by Adler
The nightstand drawer is slightly open. I open it far enough for me to see in, and sure enough, there are the pieces of the ripped envelope and letter. My hands are now shaking. Why would she have kept this and when was she in our room that she would have collected the pieces? I am not sure what I should do now. I reach into my own tracksuit jacket and pull out my phone. I start to call Harrison, but something else catches my attention. Under the ripped pieces of paper is what appears to be a journal. I open it up and skim over the pages. At first, it seems to be the notes of a nurse, but then the handwriting changes. I go back to the beginning again and actually read what is written. Once I start focusing on the words, I realize this is a written diary of my recovery from the attack. It was written during the time that I was recovering here at the penthouse. I can see that this was written by Glenda. I read on. It describes how I was doing. How many times Harrison came into the room with me. It describes conversations she overheard. It even describes what Harrison was wearing and how long we were alone, without Glenda in the room.
My palms are getting sweaty and my heart is beating faster with each turn of the page. Why in the hell would Glenda keep those kinds of notes? I can understand making brief observations for the doctors, but this is creepy. These are not the normal nurse-type of notes. I skip forward to where the handwriting changes. I can tell that the voice of the writer changes dramatically. As I read into the second paragraph, I realize this is the writing of Alicia. It describes how hot she finds Harrison and how she wishes she was me, with all of my money and opportunity. I skip a couple pages and the most terrifying thing pops off the pages at me. It says she will begin tainting my food now that she has gained the trust of the rest of the staff. A little farther down the page it says that she is gaining the eye of Harrison, and she feels it won’t be long before she is able to seduce him. After that, there is a page of doodles like one does while talking on the phone. I skip ahead to the last entry.
‘Tonight, I finally got somewhere. He is all mine now. The bitchy wife might be on to me, so I have to be careful. Wasn’t able to do anything with food today. Big news though. The moron is re-marrying her on New Years in his hometown. Not if we can stop it.’
My stomach does a complete flip-flop. I feel sick now from having read the musings of an immature nut job who is living under the same roof as me.
I begin to walk out of the room, when I realize that I still have her book in my hand. I am not sure what to do with it. The contents are incriminating, but the ramifications are overwhelming. What does this mean? Are the writings for herself or for someone else? Why would Glenda have been making notes about my recovery and then Alicia making notes about our life here. I couldn’t read the part about her standing outside our bedroom door listening to us having sex. Dear God, I don’t even want to know what she wrote. She is sick and she is leaving. Today.
I peer out to the hallway, and Albert is still standing there, leaning against the wall with his ear bud in his ear. I wonder what show has him so engrossed this time. No matter, I have more pressing issues. “Albert!”
“Oui?”
“Can you get a box out of the storage closet by the elevator? I am packing up Alicia’s things.
“Madame?”
He steps aside, and there is Alicia standing behind him with the bag of groceries from Zupans in one hand and the dry cleaning in the other.
“Guess I got back just in time.” She says far too smugly.
I am still standing in her room with her journal in my hand and the pieces of paper in the drawer. Now is as good as any time to confront her. “Care to explain this?”
She drops her parcels to the floor and breezes into the room. She tries to snatch the book from my hand, but I am taller and hold the book up in the air. “Will you let me explain?”
“Yes, while you pack your things. Albert?”
“Oui Madame, I will get the box.”
Alicia takes his absence as an opportunity to attempt to seize the book again. I am holding her off with my free arm, while I shout “Albert! Albert!” I hear his feet pounding on the tiles as he returns to the room.
“Sure, call your body guard to protect you against the poor little housekeeper.”
“I read what you wrote in here. You need to pack your things and get the hell out before I have you thrown out!” I am shouting at the top of my lungs. “I am no longer putting up with your insubordinate husband-lusting ass.”
“Danielle?”
I whirl around to see my husband standing there, taking in the whole scene.
“Just what is going on here?” He demands.
Alicia bursts into tears and collapses to the floor pointing at me, “Your wife broke into my room and riffled through my things and now she is attacking me!”
I am dumbstruck that she is actually accusing me of attacking her. The simpering idiot is trying to convince my husband to take her side.
“Danielle! Care to explain?” He leans down to help her up off the floor, then to my astonishment, he swipes his fingers across her face to wipe away her tears. That is it!
“Harrison! Can’t you see she is manipulating you? She took the pieces of the letter Bradley wrote, that I ripped up, from our room last night. Look.” I point into the drawer. He peers in.
“She put those in there. I never went into your room last night. She is trying to make me look bad and I can’t figure out why. I really need this job!” She then turns and wraps her arms around Harrison’s middle, much to his surprise. He looks at me with accusing eyes.
“Is that true, Danielle?”
“What? Of course it’s not true! I sent her to the store, so I could access her room after I saw a piece of the torn envelope at her feet in the kitchen. Oh hell! Why am I explaining myself to you? Here, maybe you would like to read some excerpts from this and then tell me what you think!”
