I nod nervously. “What about the girls?” I ask.
“They will be in front with Adrian, Cam and a guard,” Max replies. “Ben and I will be with you and Joshua.”
My eyes flick to Ben as the other three guards start to get the luggage and exit with it on trolleys.
“Aren’t we going with them?” Bridget asks.
“No, they will load the cars before we exit this room,” Ben replies in a cool tone.
Bridget, Abbie and I exchange looks-frigging bizarre. “This is overkill. We are not Beyoncé you know.” I frown.
Ben smiles and Joshua grabs my hand affectionately and starts to twist my engagement ring. “I don’t know. You look pretty bootylicious to me.” He smirks
My face drops. “That’s what Gran used to call me,” I murmur sadly. Joshua hangs his head and he kisses me gently. “I know presh,” he whispers as he smiles gently. “I remember.”
I frown. How would he remember? Oh that’s right, my diaries. I shake my head. Is there anything he doesn’t bloody know? The guards return from taking the bags out to the car and Ben once again starts shooting orders around. “Peter, I want you next to Bridget please.” Peter nods and moves around next to Bridget and she and I exchange looks. Adrian sighs, throws his head back and closes his eyes, obviously very sick of this routine. Cameron and Adrian then start to exit the doors with Abbie and Bridget behind them. The other guard walks next to Bridget on her left as requested, and then it is just the four of us. I remember the last time I was at this airport how oblivious I was to all of this. Adrian and I just walked through but now I know Joshua was trying to protect me and we had hardly any luggage that time.
“Let’s go, sweetheart,” Joshua says gently and my heart drops. I know he only calls me that when he feels sorry for me. He takes my hand and we exit slowly and then I see it-a huge crowd of photographers behind the glass wall rushing towards us. Ben is in front slightly, holding his arms out so that we can keep walking and Max is directly next to me.
“Mrs Stanton,” they yell.
“Did you have a nice holiday Joshua?” another yells.
Joshua quickens his pace and I struggle to keep up in these ridiculous matching shoes. Mental note, wear runners next time.
“Are you staying in LA permanently, Natasha?” another man yells.
What the hell! I hate that they know my name. We continue to walk quickly through the airport with these idiots clamouring around us. Joshua, with his head down, keeps walking with my hand in his but I can’t help but notice all of the people around us looking at the commotion. At one point Max puts his hand on my elbow to remind me to keep my head down. This really is ludicrous. Why in the hell are they interested in us? We get to the doors where I see a large black SUV with tinted windows waiting for us. The driver opens the door and I climb in with Joshua behind me. Max gets into a car behind us and Ben gets into the front seat and slams the door in a rush. My heart is racing and Joshua runs his hands through his hair in frustration.
Ben turns in his seat and smiles broadly at me. “Welcome to your new life in LA, Tash.”
The car trip from the airport to Joshua’s house is uncomfortable to say the least. My hand is in his on his lap but he is silent and pensive as he stares out the window. It is late afternoon and rain is sprinkling in a depressing way, like the mood in this car. Our moment of intimacy when Joshua saw my outfit has disappeared and with it so has my optimism. What is he thinking about? My heart is aching for my beautiful man. Neither of us know what’s going on but one thing is strikingly clear: his mother has lied to him. Deceived both him and Cameron. Which one of the boys is a Stanton? I want to comfort him and tell him it’s a big mistake and that maybe he is adopted. Or maybe that his parents used donor sperm or something due to fertility problems, but we would both know deep down that it isn’t true. The fact that she had this conversation in the past with me cements that information. I am still unsure whether I have done the right thing or whether I should have just let them work it out for themselves. It would have come out eventually; the truth always comes out. Ben turns to look at Joshua and narrows his eyes as he thinks. He knows something is going on but obviously hasn’t been told what. I’m going to try to change the subject.
“Ben, do you care for Bridget?” I ask. Stuff it, I need a distraction and at least I will have some answers for Didge.
“Why do you say that?” he replies calmly in his beautiful South African accent as his eyes stay on the road.
I shrug. “Because she cares for you and I just wondered.” The driver’s eyes flick to me in the rear-view mirror.
Joshua smiles broadly and punches Ben in the back of the shoulder over the seat. “I told you.” He smirks.
I smile at Joshua. “Told him what?” I frown.
“That Didge is into him.” He smirks.
Ben drops his head. “I do care for Bridget,” he replies.
“So?” I frown.
He pauses as he thinks of an appropriate answer. “So I will be returning to Johannesburg eventually and…” He pauses again.
“And what?” I ask.
“Natasha, Bridget isn’t the type of girl who would be easy to leave.”
I smile. Oh wow, Ben really, really likes Bridget. I have big news for my beloved sister.
“Don’t listen to Cameron, you fuckwit,” Joshua sighs. The driver has a snicker to himself.
I frown at Joshua. “What does Cameron say?” I ask.
“He has warned Ben off Bridget for months, carries on like a big girl.” Joshua tutts.
“I don’t listen to Cameron,” Ben snaps. “But he has a point.”
I frown again. “What’s the point?” I ask.
Ben thinks about his answer again. “That your mother has already lost one daughter to overseas and she is not losing another one.”
My heart drops. Oh, Cameron is thinking of my mum. I don’t know whether to punch him or kiss him.
“Oh,” I whisper, shocked. “I wouldn’t worry. I don’t think Bridget is thinking of marriage and babies anytime soon Ben.,” I reply.
He nods and keeps looking straight ahead.
“You should just go for it,” Joshua asserts.
Ben shakes his head sadly. “No, I’m not starting something. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Joshua sits up in his seat. “Did something happen?” he asks.
Ben keeps his eyes on the road. “No,” he replies in monotone. I smile broadly and nod my head at Joshua and he smirks and narrows his eyes at the back of Ben’s head. We continue up the road until we get to the large sandstone gates with the guard. It’s so weird having a gated community. I smile at Joshua who is watching me intently.
“What?” I frown as I gently grab his hand in mine.
He smiles again and shakes his head as if amused about something.
I smile. “What?’ I ask again.
“I was just wondering if Carson is going to be waiting at my house when we get there.”
My face falls. “Are you serious?” I gasp.
He laughs and shakes his head. “No,” he replies.
Ben chuckles from the front seat. “Not funny, Joshua,” I huff. “That man is not on my list of favourite people.”