Cerebral

By Michael E. Mitchell

Cerebral is a work of fiction about a private detective, Keith Travis.

Keith Travis works exclusively with high-end clientele and has solved every case he has been hired for. He finds himself in the middle of a tremendous war between two family patriarchs. Something that would be a routine case for him had him struggling with dedication and duty. He is compelled to solve the case but struggles with personal issues. Donovan Bradley is a young millionaire who is struggling to choose which one to follow—his faith or his feelings—toward choosing the love of his life, a young billionaire, Gretchen Davidson. The two struggle with both their hearts and intelligence for guidance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662411472

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Cerebral

Michael E. Mitchell

Copyright © 2020 Micheal E. Mitchell

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2020

ISBN 978-1-6624-1146-5 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-1147-2 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

It was a cold and dreary day at the mansion in Sugarland. Donovan Bradley was looking out of his window Saturday morning and thought he could possibly change all that. He looked down at his custom-made garage that housed his new sport utility vehicle and decided that he would go for a much-needed ride. He usually went to his friend’s home in River Oaks and spent the afternoons killing time with her. Gretchen Davidson was the finest woman in this side of Buffalo Bayou. It was her idea to buy the car in the first place, and since he didn’t mind spending time or money, with or on her, it was just a matter of going to the dealer and picking the car out. He loved Gretchen and would do just about anything to make her happy. Making Gretchen happy usually consisted of something on the financial perspective. This didn’t bother Donovan one iota. He had the means, and he relished in the fact that he could satisfy her every whim. He also loved the way she smiled and grinned every time that he did something for her. He never listened to the naysayers who told him that she was superficial and material. He took it to heart that they were just jealous because he had her and they didn’t.

He checked his stock market quotes, smiled, walked to his closet, and selected some clothing to wear. He decided that he would dress casually, and he selected his Timberlands. He decided on them because it was looking like it might rain. In Houston, if it looks like it might rain, it will! He put on his FUBU gear that he bought at the Galleria yesterday. He loved the smell of new clothes and he always satisfied that yearning by having something new every week. He decided that he would wear his Rolex watch because he wanted to have something platinum to contrast with the black denim that he had decided to wear. He laid the clothing on the bed and walked to the bathroom. He turned on the shower and hung his robe on the hook that was on the back of the bathroom door. He pressed the intercom and instructed his housekeeper, Jeet Li, to prepare some crawfish and lobster bisque.

Jeet Li, will you fix me a bowl of that delicious crawfish and lobster bisque, please!

Right away, Mr. Bradley, sir. Anything else you like with bisque, Mr. Bradley, sir?

No, Jeet Li, that will be all.

Very well, Mr. Bradley, sir, you make good choice.

Jeet Li.

Yes, Mr. Bradley, sir.

Make enough for my brother in case he decides to drop by.

Good idea, Mr. Bradley, sir. Me make enough for Jeet Li also.

Good enough, Jeet Li.

As he turned on the shower, he could hear the pots clinking in the kitchen. Jeet Li had unknowingly left the intercom on. He had never really mastered the technology in the house, and Donovan smiled because he knew that he could have easily surprised him by yelling into the intercom. Jeet Li was a master chef, and he also was a master at the art of aikido. He was the reigning master when he left Japan. He left voluntarily because he wanted to come to America and become a chef. He worked at Benihana’s before they met. One evening while, he was on a date with Gretchen, they went to the restaurant and were fascinated by the way he handled the cutlery. After the dinner was completed, they went in the back and discussed the proper way to devein a shrimp. During the conversation, the restaurant was being robbed, and Jeet Li single-handedly disarmed the three men and was waiting on top of the pile of humanity when the police finally showed up. After a display of talent like that, Donovan Bradley knew whom his bodyguard, housekeeper and chef would be. The only problem was convincing this little man that he was he. He handled the problem like he handled most of his problems. He walked up to Jeet Li and asked how much he made in a week. After he found out, he put the six hundred dollars in his hand and told him he could have room and board along with that if he came and worked for him. As it turned out, he ended paying Jeet Li much more than the six hundred dollars a week he had originally promised him.

