‘You hit Alexei!’ a burst of laughter escaped Brad. Tessa curiously removed one palm from her face, and with raised eyebrows glared at him.

‘What are you laughing at? It’s not funny. Stop it Brad!’

‘I’m sorry darling,’ Brad wrapped his arms around Tessa. ‘It’s funny now, but you must understand, when I walked in on you and Alexei, it looked like I was interrupting something intimate---.’

‘What! You thought I was making out with him?’ Tessa shoved Brad away. ‘Why the hell would you think that? I love you. Why would I look at or even ---do anything with anybody else?’

‘I’m sorry,’ Brad appeared contrite. ‘I know my wife is an extremely attractive woman, men are always going to attempt to get her into their beds.’

‘How about trusting your wife?  Damn it!’ Tessa aimed a glacial stare at Brad.

‘Forgive me,’ Brad attempted to embrace his wife again. ‘The atmosphere appeared so electric when I walked in, I just assumed the worst, he murmured. Tessa was more annoyed with herself for striking Alexei than at Brad’s jealousy. Initially she had thought that Brad had seen her strike Alexei and that he was angry at her behaviour.

‘I---I didn’t mean to strike him.’

Why did you strike him?’ Brad’s fists clenched at his sides, wondering to what extent Alexei had provoked his wife.

‘It’s nothing,’ she shut her eyes, observing Brad’s clenched fist.

‘I want to know,’ Brad demanded, ‘or better still I will beat it out of Alexei,’ he turned, marching back to his own office.

Tessa rushed forward and gripped Brad’s wrist, ‘he just touched me Brad.’ ‘He just touched my face and---my neck,’ she whispered, her hand holding onto his arm. Tessa could feel the rage building in Brad. She felt the muscles constrict in his arm. ‘He got the message,’ she spoke softly. ‘He knew I was not interested in him,’ Tessa cautiously draped her arms around Brad’s waist.

‘I will kill any man who ever touches you again,’ Brad vowed angrily.

‘Darling don’t be so dramatic,’ she pleaded. ‘We have a baby to bring up,’ immediately she felt his muscles relax. ‘You can’t go around harbouring criminal intent,’ her fingers gently brushed his face. ‘Lyndon and I need you.’

‘I’m sorry,’ he offered Tessa a sombre smile. ‘I should be more responsible towards my wife and my son.’

‘You are. I love you,’ she reached up and kissed him. Brad tightened his arms around her and hugged her fiercely.

‘Brad.’

‘Yes.’

‘Promise me you won’t tell anyone what I did, especially Joseph,’ she pleaded.

‘But you were defending yourself.’

Tessa looked up into Brad’s eyes, ‘I remember when I was about eleven,’ Tessa smiled, ‘It was one of the rare occasions daddy was home. I told him about my friend’s father who hit his wife because she burned their dinner. He told me only a weak person attempts to resolve anything through violence. When I struck Alexei, immediately my mind went all the way back to that conversation I had with Joseph when I was eleven. I feel so ashamed of what I’ve done.’

Brad placed a finger under Tessa’s chin, forcing her to look at him. ‘You are not weak for hitting out at a man, who lavishes unwanted attention on you. Alexei is physically stronger than you are. You were not the abusive one.’

‘I don’t want this ever mentioned---please.’

‘Okay, I won’t repeat it,’ Brad promised. They stood embracing each other until Tessa realized Alexei was waiting in Brad’s office.

‘Shall we continue our meeting with Alexei?’

Suddenly she felt Brad tense up all over again. His eyes became white, filled with fury.
‘Yes,’ his tone was grave.
He laced his fingers through Tessa’s.

She did not normally encourage any public display of affection from Brad in the office or business environment, but she would make allowances just this once. As they entered Brad’s office, they found Alexei, admiring the panoramic view from the executive suite window.

‘Interesting view Alexei?’ Brad asked. Alexei looked over his shoulder to see Brad remove his hand from Tessa’s and stride towards him. Tessa held her breath, Brad’s stance looked threatening and her suspicions were correct.

‘You touch my wife again---,’ Brad’s fingers circled around Alexei’s throat with determination.

