“Why do you smile?”
“Just my nonsense.”
“What’s that important that it can’t wait?” The relics room is crowded with journalists and I can’t delay. Today is the big day.
“There's still an hour left...”
He goes to his desk and pulls out a small box that he hands me with solemnity.
“And that?”
“Open it.”
“It's... It's wonderful. The Museum will be happy to have it.”
“It's not for Stonebridge.”
I look at him curious.
“It’s for you. It is the payment I received from a prestigious English collector.”
“But I can’t. It's beautiful but I can’t.”
“Do you like it?”
“It is perfect.”
“Then it's yours.”
“It's a Roman ring, maybe from the 5th Century.”
“From the III to be exact.”
“It has a lot of value, you should save it for a special occasion.”
“You are special,” he removes the box from my hands and brings me closer to his body to kiss me tenderly.
“Reed...”
“I want you to keep it and remember me every time you see it. I need to know that you carry me in your body. I won’t be able to stand it when you’re away.”
“I'm not going anywhere.” I smile as I stroke his face. “Are you?”
“I’m not planning to.”
“Then you’ll stay with me...” My mouth covers his and I feel him sigh anxiously.
“Your kisses make me feel like I'm alive.”
“If so, then I can’t deny you another...” I stroke his face and kiss him again.
“Come here. I can’t resign myself to lose you.”
His hands grip me with painful strength as his tongue takes over my mouth. The hard masculine body pushes me on the desk but I refuse in responding.
“It's time... We can’t, the curtains, Dolores.”
“We'll cum...” He says while the curtains close with the press of a button.
“You're sick.” I smile as he opens his zipper and caresses his penis.
“And you’re my cure...”
The exhibition turned out to be a complete success. In the morning Stonebridge will be the opening news on televisions of great cities like London, Madrid, Paris and the same New York. The museum will receive international visits and investors will be willing to finance more research work.
I’m happy. I am happy. My ring shines like me. We both dazzle with our own light.
“You seem happy.”
A well-known voice brings out a smile and I return to the earth with even more joy on my lips.
“Marc!”
I rush like a little girl and he lifts me up to give me a loud kiss.
“I can’t believe you came.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything in the world. It is a fascinating relic and the presentation has been an absolute success. I congratulate you. I hope you’ll tell me all the details while we have dinner.”
“Of course.”
Marc is not only a great friend but also an excellent journalist specializing in history.
Reed walks over to me, putting his arm around my shoulder. I hate it when he gets so possessive but my ego can’t help but grow three points. Marc is a six-foot man with gray eyes and a well built body, it’s normal for Reed to feel threatened but he has no reason. Long ago Marc and I just stayed in the facet of just friends.
“Reed Blackman.” He stretches out his hand while with his other hand he holds me tightly.
“Marc Olson.”
Both look at each other fixedly, they seem to evaluate each other and I’m able to understand them both. Neither of them knows the identity of the other and I’m guilty of the situation.
“Marc is my friend from the university. We studied together and we suffered all the exams together.” I respond while I give Marc the best of my smiles.
“He is also an archaeologist...” Reed raises a curious eyebrow.
“And a journalist.” Marc doesn’t want to explain much more.
“He dedicates himself to investigating journalism of historical relics, and I can assure you that he is one of the best.”
Reed decides to squeeze my shoulder with an iron will.
“Not so good, things have happened here that I'm not aware of.” He says annoyed when looking at Reed's more than obvious possessiveness.
He sounds annoyed and I understand it. We’ve been friends for years. I should have made myself a space to call him and tell him my new sentimental situation but I simply forgot about it.
Alexander comes to our side elated by the exhibition and it is not surprising. He’s the owner of the Fabergé egg and many millions of dollars.
“Sweetie! It’s a total success and all thanks to you.” Alexander strikes me two kisses and moves me away from Reed, “come with me, I want to introduce you to some possible investors for your cause, and by the way, let me say that you are wonderful.”
“Sweetie?”
Marc asks curiously while Reed simply decides to kill him with his eyes, as he always did when Alexander was in front.
“Introduce me to those enthusiastic investors and stop fooling around.” I say as I cling to his arm.
In the last few days we’ve both learned to know each other and I knew that Alexander's posture didn’t stop him being a Latin lovers facade that he took great pains to feed his ego.
“Your words are orders for me... Honey...”
“You're asking for it.” Reed snorts furiously and I decide to take Alexander by the arm before the blood runs down the sidewalk.
Anne! Don’t even think you've escaped from me.” Mark shouts at me smiling.
“I promise we’ll have dinner together. Reed will keep you company until I return.”
Marc and Reed look at each other with a fake smile and unhappy faces. Neither one is delighted to meet the other.
After a good amount of conversation I get some investments for the projection room and the archaeological experimental area. I am delighted with my achievements and very grateful to Alexander Hansson, after all, the man, though pedantic and a bit arrogant, values art as much as I do and he is a good ally for Stonebridge.