He turned off the water and got out of the shower. He decided to wear his Calvin Klein underwear just in case Ms. Davidson wanted to get her freak on! He knew this wasn’t going to happen mainly because of his and her religious beliefs. He was keeping hope alive that they would both let their guard down one day. With him knowing Gretchen like he did, that day would be their wedding night! He looked around and smiled because he was a very blessed man. He loved the blue marble tile that was on his bathroom floor. He was truly blessed. He bought and sold at just the right time. The stock market had been very, very good to him. Everyone thought he was a fool because he had invested the insurance money he received from his father’s death. It turned out to be a stroke of genius. All in all, he had profited 5.8 million dollars primarily due to his own ignorance. He had unknowingly left the money on pork bellies and the orange market when the market took off. Imagine the irony of receiving the information that he was a multimillionaire from the very thing that his father refused to eat! The smell of the bisque snapped him out of his daydreaming. He toweled off and dressed meticulously he had to make sure that everything was just right. Ms. Davidson would surely inspect what he was wearing down to the laces on his Timberlands. He slipped on the Rolex watch and truly enjoyed the fact that the platinum contrasted with the black denim outfit that he had selected. He walked down the spiral staircase that traveled from his bedroom to the kitchen. He smiled as he saw Jeet Li setting the table with the gold cutlery and placing the bowls of bisque on the tablecloth. Jeet Li turned and as if he knew that Donovan was there and bowed at the apex of his turn.

What’s up, my man? How is my favorite chef/housekeeper?

Jeet Li is fine this morning, Mr. Bradley, sir. Jeet Li make plenty of bisque for you and Mr. Daunté.

Great, it will be good to see my little brother and hear about his midnight escapades.

Are you sure that he will come by, Mr. Bradley, sir?

He always comes by the night after he goes out on the town besides. I only see my little brother on three occasions when he is hungry, broke, or both.

Mr. Bradley sound like he not want brother to come by.

It’s not that, Jeet Li. It’s just that I wish he were a little more responsible.

Maybe someone have to die, Mr. Bradley, sir.

What!

Mr. Bradley just like Mr. Daunté until Father pass away.

Our father’s death has nothing to do with being responsible, Jeet Li. It didn’t affect my behavior in any way.

Maybe it was the money that Mr. Bradley receive!

The money is not the issue either. The fact of the matter is simply growing up and taking care of your business. I am a very responsible person!

Mr. Bradley not eat his bisque.

I think that I just lost my appetite.

Would Mr. Bradley prefer that I leave it for brother who eats whatever?

No, Jeet Li, I always have an appetite for your lobster and crawfish bisque.

He hurriedly scooped the heavily laden bisque. Jeet Li always doubled the portions of chopped lobster and crawfish. It was so very good. He finished the first bowl and was asking for more before he knew it. Jeet Li filled his bowl to the rim once again and he thought about what Jeet Li had said. Had he only started acting differently when he received the money? Was he as irresponsible as his younger brother was? He smiled because Jeet Li knew more than he let on. He finished the second bowl and grabbed his keys. He high-fived Jeet Li walked out of the house and into his garage.