‘Brad!’ Tessa yelled. ‘Darling release Mr. Yakov---please.’ His wife’s calming voice seemed to get through to him, Brad dropped his hands. Alexei loosened his collar, and tugged at his shirt cuffs.

‘Darling please ---step away from the window,’ Tessa urged. Brad took a few moments to regain his composure, then shifted away.

‘I don’t appreciate your threats Brad---.’

‘Mr. Yakov, I advise you to quit while you can,’ Tessa instructed. She could not believe the idiot was still provoking Brad.

‘I am threatening you,’ Brad stood in front of Alexei, his face an angry scowl.

‘Gentlemen, I think we should reconvene this meeting when you have both calmed down.’

‘No, we shall have this meeting now,’ Brad demanded.
Tessa moved to Brad’s desk and pressed the security button on Brad’s phone.

‘Mr. Yakov, I would like you to leave. I will get Bentley to reschedule another appointment for tomorrow morning,’ Tessa informed Alexei.
Brad did not overrule her. Instead he walked to the window and observed the afternoon peak hour traffic gaining momentum.

‘Mrs. Blakely,’ Alexei turned at the door. ‘I apologize for my action,’ Alexei offered in his deep accented voice. ‘When I walked into your office you had a file in your hand. Had I seen the ring on your finger, I would not have made an advance on you,’ his lips pursed. ‘I do not encroach on another man’s territory.’

‘Apology accepted,’ Tessa responded demurely. As she finished talking, security was knocking at the door.

‘Come in,’ she called out. ‘Please escort Mr. Yakov out,’ Tessa smiled. ‘Bentley is not in the office. Tessa observed Brad shift at the window. He had not known that she’d called security. She could have buzzed one of Bentley’s support staff to assist Alexei out, but before his apology, she considered him a threat.

‘Good afternoon,’ Alexei bid them both farewell, but only Tessa responded. Brad ignored Alexei. Tessa shut the door. She inhaled deeply and walked to Brad. He still stubbornly stood there with his back to her, still furious with Alexei. Tessa wrapped her arms around her husband, her palms crossed over his chest. Brad lifted one wrist tenderly and pressed his lips to the back of her hand. After a few moments, he turned around and welcomed her into his arms.

‘I love you,’ he murmured gruffly, his lips kissing her tenderly.

‘I love you too,’ she replied against his lips.

‘Shall we go out to dinner tonight?’ Brad offered. Tessa would have loved to go and meet Keri, but she figured her husband needed her.

‘I think you need a quiet evening at home handsome,’ she spoke softly, her fingers entangled into his hair.

‘You have not called me that in a very long time,’ Brad laughed.

Tessa loved the sound of his spontaneous laughter.  ‘Haven’t I?’ she grinned. ‘I am going to pack up, you do the same,’ she ordered. Tessa sent an email to Bentley, requesting him to schedule a second meeting with Alexei for tomorrow morning. She also sent him a text to confirm he’d picked up Keri. Tessa sent the last communication to Keri, suggesting she rest after her long flight, and that she would visit Keri the following afternoon.

‘I am ready if you are,’ Brad walked into her office.

‘Yes I am,’ Tessa stood up and zipped up her briefcase, which Brad took from her hand. ‘I want the keys,’ Tessa demanded. Brad looked at Tessa’s outstretched palm, raising one eyebrow.

‘I beg your pardon,’ he knew exactly what she was asking, but in the four years of their relationship, Tessa had not driven Brad anywhere. Being the chivalrous gentleman that he was, no matter how tired he was, he always took the wheel.

‘The car keys, hand it over,’ she waved her fingers repeatedly.

‘Darling, I am not allowing you to drive me, I refuse.’

‘I want to,’ she pleaded, undoing his tie, then wrapping her arms around his neck. ‘Come on, let me,’ she whispered, brushing her lips against his throat.

‘I thought women appreciated chivalry,’ Brad dropped their briefcases on her desk and pulled Tessa closer into his arms.