I thrust the book at him and start to leave the room, but decide to stay, as I did not want to give Alicia the opportunity to manipulate the situation further. I am beginning to wonder what the hell is going in here that my husband is seemingly taking the housekeepers word over his own wife’s. I pray marrying him so hastily isn’t back firing on me. All of the sudden, I feel my utopia is getting worm holes in it.
He opens the book, as he gently pushes Alicia and her fake sobs away. He scans over the copy without any emotion registering on his face. He walks over to chair at the little desk and sits down. I keep my stance, standing tall with folded arms. After he reads a fair amount of the journal, he shuts the book and in a quiet voice, “Pack your things, and I will get your final check.”
“But! I didn’t do anything. It is an invasion of privacy and breaking and entering into my personal belongings. I’ll report you to the Bureau of Labor and anyone else who will listen!”
Harrison stands. “You will do no such thing, you want to know why?” In this book you have threatened my wife’s life and admitted that you were going to use sex to coerce me for money. Now, in exchange for my not pressing charges against you, I expect you to tell me for whom you are working.”
She spats at him, “Go to hell, asshole. I will do no such thing. The money trail doesn’t stop here!” Albert has moved to block her from Harrison and me and oversees her packing her things. I walk into the living room, shaking from head to toe.
When Harrison walks in, I can see he is no better than I am.
He sits next to me and takes my hand in his. “I saw what she wrote about me being interested in her. I didn’t do anything inappropriate, Danielle. Honestly, I didn’t touch her or even look at her in any way other than professionally.”
Looking into his cool blue eyes, I know for certain that he is telling the truth. “I know, Harrison. “ I lean up and kiss him on the cheek.
He chuckles softly, “Besides, she is not my type. I like a lot more sophistication!” He pokes me in the rib. “Now, take you for example, I could really go for a woman like you. Even when you are wearing these fluffy sweats
you look sexy.” He plucks at the material on my sleeve. I lean over and kiss him quickly on the lips.
“You know just how to smooth talk me don’t you, Mr. Towers?”
He smirks, “Is it working?” I swat at his hand as he starts moving it toward my crotch.
A few minutes later, Albert appears and motions for Harrison to join him. Once Harrison returns, he tells me that he gave Albert a check for Alicia’s final pay and that Albert escorted her off the premises.
“What is your plan? Are you going to go after her?”
“I am not sure what I want to do about her. I will have to consult with my human resources guy after the weekend to find out what else needs to be done.”
“No Harrison, I don’t mean in regard to her employment. I mean her criminal activity.”
“Well, I kept the book, so I suppose I can give it to the detective to add to the mountain of useless evidence stacked against Marion, but none of it proves a damned thing. I am still shocked that nobody can ID your attacker. The park was filled with witnesses, but they were all after the fact. Not a single person actually saw the attack.” He stops talking abruptly and looks at me as my face has gone pale. I know it is because I felt the blood rush from it.”
“So sorry mi amore! Let’s talk about the trip to Montreal and our wedding instead.”
I perk up a little, but talk of my attack takes me to such a dark place that I sometimes wonder if I will always be vexed by the dark images that haunt me when I sleep.
Chapter Fifteen
It’s the morning of our trip to New York. We are going shopping for my wedding dress. My mother and Simone are joining me, along with Albert and a new security guy, Lance. With this short of notice, I will be lucky to find a dress. We are going to Maxwell’s, which is one of the largest wedding dress stores in the country. Our plan is to find the dress the first day and then have them complete any alterations while we are still there in the city. Once we do a final fitting, they are going to ship the dress directly to Montreal. Simone has been primarily in charge of this process. She planned this trip with less than a week’s notice. Harrison has never been one to allow for large timeframes, so I guess this should be no exception. His mother is planning the reception for us and is handling the invitations.. We are keeping the ceremony to immediate family and a few close friends. We want it to be intimate, like our original wedding in the Caymans. The reception will be a large gala, due in part to it being New Years Eve.
Harrison has made arrangements with the staff in the New York penthouse to be ready for our arrival. He just informed me last night that he was able to book us on the Virgin Airways first class. I have been so spoiled. I never flew first class before I met Harrison. That was a luxury my ex never would have allowed. My mother is beyond excited about the trip. Is has been some time since she has been in New York City. She and my dad used to go there at least once a year on buying trips for their antique store. Now they just have an art gallery, having sold the antique business. I know my mother will drag us into some of her usual haunts, if we have time.
I’m in my room finishing the packing and Harrison has run next door to HQ to take care of a few things before I leave for the airport. I hear someone talking down the hall and the excited voices just got louder. Ah, Clarke must have just gotten here.
“Danners! Aren’t you packed yet? What is the matter with you? We are going to New York City for four days and this is all you have. She is looking in my suitcase with her mouth agape. Oh, you make me crazy. Get out of my way; I am taking over this suitcase. You just sit there and look pretty.”
I laugh, “How about if I get my toiletries together?”
“Yes, on second thought, go make yourself useful. Don’t we have to leave soon? Is your mom here?”
“No, she is meeting us at the airport.” I yell over my shoulder as I go into the bathroom. I gather up all my cosmetics and travel toiletries into my bag. I join Clarke in the closet to help her select my clothes for the trip. I glance at the clock on my phone. Shit! We need to go, Clarke.