There was a strong feeling of pride as he looked at his 2000 Lincoln Navigator. He looked around his garage and smiled to himself again. He was a blessed man. He looked at his 1999 V12 Mercedes-Benz, then he looked at his 1999 Dodge Viper, then he looked at his pride and joy his 1999 Porsche 928 S4. He bought all of them last year and paid cash for them all despite his accountant’s plea to lease them. He thought, why lease when you can buy! He smiled unconsciously as he thought about how he made Gretchen think he was following her request to purchase the Navigator. He had already decided to buy the truck long before she even recommended it. He opened the door and looked at the Corinthian leather and the burled walnut trim. He loved the smell of the newness of the interior. He sat in the driver’s seat and selected a CD from his case. He decided on Lay Your Hands on Me. It was the last piece that Art Porter did before his untimely demise due to a drowning accident. He also decided to listen to Everette Harp’s latest work. He always listened to his music because not only were they from the same hometown, Everette Harp was his frat brother. He touched the button on his garage door opener and started his engine. He could not even hear the engine running. He closed his eyes and listened to the rain as it made a quiet symphony on the roof of his garage. He loved the rain; it was so peaceful and soothing. If he didn’t want to see Gretchen as bad as he did, he would just sit here and let the rain lull him into a false sense of security. He pressed the second selection on the CD Lay Your Hands on Me. The title of the track is Lakeshore Drive, the famous street by Lake Michigan in Chicago where all the businesses are located. The first riffs on the track went through his body like a hot knife through butter. He closed his eyes and let the music ooze into his soul. The rain provided an excellent background for the sound, and he almost allowed his mind to drift off to a place that had no time or meaning. A place that no one has ever gone before. A place where…

What’s up, bruh!

The voice of his little brother startled him. He had not expected him to walk right up to his car and announce his arrival.

Donnie! Why do you insist on sneaking up on me like that! And how in the hell did you get in the gate without Jeet Li knowing you were here? Why don’t you just ring the bell, like everyone else?

Well, which question do you want me to answer first?

How about, how did you get in here without Jeet Li knowing?

First of all, I ain’t stupid, bruh. If I would have rung the bell, you would have told Jeet Li not to let me in!

That is not true, as a matter of fact, I specifically told Jeet Li to make you some lobster and crawfish bisque! It’s hot and on the table waiting for you.

You made some bisque for me.

Yes, it’s on the table. Just go inside and tell Jeet Li to give it to you.

All right, bruh, you are the man, say where are you going.

Where do you think!

"Oh, I know, you’re going over to the Davidsons’ crib. Tell ole Gretchy I said hi."

Her name is not Gretchy, it’s Gretchen, and I’ll tell her that you said hello.

"Hey, I’m going to watch that football movie while you are gone, Any Given Sunday. Is that all right with you?"

Of course it is. Will you be here when I get back?

Hell naw, I’ve got places to go, people to see, thangs to do. I can’t be sittin’ around here kickin’ it with you.

He smiled. As he drove off, he knew full well that his brother would be there when he returned. Daunté Bradley was the only family he had left, and he loved his brother with every strand of his body, but ever since their father passed, he had regressed in his developmental growth. He thought of how his mother’s death had affected him and how it made him feel. He was so young, and his father didn’t really tell him much about it. All he remembered was the day they went to the hospital and the doctor was saying something about the insurance and then his father being taken out of the hospital by the police! He remembered that he was really sad that day, but he really didn’t know why. When his father passed away, he really didn’t see any change in his attitude or demeanor.

He pulled out onto Highway 6 and turned right. He headed for 59 and thought about what Jeet Li said about him and his behavior before his father died. He didn’t think that he was immature, nor did he think that he acted that way. Maybe Jeet Li saw something in him that he didn’t see in himself. He pressed the accelerator on the Navigator and marveled at the three-hundred-horsepower engines perform. He eased past the traffic on 59 and absorbed the look of the other drivers as he passed them by. The seats of the Navigator were warm, and the car worked exceptionally well; he was not in the least surprised. He continued to travel north on 59 and took the Kirby exit. He turned left on Kirby and continued into the River Oaks area. He received a suspicious glance from two officers of HPD (Houston Police Department) as he drove through the affluent neighborhood. The patrol car stopped following him only after they had run his license plate over the wire. This was a common practice in this area whenever they saw a black man driving a late-model car in the area.