‘Oh you ooze chivalry Blakely, I have no complaints there,’ she acknowledged. She just wanted Brad to unwind, he was still too keyed up, if his body language told her anything, and she knew every inch of her husband’s body pretty well.

‘Just this once?’ Brad clarified and she knew right there, she was going to get her way. Tessa dipped her hand into Brad’s pocket and fished out the keys.

‘My own newspaper better not accuse me of not being a gentleman,’ he warned.

‘I’ll sue them in my private capacity,’ she bit on her lower lip. Brad doubted very much that his wife would be suing anybody. Even when unfounded accusations had been levelled at her on numerous occasions, she had not once responded to media accusations.

Bentley stood in the arrivals lounge of the international terminal with a placard bearing the name
“Keri Packer”.
He hoped he’d be able to easily identify the Packer woman. The only description his boss’s wife gave him was, “she is a little shorter than me, sandy brown hair, blue-grey eyes.”

That helped a lot, considering a thousand women fitted that profile. A smirk appeared on his face, he could hardly be cross with his boss’s wife for Bentley adored her just a little less than his boss himself did. Oh he had no designs on his boss’s wife, after all wasn’t Bentley instrumental in reconciling his too proud boss and his fiercely independent wife? One of the reasons Bentley had great affection for his boss’s wife was, her unconditional love for his boss. She was an amazing woman, in her confident, calm manner she had his boss rooted to the ground. His boss appeared so much calmer, relaxed and evidently happier since his marriage. Yes Tessa von Biljoen was the best thing that happened to Brad Blakely, Bentley grinned.

Bentley sobered now as the passengers began to stream into the lounge. Fortunately there were not that many fitting that description in the first class lounge. He was relieved to see most of the first class passengers were male that helped a little.
That must be her!
Bentley stared at the beautiful lady that was walking in his direction. He had not given much thought to what she would look like, he thought her hair would be dull; lifeless and messy from the description given, but the Packer woman’s hair was glowing, attractive and fashionably styled just above her shoulder, as if she had just walked out of a hair salon. She was a naturally beautiful woman, slim yet curvy in the right places. She had sad eyes though, or did it look like that because she was in unfamiliar surroundings?

‘Good afternoon, I’m Keri Packer,’ she spoke in her polished New York accent, offering a polite smile.

‘Good afternoon, Bentley Grant,’ he extended his hand. ‘Mrs. Blakely apologizes for not being here to personally meet you.'
Though I’m not.

Keri Packer looked away uncomfortably. ‘Here let me take your luggage,’ he offered when he realized he’d been staring for too long.

‘Thank you,’ Keri spoke politely, when he opened the passenger door for her.

‘I’ll just store your luggage in the boot,’ he mumbled. Bentley slipped into the driver’s seat, he turned and smiled stupidly at the Packer woman, before he started the ignition.

Keep it all together lad.

As he exited the airport and joined the peak hour traffic, Bentley was pleased that he made the decision to drive the Packer woman himself.

Stop calling her that.

Generally he used the limo to pick up guests for his employers, but for some reason today, more for the short notice given to him, he hurriedly used his own vehicle. Without being obvious he silently toyed with her name on his lips. He stole another glance at the---, at Keri. She was looking out the window, admiring the scenery, checking out the London weather. He supposed any second now she would be commenting on the dreary weather. He waited, it never came.

‘Did you have a pleasant flight?’ he found himself asking, wanting to hear her pleasant voice again. He supposed she would complain about how bad the food was, or crying babies, or how uncomfortable her first class seat was.

‘Yes, thank you.’

A half smile this time, and she was checking out the scenery and weather again. Bentley abandoned any further attempt at conversation.

Keri looked out the window not seeing anything. She was wondering if she had made the right decision to come to England. She could not forget the look on Max’s face. He had come to stop her leaving. He’d begged her to forgive him, to attempt a reconciliation but she was still too emotionally bruised to even see his face again. She did not trust Max anymore. What if he did the same thing to her again? Painfully, she could not switch off what she felt for him, but more painful was the ugly image of his infidelity that was etched in her mind. She still grappled with that, understandably so.

‘Not long now,’ Bentley announced, ‘about ten minutes,’ he smiled.

