New Encounters (12 page)

His note makes me smile and I get ready straight away. I jump up out of bed excitedly.  I don’t like being away from him a minute longer than I have to. This is not a good sign. I have to admit to myself that I am 100% smitten. But what the hell.... it seems he is too. I pull on some smart chinos and a blouse and make my way downstairs. I peek around the restaurant where they have served us breakfast but there is no sign of Robert. He must be still outside on the phone, the workaholic.

I walk outside on the gravelled entrance and I can just make him out near the loch and I am right... he is still on the phone. I decide to be a bit mischievous and creep up on him and shock him off his phone call. I tiptoe along to the grass and hide behind the trees, one tree at a time. I am trying not to burst out laughing and find that I have to physically put a hand over my mouth to stop it. He has his back to me and like a cat I run and pounce I hear his words

‘Finish it.’

At that moment my hand is right near his bum and I nip it. He swings round within a nanosecond and looks shocked and angry. So I stand there feeling a bit stupid.

‘I have to go.’ With that he ends the call.
‘Bella, what are you playing at’. He bellows at me.

‘Oh for god sake I was just playing Robert.’

His face softens a bit. ‘How long were you there?’

‘Not long... I just ran up behind you.’

His face relaxes a little bit more. ‘Okay’

‘Why? What’s the big secret? I was only playing with you. ‘

‘No secret Bella, sorry you just caught me off guard.’

‘I’m sorry Robert, I didn’t mean to shock you’

With that we have our arms around each other and our lips meet. I hope that we have few arguments, and if there are any that they are as short lived as this one and end in the same way.

‘Lets get some breakfast and then pack up, we leave today’.

I nod and pull a face. I don’t want to leave. I wish we could stay here for a very long time. It’s been perfect. Well.... perfect apart from last night’s shenanigans. It reminds me that I need to ask him more about these bodyguards. But I don’t think over breakfast is the right time. We eat our breakfast and pack our things upstairs.

Checking out of the hotel was relatively quick as he motioned to David to settle the bill on his behalf. We climb into the car and after half an hour I think this may be the right moment.

‘Robert, you know you said you have bodyguards?’

His response is more of an irritated groan. ‘Bella, what’s the big deal? Don’t worry about it.’

‘Well I will address both of your points Robert. I am sorry to ask, but the big deal is I have never met anyone who has had the need for one bodyguard....never mind a team of them. Your ‘don’t worry about it’... is easier said than done. The man that I am with has to have the need for them.’

‘I’m sorry Bella. It’s just very normal for me. In my line of business, we deal with big amounts of money. When you have money like that, you get enemies. But this has been the case for many years. So really it is okay.’

‘They really have to go away with you on a romantic break?’

‘Yes, they really do.’

I go silent for a few minutes digesting what he said. ‘Robert, when you said they have to look after me, what did you mean?’

‘You are with me now Bella. You are not to be in harms way, ever. So they will look after you to.’

‘When I am with you?’

‘No, at all times you will have a team of bodyguards.’

‘That’s ridiculous and unnecessary’

‘Bella, this is not a moot point. You can stamp your feet all you want, but I need to know you are safe.’

‘I’m not stamping my feet, but Jesus, I just find it extreme’

‘Bella.... stop this. Its not extreme. You will not even notice they are there.’

I shake my head and turn to look at the scenery flying past the window. The beautiful rolling hills, the clouds moving so quickly with the sun playing hide and seek with them.

Robert pulls in at the next petrol station so that we can get a coffee. A much needed coffee as it strikes me that I have a dull head. Mind you, last night was rather action packed and fuelled with alcohol. Sod it, I am going to get some painkillers. There’s no point in suffering. I can see Robert is amused at my shopping. Coffee. painkillers... chocolate... crisps.
‘Well... I need to help my head’

He just laughs even more and we are off again on the never ending journey home. Why is it that when you go away, the journey is fine but the return journey feels like double the time. Robert managed to find a nice little cafe for lunch and I devour my carbs. Stuff the diet, I need all the help I can get today. I feel shattered which is ridiculous.

As we pull up to my house, I tell Robert that I don’t want our weekend to end.
‘Ahhh Bella.... everyday is soon to be like that weekend. Don’t forget to hand in your notice at work.’

‘Oh gosh. I keep forgetting about that.’

‘Well I shall remind you tomorrow morning.’

‘I’m sure you will control freak’

He pulls a hurt face so I lean over and kiss him, which soon turns his frown upside down.  Robert opens my car door and then grabs my bags and suitcase. I get the keys out and go ahead to open the door. As I step in, it looked really messy. To my horror I realise that someone has been in the house.

‘Oh my god.’ I rush through to the lounge. The books are on the floor, along with the cushions off the sofa. The TV is still there though.

‘Bella. wait for me.’ Robert is catching up with me and has thrown my bags and suitcase. He runs around and checks everything. As I walk around my once safe house, the place has been turned upside down.

‘I will phone the police’

‘There is no point Bella, it doesn’t look like they have taken anything. ‘

‘Yeah but someone has broken in. I have to report it. Oh my god where is Ash?’

Roberts face turns, I can see the look in his eyes. I am shaking as I get my mobile out of my handbag and dial her number.

‘Pick up Ash.... pick up.’ She does, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

‘Ash, are you ok?’

‘I’m fine sweetie, are you? You sound anxious’

‘Anxious isn’t even the word for it. I have just got home now with Robert. Someone has broken in. It doesn’t look like they have taken anything, but there is stuff everywhere.’

