Unexpected Guest - (Behind Closed Doors 3)

Chapter One

Inconspicuously, a silver Cadillac Eldorado glided by and stopped just ahead of the reception hall. The windows were tinted a smoky grey, with twenty-two-inch Asanti rims, each valued at the cost of a one-carat diamond ring. The woman in the back seat handed a pair of binoculars to the man sitting next to her. She then ordered the driver to let down the man’s window – just enough so that it would not draw attention to them.

I thought you would be interested in seeing this, Ms. V said. Think of it as your fifteen minutes on the outside for good behavior.

Gregory lifted the binoculars to his weary eyes and zoomed in on the small gathering that was huddled in a lively conversation. His gaze suddenly became intense when it landed on Asia, Candi and then Izaiah. He wished he could reach out to them to tell them how sorry he was for the havoc he’d caused. But it was not until he saw Dana that his heart sank with a heaviness that almost caused him to scream out. His last view of her had been when she was being rushed to the hospital in a semi-conscious state. He’d wondered all this time if she’d made it out of that hospital alive.

She looked refreshed and younger, somehow, even though she was now fifty-two years old. Her waistline was still trim and those Casadei heels she wore always made her nicely-formed legs stand out. Gregory couldn’t look any longer without experiencing an intense feeling of regret. 

One of your daughters got married today, Ms. V said, allowing a small smile to toy with her lips. Guess which one.

Gregory didn’t respond, mostly because he was struggling to collect his composure.

I’ll give you a clue, Ms. V sneered. The groom is from St. Elmo’s Valley and as far as I’m concerned, he is a renegade whose judgment is still pending. Because of him our operations in Bliss Haven have been completely destroyed by the police.

Gregory let the binoculars slip out of his hand to the floor of the car. Part of him was relieved that Dallis had found happiness with Anwar, but the other part of him was terrified that the organization would retaliate. Gregory had offered his life as a sacrifice in exchange for the organization’s promise to leave his family alone, but Viola decided to let him live, just so that she could torture him at will.

Why did you bring me here, Viola? he said in a biting tone. I would have rather been killed than to be put through this anguish.

I thought you would want to see that your family is getting on fine without you. She harrumphed. You are so ungrateful. Remind me never to bring you out again. You complain too bloody much. Driver...get us out of here before someone sees us.

Gregory had told himself a thousand times that this was the choice he had made when he signed on the dotted line over twenty years ago. He became the property of the House of gods. It cost him everything. For the last three years, he had been confined to a home in New Mexico, agonizing over what he had given up in Bliss Haven. Two questions pestered Gregory’s mind as the Cadillac accelerated into the slow-moving traffic: Was it too late to get his freedom back? And would he ever see his family again?

Only time would tell, because Gregory did not plan on living the rest of his life taking orders from the witch sitting next to him. He allowed his head to connect with the back of the seat and let the warm tears roll down his jaws. Though Frank Dubbin’s words had once vexed his spirit, they now provided a sense of comfort to his wounded soul:

Sin is like poison candy…flee its evil desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.

****

Ahead, traffic congestion had formed, which was the result of work being done on the roads. Dallis leaned onto Anwar’s chest as the Rolls Royce slowly maneuvered around the cautionary signs. The newly wedded couple were on their way to the airport to begin their honeymoon in Orlando, Florida. The couple seemed lost in thought, but a more accurate description would reveal that they were reminiscing about the last three years of their lives and how they’d made it through tumultuous situations – just to live out their dream of being married.

Beneath the serene expressions, there remained a flow of unsettling emotions. The fears of the unknown, and the coming together of their backgrounds, at times, seemed to be at odds. And the heaviest challenge of them all – the sudden disappearance of Dallis’ father and their vastly different perspectives on it, were contributing factors to the couple’s fight to survive in their love for each other.

For example, while Dallis ached to see her father again, Anwar wouldn’t be heartbroken if he didn’t. The man had almost destroyed his life – like he’d done to dozens of other young men in his zeal to please the perversions of a secret sect. And though Anwar admitted that it had been his choice to enter into a bargain with the devil, Gregory had been the one to stimulate Anwar’s lust for power, wealth and fame – beyond the innocent levels of what Anwar was already experiencing. He detested that this mess dared to cross his mind on his wedding day.

This seems so surreal, Dallis sighed, simultaneously destroying the silence between her and Anwar.

