The Devil's Intended-Love & Evil In Palm Beach

by Pamela Southwood

time since she had met him, besides the few moments of doubt, he had been nothing but perfect to her at all times.

   She had a special date with him tonight since it was Valentine’s Day. He had just flown back from New York after an exceptionally long departure and she could hardly wait to see him. He told her that he had an extra nice gift for her.

   Kristen spent the day in Palm Beach Gardens looking for a dress. It was the only day she would think of wearing red. It didn’t take long to find a Valentine outfit. Most of the display windows were specially set up for the day. Red was everywhere!

   She kept shopping for other accessories, including four new pairs of shoes. She had wanted to shop in Boca that day too, but evening was approaching, and there was no way she would make it back in traffic on I-95 in time.

   She traveled back to the island and decided to go over to one of the cafés on County Road to get some lemonade. As she walked down the sidewalk, she began feeling like someone was behind her. She turned around a few times but only saw small groups of tourists. She reached the adobe walls of the café and decided to sit on their patio.

   The waitress brought her drink in a tall icy glass. Kristen began sipping it slowly and debated whether to get another one with some alcohol in it. She turned her head to look at an impressive sports car stopped at the corner. A man sat down quickly at her table and put a hand on her arm.

   Kristen turned back and was very startled. She knocked over her drink on the table. “Oh God! Oh no!” Her worst moment was happening. 

   Robert St. Germain was there! He picked up her glass and fumbled as he put the ice cubes back into it. He then put his cold hand on her leg, “Bet you didn’t think you would see me again, did you Witch?” Kristen was scared. He looked extremely threatening, and this time there was nowhere to run off to.

  He was right up in her face, keeping his voice low. “You know I went to jail for two years because of you!  You thought I would never find out that you were behind everything?” He kept a tight grip on her arm.

   Kristen looked around frantically and saw they were they only ones in the patio section. She insisted “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He painfully pushed down on her arm. Kristen sharply said “You screwed me over. You owe me money. A lot of money!” She bravely shook her arm from his hand saying “You know Robert; there are a lot of people looking for you across the country. Why do you think I did anything?”

   Robert got even madder “Don’t even try to get out of this. I know it was you. But I can’t figure how you set it all up? Either way, I am going to remove you from this planet! You have to go!” Kristen was scared, but calmly said “You are a paranoid psycho and you know it.” She knew he was just throwing things out there.

   Luckily for Kristen, the waitress came back out and gave St. Germain a curious look. Kristen said “Can I have my check please?” The waitress started to walk off to get it and Kristen followed close behind her like she was her safety net. St. Germain just sat there fingering her glass and was deciding whether to come after her.

   Kristen paid her bill with cash and walked quickly outside to where a cab stand was. She jumped into one and told the driver to take her to West Palm Beach. She did not want St. Germain to see her car and wanted him to think she was leaving the island so he couldn’t figure out that she lived there.

   Her cabbie was the only one available on the street, so Kristen knew Robert had no choice but to run to his car, or whatever he got there in, to go after her. She had the driver travel in different directions for the next half-hour before she told him to go back over the bridge to head to her place. It was crazy that Robert thought she was responsible for him getting arrested. In fact, she knew exactly what happened back then. Kristen had heard from friends in Illinois who frequented the Patio bar that Anne, the woman he also conned out of money, knew where Robert was living right after he skipped town. Kristen heard that the Feds contacted Anne and she was afraid that they would implicate her in his schemes, so she told them where to find him.

   St. Germain was always trying out different high-level cons and skipping out on hotel and credit card bills. He was the one who got himself caught, nobody else. Kristen couldn’t believe the stones on this guy. He was an obvious mental case to think he could get away with all these crimes for such a long period of time. She was dismayed by the fact that he was now in Palm Beach and guessed he was looking for bigger fish.

   When Kristen arrived home, she managed to compose herself and did the best that she could to quickly get dressed. It was almost time for her date with Anthony. Her hand was shaking as she tried to put on her make-up. She was very scared that she saw Robert and she debated whether to tell her boyfriend.

