"When do you plan to pick up Blake?" Ronald asked.
"Well, in a few hours. I'm in no rush," Cressida replied.
"Well, we should have lunch to work on our story," Ronald suggested.
"I think we all should go. I am famished," Jason added.
"I was meeting someone for lunch...I'm sure he won't mind. Let me just speak with him quickly," Cressida said, nervously walking away.
The three men watched as she approached Maxwell, now sitting on a bench. He didn't look very happy. "Hey, isn't that Maxwell Martinez from Martinez Innovations?" Jason asked.
"Yeah, his brother is Tamarius. He was featured in a science magazine a few years ago. Something about new advances in computer technology or something," Ryan replied.
Ronald felt intimidated as he watched Maxwell and Cressida's body language. Clearly he was upset and concerned about Cressida. I guess she is spoken for, he thought.
Cressida looked into Maxwell's grey eyes and felt terrible knowing that he’d been in the courtroom watching the whole performance. "I'm sorry you had to go through that," Cressida said.
"Cressida, did you ever consider my feelings?"
"I have, but this was sprung on me this morning before the case."
"I'm not letting you sleep under the same roof with that guy."
"I won't be alone."
"How?"
"They set up an undercover agent to come in and pose as my live-in boyfriend."
"Oh, well that doesn't bother me at all. I feel so much better now," Maxwell replied with heavy sarcasm.
"Don't be like that. You can trust me," Cressida said, placing her hand on his arm.
"Don't do this? I have a very bad feeling about this."
"Come to lunch with us. I want you to hear everything for yourself."
Maxwell took a deep breath as he nodded. He looked at Cressida as she called the three men over. He knew this was a bad idea and wanted to strangle the genius who had come up with it.
"Maxwell, this is Jason Reyes, Ryan Harris and Ronald…." Cressida paused, forgetting Ronald's last name.
"Ronald Morgan." He stepped forward to shake Maxwell's hand.
Normally Maxwell would not have shaken anyone's hand, but felt obligated to act cordial in this situation for Cressida’s sake. He reluctantly shook each of the men's hand.
"Where should we go to eat?" Jason asked.
"If you are going to discuss this case together, I suggest my place. It's safe and secure, and we will be able to discuss everything freely," Maxwell suggested.
"I think that would be wise. You never know who’s watching," Jason agreed.
Over two hours later they were all seated in Maxwell’s office. After eating a great lunch they decided to talk in Maxwell's office.
"So, please explain this to me," Maxwell said. He paced the floor close to his desk.
Cressida watched him as he paced. She knew once they were alone they would be having their very first argument. He’d been short with her all through lunch. What impressed Cressida, however, was the way he treated her with respect and he remained a gentleman despite the anger she knew boiled inside him. This enticed Cressida and scared her. It was what first attracted her to the Martinez boys. Now that Maxwell and she were dating, she feared she would never get over him should things not work out.
"Blake Carter's DNA was not found at the scene, however further testing revealed that he is somehow related to whoever really killed those children." Ryan Harris spoke to Maxwell, informing him of the findings.
"Have you tried searching for this relative?" Maxwell asked.
"Yes, we have searched all of his records. It's like he fell out of space or something," Ronald replied.
"I don't like this plan and I can understand your concern. Obviously you have very strong feelings for Ms. Dash and you don't want her in any danger. No one here wants her to get hurt," Jason added.
Maxwell looked at Cressida. It was true he had very strong feelings for her and did not want to see her get hurt. "I can't tell you what to do, Cress, but I won't stand by and watch you get hurt. This is very dangerous." He looked into her eyes.
"Well, we are aware of the danger we are placing her in. This is why I have assigned Ronald to... ah... pose as her live-in boyfriend. He will be with her day and night while they work on gaining new evidence," Ryan explained.
"Yeah, that will make me sleep great at night." Maxwell rolled his eyes as he began to pace again.
"Maxwell, please this is important. Think how many mothers are out there crying over their children whose birthdays are dim reminders of what they’ve lost; what was taken from them." Cressida got up and walked over to him.
Maxwell stopped pacing as she stood in front of him. "I know...I know. But, Blake... there is more to him. Something is very wrong with that man." He looked at Ronald and stepped around Cressida, leaving her craving his touch. "Can you protect her?" Maxwell now stood in front of Ronald Morgan.
"Y-yes, I have a black belt in martial arts. I'm military trained. I recently returned from Iraq," Ronald rambled on, listing his credentials.
"She can't get hurt! Do you understand me?" Maxwell said.
"I will protect her with my own life." Ronald stood.
"Sweetie, I'm not going to get hurt. The house has been equipped with every safety measure possible," Cressida said, stepping between Maxwell and Ronald.
