THE DATE PREPARATION ritual was underway. First, the long bath in lavender scented salt beads, with the same scented candles and her favorite CD, Moods by Will Downing. It was time to make the tension of the day disappear. Stepping into the luxury bathtub, Cynthia picked up her sponge. She placed her head against her bath pillow and submerged into the soothing comfort of the water. She closed her eyes when her favorite song of all time began to play, Inseparable. A small smile creased her face. LaVere’ was slowly slipping under her skin.
This was going to be her first real date with LaVere’ and she wanted him to definitely remember this night. Feeling guilty about leaving her brother even for this one night after he had come home just to be with her, she asked Brian to take him out with the guys and make sure he had a good time. Before leaving, Blake told her a package had arrived for her and he placed it on her bed. At the time she didn’t think much of it. Packages for events were always delivered to her home if the office was closed. Since it was a Saturday, she simply assumed it was for TNT. However, when she entered her room the elegantly wrapped box was not from UPS as she had assumed. She opened the box and inside there was a beautiful indigo evening gown. She read the card on top. “My dream for tomorrow is you, LaVere’.” She picked up the gown and was stunned by the silky feel of the material. She hesitated for a moment, and then touched the cloth to her face. Anyone that knows Cynthia knows, she does not allow anyone or anything to touch her face. The material was soft and smooth. She removed the gown from her face and smiled. “I’m going to make you look fabulous.”
After thirty minutes of relaxation, Cynthia emerged refreshed and looking forward to seeing LaVere’. In the week she has known him, he has treated her the way she always wanted to be treated, like a queen. In addition, he believes she has something to contribute to this world and that alone inspires her. After placing lotion on her body she slipped the gown over her head. The feel against her skin was glorious. The reflection looking back at her was magnificent. The color against her skin tone was a match made in heaven. And that is exactly what she felt like in the dress, heavenly. The doorbell interrupted her assessment. She took one last look and went downstairs to answer the door.
Standing in the doorway was a man that was definitely comfortable with whom he was. There was a sense of power surrounding him. LaVere’ stood there in a, suit tailor-made for his body only, that probably cost more than any combination of items she had in her closet. If he was trying to impress her, he succeeded. “Please come in,” she said stepping aside.
He kissed her gently on the lips and walked by as she closed the door. “The gown was made for you.”
Turning to give him a full view, “It is wonderful. Thank you LaVere’,” she hugged him.
He stepped back and looked her up and down. The look on his face was not quite what she expected. She knew the gown was on point. She reached up to touch her hair, self-consciously and that made her angry. The only person that was allowed to make her feel self-conscious about herself was Sophia, her mother. Placing her hands on her hips she stood a little straighter, “Is there a problem?” she asked raising an eyebrow.
He shook his head, “Not exactly a problem, but something is not quite right.” He took her hand and guided her to the mirror. “Look for yourself,” he said as he stood behind her looking into the mirror.
Cynthia looked at the reflection in the mirror. “I have no idea what you are referring to. I look damn good.” She said placing her hands on her hips.
LaVere’ smiled as he brought his hands around her neck and placed a sapphire and diamond choker there. “Now,” he smiled, “Now, you are exquisite.”
The necklace and the matching teardrop earrings that he placed in her hands had her speechless. She knew jewelry as well as she knew clothes and what she was holding in her hand had to be close to a million dollars in gems. Then she heard herself say something that she could not believe, “I can’t accept these.” She held the earrings to her heart. “They are beautiful, but too much, LaVere’.”
He closed her hand around the earrings. “This is something you are going to have to get used to. This is just the beginning of our journey, Cynthia.” He kissed her sensuously as he wrapped his arms around her waist bringing her closer to him. She put her arms around his neck and relaxed into the kiss. Slowly he pulled away and looked into her eyes, “I think we better go.”
Cynthia grabbed her purse and they headed out the door. Edmund spoke as he opened the car door, “Good evening Ms. Thornton.”
“Good evening,” she smiled and turned to LaVere’.
“Edmond,” he replied to her unspoken question.
“Good evening Edmond.”
LaVere’ and Edmond exchanged a brief nod. Once everyone was settled Edmond drove to the airport. Getting out of the late model sedan Cynthia saw that the plane appeared to be ready for takeoff. She turned to LaVere’. “I know you indicated we were going to dinner. Exactly where is the restaurant located?”
His lips curved slightly, “That remains to be seen. I promise you will be home in time for church tomorrow.” He placed his hand in the small of her back and guided her toward the plane. The inside of the plane was regal, with leather seats to accommodate eight. There were four sections with two seats in each, facing each other with a table in-between. The pilot and flight attendant greeted LaVere’ in a manner that let her know they were very familiar with each other. LaVere’ turned and introduced her to them and then they disappeared.