Keri tried to force herself to engage in a conversation with the chauffeur, but her mind and heart were in a blur, it was too much of an effort.

‘We’re here,’ Bentley announced.
Keri undid the safety belt. She reached out for the door handle, but Bentley was already opening it from the outside.

‘Thank you,’ she responded politely. She looked up at the huge building they were parked outside. It was magnificent like a Mediterranean hotel.

‘You’re up on the tenth floor in the penthouse suite,’ Bentley smiled.

‘It looks quite beautiful,’ Keri complimented. Actually the chauffeur was not bad looking either. She wondered if the designer Italian suit and shoes were the standard chauffeur uniform. Bentley removed her luggage from the boot as Keri admired the building.

‘This is yours,’ he handed her the key card after opening the door.

‘Oh it is absolutely splendid,’ Keri could see Tessa’s expert touch here. The tones, the decor were just Tessa’s modern yet chic style.

‘Shall I show you around?’ Bentley offered. He was used to showing his employers international guests around. He hoped Keri would offer him tea.

‘That won’t be necessary, thank you. I will find my way around.’

‘The cupboards and refrigerator have been replenished, so has the bathroom. So make yourself at home,’ Bentley invited. His eyes, admiringly settled on her again. Feeling uncomfortable, Keri looked at her wristwatch.

‘Well I shall take my leave then,’ Bentley took the hint. ‘There is a telephone in the entrance hall. There are contact numbers for a number of take out restaurants as well as my---the office of Mr. And Mrs. Blakely,’ he informed Keri as he walked to the door.

‘Thank you,’ she replied for the umpteenth time. As Bentley took his leave, she closed the door and locked it. Keri walked about the penthouse inspecting the place. It was aesthetically lavish, tasteful, homely yet not over the top. She removed her high heels, and sunk her feet into the deep plush carpet. Keri opened the balcony and had a picturesque view of the murky waters of the River Thames. Traffic was moving at a snail’s pace below. Whilst New York streets were riddled with a sea of yellow cabs, London looked quaint with its classic black cabs, and renowned red busses. She walked inside again and smiled at the thoughtful gesture from Tessa, a basket of dried fruit, chocolates and a chilling bottle of champagne in a fancy gold ice bucket. The table held a large floral bouquet. She walked into the room where Bentley had placed her luggage. It was the master bedroom, massive, yet sparsely furnished. It consisted of an extremely super large bed, a huge floor to ceiling mirror across one wall, and a large plasma television. The room was way too big, she opted for the smaller room next to the master bedroom. It had a clearer view of the Thames, and the room enjoyed more of the sun.

Keri filled up the bathtub, threw in some aromatic lavender bath salts, undressed and enjoyed a luxurious soak in the tub. It was heavenly after the long flight. She unplugged and cleaned up the tub after she was done and slipped on, one of the soft towelling robes she found in the closet. Keri slid onto the soft comfortable bed and called Tessa.

‘Keri,’ Tessa smiled. ‘Is the apartment okay? Did you have a good flight? Is there anything you need?’

‘Apartment?’ Keri laughed. ‘It’s more like a six star hotel. Yes it’s wonderful. The flight was excellent and I can’t thank you enough. I feel so spoilt,’ she laughed.

‘Aw, I’m pleased to hear that,’ Tessa smiled, as she cupped her mobile between her ear and her shoulder. She had also just come out off the shower and was trying to find something to wear.

‘Sorry I could not meet you Keri, but we shall come through tomorrow afternoon?’

‘That’s okay, what time should I expect you?’

‘I’m going to drag Brad early out of the office, so expect us at six,’ Tessa laughed, ‘and off course I will bring Lyndon as well.’

‘Oh I can’t wait to meet him, he must look so gorgeous.’

‘You be the judge,’ Tessa laughed.

‘I look forward to seeing you Tessa.’

‘Till tomorrow then, good night Keri,’ Tessa hung up.

