~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ Jake took Josy to the guesthouse where they would enjoy their own private space on their time. “Is that it?” I asked David if it’s just us. “I thought this would never end. Something always seemed missing or overlooked. We had to wait before proceeding. “That’s true. Well, we’re almost past everything.” David smiled. He looked happy, almost giddy. I’d never seen him in a playful state. “What do you mean by that? What’ve we missed?” I couldn’t think of anything. Mind you, tonight a lot had happened, so I played along. Also, I felt curious about why he was acting like this. “You can’t think of a single thing we haven’t done?” He asked. He kept asking in that teasing way. I couldn’t help but wonder what was so important to him. Okay, I wanted to know. “No. I can’t think of anything. At least not right now. It’s been busy and crazy.” I was tired and crazy. The things appeared muddl
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ This went better than I expected. At least l thought it did. I was still wrapping my head around this twist of fate. The lawyer in charge of sorting out the engagement contract mess received a notice from the government. They’re sorting through this to ensure it’s not a scam or an error. But this makes life with Maria equal parts harder and easier. It would have been easier to break the contract with Sabrina. However, I would’ve lost my shirt if I’d failed to live up to my end of the contract. “Jake, prevent the lawyer from mentioning this. I want it squashed. Sabrina isn’t smart enough to realize this. But the lawyer will use it to try to defend himself. I don’t want him to have a leg to stand on. When we’re done with him no one will believe anything that comes out of his mouth. No matter what proof he brings forth.” I said to Jake while I handed several files to a staff member before they left the office. “I’ve got it D
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ This will be fun. The family discovers David’s manipulative living arrangements for five years. We now have one taxation year to figure out how much we owe in taxes as a couple and how we’ll pay them. We’re married. In all but name. The accountant filed our taxes while we lived in the same condo building as if we lived in the same condo. Other legal factors directed David towards the condo, not his house. The house he used to entertain in. Accommodating guests in homes instead of hotels. Now, they’re considered, and everyone now knew it. However, they’d have to deal with their opinions and attitudes. “David, are you sure this won’t be a disaster? You aren’t feeding me to the family wolves, are you?” I was making a joke because I was nervous. The limousine stopped outside of David’s family home and his driver held the door open for us. His bodyguards did their usual thing of hover, and I didn’t notice them m
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “Everyone, dinner is served. Let’s go sit and we can start to the first course.” Mr. Hargrove led the way into the dining room. Once everyone settled in their seats. David’s father stood and raised his hand to gain everyone’s attention. Once Mr. Hargrove had their attention, he smiled. “Thank you everyone for attending this evening. It’s seldom we come together for a momentous occasion like this. Our family is seeing leadership is changing. I am stepping down and David is taking my place.” “Uncle, why didn’t you tell us you wanted to step down? Others may have desired to replace you.” “Alan Davis that’s not what I wanted. I didn’t want this family erupting in war and tearing itself apart in war. It’s terrible enough we had snakes trying to get their fangs into our members. It had to happen this way and I’m content with the outcome. That’s the end of it.” “But.” “Enough. I have made my decisio
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “Maria, David said he’s taking back Belgrave Tech into Hargrove Tech. What will you do once that happens? Stay home and have babies?” One of David’s aunts asked me over coffee after dinner. She showed curiosity about our relationship’s stability. “No, not yet. I’ll help David with guiding the businesses. As I’ve skills and experience that are useful in this situation and David recognizes it. What skills I have is a series is a unique set of skills that allows me to advice and critique. It’s an odd skill set.” With a look to David’s Aunt, I said to David’s Aunt. I hadn’t explained my skills to her because she had no work experience and didn’t expect more from me. I didn’t hate her for it. She came from a different generation and opinions. I wouldn’t hold grudges, at least for now. “Why are you working with it if everything is being taken from you?” David’s aunt inquired and I appreciated her honest question.
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ David joined and left the conversation post-dinner. His father’s voice rose over the soft music and family chatter as they waited for my father to dismiss each of them, as tradition dictated. It took David a moment for him to understand what his father said. He hadn’t thought of Maria as his wife. He had no intention of changing it. “David, Maria is not feeling well. Will you please come here, boy?” His father now felt annoyed. He only called him boy when he’s angry. “What’s mistaken? What happening? Maria? Are you okay?” I walked around the large sofa, which Maria sat on. Her back was to me, and I couldn’t see her face. When I came to face her, I took one look at Maria. “Dad, call an ambulance now. Call 911.” I tried not to panic. My father wouldn’t realize it. My dad understood people in similar situations. “She’s having an allergic reaction, or she’s poisoned.” “Oh, ah. Right
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ David and I sat in the hospital room. I felt rough, as if I fought with an eager bear. We had proof now that someone had poisoned me. Police investigating Jacqueline questioned if I made up the attempts on my life. It's the proof, not exaggerated. Though, I think they wondered if one officer thought I might have poisoned me for attention.I didn’t know when someone would poison me. It could have been anytime. “No, David, I remember a little after dinner. Everything gets hazy after I sat down and started talking to your aunt. I thought the night went going well. Could have someone dropped something into my dinner? Or would it have been before that? Or in my coffee?” I didn’t know when. I wasn’t familiar with the chemical, and I lacked experience in the research side of the business. “The poison’s slow acting, so it’s not in the coffee. The police suspect your contact was at home or work. Can you imagine how it could have h
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ I withheld investigators’ findings from Maria. Frederick was in jail right now. He’d left the cookies for her. When asked, some staff members told investigators that Frederick made it clear the cookies were for Maria, not anyone else. The investigator insisted he say nothing to her. I also could not take her home. They desired her presence in a less secure hospital space. With it, they claimed they could control the rumor mill and give their target a chance to try again to get to Maria. They would now know any attempts to reach Maria. I didn’t like it. Only one wrong glance was enough. Maria would go from target to victim. I couldn’t accept that. I wouldn’t accept that. Until now, I’ve spent as much time as possible with her. She didn’t question why I stayed with her. Maria worried about my thoughts on the situation. She’s afraid I thought she poisoned herself. Or she accused one of my relatives. After everything we’ve go