When the waiter returned, everyone seemed to take his words to heart. After writing it all down, the waiter nodded to Master Anderson. “I will send the first course out shortly.”
It seemed the big moment was about to happen. Brie’s heart started to race when Master Anderson started patting his pockets, looking for the ring.
“Time to see him sweat a little…” Sir chuckled to himself. He took several pictures of Master Anderson’s growing anxiety as he checked every one of his pockets.
Shey couldn’t help noticing he was agitated and asked, “What’s wrong, Brad?”
“Nothing, honey,” he replied, taking off his hat to swipe his brow.
Attempting to be nonchalant, he purposely dropped his napkin to take a quick peek under the table. When he came up empty, he glanced in Sir’s direction, looking bereft.
Sir’s face was perfectly stoic as he held back his laughter.
The waiter returned to the table with a young woman beside him. The girl was holding a handful of fresh-cut roses. “To celebrate the beauty represented at this table, we would like to present a rose to each of you fine ladies tonight.”
While the young woman passed out the flowers, Brie noticed the waiter tapping on Master Anderson’s shoulder and then discreetly handing him the blue box. The relief on Master Anderson’s face was priceless.
“That was brilliant, Sir,” Brie whispered.
He took his eye off the camera for a second and winked at her.
Brie felt giddy when she turned and saw Master Anderson standing up to address the table.
“As you all know, I think the world of the woman sitting beside me. Family means everything to both of us, which is one of the reasons I wanted us to gather tonight.”
Shey looked up at Master Anderson lovingly.
“But that’s not the only reason…”
Brie could hear Shey’s audible gasp when Master Anderson slowly got down on one knee.
He opened the small box in his hand and held it out to her. “Shey Allen, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Shey put her hands to her mouth as she stared at the diamond ring. “Brad…”
Master Anderson didn’t take his eyes off her while he patiently waited for her answer.
Looking at him with loving devotion, she said, “Yes, I will. I would love to be your wife!”
The entire restaurant broke out in applause as Master Anderson took Shey’s hand and slipped the ring on her finger. Afterward, he picked her up and kissed her full on the mouth as he twirled her around.
Tears of joy filled Brie’s eyes. In a world full of pain and misery, love had the power to unite souls together and make it a better place.
Brie couldn’t stop smiling during the drive home. As they were walking in the door, she said, “That has got to be the sweetest proposal I have ever seen.”
“They are certainly good together,” Sir agreed, staring at his camera as he went through the hundreds of shots he’d taken during the evening.
Brie playfully slapped Sir on the butt. “Even with your little stunt.”
Sir chuckled. “I think it added to the scene.”
“I’m sure Brad’s family would agree, but I really felt sorry for him when he realized he didn’t have the ring with him.”
Sir put the camera down and pulled her to him, squeezing her tight. “In the end, all the bells and whistles don’t count for much. Anderson could have proposed in the middle of a grocery store with a rubber band for an engagement ring, and I guarantee she still would have said yes.”
Brie hugged Sir, sighing with contentment. “You’re right. When it’s true love, nothing else matters.”
Her phone suddenly rang, interrupting the pleasant moment. When Brie saw it was Mary, she immediately answered. “What’s up?”
“Turn on the TV. Stat!”
When Sir saw Brie hastily picking up the remote, he asked, “What’s going on?”
“I have no idea. Mary just said I needed to turn on the TV.”
The moment she hit the power button, Brie saw a banner flashing across the screen reading “Breaking News”.
She immediately recognized the prison where Holloway was being held. A reporter was standing outside the tall fence topped with barbed wire, as he spoke to the camera. “…we aren’t being given details about the nature of his death. However, we can confirm that Greg Holloway was pronounced dead earlier this evening. Naturally, we will keep you informed as we get more information. If you are not familiar with the case, Greg Holloway was arrested after—”
Sir shut off the television and took the phone from Brie. Before hanging up, he told Mary, “Miss Wilson, thank you for apprising us of the situation. I sincerely hope this news provides you with a sense of closure.”
Brie stared at him in utter shock, her heart threatening to beat out of her chest wondering if he was somehow involved with Holloway’s death.
“Sir?” she whimpered, her voice trembling with fear.
Shockwaves
“Did…” She pointed at the blank television screen with a shaking finger. “…you…?”
Brie couldn’t even say it out loud.
“Did I what? Wish him dead? Absolutely.”
“But did you…?”
“Have the bastard killed? No, I wanted to do it with my bare hands. I needed to look him in the eyes when I ended his life,” Sir replied in a voice so dark it chilled Brie to the bone.
Picking up his phone, Sir immediately called Rytsar and put him on speaker. “Are you alone?” he asked.
“Nyet. Should I be?” he replied, laughing. “Up for another kinky session so soon, moy droog?”
“We need to talk.”
Recognizing the gravity of the situation based on Sir’s tone, Rytsar told him, “Give me a moment.”
After several minutes, he addressed them again, “I am alone now. Feel free to speak.”
Before Sir could open his mouth, Brie cried, “How could you!”
Rytsar grunted. “I had to do what was best for you, radost moya. Surely you understand that?”
Sir immediately jumped in. “Brianna is asking about the death of Greg Holloway.”
“What?” Rytsar suddenly roared.
“Greg Holloway died earlier this evening and we…” Sir looked at Brie, “would both like to hear what you know about it.”
“Blyad!” Rytsar howled.
“I need to know what happened,” Sir pressed.
“How would I know, moy droog? My men have been busy working out the details. I failed to take into account what a complicated mess your penal system is.”
“Wait…” Brie muttered, relief suddenly flowing through her. “You’re saying you didn’t have anything to do with Holloway’s death tonight?”
Rytsar spat angrily. “Unfortunately, it seems someone got to him first. I had the perfect scenario planned for the maggot.” He let out an ominous growl. “He would have suffered greatly for what he has done. How did he die?”
“That’s why we called you,” Sir answered. “The authorities haven’t released any details about the cause of his death.”