The dinner with Marc turned out to be very pleasant. Too bad I had to argue with Reed before I could have dinner alone with a friend of many years. At first he refused completely to let Marc and I eat alone but in the end I managed to convince him. I needed to be alone to be able to speak freely about my new relationship. Marc is my friend and he deserves my total sincerity.
I've neglected to tell Reed that Marc and I were dating the first year of college until John came into my life. It seemed to me that this fact did not come to mind and would bring me unwarranted arguments.
I hope he has calmed down because although he reluctantly agreed, he was very annoyed.
I press the door intercom of his house as I promised. At the end of dinner I would go straight to his apartment and here I am. Fulfilling my word.
The main building gate opens without asking and I enter the reception and wait in front of the elevator door that open with an unexpected dark elevator operator, who takes my breath away. I smile when I see him and I walk towards him and he catches me in a strong hug.
“I've missed you,” he babbles in my hair as he closes the door.
His cologne envelops me in an aroma that is already ours.
“It was just a dinner...”
“Long enough for you to forget about me...”
“You know that's not possible.”
We both kissed until the elevator stops and his iron hand on mine drags me inside the apartment. He closes the door and I’m barely able to let go of my bag on the table when I notice how he holds me below the knees to put me on his right shoulder.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m reminding you of what we are.”
&n
bsp; “Reed,” I nervously say, “put me down.”
The phone rings again and again without stopping. Reed lays me on the bed and picks up the device.
“Don’t move. I’m planning on making love to you until I can’t move.”
“Blackman... I understand... she's with me... We'll be there in half an hour.”
His face is transformed with the seriousness that it offers to all but me. I worry instantly.
“Anne, we should go.”
“What's going on?”
“It's the Fabergé, it’s been stolen...”
We arrive at the museum and I almost jump out of the car. It's not possible I can’t believe it.
Suraj comes out to meet us but his face contains a fury that I never thought I would see in him.
“The Watchmaker has shown up.” He says in a deadly voice.
“Have you caught him? Do you have it? Tell me it wasn’t taken...”
I lie down in a chair in the exhibition hall, totally dejected.
“I’m sorry.”
“Do we know it was him? Reed asks seriously.
“Yes, his signature is indisputable.”
“But I don’t understand, we had reinforced surveillance. We were prepared...”
I hold my head with my hands so it doesn’t explode.
“Fuck! That damn bastard can’t get away with it.” Reed screams enraged, “not again.”
“We are working on any tips, maybe in a few days we’ll have something more to work on.”
My tears fall silently and Reed grabs me by the shoulders. This could symbolize the end for Stonebridge and he knows it.
“A few days! And you're supposed to be one of the best detectives in the city. Fuck you!”
Reed yells furiously and Suraj confronts him with fury in his eyes.
I decide to get up and stop an argument that both of them will regret later.
“Suraj we all know the effort you have put into the safety of this museum and I thank you. How can I collaborate in the investigation?”
“Anne...” His voice relaxes and I notice it’s dejected, “the exhibition to the public won’t be for two weeks. I want the information about the robbery not to leave these four walls.”
“I don’t get it?”
“The Watchmaker besides being a white glove thief is self-centered and will expect his name to appear tomorrow in all the media. If he doesn’t get it, he might get nervous and make some mistake.”
“But there's Alexander, Bruce, the insurance... I can’t keep them all quiet.”
Reed comes over and grabs me by the waist to hold me up. My body hardly responds.
“Suraj is right, the idea can work.”
“But there are more people here than us.” I say as I look at the researcher who holds a brush and some powders on the glass of the empty box.
“My people are totally trustworthy. I can vouch for them. But I can’t respond for anyone else. I need your silence.”
“What if you don’t get anything in two weeks?”
“We’ll make it public and I’ll assume all the consequences.” Suraj speaks bluntly.
“Are you sure? Isn’t there any other way?”
“No, there isn’t.”
Both respond at the same time and I nod my head accepting the risk. If the Fabergé doesn’t appear within the next two weeks, my future in the art world will be a simple memory.
“I'll get to work.”
Suraj leaves in a hurry.
“Baby, it's almost dawn, you need to rest.”
“No I can’t leave! I plan on staying I have to organize everything. No one can enter this room. Mary must cancel the new employees and I'll have to call maintenance to...”
“Sweetie, you need to stop.”
His grave voice brought me back to reality.
“My future and my career are at stake.” I answer annoyed and between sobs.
“It's okay. I'll stay with you.”
“There’s no need, I'll see you later.”
I'm on my way to my office, concentrating on the hundreds of things I must organize to hide the Fabergé's theft, when Reed stops me by the arm.
“I'll stay with you. I'll go for some coffee, ask them to bring us clean clothes and we'll come out of this together. You’re not alone, do you understand?”
