Chapter 53

**Brad’s POV**

I re-read the documents a hundred times and in no way was I imagining that it made absolutely no sense. I crumpled the paper and tossed it into the waste paper basket. Some of my employees definitely needed a wakeup call. I leaned forward on my desk and typed a quick message to my secretary to have the idiot revise the document.

“Why are you here?” I inquired humorously, knowing Scott entered my office. He walked over to my desk and sat down on the chair opposite to me.

“You know I could never stay away from you. Just speaking of it shatters my heart.” He responded playfully.

“Don’t you have a company to run?” I inquired and he laughed.

“There’s no fun in it if I can’t see you all the time.” He attempted at sounding shrill and to my ears he succeeded.

“Practising to pick up some chicks with low self-esteem?” I threw back and he laughed.

“Okay, I’ll stop now. I have actually come to deliver an invitation.” His tone losing all humour.

“I am listening.” I stimulated, leaning back on my chair and crossing my arms across my chest.

“It’s a weekend-long stay at Dixon’s mansion.” He was still too vague. I swear sometimes I wondered if Scott took me for a mind reader. Dixon was a very prominent businessman and we had turned our sights at recruiting his skills.

“I don’t do weekend-long stays or any kind of stays for that matter,” I responded. A reaction I was sure Scott would anticipate.

“Neither do I, but this is our chance to recruit him. It’s more or less a business weekend, our competition will be there as for their families. So we can go and you can carry Angela and Harvey along. Your steady relationship will aid our cause to.” He revealed and I groaned. I was looking forward to a quiet time with my family this weekend.

But since this was an important deal, not only for me but for my associates I would have to accept the invite.

“Okay, confirm.” I directed and Scott nodded his approval.

Angela and Harvey walked alongside me as we approached the man who would be a brilliant business partner once he had the good sense to affiliate himself with my company. Mr Dixon was a cheerful man of fifty-three. In the eyes of the world he was in every sense a man devoted the life of his family. The presence of his three children, four grandchildren and his wife of 30 years were testimony of the importance of family to him.

“I am thrilled that you could make it.” The older man beamed as he peered at three of us. I held out my hand and shook his firmly.

I smiled charmingly and nodded my acceptance. “May I introduce you to my wife, Angela and our son Harvey.” I brought them to his attention and he smiled warmly.

“You seem to have a very beautiful family. Come, I’ll introduce you to my wife.” He led the way. “I trust Scott is making an appearance?” He inquired and I confirmed.

**Angela’s POV**

I stood amidst a group of four women, they were relatively older than I was. Their names I didn’t know except for Mrs Dixon of course. Harvey retired to the seclusion of his appointed room and Brad was with the rest of the men.

I smiled and muttered non-committed responses and tried to blend out of the conversation.

“So tell us Angela.” One of the woman, a blond shined all attention on me and I wanted to cringe out of sight.

“How did you and Brad meet?” She finished and I mentally sighed.

“We grew up together. Our mothers were close friends.” I responded lightly, desperately hoping that my response would be enough and they would switch to some other subject.

“That’s quite sweet.” A brunette crocked sardonically.

“Didn’t you ever cringe at the idea of only having one man in your life?” A dark haired woman, the shortest of the group questioned.

What sort of question was that! This is when I made the conclusion that all they were involved with was gossip and I would not give them any grounds to think my life was free entertainment.

I opened my mouth to give a simple answer when I was interrupted.

“Cringe? Have you seen her husband? I doubt there is his equal.” The brunette giggled.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake! You three are like blood thirsty hounds! Leave her be.” Mrs Dixon interrupted them and I breathed a sigh of relief.

She gave me her attention then, “You mustn’t mind them my dear. Old women have non else to do than revel in the exploits of the young.” She teased and the women laughed. I smiled.

“I don’t mind the questions.” I lied, but it was the least I could do for her saving me. “It’s just not much to tell about my relationship with Brad. It’s really an ordinary union.” I attempted to ease them and also to make them uninterested in my marriage.

“No union blessed with love is ordinary.” Mrs Dixon smiled and it was contagious.

“I suppose not.” I replied, not certain if I believed myself to be in love with Brad. Maybe I was and if that could happen then maybe someday he might grow to love me. It was something I could only hope.

At night I cuddled next to Brad as I felt him slip into bed with me. I was balancing consciousness and unconsciousness. Once I felt his body heat I melted fully in the throes of sleep, feeling secured in the protection his presence provided me with. Day one here was over. We just had Sunday and then it was back to our own secluded haven.