~ 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
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “Evening Chris I see you’ve monopolized Ms. Bell as soon as she arrived. She didn’t even have the chance to say hello to us.” “We were just heading over before I introduced her around. You can’t blame me for wanting to escort a beautiful woman about for this evening.” That smile was still on his face. I put my palm on his chest and smiled up at him. “Isn’t he nice? He’s happy to introduce me to his friends.” Okay, I might have gone too far with that comment in front of David. But he’s kept me away from his close friends and associates. I was his dirty secret, after all. A glance at Sabrina showed her glaring at my hand like she wanted to burn a hole through it. I could feel Chris realizing now the mistake he’d made as he shifted under my hand. If he thought, he’s confused about my knowledge of his affair with Sabrina before. Well, I’d laid it to rest now. “Chris, I am afraid your plan will ha
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ I don’t think I could go any paler than I was already. If David wasn’t holding onto me, I might not be standing on my feet right now. The thought of what would happen. I can see in his eyes that David knows what would happen. He wants to hear it from me. David wants to hear me say I can’t look after myself. That I can’t manage the company. “Come on. Sugar, you know what will happen. Stop wasting my time. Must I set a time constraint? What’s the matter? Is reality too much for you? Last night, you assured me that my security people were unnecessary. Does this change your mind? I dislike how you’ve endangered my possessions. Since you own Belgrave Tech, and I own you. By default, I own both. Maria, can you see my point? I can’t trust you. Which means I need some assurance from you.” I couldn’t stop the gasp as I started into his burning gray eyes. What did he want now? Why couldn’t he rip the bandage off and tell me straight up what he wa
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “Listen well Maria Belgrave you have a several things to learn tonight. First, you’re mistaken if you thought I would toss aside an investment. Second, it’s like you have some kind of racehorse breeding and special sought after traits. Yet, you hid that from me. Now I’m correcting that error. Third, for now you’ll be Maria Bell for your safety and my convenience. When the time comes, we’ll disclose who you are. If anyone finds out we’ve slept together you’re the slut Maria Bell with a sweet as pie pussy I love dipping into. Understand? You’ll sign an amendment tonight stating you’ll follow my directions to deal with the Vines family and Belgrave Tech issue. After that, you’ll grace my bed when I say, your security detail follows you everywhere including into your home. I, Jake, and the security detail will have full access to your home. Keys and codes. Staff information, schedules, deliveries, all of it. No, arguing. If I don’t authorize your clothin
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ My heart raced, and my legs threatened to shake. I could feel my stomach muscles tighten at the intimate feel of his warm touch against the cool, wet silk. My breathing had become ragged. “What the fuck did you do David? Why am I like this? Ah.” I couldn’t stop myself as I moaned. He made swift work of cutting my panties apart, leaving me exposed. He then removed them altogether and looked down at his unhindered view of my most intimate region. A region he considered he owned. “I’m glad to see you maintained here too.” The scissors disappeared and his hands caressed my inner thighs with no hurry. “What did I do to you? It wasn’t me. The man to thank for the roofie we drank was none other than Chris. I saw him do it and like I said. There’s one man who gets to use this and it’s me. Look at how much you need me. It’s been but a few nights without me diving into here.” David thrust three of his thick fingers into the depths o
~ MARIA HARGROVE ~SEVEN MONTHS LATER I had a month, maybe six weeks, until I would give birth to a baby boy. The Hargrove family members were beside themselves, keeping David and me happy because of the baby. The baby impressed them when they learned of it. But their traditional attitudes found satisfaction when they learned our baby was a boy. I would be faultless in their eyes. The collaboration project wasn’t a collaboration as it started. Now, it spanned three divisions of Hargrove Tech. We would use it as a headquarters for all three divisions where we could share research and resources between divisions. With the ground broken and construction started, we were working with the division as they were right now. I’ve settled my business in preparation to hand it over for a time to Josy. So, I could give birth without worrying about the business. Then I could spend my time settling my baby into life at home, bonding with him, healing, an
~ MARIA HARGROVE ~ “Maria, welcome home. You arrived at the perfect time. I can’t believe I’m saying this. Jake has bought out Chris Skylar’s company! What is the world coming to?” Josy came rushing forward to meet us. “Oh, hi. I hope your honeymoon’s good, and you better have some pictures or video. No, I don’t mean naughty stuff either. Did you bring back any souvenirs?” “If you mean a baby? Yes, we did.” I smiled and waited for that to hit through Josy’s rambling. “No, I don’t mean a baby. I mean a new purse for me. Wait. You’re pregnant?!” Josy squealed. “David, you couldn’t keep it wrapped long enough to do a little tourist type thing?” “Josy. Honeymoon. I did what normal men do. I got busy.” David said with a smile on his face as Jake clapped him on his back as he congratulated us. “Let’s get you all home. I guess I can’t say two anymore. Now, can I?” Jake asked with a humorous half smile. He let the sec
~ MARIA HARGROVE ~ David was true to his word, and we did land in London, England. Not some other London. He’d teased me most of the way there in the most affection ways. But he wouldn’t touch me on the plane. When I asked him why? David said, “You were Maria Bell then. But now you’re Maria Hargrove. I expect others to respect you, and I must lead by example, don’t I? Isn’t that what all leaders are supposed to do?” He said this in a light tone, but I heard how serious he felt about it. There’s no way I could prepare myself for his words. It’s like a man uttering that he loved you without warning. Or proposing marriage. If David didn’t now have a track record of doing things like this, I would panic. “David, you would’ve not have that long ago. I’ve not changed. It’s you that’s changed and I appreciate it. No, I love it and you all the better for it. Just don’t let it slide back.” “I don’t won’t. But tonight, I want us to forget about the