“Let’s get you strapped in for safety,” he smiled as he gestured towards the seats.
Cynthia took a seat trying very hard not to appear overwhelmed, but she was. Her brother had a private jet, but not like this. Yes, this was the life she wanted. She had to admit LaVere’ was certainly making an impression on her.
“Are you trying to woo me, LaVere’?” she asked as he took his seat.
After he placed his seat belt on he looked up at her. “Is it working?”
Nervously, she crossed her legs at the knee and attempted to not reveal just how impressed she was and smiled. “Let’s see what the remainder of the evening brings.”
It was impossible not to notice the legs on the woman. LaVere’ scanned her closely, from the French manicured toes to the upswing style of her hair. It was going to be a pleasure making love to her, he thought to himself. There was nothing undesirable about her and he was sure the same spirit she displayed in conversation will be tenfold in bed. He had made a good choice; she was beautiful, spirited, and majestic. “I am going to enjoy having you as my wife,” he stated with a smile.
She smiled, “A bit presumptuous, aren’t we? I don’t recall agreeing to marry you.”
As the plane took off he settled back into the seat and smiled, “That’s just logistics you have to go through. I am at the finish line, you should join me.”
“If I join you there now, it would take all the fun out of you trying to seduce me.” She looked around and smiled. “I’ll work through the logistics for the time being.”
He laughed, “I’m sure you will.”
The plane landed about an hour later in New York where they received the royal treatment. There was a driver waiting for them at the terminal. Edmond joined him in the front seat of the vehicle, while they sat in the back and another vehicle followed closely behind. The first stop was the theater where they were ushered to their seats with Edmond clearing the way. Apparently, LaVere’ arrival was expected as additional security stood near the entrance of the box seats. Looking around Cynthia noticed there were other seats in the section; however no one was sitting in them. When she asked LaVere’ about it, he stated the section was used for dignitaries. Settling back into her seat she smiled, “I think I could like this life.”
He turned to her and kissed her on the cheek. “I know you can.”
After the theater, they had dinner at a restaurant that seemed to sit in the sky of the city. The table was located in a private dining glass-enclosed room. The view of the city was magnificent from where they sat. Cynthia remembered Ashley and her sister-in-law Nicole talking about the city and how glamorous it could be. Whenever he was filming in New York, Blake would tell her about the nightlife that he loved so much. But this was the first time she had ever been there and the virgin trip was worth the wait. She sighed as she feasted on the lobster tail appetizer; her family had experienced so much without her. It was as if she really did not exist to her parents.
At one moment LaVere’ was getting the reaction to the evening he wanted, then for a fleeting moment, it vanished. “Is everything okay?” he asked curiously.
Clearing her mind of the thought, she smiled, “Everything is wonderful.” And that quick the sadness disappeared. At this point in her life, she was very experienced in masking her true feelings.
As promised she was back home in time to go to church the next morning. Before LaVere’ left her doorstep, she had to tell him what a wonderful time she had. She attempted to give the necklace and earrings back because she assumed they were on loan to him. He gave a playful look of being offended and told her, “The set would never look the same on anyone else. Whether we marry or not, they were purchased exclusively for you. They are yours to keep.” He kissed her good night and walked away.
After taking her shower and changing into her nightclothes Cynthia picked up the necklace and fell asleep with it clutched to her heart. A few hours later she was awakened with a shock. The face that looked back at her in the short dream was not LaVere’s, but the man with no name, and it wasn’t the first time. The face was not recognizable, but the voice certainly was. It was the same voice from the hospital. She franticly searched the bed and found the necklace tangled in the sheets. “Why in the hell do you keep creeping into my dreams?” she sat on her bed in wonder.
* * *
Samuel watched as the plane took off. His contacts were able to tell him where the destination was and he made arrangements to have someone keep a watchful eye on Cynthia while she was in New York. The fact that she was with Prince Ashro helped for he had a security detail of six traveling with him. Looking at the woman, he could not help but notice she was beautiful. She actually looked like a princess in that gown. Seeing her with the Prince was like being on the outside looking in. The lifestyle of the rich and famous was not something he could compete with.
The odd feeling of jealousy he was experiencing wasn’t important. Figuring out why and who wanted her dead was. With that in mind, he thought back to the meeting he had earlier in the day with Brian. There wasn’t much to go on, but it was evident someone had tampered with the brakes on her car and there may be another attempt. Samuel sighed—the thought of someone causing her harm pissed him off. Get a grip man, she is about the money and you don’t need that in your life. Just do the job at hand and move on. Resigned to what he had to do, Samuel drove home to get some rest until her return. Little did he know it would be the last good night's sleep he would have for a while.