   As the sun began to settle down, Anthony appeared. She was relieved to see him and instantly felt better. He gave her a bouquet of red roses and held her for a long time. Kristen put the flowers in a vase by her front door. Anthony had his red Lamborghini with him for the occasion and he drove her over to an intimate restaurant on the island.

   Romance was in the air and there were roses on all the tables. Kristen wondered which table would be for them. Instead, of waiting to be seated, Anthony led her out of the main dining room and onto the terrace.

   Soft classical music was playing and it was beautiful under the stars. There was a sole round table set in the middle and Anthony placed her lightly onto the chair. Their only light was from a small tapered candle. Kristen watched as the shadows flickered across Anthony’s handsome face as he sat across from her.

   They began their meal with red wine. He held up his glass to her and said “Here’s to my Dream Girl. Happy Valentine’s Day!” She toasted him back smiling. He leaned over the table and gave her a kiss.

   Anthony then rose up and walked over to Kristen. He kneeled down on one knee and pulled a black velvet box from his pocket. He opened it gingerly up with his thumb while presenting it to her.

   “Kristen Elizabeth Stratford, I have only known you for a very short while, but I want to spend the rest of our time as your husband. I love you. Will you please marry me?”

   Kristen was enchanted. “Of course I will marry you Anthony. I love you too!” He slid the ring onto her finger. It was breathtaking and sparkled in the candlelight. Kristen was absolutely touched and delighted. She didn’t know that this was the gift he was talking about.

   Anthony rose back up and pulled his chair right next to her. They kissed for a long time. His lips were so sweet and she felt like she now officially belonged to him. Anthony grinned “I wanted to do this after dinner, but the time was perfect and I didn’t want to wait.” Kristen said excitedly “I don’t know if I can eat now. I’m all butterflies!” He smiled, “Now, for your gift, we might as well get that out of the way now too.” Kristen said “There’s more?”

   They walked out to the side gate. There, in front of the restaurant, was a white Ferrari convertible with a wide red bow wrapped around it. Kristen ran up to it. A single white rose lay on the front seat. Anthony kissed her on the cheek and said “Happy Valentine’s Honey!”

   Kristen said “Now I’m definitely not going to be able to eat. I want to drive it!” Anthony pulled on her arm “Come on. Let’s go back. I want to tell you about our honeymoon.” She reluctantly and happily returned to sit at the table. Anthony had already ordered for them and the waiter arrived with lobster. Kristen squealed “Oh goody, this is just what I wanted to eat!” Anthony asked her “Would you like to get married in April, right before the end of Season?”

   She looked puzzled “This April? That soon?” Anthony said sweetly “I was hoping you wanted to do it this year.” Kristen thought about it and then assured him, “I would love to get married right away. Are we eloping?” Anthony replied “No, no, we are going to have a fabulous wedding. I know it takes time to plan, but I have all the connections to make sure that everything you want to do for it can be taken care of right away.”

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nbsp;  She took his hand. “If that can happen, then let’s do it!” Anthony then asked her slowly “And where is your favorite place for a honeymoon?” Kristen gleefully said “Bora, Bora!”

   Anthony smiled broadly and reached over to hug her. “That’s what I thought you would say. That’s my dream place too. I have never been there. We’re going. I booked it!” Kristen cooed “Going to Bora Bora in the spring is the best time to do it. It’s all perfect!”

   They decided to get married early in April, two weeks after Easter. Season would still be happening on their wedding day and many of their guests, which were mainly his friends and associates, would still be in the area. Kristen said “Wow, I need to start calling my girlfriends tonight. Hope they can all make it!”

   They enjoyed the rest of their dinner. Kristen kept holding up her ring and admiring it. After they finished their dessert, they jumped into her Ferrari and took off for the ocean. Anthony and Kristen held hands walking down the sidewalk along Ocean Drive. Kristen wanted to walk in the sand, but didn’t want it ruining her new car, so she changed her mind.

   As they walked, they talked about having kids. They both wanted them right away. Anthony said “Christ, we aren't getting any younger! Let’s start making