"If you so much as touch her in the wrong way..."
"Maxwell!" Cressida yelled, now angry. "We are all professionals here."
Maxwell stepped away, too angry to speak.
Cressida turned to face Ronald. "I apologize... to everyone. I didn't have time to explain this to Maxwell this morning. You must understand this is hitting him all at once."
"We do understand. I would react the same way if it were my wife putting herself in this
danger," Jason replied.
"We already started the process. There is no going back now," Ryan reminded everyone.
Cressida looked down at her watch. Soon she would have to go pick up Blake. Maxwell watched her. He felt helpless. He couldn't stop her. It was too late. If she didn't play out her role, Blake would become suspicious.
"We should pick him up together," Ronald said as he turned around to grab his coat.
"Cressida?" Maxwell called, his gaze steady.
"I will meet you at the Correction Center. Gentlemen, thank you. We did enjoy lunch." Cressida shook each of the men's hand, while Maxwell rang for Winston to escort them out.
Cressida smiled at the men as they left. Maxwell was happy to see them leave so that he could speak with Cressida alone. He rushed over to her, spinning her around to face him. He began kissing her intensely as his hands glided all over her body. "I don't want you to do this," he mumbled. "But, I know I can't stop you now."
"I promise, I’ll be safe," Cressida whispered. "I have to go." She pulled away.
"Cressida..."
"I will call you."
She rushed out of Maxwell's office knowing if she stayed any longer she would not be able to leave. It took her more than an hour to reach the Orange County Correction Center where Blake was being released. She met up with Ronald who was eager to play the role of her live-in boyfriend. He also informed her that additional security had been added. His name was Bryce Washington and he’d been sent by Maxwell.
Ronald wasn't sure exactly who would be watching who, but he knew Maxwell was not stupid. Bryce would serve as a personal bodyguard for Cressida and a warning to Ronald.
Cressida stood next to her car while she watched Blake approach her. She smiled at him, opening the car door for him. "First breath of fresh air. How does it feel?"
"Great, especially when you’re picked up by a beautiful lady," Blake replied, winking at her as he got into the vehicle.
"You must be Blake Carter," Ronald said, startling Blake as he sat in the back seat of Cressida's car.
"Who the hell are you?"
"I'm Cressida's bo
yfriend. Call me Ron."
"You two are dating?" Blake asked Cressida as she got into the car.
"Yeah, for the past year and a half," Cressida answered as she started the engine and headed for home.
"I did not know," Blake replied.
"Well, when I heard my girlfriend would be picking you up from jail, I had to be here, you know, just in case," Ronald stated.
"Oh, honey, stop being so jealous. Blake is a good guy. He has just been misunderstood." Cressida played along.
Blake felt as if he was being taken for a ride. He knew more than he let on. He sat in the car quietly as they drove him to their home. Blake smirked quietly. He knew this was not where Cressida Dash lived, but he would play along. "Nice house." He stepped out of the car.
"Let me show you to your room," Ronald said, walking towards the house.
Bryce was already there to greet them. He presented himself as the loser roommate who chose to stay home and play video games all day long. Cressida laughed to herself. She couldn't get mad at him for wanting to protect her.
Over the next few days, everyone settled into a routine. Cressida and Ronald did sleep in the same room, but not in the same bed. Ronald slept on the floor directly in front of the door to make sure Blake didn't try to sneak in late at night.
Occasionally Cressida would sneak out and either spend some time with Maxwell or return home to her apartment to get away from Blake and the twenty-four hour soap opera. Tonight she’d opted to spend the night at her apartment, missing the comforts of her home. Earlier that day Blake had tried to trap Ronald and her by confronting them about there so-called relationship. Cressida had been horrified at the notion of faking affection for Ronald. He wasn't unattractive, but she just wasn't into him. It also made her feel guilty. The only man she had been close to lately was Maxwell.
Cressida reclined on her living room couch, talking on the phone with Maxwell. Hearing his voice was soothing. She enjoyed talking to him and keeping him posted on the case. Right now she just wanted to hear his voice and relax on her own couch.
"Oh, I spoke to Max today," Maxwell said.
"How are they?"
"Tired. They have to build a hut as part of the village."
"What? That’s crazy."
"Yeah. He doesn't know I suggested it at the last board meeting Tamarius and I attended.
"Oh, you’re just evil. That’s your son."
"Hey, he has lived a pampered life and Tamarius trained him well. I’m not worried." Maxwell laughed.
"I should have come over tonight. I need you," Cressida groaned.
"You should have, but it's okay. Talking never killed anyone."
"Well, you’re handling it pretty well."
"I just don't want to smother you."
"That’s not why I came home tonight."
"Hey, you don't have to explain."
Cressida sat up on her couch then leaned back. "What's happening to us?"