“Yes, you do mi amore!”
I about jump through the ceiling. I did not expect Harrison back so soon. He looks past me to my preoccupied wardrobe stylist and back to me. “I’d like to see you for a moment”
Gulp. I wonder what this is about.
I follow him over to the seating area by the fireplace. He motions for me to sit down. “We don’t have much time, so I want to lay out some ground rules.” Oh, how annoying. I nod, but now is hardly the time to be covering his ‘rules’ while I should be packing.
“First, I want you to get whatever dress you desire. Money is no object, but don’t go crazy. I may have the means to buy whatever your heart desires, but I would rather spend the money on things that will last, like sapphire and diamond necklaces. He smiles, giving me a knowing nod. I remember the moment he originally gave that necklace to me in Hood River. Little did I know that I would eventually be wearing that on our wedding day.
“Well, I plan to wear that sapphire necklace in Montreal, so whatever I buy will have to compliment that.” I smile at him shyly. I don’t like discussing money; although, I do admire that he doesn’t throw it around carelessly. I have never struggled, but I know so many who have and, it feels like a waste to blow money on extravagance. When Harrison spends money, he makes it count.
So, on to my second item of business. As for the New York shopping, I have a card here for you to use as you see fit. I want you to treat your mother and Simone to a week of dining and pampering. Why don’t you ladies get some spa time at the Four Seasons?”
I jump up and wrap myself around him. “Oh Harrison, that is so sweet and generous of you!”
“Well, you didn’t get all the traditional trappings of the engagement, bridal showers, and shopping for your trousseau. Think of it as all wrapped into one week.” He Stands. “Now, the other stipulation, is that you keep Albert and Lance with you ladies at all times. I know that I am repeating myself, but it bares the importance. I will keep repeating myself, if it keeps you safe. We are not sure if there is a threat still lurking out there, and as long as there is a possibility, we have to be cautious. I am not taking any chances where you are concerned.” I tilt my head up to his and stand on my toes to kiss the tip of his nose. He responds by kissing my forehead, and then he works his way down to my lips. He seals his lips over mine and gives me a sensuous, longing kiss. My body melts into his and we linger in our embrace.
“Ahem! Okay hate to break up you lovebirds, but we need to fly this coop, if we are going to make our plane, Dani!” I roll my eyes at her. Oh how cheesy!
Harrison hands me the magic carte blanche credit card. It makes me a bit nervous; I have never had a high ceiling budget. I am so excited to treat my mother and best girlfriend to some fun in the big city.
Clarke is standing next to my luggage, with her hands on her hips, obnoxiously tapping her foot on the travertine floor. Harrison and I make our final goodbyes.
In my ear, he whispers, “Vous voir bientôt mon amour, see you soon my love.” Oh, I love it when he talks to me like that. I don’t care what he has just said. The way it sounds rolling off his tongue makes me weak. Yes, it makes me very weak.
“See you soon. I love you and thank you so much for this.” I hold up the card.
He smiles, “Okay, now don’t lose that!”
Harrison follows Simone and I down to the lobby and out to the waiting town car. Our new house-man, Hans, follows with my luggage. Philippe has returned to Montreal for a while to handle personal matters and spend the holidays at home. Harrison hired Hans from an agency this time instead of on a recommendation. He is just starting this morning, as I am leaving. It will be a quiet week for Hans to get acquainted with our household.
Once inside the car, I start to feel a little homesick for Harrison, but it does not last long, as Clarke will not stop talking. She is more than a little excited about our week in New York.
After an uneventful
flight, we arrive at the Upper Eastside penthouse mid-evening. Eleanor, the housekeeper, greets me with an enormous hug and full of congratulations for me. “I just knew when he brought you here in August that you were something special to him. I am so glad he has found happiness. He wasn’t always so nice to be around back when…well, never mind. I am so thrilled for you both!”
Eleanor shows my mother and Simone to their rooms, as well as Albert and Lance to the one they are sharing. I showed myself to the master bedroom. It seems odd to be here without Harrison. This really is where the romance started, and now I am already married to him, buying a dress to seal our commitment to one another. Fate is an interesting force, and. one I should not give too much time in thought. I just might paralyze myself with all of the ‘what if’s’ that process would bring about.
Instead, I wander over to the grand windows and peer out at the tree top canopy of Central Park. There is a sprinkling of snow covering the tops in patches. A chill runs through my body as I contemplate Montreal in late December.
I hear my phone vibrating in my purse, and I rush to grab it, hoping it is Harrison. Sure enough, it is!
“Hello?!”
“Ah, there she is, Mi Amore.”
Oh, his voice is so sexy and comforting.
“Oh Harrison, it is so strange being here without you.”
“It is strange being here without you.” He responds. “How was the flight and how is old Eleanor?”
“The flight was smooth and on time and Eleanor is just as sweet as ever. I am supposed to be getting ready for dinner, though. I am excited to try that new restaurant out, what did you say the name is again?’