What does?

You and me – being married. I can’t believe we did it.

Anwar gently stroked his wife’s arm in a circular motion. He replied, No other woman would have been right for me. You were there at my lowest point; saw me at my ugliest, but you refused to turn up your nose and leave. He chuckled, bringing alive the mischief in his hazel eyes. You were even willing to go to prison for me. How could I not commit myself to such displays of support?

Dallis lifted her head away from Anwar’s chest and gave him a frown. So, you married me because you felt you owed me something?

I will always feel indebted to you. You changed my life, but that is not the only reason why I married you. Anwar pressed his lips against Dallis’, savoring the warmth he felt on contact. I love you so much until it hurts and I know it will be impossible to live my life without you. How could I not fall in love with you, Mrs. Dallis Daxon, when you’ve made it so easy for me? He kissed her again. Everything about you, I love.

Everything?

"Yes…everything. Your cute little habits and those imperfections you see in yourself. I love it all because it’s what makes you you."

Dallis grinned. You won’t be saying those things after you’ve been married to me for ten years.

I assure you I will, my beautiful bride.

Traffic on the island of Bliss Haven was rarely backed up. But there were quite a few enhancements being made to the existing infrastructure, with the airport undergoing its largest upgrade to date. The increase in car ownership had forced the government to widen the traffic lanes to accommodate the commanding growth. Anwar casually scanned the cautionary signs as the Rolls Royce slowly rode past them: Men at Work: Slow 300ft, Lane Closed Ahead. All the while, he felt his cell phone vibrating against his waist. He chose to ignore it, because his instincts told him that it was another one of those anonymous texts, trying to bully him into leaving Dallis.

During that same moment, Dallis noticed a Cadillac Eldorado inching slowly in the lane next to them. A work of art, showing off its immaculate paint job, greyish tints and twenty-two-inch rims, which sparkled like diamonds in the right light. Although her affluent background had exposed her to such materialism, Dallis couldn’t help but offer a comment.

That’s a good looking car, isn’t it? Nice rims.

Anwar followed his wife’s gaze, only to feel a pinch of jealousy pricking at his heart. It was a sharp reminder of the impoverished upbringing he’d left behind in St. Elmo’s Valley. Dallis did not pressure him to supply her with nice things, but he felt it nonetheless.

It is a beauty, he simply said and then turned his attention back to his thoughts.

Dallis was also about to settle back into her thoughts when she saw the back window of the Cadillac Eldorado ease down to the halfway mark. Her curiosity made her keep her eyes staring in that direction. As quickly as the window had eased down, it eased up. But within that brief second it took to go all the way up, Dallis was struck with an image that would haunt her all the way to Orlando. She subconsciously tightened her grip on Anwar’s arm, looking as if she had seen Freddy Krueger bolt across the Rolls Royce.

What is it, Dallis? Anwar inquired.

Please, don’t think I’ve lost my mind, but I think I have just seen my father’s face.

Chapter Two

I could kill you for that! Ms. V screamed at Gregory. How could you be so stupid?

I don’t care what you do to me! Gregory retorted hotly. Without my family, I am already a dead man.

You chose this life, moron!

No, Viola. I chose to die. But you have kept me alive for these three years to torture me.

I will do more than that if you don’t get rid of that defiant streak! Ms. V’s nostrils had not ceased from flaring. She was so livid with Gregory that she had to restrain herself from using her Beretta to put a hole between his eyes. Her verbal threats continued, Your daughter and her rebel of a husband won’t make it to the airport, if I have anything to do with it. You know what happens when you try to push me against a wall!

Ms. V’s threatening words had the desired effect. Gregory curbed his anger, but a look of repulsion still lingered in his eyes. He despised everything about this miserable vixen. An insufferable sprite she was, that latched onto his soul like a bloodsucking leech. The police may have destroyed the secret operations in Bliss Haven, but in New Mexico, the House of gods was alive and well and was thriving under Ms. V’s leadership. She was working hard to rule that side of the world.

Prepare the yacht, Gregory heard her bark into the phone. We will be there in fifteen minutes, if this annoying traffic would just move out of our way. She dropped the phone in her purse and eyed Gregory viciously. This time around, Bliss Haven has seen the last of you.