"What do you mean?"
"I... I never thought I would feel this way."
"God has such a sense of humor. Here I was trying to play matchmaker for my brother."
"I know, you suck," Cressida joked.
"I do,"
"I'm glad you came into my life."
"I'm glad you came into mine."
"Maxwell, I wasn't going to bring this up, but I thought you should know that I had to get a little close to Ronald today. Blake was beginning to question our relationship."
"What happened?"
"Nothing big. I gave him a kiss. No tongue."
"What?"
"Baby, we have to play the role."
"Cressida, I don't feel comfortable with that."
"Maxwell, I am making progress. He keeps talking about his brother, but he won't say a name."
"Cressida, it sounds dangerous and I’m still not sure he is innocent."
"I know."
"Now I have to come over," Maxwell said.
"And, why?"
"I gotta put my scent back on you," Maxwell joked.
"You’re so crazy.” Cressida laughed. "Look, handsome, it's late and I need to get some sleep. Today was intense, let’s do breakfast."
"Sure, pick you up by ten? Is Ronald going to be able to cover for you?" Maxwell asked.
"Yeah, Ron will just make it look like I left early."
"I have one problem."
"What's that?" She was sure he was going to complain about her calling Ronald, Ron.
"My bed is cold."
Cressida laughed. "Get a blanket. Goodnight."
"Ooh, now that’s cold." Maxwell laughed.
Cressida hung up and went on to sleep through a fitful night. A nightmare pulled her deeper and deeper into an altered state. She was running towards dimly lit stairs. Maxwell stood at the top, calling for her to come as he held his arm stretched out to her. Cressida tried to run up the stairs only to be yanked back by a demonic creature who kept saying ‘you are mine’.
On all fours, Cressida crawled up the stairs, the weight on her back immense as she fought to reach the top. Maxwell grabbed her hand and helped her to the very top of the stairs, but something kept holding her back, pulling her down.
Maxwell yelled, "You gotta let go."
Cressida woke up, damp with sweat, and turned to her alarm clock. It was seven in the morning. She flopped back on her bed with the last words echoing in her head. "What did it mean?" she whispered. The moment she closed her eyes, she was pulled into another dream.
Her mother was sitting in a wheelchair, looking out of a window in a darkened room. "Cressida," she called, not moving her head and keeping her eyes fixed on the window.
"Yes, Momma," Cressida answered as she walked towards her. She knelt beside her chair and looked up at her face.
"Honey, look out that window and tell me what you see," her mother said.
Puzzled by her mother’s odd request, Cressida stood and turned to look out the window. She was blown away by what she was seeing. Her father was talking to a man in a suit. The man was handsome in an expensive looking black suit, but something about him was dark and evil. The man handed Charleston a contract. He looked over the contract, smiled then signed it. He handed it back and Cressida stepped closer to the window trying to see what was written on the contract. Her heart dropped and she gasped as she saw 'Proprietary Rights of Cressida Dash'.
"Don't let them destroy you, honey. Don't let your father do to you what he did to me."
Cressida turned to her mother and knelt before her wheelchair, tears streaming down her face. "Momma, I’m coming to get you." Her mom didn't answer. She just started singing old gospel hymns. No matter how many times Cressida called her mother, no answer came, only the haunting sounds of song.
Cressida awoke to a pillow soaked with her tears and sweat. In the distance, she heard a heavy fist banging on her front door. She looked at her clock that now read nine thirty. She hurried to the door, and looked through the peep hole. She could see the much welcomed sight of Maxwell. She took a deep breath, wiped the tears from her eyes and slowly opened the door. It was a wasted effort to try to hide her emotions from Maxwell. His happy smile instantly turned to concern when he saw her.
"What happened?" he asked as he walked into her condo.
"Nothing, I just had a bad dream." Cressida closed the door behind him.
"That must have been one hell of a nightmare."
"Hell is right." She walked back down the hall to her bedroom.
Maxwell followed, catching up to her as she stood in front of a full length mirror. "What do you mean?"
Cressida pulled her short nightgown over her head as she began to speak. "First I dreamt I was running up some stairs and this evil looking creature kept pulling me down." She walked over to the bathroom to take a shower. "I had to crawl on all fours to get to the top. You were there and you tried to help me stand on the top step, but I was being pulled down. You told me I had to let go." She turned on the shower and stepped in screa
ming at the cold water that hit her body.
Maxwell came in and sat down on the closed toilet seat. "What do you need to let go of?" he asked.
"I don't know. I was hoping you could tell me."
"I don't know."
"Well, then I dreamt my mother she was staring out a window. What does it mean when you see your name written on a contract and at the top it says proprietary rights of Cressida Dash? Well, I ..."
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