~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ Maria sat there before me, and for once in her life, she was silent. She appeared chastened, making me hesitate. I hadn’t told her what I’d done. My actions since learning about the situation. Maria had stood all but alone, without support from anyone beyond Josy and no resources. When we realized she didn’t have unlimited funds, and Maria had lied about her identity, Jake and I at the end scratched at our heads in confusion. I’d felt so much anger when I understood why she’d placed herself in the position she had. Those reasons behind each person I’d dealt with who’d used her suffering and loss to gain something for themselves. I hadn’t realized why I’d done it the first few times. Other than I’d felt anger at their selfish actions and how it affected my investments. When I understood who Maria was and how their actions affected her, I went after those people again and finished them so they couldn’t harm her again. She w
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ David’s talking to me. I’m surprised. He’s not talking business, which is surprising. He’s talking about our relationship and how he treats me. David’s not shutting the conversation down. “Why am I supposed to accept everything and carry on? Take everything with a graceful smile and be grateful of the apology. I hope any promise is upheld by the person. I don’t even have a person witness it. No contracts and not signatures. Why is that, David?” I couldn’t look at David’s eyes anymore. I didn’t dare. He may burst with anger soon. When he caught onto what I wanted. David kept talking about wanting to marry me. But he said nothing about me being equal to him. Nothing about respect. No protections unless it’s on his terms. “Maria, am I so bad to you? Have you ever gone without? When you asked for something, have I not given it to you? My expectations of you were simple. Be there for me whenever and wherever I
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “Well then. Come here. I have something to show you.” David said. He turned and walked to his desk. I didn’t know if he felt angry. At least, he wasn’t yelling at me, odd. What did he want to show me? Curiosity and annoyance struck me. What was with his secretiveness? “David, I’m serious and I’m not going to accept a token offering.” This would not be a hand me a plane ticket to Paris with an unlimited credit card. A new condo option is now available. “Maria, sit here and look at this. Read it first before you say anymore. Please.” He sounded odd. A little too calm now. He’d taken a folder from a drawer, and I noticed his hand shook a little as he put the folder on the desk before me. David stood behind me and watched me read the document. “David. It’s disturbing and uncomfortable having you lingering over my shoulder. Why are you lingering there?” He made a grumbling sound. “I’m sorry. I’m i
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “Maria, look at it and tell me it’s not what you want. Tell me that this doesn’t satisfy everything for everyone.” David pointed at the folder on the desk. “Read it again, Maria. I don’t intend to exploit you. Not this time.” Despite David’s lack of anger or annoyance, I felt grateful for his insistent demeanor. “David. I can see that. But I’m trying to understand why this is our plan when we never discussed it. It’s also more than business and marriage.” I returned to the documents and read a few additional pages. It’s all so overwhelming. Sitting here, I could feel his closeness while I looked at the documents proclaiming my deepest desires were in my hands. In my literal hands. I searched for a loophole to avoid this nightmare. Some twisted game to torture me. I couldn’t find that loophole, though. That’s what confused me and made me wonder what I had missed or if someone had given me a break. “Yes, Maria. I listened t
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ I observed the monitor displaying in the conference room, where everyone mingled and settled into their seats for the meeting and announcements. They weren’t happy with the CEO’s office sending out this unexpected announcement and meeting. No one knew what its purpose was about, and I’ll enjoy this meeting. I’ll make these moves he’s always wanted to. I’d planned every step with care to carve out the dead weight and those who’re holding me back. My family doesn’t present themselves to the world as united. They’re as vicious with each other as they are with perfect strangers. Sometimes they were worse. I had to address divided members before they caused more problems. I sent a text to Jake, and I felt still curious about Maria’s situation, and I did not intend to uncover any trouble there. [How is it going? Any difficulty?] [So far, so good.] I couldn’t help but smile.
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ “I don’t care Richard. No. You are out. Gone. I won’t debate this. You can leave now.” My Uncle Richard stood before me sputtering and protesting for the better part of an hour. He refused to listen or learn anything new. He wouldn’t carry a phone, take a computer class, use a computer, or any type of modern technology beyond the early seventies. “I’m your uncle.” He believed his relation to the founder entitled him to sit and receive payment. My uncle didn’t believe he had to do anything beyond the bare minimum. “I don’t care. You haven’t maintained your education and kept up with technology. I can’t email you or text you. Which means you can’t function within the modern business environment without assistance and in this business that exposes us to an extra layer of unnecessary staff that can be corrupted, blackmailed, or infiltrated. You have had a successful run and it’s time for you to retire along with my fathe
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ With Jacqueline in jail, Sabrina kept leaving messages for me. I’d texted her and told her not to come to Belgrave Tech because it wouldn’t be appropriate. Security found her mother trespassing there, which led to her arrest. I’d avoided her so far. Now I have my family and businesses secured. It’s time to break it off with Sabrina. I would not confront Sabrina because she’s about as sharp as a butter knife. Just like Sabrina and Jacqueline, I, too, need years of games and gossip. Because if I didn’t, they would get what they desired, and I would become trapped. To prevent that, I know I’m forced to make this a public issue. Jacqueline and Sabrina will not go unscathed by this when I’m done. They won’t hold their position and status when I’m done with them. My first step. I have videos for specific individuals. Influencers, friends, family, and business associates have made videos for Jacqueline and Sabrina
~ SABRINA VINES ~ The antique mercury glass dish shattered against the wall as I screamed in anger. I can’t believe David. The man is such a rude snob. I thought he was like that because he hated me because the Hargrove family raised him to hate the Belgrave family. However, now I’ve found out that I’ve been mistaken the entire time. About that and so much more. Oh, my God. David knew about Maria Bell being Maria Belgrave, and when I brought it up, he didn’t confirm it. He allowed me to prattle on like an idiot. I made a fool of myself. David must have found it funny as hell. I screamed again and knocked over a chair in my anger. I won’t allow Maria to get away. She’s going to hear from me now. This is all her fault, and I’ll ensure she fixes it. How dare she lie about who she is to everyone? What an underhanded thing to do. She always tried to get away from her responsibilities to the family. Taking everything
~ 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