Ben turns. “I’m guessing you are not on his either.” He smiles.
Joshua laughs out loud again as I fake a smile and narrow my eyes. “You two are hilarious,” I mutter under my breath. We turn the corner into the street with the beautiful trees and arrive at Joshua’s space-age palace gates. I can feel my nerves rise. It’s been a long time since I have been here, and I wonder if anything has changed. We make our way up the circular driveway toward the huge dark charcoal rendered palace. Fuck. I had forgotten how impeccable this place is, although I do have to admit that after being at beautiful Kamala for the last week I am more prepared for this opulence than the first time I was here. The car pulls up and the girls’ car is in front of us parked near the front doors and Adrian and two of the guards are taking luggage out of the trunk. The girls are waiting for me and have their best we-fucking-hate-you looks on their faces. I giggle when I see them and jump out of the car.
They rush me as Joshua gets out of the other side of the car.
“This is bullshit,” Abbie whispers as she links her arm with mine.
I nod and smile. “I know, right,” I reply.
Bridget takes my other arm in hers and we start to walk over to the front steps. “It’s like James Bond shit,” Bridget whispers and we giggle. We turn and Ben walks past us with the bags into the house. He and Bridget exchange looks but he just glares at her.
“He’s a cock,” Abbie whispers as he goes inside. Bridget drops her head in sadness and I whisper: “I got goss on that later.”
Her eyes shoot up to me. “Tell me now,” she demands.
I shake my head as Joshua approaches. “Ready?” He smiles and I melt-for you, my love, I will always be ready. He takes my hand and we walk through the beautiful double doors into the house with the girls following us. The walls of the huge foyer are all white and the floors are dark polished concrete. A huge bright abstract painting hangs on the wall and a large pendant light hangs in the space.
“Joshua,” Bridget whispers through her shock as her eyes look around the room.
“It’s just a house Didge,” Joshua replies nonchalantly and as we turn the corner we see Ben deep in conversation with Birgetta who looks over, catches my eye and smiles broadly.
“Excuse me,” she says to Ben and then she comes over and gives me a huge cuddle. “Darling, you have come back.” She holds me at arm’s length to look at me and smiles again and then she grabs Joshua into an embrace.
“Birgetta, I have news. I am getting married,” Joshua says gently to her.
“Ah,” she cries. “Oh my boy.” She grabs me again and spins me around and then she hits Joshua in the chest as she tears up and shakes her head.
“You will be the death of me, son. Sick with worry I have been over you.”
She then laughs out loud and shakes her head. My eyes wander over to the girls who are standing still watching the interaction.
Ben walks over. “Um, Stan, the police are on their way.”
Joshua frowns. “What for?”
“Mike hasn’t turned up for work for three days and Birgetta can’t contact him.”
Joshua rolls his eyes. “Has anything been taken?” He sighs.
“I’m not sure, but he worked his last shift here on his own,” Birgetta replies. “So I thought I had better call the police just in case.”
Ben shakes his head. “It will be all good; he has probably just broken up with his girlfriend and done a runner.”
I turn to look at the girls who are listening intently to the conversation. Joshua frowns and turns to Adrian. “Murph, can you show the girls up to their rooms in the west wing. I just want to look around a bit.”
“Sure thing,” he replies and gestures to the girls to the sweeping split staircase and they exchange looks and giggle like schoolgirls. Can’t they even pretend to be cool?
I grab Joshua’s hand gently to show my support. “I won’t be long, presh. Make yourself at home.” He gently kisses my lips and then disappears with Ben down one of the hallways toward his office. I turn and see Max standing awkwardly at the door.
“Hi Max.”
“Hey Tash.” He smiles warmly. “What’s going on?” he asks as his eyes follow the boys up the hall.
I shrug. “Not sure. Someone didn’t turn up for a guard shift or something and they are checking that nothing has been stolen.”
He frowns. “Who?”
I screw up my face. “Matt?” I shake my head as I try to remember the name. “I think it was Matt.”
He nods as he thinks.
“Can you and Joshua try to get along for my sake?” I ask. I know he wants go up and see what’s going on.
“Natasha, I have apologised to Joshua numerous times and he has made it clear that if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here.” He sighs.
I narrow my eyes. “I’m going to talk to him; this is ridiculous.”
He shrugs. “It’s ok. Don’t worry about it. I would rather guard you than him anyway.”
“It’s uncomfortable for me, Max, having a boyfriend and a guard that despise each other. It’s damn uncomfortable.” I shake my head. “You have no idea how it makes me feel.”
He smiles as he gently puts his arm around my shoulders as we walk into the kitchen.
He smiles. “It will be fine, worrywart. It will eventually sort itself out.”
“Get your fucking hands off her!” Joshua snaps from the other side of the kitchen where he stands with Ben.
Max’s hand immediately drops from my shoulder. “Joshua,” I stammer, embarrassed.
Joshua stands furious before us. “Let me make myself clear, Max. You do not fucking touch her. Got that!”
Ben winces from his position behind Joshua and pinches the bridge of his nose with his other hand on his hip.
Max stands defiantly before him. “Yes,” he replies sarcastically.
“Joshua, Max and I are friends… that’s all,” I whisper horrified. How in the hell can he be jealous of Max?
“No, Natasha. Max is your guard.” His angry eyes flick to Max. “And I don’t trust him,” he sneers.
Max shakes his head angrily. “I’m not putting up with this shit,” he snaps. “I’m out. I quit!” He then storms from the room. My horrified eyes meet Ben’s and he shakes his head in frustration.
“Stan, calm down,” Ben sighs.
“No. Fuck off. I will not have him pawing my fucking girlfriend. He’s lucky I didn’t sit him on his ass,” Joshua snaps angrily.