‘Oh no. I stayed at Emma’s last night. Let me get my stuff together and I will be right over.’

‘Okay hun, see you in a bit’

I hang up and Robert looks relieved.

‘Oh Robert, you look as relieved as I am. Bless you’. I wrap my arms around him. ‘At least they haven’t taken anything. They must have been disturbed.’

‘Yeah... must have been’

‘You don’t sound convinced.’

‘I am... sorry. I just can’t believe this has happened’

I call the police much to Roberts’s protests not to. Ash is home before the police manage to arrive.

‘But how did they get in? There is no sign of the door being broken into?’

‘God knows Ash, you hear about these criminals having all sorts of ways of getting in now. You just never know I guess’ I look at Robert as I finish this sentence and he looks tense.

‘you ok?’

‘No not really. What if you were here on your own Bella?’

‘Well I wasn’t. There is no point in thinking like that.’

‘Ahhh... my Bella. You are so strong’

‘I am just trying to keep calm about the whole thing. At least they haven’t taken anything.’

The police spent half an hour taking our statements, they said that if there was are no witnesses or things taken there was not much they could do. But we should change the locks and be vigilant. All in all... dead helpful. Robert has his ‘staff’ here within minutes after the police have left. Its like he belongs in the A team or something. They have replaced the doors and window locks.

‘Well Robert... I thought it was like fort knox before but wow.... You really have gone all out’ I can’t stifle my laughter anymore. But Robert is not amused.

‘This is no laughing matter Bella. You must both be safe at all times.’

‘It was just some chancer. Fancied their chances on breaking in and stealing stuff before they were disturbed.’

Robert nods and walks into the kitchen taking the cups. I can hear Ash talking to him, so I edge to the door.

‘Robert... you don’t think it was a chancer do you?’

‘What do you mean Ash?’

‘I can see it on your face. You’re really concerned.’

‘I don’t know Ash, Bella is probably right. But please I beg you. You must both be careful. There are some weirdo’s out there and you are two women living in this house. For me....  please.’

‘Oh don’t you worry Robert.... Bella and I are like two ninjas.’ Ash starts laughing, but Robert is silent.

‘Robert... stop worrying we will be fine. Hell you just made this place like maximum security. So thank you. I appreciate it and I know Bella does.’

‘Okay. Well here is my number. If you ever need help, please don’t hesitate.’

‘Thanks Robert. I will.’

‘In the habit of passing your number to all my friends Robert.’ I tease him, but wow he looks stressed and does not take the joke very well.
‘No... no of course I don’t.’ Deadpan serious is what I call this answer.
‘I’m joking Robert.’

‘Okay... sorry. Darling I have to leave you. I have a meeting tomorrow, but I will cancel it now.’

‘You will do no such thing Robert. Go! I will be furious if you don’t’

‘No Bella.’

‘Robert, so help me god, just go. I really will be fine. You can’t be with me 24/7’

‘I will be if I can help it.’ I shut him up with a kiss but have to literally push him out of the door.

‘Thanks for helping tidy the place up and for making the house secure. I will speak to you tomorrow. Oh and thanks for the weekend, it was ..... well it was amazing. Oh and thank you for the urmmm... the 2 million quid.’ He laughs at this, and Ash... well Ash chokes in the kitchen as she has clearly heard that statement. As I shut the door Ash runs through to the hall...

‘Two million quid! My god you must be fucking amazing in bed’. We both kill ourselves laughing, tears streaming down my cheeks.
‘Clearly I am.... Pretty woman... move over.’ I strut off and Ash is holding onto the banister to support herself.

‘Oh I’m gonna wee myself. 2 minutes.’ She runs off. What is she like. We carry on tidying up and then open some wine. I fill Ash in on my dirty weekend and she sits there as giddy as I am. I reassure her that the money only means I can leave work. It doesn’t change our arrangement, to which she says she is relieved. I did explain that I may be away for a while.
‘Right missus, I am going to go for a shower and then bed.’ I give Ash a kiss on the cheek and head for the bathroom. I realise now how tired I am, and am literally a few minutes in the shower. As I climb into bed I look at my mobile and there is an email.

----------------------------------------------------------------

To: Bella Stone

From: Robert Costa

Subject: Are you ok?

Hey baby. Are you ok? I am regretting leaving you there now. I am missing you already. I am so sorry that this has happened to you. First the fight in the bar in Scotland, and now this break in at your house.

X

--------------------------------------------------------------

To: Robert Costa

From: Bella Stone

Subject: Stop worrying

Hey Robert. I am fine. Stop worrying, I am made of stern stuff... trust me. It has been a very odd few days. I mean, you have given me 2 million quid, the brawl in the bar and then your bodyguards (I have yet to digest this information and I still don’t quite get why you need a mini army.) Then the break in on the house which has come as a shock. I have had an exhausting time. I have just got to bed now.

X

p.s I miss you too x

---------------------------------------------------------

To: Bella Stone

From: Robert Costa

Subject: mini army??

Bella... it’s hardly an army. Just a few minders, you really don’t need to digest anything. If you have gone to bed, is Ash putting on the alarm? 

X

------------------------------------------------------------

To: Robert Costa

From: Bella Stone

Subject: Alarm? What alarm?

hahaha... stop it. I am surprised you have not had an alarm built in so that you can do via remote control from wherever you go. Ash will put on the alarm. X