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ Maria didn’t waste time and that kept everything going with a smooth grace I found enjoyable. Other than my uncle’s outburst, it went well in my perspective. Maria’s smile hadn’t left her face all day, and I loved seeing it. Now, with dinner is over, speeches are over, cake cut, marriage documents signed, and first dances done. I’m more than ready to leave. We should head to the airport. I’m not thrilled to maneuver through the airport.I knew my private plane was ready this morning. We’d processed our documentation and flight plan days ago. Jake and Josy stored our luggage on the plane for us this morning. The wedding planner would take care of the clothing we used today and return it to our home. She’d have Maria’s wedding gown cleaned and packed into protective archivist clothing packaging. “Are you ready David?” Maria said from behind me. I turned around when I heard her question behind me. There she was, standing beh
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ The wedding ceremony was over. We’d exchanged rings, signed documents before witnesses, and all that. David was all smiles. It’s unexpected, but there it’s. His arm didn’t leave my back. He was true to his promise, and he didn’t leave my side. He gave me attention, as a person and as an object. David’s uncle glared at me after I told the wedding planner it’s fine to go on to the next stage. Which was removing everyone from the church and moving them to the reception hall for dinner and reception. I thought everything was fine. Everyone’s happy. “Are you insane, woman? It’s far too early. The hotel preparations won’t be finished for your guests, and everyone who arrives there will find themselves turned away. How embarrassing. Are you looking to embarrass your guests? How uncouth? David, I can’t believe you think she’s Belgrave. See her,” David’s uncle loudly exclaimed, stomping towards us. His cane banging hard on the har
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ Some may say spending the night before the wedding together is bad luck. But David didn’t want to leave me alone. He didn’t want to leave my side. His words were something about not trusting people and their double standards. David promised me that he’d stay beside me as long as he could, and he’d determined to do that. Along with the flood of attention he’d been including presents and surprises for me. It wasn’t the first time; he’d given me so many presents. But it’s the first time that the presents and attention were personalized. The personalization all had a theme though. They all faced the future and things she’d need to use in her life with him as his wife. Not just as a piece of jewelry along side his cufflinks. But his partner at work, social events, and at play. From a platinum fountain pen with her name engraved with her name and crystal encrusted, to a tennis dress that matched an outfit for him so they could
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ “I’ve finished everything with the wedding planner and now we must wait for the day. Are you sure you are happy with everything David? Is there nothing you’d like to change?” Maria asked as she settled into bed beside me with a tired smile. She and Josy had spent weeks selecting the wedding planner. They spent an additional three months working with the wedding planner to complete all the details. Now she lay beside me. She was nervous since our wedding was three days away. I returned her smile. We took care of our business today and planned so we could have the time we wanted for our wedding and honeymoon. I think I felt just as tired as Maria. “Maria. You’ve done excellent work with the wedding planner, and I’ve no issues with what you’ve done and planned. I’ve focused on ensuring our businesses and future ventures wouldn’t cause any issues for Jake and Josy while we’re away during our honeymoon.” “Remind me why we’re g
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ “Ah, there you are, Maria. Thank you for informing me first, instead of sharing it with everyone. Enemies seeking control make everything worse. Once Maria entered, I mentioned this to avoid asking why she was late. She seemed so eager to announce it. Maria paused. She was on the verge of speaking. She frowned at me, and I read it as confusion. “Maria. Are you alright? Is something wrong? Anything happen on your way here? “I’m confused because I don’t know how you feel about it. How do you feel about my explanation? Do you hate it? Should I bear the consequences alone?” I sighed in relief when Maria said this. She wasn’t holding back, and that meant we could deal with whatever happened. “Hell, no, Maria. I’ve said nothing like that. Your explanation’s perfect, but I want you to add a few things.” I said to Maria and directed her to sit beside on the sofa beside me. A smile settled onto my face as she sat do
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ I considered it insane, but it’s brilliant to spread the word that we required a creative wedding planner and welcomed ideas. Here we sat reviewing countless submissions, page by page, video after video. “Maria, these people went all out, even throwing a baby shower and revealing the gender, just in case you’re getting married and expecting a child. No pressure there and no assumptions. Ew.” Josy said after closing another presentation package with a look of disgust and tossed it into the rejection pile. She discovered several people like this, assuming and attempting to sugarcoat the situation. But it all appeared as judgmental in the end. “It’s okay. We told no one if I’m pregnant. Thought It’s not a crazy leap to assume why a man as rich as David is marrying his sugar baby in such a rush. Many people share this thought. Hell, I’m not sure how many know I’m the Belgrave heir.” That had me pondering whether I should rew