‘Tessa looked at the bedside clock. There was still half an hour to dinner. When they’d arrived home, she had poured Brad a scotch and instructed him to go and chill in his library. He had opted to take his son for a walk in their expansive gardens. As Tessa sifted through her closet, she decided some spring cleaning was in order. After slipping on a pair of slacks and a sweater, she turned the radio on. A familiar pop song was playing. Tessa danced to the music as she removed unwanted outfits that had lost its appeal and tossed them on the bed. Others that were out of season were also discarded on the bed. She was busy gyrating to the beat of the pop song when Brad and Lyndon came marching in.

‘Momma,’ Lyndon ran to Tessa and wrapped his arms around her knees.

‘Hey guys,’ she smiled. Brad stood at the doorway, he had enjoyed watching his wife having a party all by herself. She was an amazing woman. She had always loved dancing, yet since they married she had never once demanded to be taken out to dance. She knew Brad was not into dancing, and had happily accommodated him. Brad watched as his wife lifted their son into her arms and pressed a kiss on his chubby cheek.

‘Can I bite your gorgeous cheek please,’ Tessa joked.

‘No momma, I will have a bleed,’ Lyndon chuckled.

‘You mean your cheek will bleed,’ she laughed softly.

‘Enjoy your walk darling,’ Tessa asked Brad. He knew exactly what his wife was enquiring about.

‘Yes thank you,’ Brad smiled. ‘My son talks a mile a minute, so I had to have ready answers for all the questions he fired at me, and before I realized it, we were outside the kitchen door again’ he grinned. Brad looked relaxed again, Tessa was pleased to see his walk with their son, had calmed him down.

‘Momma teach me how to dance.’

‘What?’ Tessa lifted her eyes to Brad, he was just as amused as she was, they laughed simultaneously. A ballad was now playing on the radio.

‘Okay,’ Tessa led Lyndon to the centre of their bedroom. Brad leaned against the wall with his arms folded and proudly admired his wife and son.

‘Put your feet on mine,’ Tessa held Lyndon’s tiny palms in her hand.

‘I will hurt you momma.’

‘Oh your feet are so tiny sweetheart, you won’t. ‘Come on hop on,’ she urged. Lyndon placed his little feet on Tessa’s and followed her lead.

‘We are going to move once to the left and once to the right. Can you do that?’

‘Yes momma.’ He followed her lead perfectly and was swaying gracefully as she guided him.

‘Teach me the other dance now momma,’ Lyndon hopped off and was shuffling his feet, the way he’d seen his mummy doing when he’d walked in. Though no music was playing, he was flicking his feet about, lowering his hips and clicking his fingers about.

Brad threw his head back and laughed. ‘Rather you than me,’ he conceded to his wife.

‘Wait one second.’ Tessa smiled at Lyndon. There was a high energy CD in the player. She switched it on.

‘Okay now you can strut your stuff around Lyndon,’ Tessa laughed.

‘He moved his feet about admirably and waived his hands about enthusiastically, though he still needed to perfect the intricate hip movements that his mummy executed with such panache. Tessa saw Brad haul out his mobile and begin to record a video of his wife and son gyrating their bodies around like crazy people on a high. When the song stopped, Tessa lifted Lyndon into her arms and twirled about with him.

‘Oh my beautiful baby, you are going to become one expert dancer,’ she laughed.

‘I want to dance like you momma. You look beautiful when you dance,’ he hugged his mummy.

‘I agree,’ Brad joined his family, putting his arms around them.

‘Thank you,’ Tessa kissed Lyndon first, then offered her husband a more lingering kiss. ‘Are we ready for dinner? I think we’ve worked up an appetite.’

‘Can Lyndon have a hotdog momma?’

‘No.  Lyndon will have dinner.’

‘But I don’t want dinner momma. It takes too long to eat.’

‘How about you have a race with daddy and see if you can beat him?’

‘Come on daddy. I want to beat you,’ Lyndon threw out his arms to his daddy.

‘I will be down just now,’ Tessa touched Brad’s arm to get his attention. ‘I will just pack these into a bag,’ she pointed to the heap of clothes on their bed.

‘You want some help?’ Brad offered.

‘No thank you. I will be down in two minutes

       -end chapter seven-