“Yes thank you.”
Reed nods as he looks for the cell phone in his pocket and calls quickly.
“Dolores I need you... Yes, as always.”
I can’t
“Good morning Mary.”
I enter with a stack of papers in my hand. I've been investigating the theft of the Fabergé for a week. Food chokes me and sleep can’t find me. I feel totally and absolutely responsible for the theft. Alexander trusted my ability and the complete safety of Stonebridge and here we are, in a totally fruitless search.
“You seem very tired, shall I bring you a coffee?”
“Yes please. I need it.”
Since the unfortunate night of the robbery, Mary is more understanding; I would dare to say that even loving. She doesn’t know what is happening but she looks worried and I’m happier with her change of attitude. I'm too tired to even think about arguing.
I extend my hundreds of papers highlighting my doubts. I would have liked to consult with Reed but I haven’t seen him all week. During the day he disappeared without giving me any explanation and at night he enters my house, sneaks into my bed and exhausts me with his passion as if there were no tomorrow. I look at my ring and smile when I remember him. It’s to see the ring and wish to have him by my side. Reed Blackman, I want to feel that way for the rest of my life, he is the owner of my heart and the sweet awakening of bittersweet dreams.
I try to forget my great love at least for a moment to concentrate on my inquiries. I spend the afternoon locked in paperwork and a few coffees that Mary kindly gives me.
Yes... Yes. It seems crazy but it could be real. The pieces could fit.
I open my email, I verify the photos and I have no doubts.
I'm calling Reed's cell phone but he's disconnected. Shit, this is very important.
“Mary! Mary!”
The poor girl is frightened because of my yelling.
“Please call Dolores and tell her to locate Reed, it's urgent that I talk to him. And get me a flight to Paris for tomorrow night.”
“Paris?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll do it.”
Mary goes out and enters in a matter of minutes.
“I have sent the reservation data to your mobile.”
“Perfect, thanks.”
Dolores has taken the day off.
“I didn’t know that. Can you try to locate Suraj?”
Mary nods and leaves, but after a few minutes she enters again.
“The inspector has the phone off I left a message. Do you need anything else? Shall I get you anything for dinner?”
“Don’t worry, I'll go to the Italian restaurant that I like very much and I'll have dinner there. I need a break.”
“Pinocchio?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll call for you and I’ll make a reservation for nine. You've been wrapped up in those papers for days and you're run down to the bone.”
“Thanks,” my secretary turns around and I decide to call her again. “Mary, I'm glad that the tension between us has relaxed.”
“And I'm very sorry I wasn’t professional.”
“We're both wrong.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“Good evening, Mary.”
—————-
“Miss Foster, here please, table for one?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect, follow me please. Here it’ll be more private.”
“I see. Today you’re all booked, right?”
“Yes, we have a celebration. Here I’ll leave your menu.”
“Thank you very much.”
I extend my papers as dinner company when a voice I re
cognize makes me raise my head. Suraj leaves smiling from the bathroom with a young lady who is laughing.
“Suraj!”
I call him louder because there's a lot of noise in the room. He turns and looks at me as if not believing that I am there.
“Anne... You... What are you doing here?”
“Dinner, just like you.” I amusedly smile.
“Yes, of course.”
“Hi, my name is Leslie and I'm friends with the bride.”
The woman is very nice and completely bedazzled with Suraj. I’d better not ask.
“Hi, I'm Anne.”
“Are you a guest?”
“Hey, no, no, I'm just having dinner and I'm working with Suraj. By the way, I've been trying to locate you all afternoon. I have an important issue to talk to you about.”
Suraj seems distracted; he keeps looking constantly towards the back of the room. I must be interrupting something important.
“I don’t want to ruin your plans, if you can call me tomorrow we’ll talk.”
“Hey, that's not necessary. If it's important, we can go to another site and we can talk.”
He’s nervous he doesn’t stop moving. What’s going on?
“You can’t go away. Not without me...” Leslie adoringly looks at him and I don’t know what to say.
“Leslie, tell the others that I had to leave.”
“Suraj, it really isn’t necessary. We’ll leave it for tomorrow.”
“We're leaving now.” His voice was too serious and grave. Something isn’t normal for him.
In the background I can hear some laughter and when I’m about to leave with Suraj, I see another familiar face.
“Suraj, why didn’t you tell me Reed was here?”
“You didn’t give me the opportunity. You talked about something important and I didn’t notice.”
I shake my head and approach determinedly towards the back of the room. I'm sure Suraj thinks I'm going to get jealous or something like that but he's wrong. I'm very sure of Reed and his feelings. No work dinner will spoil what's ours.
“Goodnight.” I whisper at his back and he turned quickly.
“Anne? What are you doing here?”
“Dinner and you?” I'm going to kiss him but he tightens and stops me by the arm.
Diana Scott - [Stonebridge 01] Page 21