~ 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
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ “Maria, I turned the cookies over. The investigator requested the cookie recipe. Did you know? I asked over my phone when the video screen registered Josy’s face. She sat in my home office. This call had two purposes. I missed her like crazy, and we had business as usual to catch up on. The investigators wouldn’t allow her to visit me here. David could visit me. But no one else. They didn’t allow Jake to come with him, and the bodyguards David hired couldn’t go beyond a certain point, either. So, I wasn’t sure how useful they were. If they made David happy, then it’s better than nothing, I guess. “How did you respond to that?” I wanted to know how Josy answered the investigator. I didn’t care if we messed with the investigation. This was my life, after all. I wanted to know how she explained it. As a team, I didn’t intend to harm her or cause a struggle. Investigators want us to struggle and cannot explain or prove our innocence.
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ I could rest only so much. David had left an hour ago. Tubes, drips, and such remained near my bed. The need in my arm was gone, but what they’d done was tape it to my arm without it. So, now I had to be careful. Someone gave the investigators information that Chris was going to kill me again. He believed they provided information. He still gained control of the company. Why did his plan included killing me? I’m not sure of the reason. I’ll inform everyone once I find out. This is crazy. Which bird brain pencil pusher came up with this idea? I want to trade places with them right now. I’d sat here coming up with pithy sayings because I can feel how upset I am with these people. Who makes a wealthy woman a target for a deranged, wealthy murderer? What would Chris Skyler do when he learned that he now wasted his time trying to kill me? David, this entire time, had control of Belgrave Tech, and killing me would change nothin
~ DAVID HARGROVE ~ Maria’s voice didn’t sound as steady as she believed it did. Alone with memories of a man who hurt her, she looked haunted. “Jake, I need you to find everything you can on Raoul Thomas. He’s a new contract hire. Get everything you can ready and send it to the head investigator. If Mr. Thomas calls and asks you questions, you are to avoid answering the questions.” I needed more information about this man. He must have had a reason to harm Maria. “Okay, may I ask why?” Jake’s voice asked. He had that uncomfortable sound in his voice. But I heard his fingers tapping in the background. I knew I could rely on him. “He may be the lynchpin we’ve been looking for. The one who’s been willing to kill without blinking. Mr. Thomas has access to all spaces. He’s been involved the entire time as Edger Belgrave’s assistant. Maria said she knows Jacqueline paid for his loyalties. Mr. Thomas then abandoned Maria near the ho
~ MARIA BELGRAVE ~ It’s too late to call Josy. So, I wrote an email to her. I tried to explain everything and connect facts in it. Putting pins in the details and dragging strings from pin-to-pin. I wasn’t paying attention when the door to my room opened. I almost greeted David. But out of the corner of my eye, I saw it’s not David. My heart shuddered, and I struggled not to gasp. “Give me a moment more, and I’ll join you.” I said to Raoul Thomas while I type into the email that he’s in my room to harm me and she must send help fast. I emailed with high importance. Then I left the video camera recording and dropped my phone beside my pillow out of sight. Now, I must deal with him alone. Oh, my God. How am I going to do this? I can’t think straight. “Hi, I’m sorry. Was I being too loud or something? I didn’t know there was anyone else on this floor.” I tried to pretend like I thought he was a patient on this floor even I knew there’re none.
~ MARIA BELGRAVE~ “Stop trying to change the subject.” Of course, if I change the subject, he can’t control the narrative. This is so predictable. I’m sorry, old man. Modern woman broke your code last century and we’ve been passing on the cheat sheet. “Change the subject? How is that changing the subject Raoul? I’m not changing anything. I’m clarifying the subject. You’re using me as a target for your pain. But hey here’s a better idea. How about try something like grief counseling? Killing me won’t stop your pain and you’ll only make things worse. Because then you’ll have my death on your hands.” Not the best thing to say. I can see now David isn’t coming back in time to save me. So, I’m saving myself or getting this over. The man by the bed appeared ready to explode. His face looked alarming now. A deep red glowing flush filled his face in his anger. I had to resist pulling my feet away from him. That might trigger him.
~ 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