a blonde and one as a redhead. The redhead was Maria Bell, and the blonde was Maria Belgrave. “Okay what’s next?” I hate we must hide like this, but we can’t trust anyone. Even the bodyguards could rat us out to David. I want to trust someone, but that’s wishful thinking. The mirror reveals the toll it has taken on us. You can see it in our faces, and it’s been days. I hate knowing these men and their natures. Jacqueline and Sabrina are the mere products of their societ
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ I unlock the desk. The first drawer contained several things of interest. “Okay, what’s this? Why’s there an envelope with my name here?” The first drawer contained a thick envelope, a framed photograph, along with a folder and other random things. “He expected you to snoop. You did say he’s a sly devil. Maybe this was his plan? Well open it. It might contain some answers like why he did this.” Josy offered her theory as I studied his handwriting. “Why wouldn’t he leave this with Mr. Edwards?” “He might not have had time.” I looked at Josy and thought. He’d been sick and forced out of the company to die alone. Mr. Edwards tried to contact me a month before my father’s death. “I ruined his plans by ignoring Mr. Edwards’s calls.” Regret and sorrow. No guilt too. That’s what I felt. I could’ve spoken with him if I’d answered Mr. Edwards’s calls. I wanted to weep. It’s like someone dangled the tr
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ “I can’t believe they expected us to wear what they sent over. Who do they believe themselves to be, acting in such a manner? It’s so rude.” Josy wore a different gown that Giles sent over in a hurry for her at our request. She and I refused to wear the dresses Jake left with her. We’d warned him as he left, we wouldn’t wear them. He laughed as he left. David and Jake didn’t know we’d visited Giles. “Oh, no. I don’t want any problems showing up in the same outfit as Sabrina. That humiliation will not be on my hit list. David can’t believe I would fall for something like that. He can’t think I’ll do whatever he says now that he’s engaged to her. It’s over and done.” I said. David’s audacity to dictate my actions and attire infuriated me. Who was he to dictate terms to a canceled contract? I didn’t want to discuss that with him. I hadn’t any interest in celebrating the collaboration. Nothing I’d seen so far looked all that promising to me