****

With her Casadei heels lithely dangling from her fingers, Dana walked through the front door of her home at approximately six in the evening. Miss Rose, Asia, Candi and Izaiah followed, all experiencing varying levels of bittersweet sentiments over Dallis and Anwar’s wedding. The conversation during the drive back to the estate had been reflective, pinpointing areas in Dallis’ life where her strength shone the brightest. Everyone agreed that the main point was when Dallis had uncharacteristically gone against her principles, turning herself in to the police for a murder she did not commit. It was a bold expression of love toward a boy she barely knew. Seven hours ago, she had married that boy.

Dana plopped down at the breakfast table and allowed her gaze to fall on Izaiah. He was twenty-eight years old now, a fine specimen of a man who had evolved into a pillar of support for the Beaufort family. Her husband’s lengthy disappearance had taken its toll and Dana wondered if she would be coping so well if Izaiah wasn’t around. She had never expressed her appreciation openly, simply because she didn’t trust her heart to get close to any man of Izaiah’s age. A nice, seemingly innocent compliment could lead to other things. She had been there, done that.

Ever since she’d cheated on Gregory with Chazz (well, she knew now that it was her husband who had set up the scheme between her and Chazz), Dana had become more aware of her weakness than any other thing in her life. Her attraction to men half her age and their physical stamina were temptations she did not play around with. Izaiah was such an excellent catch that Dana knew it was safer to keep her distance.

I’ll go put on some tea, Miss Rose offered. She slipped off her ‘good’ church shoes and kicked them in the adjacent space where the guests’ coats were kept. Chamomile, anyone?

No tea for me, Candi said. I’ll have a glass of Hennessey.

Behave yourself, young lady, Dana said. You know we don’t keep alcohol in the house.

Maybe we should. Some of us are not Christians, you know.

Well, you are the only hedonist left, Asia chimed in. You drank two bottles of wine at the reception. Why do you feel the need for more alcohol?

Down, my little sister, Candi warned. I don’t tell you how to live your life, right?

Dana interrupted with a question, What do you guys think about Izaiah’s first wedding performance as Justice of the Peace?

All eyes focused on Dana, clearly interested in why she had raised the question.

Well, I thought he did quite fine, Asia replied, her Caucasian cheeks turning red with discomfiture. I was impressed, actually. He didn’t miss a beat.

Thank you, Asia, Izaiah smiled. He’d been on cloud nine ever since Asia agreed to explore the chemistry that was poignantly flowing between them. You are a hard judge, so I know I must have done well.

Candi rolled her eyes, but decided to keep her comments to herself. It disgusted her the way Izaiah went dove eyes over Asia. Asia must have forgotten that Izaiah had been hired by their father to deceive her. Surely her sister couldn’t have forgiven Izaiah so easily. But then again, it had been three years and a lot could change in that amount of time. That realization didn’t make Candi feel any better. She was still hoping Asia still retained, if only a little, resentment toward Izaiah.

I always assumed that Dallis would be the last of my daughters to get married, Dana said. She just seemed so…

Chaste? Candi offered. Believe me, Mother when I tell you, it just takes the right man to turn a woman out.

What do you mean by ‘turn out’? Dana asked.

Nothing. Dallis has found true love…so let’s all be happy for her.

That sounded very sarcastic, Asia told her sister. You don’t really want anyone to be happy, do you?

Mind your own bloody business, Candi spat in response.

Dana clapped her hands. Come on, you two, knock it off. Don’t ruin this day for me. Your sister deserves the blessings of God. She loves Anwar and I believe Anwar loves her. Together they will produce a happy marriage. Let’s just keep them in prayer and not badmouth them behind their backs.

I was not badmouthing anyone, Candi ranted on. I was just saying we put too much emphasis on a person’s outer conduct when their heart reveals a different story.

Point taken, Dana smiled as she accepted the tea that Miss Rose had placed in front of her. Thank God for a beautiful wedding and a beautiful couple. One down…two more to go. She raised her brows at Asia and Candi and then said mischievously, So, which one of you girls will be next?

Asia stole a quick glance at Izaiah, who stared back into her eyes with a deeper level of intensity. Even though it had been done in mirth, it was a good question Dana had asked. It pulled Asia’s priorities front and center. She wondered if she would someday be as decisive as Dallis and walk down the aisle toward the man of her destiny. She’d thought her deceased lover had been the one. What made her think that Izaiah would fulfil that role?

Well, you can count me out, Candi told her mother and then gestured toward Asia and