The Web

Chapter Five - Catch more Flies with Honey

"The difference between utility and utility plus beauty is the difference between telephone wires and the spider web." - Edwin Way Teale

"The last quarter has seen the Harlow portfolio remain steady, whilst the diversification into weather trading futures we ventured into at the beginning of the year looks set set to pay off in the new quarter...."

I stare unseeingly at the projector screen as whoever the hell this guy is drones on about how well my funds have been managed on my behalf.

I'm restless, unable to focus on the topic at hand, my significant wealth, despite the fact that ordinarily this particular topic would be of unending interest to me.

I glance around the boardroom table, careful to keep the contempt from showing in my face. I don't know any of their names, and I don't care to. They are all the same, these pandering sycophants. All just little vultures, always fighting for the crumbs that fall from the Harlow family's table. Pathetic.

I've been out several days now. The luxuries that I had to forgo for so long.... the hot showers, the chef prepared meals, the comfort and privacy of my villa on our Miami beach estate.... They have not been lost on me. But my mind is consumed. I'm barely keeping from crawling up the walls, and I know I will not be able to stay contained within the gates of the estate for much longer.

That little b***h is out there, living the high life over in LA and I simply can't stand it. Media attention or no media attention, I need to find her. I won't rest until I find her.

"So we will be meeting with the developers over in Sacramento in two days to negotiate the takeover on behalf of Mrs Harlow. We will also be appointing the board members...."

My ears prick up at the word 'Sacramento' and my mind begins to kick into overdrive.

Sacramento, huh? Oh, how deliciously convenient. Finally one of these irritatingly boring oxygen thieves have managed to say something remotely useful to me.

"I will be handling the appointment of the new board members in Sacramento personally, thank you", I interrupt suddenly.

Silence falls across the room for a few moments while the board members all look at me like the bunch of slack jawed puppets they are. The silence is soon replaced by the sounds of shuffling papers and nervous throat clearing, and I look steadily around the table, daring someone to protest.

"Mr Harlow, sir, with all due respect, Ms Harlow left the board very specific instructions...." one of the younger members stammers. I shoot her a withering look and she shuts up immediately, glancing downwards at her folders.

"Ms Harlow is not here, now, is she?" My voice is dangerously low as I begin to speak.

"I, however AM here, am I not?"

Nobody attempts to speak, so I continue.

"The last time I checked, I AM Liam Harlow, and I AM the sole beneficiary to the Harlow Estate. I have a vested interest in our dealings in Sacramento, and as such, I WILL be personally overseeing the appointment of the new board members there. The team my mother has appointed in regards to the takeover negotiation will remain unchanged, however the new board will be chosen by myself, and only myself. I trust I have made myself clear."

A soft murmer of assent meets my declaration, and I decide that will do.

"Now if you will excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."

I stand and immediately take my leave of the idiots. I have no interest in staying to hear anything more, I have far more important things to think about.

Like planning a nice little trip to Sacramento, followed by a lovely little reunion just down the road in LA.

I whistle to myself as I stride down the hall of the main residence. My stars have aligned, this is an opportunity far too good to be missed.

I exit the main residence and head towards my poolside villa, daydreaming about all the possible ways I can finally kill Wednesday Gray.

I best get to packing, hadn't I? A wicked grin spreads across my face. I do so love a good hunting trip, and this one will be the trip of a lifetime.

Oh Wednesday, have I got a surprise for you.

******************************************

I storm towards the bar, my hand still ringing from the slap I gave that creep, Drake.

I came here for a couple of drinks, to shoot some pool and to unwind after a long week of work and keeping tabs on the movements of one Liam Harlow. I most certainly did NOT come here to be hassled by an overgrown man child who peaked in high school.

A slight smile plays at the corners of my mouth as his group of friend's laughter, still ongoing, carries across the room. Good. Maybe being the laughing stock of the Dockside Tavern for the evening might knock some sense into him. Or maybe that slap might have.... The smile stops playing and comes right on out at my thoughts.

"Damn, Elliot, I didn't know you had it in you, girl!" The bartender laughs and flashes me a wink.

"Oh shut it, Mickey, we all know he had it coming," I giggle. "Hey, any chance of a beer, pal?"

"Coming right up, Rocky", he grins as hands me the cold pint.

I playfully stick my tongue out at him and turn from the bar, scanning the tables to see who is out. One of the advantages of living in a small place like Greenville is that you are guaranteed to see someone you know out, and I think after the Drake incident, it might be time to seek out some female companions.

I can feel the gaze on me before I see it. Oh great. Just what I need, some other creep treating me like I'm here for their amusement. Who now?

As my eyes meet the blue gaze of the culprit, my mouth suddenly goes dry. I'd know that face anywhere, and I know immediately that he has recognised me, too.

What the hell is Rhys Melrose doing? Here?? In Greenville, nowhere? My thoughts race as I stand frozen in place, trying to make sense of why the officer who found me on that awful night is suddenly here, sitting across the room from me.

It can't be Melrose. It can't. I must be hallucinating. Did Drake spike my drink? Oh my God, I'll kill him!

As I struggle to collect my thoughts, I see Melrose slowly rise to his feet, his eyes never leaving mine. What the hell is he doing? What is wrong with him?? This makes no sense. This is the man who put me into witness protection. This is the man who was adamant that I could never again be Wednesday, that my life as I knew it was over. The man who explained that my survival was dependent on one thing, and that was to never reveal my real identity. So why is he here, potentially blowing my cover?

The realisation hits me like a freight train, and I quickly turn to leave. Rhys Melrose is here because Liam is out. He thinks I need protection, and obviously he thinks he is the best one to provide it. I glance quickly over my shoulder as I head towards the exit. He is watching me leave, but at least he has the good sense not to follow me.

By the time I've exited the tavern and begun the short walk back to my house, my confusion has fully subsided, giving way to the anger that is now rolling over me in waves. Just who the hell does Rhys Melrose think he is?

I don't need him. I don't need anyone!

The thought repeats in my head, again and again and it eventually becomes the furious rhythm to my footsteps. My irritation spurs me on and I make it home in record time.

Trust the arrogance of men to have to be the complete theme to my evening. I want to scream in frustration at the events of this week, at the situation my life has been forced into, at the world. Instead, I sit on my sofa and do what I do best. I think.

Ok, Elliot. This doesn't have to change anything. You already bought yourself time with Liam. You still have time to finish refining your plan. Melrose is here. That can't be helped right now, but it doesn't have to change your plans. Alter, maybe, but not change.

I begin to calm down as my rational and logical side regains control. Melrose is a huge inconvenience, but if I've learned one thing, it is to not sweat the small stuff. I can handle him later. But he won't be stopping me.

You can still get what is just, what is fair. You can still get what is yours. You can still end this, once and for all.