Gretchen Davidson’s family was what one would call old money. They had been rich for a very long time. Gretchen’s great-grandfather was an wildcatter in the late 1890s. He struck oil in 1899 and was faced with the improbable task of being a very rich black man in the South and wondering whom he could trust. He bought a lot of land in Houston; most of it was located where what is now southwest Houston. He owned all the land between what is now Highway 6 and where Highway 610 and Highway 59 intersect. He was able to protect his holdings by soliciting the help of the crooked law officials in the department at the time. Even though the good old boys could not stand the thought of a black man being in control and having lots of money, they couldn’t stand the thought of the Jews being landowners even more. They helped old Jesse Davidson to expand his fortune by leasing the land the Jewish land barons wanted to buy; he was the lesser of two evils. In fact, the land that the Jewish Community Center now sits on is still owned by the Davidson family. This was great for all those involved because the police where getting paid phenomenal rates to provide security over the land sites where construction was being done. The crooked mayor was receiving outlandish campaign contributions and he was always reelected, so all the perks stayed in place. Everybody was happy and everybody was getting rich.

This was seriously jeopardized when William Davidson was born in 1922. Slick Willie as he was called was a rebel. He wanted nothing to do with his father’s financial empire. He wanted to create his own empire. So he started an organization running guns and liquor to Louisiana. This caused great stress between him and his father, who had spent years getting into the pockets of the lawmakers and was now expending his markers keeping his son out of jail. Slick Willie’s driver’s license was suspended and for a little, while he was grounded in the town. So he started dealing drugs. He then opened a pool hall / gambling room, which was continually raided by the crooked cops. Slick Willie eventually polished enough hands and built up his own clientele of crooked employees. Donovan had these thoughts as he drove up to the front gate of the Davidson estate.

He didn’t believe Gretchen when she told him all this originally. He was thinking that she had a vivid imagination until one night before they went out on one of their many dates, she took him to the library. She showed him actual pictures that were in the Houston Chronicle of her great-grandfather shaking hands with one of the lawyers who handled the oil and land deals. In those days, it was a big story to have a black man involved with so much money; in fact, it was a front-page story. There he was Jesse Davidson on the front page of the Houston Chronicle. He was worth an estimated 650 million dollars. All this money was earned from his oil deal and land leasing. Her grandfather added his own little contribution to the family fortune by his underground dealings. The figures that were reported were showing he was reportedly worth six to seven million on his own. When Gretchen’s father disappeared twenty-seven years ago, he was the sole heir to a fortune that was worth about nine hundred million. Dietrich Davidson was not the typical Davidson—he left and did not look back. He was reportedly living another life as another person. His father Slick Willie acted like he wasn’t really bothered about his disappearance. The only thing he said about it was, I have made this fool a great home and he doesn’t appreciate a damn thing that I have done for him he deserves whatever he gets being away from the family like that and not telling anyone what he’s doing or where he is!

Dietrich Davidson was the only child of William and Donna Davidson. Donna Davidson died during childbirth. The doctor asked Willie who he wanted to live, the baby or his wife. He was drunk at the time, so he said his wife had lived her life and he wanted his son to live his. Donna Davidson was only twenty-three years old when she died, the year was 1945. Dietrich was Gretchen’s father. He was an enigma to everyone. He was never the type to go along with the crowd. He was a very handsome man, and along with his very apparent wealth, he was considered the most eligible bachelor in the city. He wasn’t a womanizer like his father. He was always with one woman at a time.

Gretchen’s mother was Olivia Waters. She was born in the apartment of her parents in the Cuney Homes right across the street from Texas Southern University. This was not looked on very prominently by the Davidson family. As rich as the Davidsons were, the Waters were as poor. When Dietrich sent the family limousine to pick her up one night to go out on the town the Waters family thought it was a funeral and wondered who had died. Her mother didn’t want her to go because she thought it was going to an interment. Slick Willie didn’t want his son to marry what he thought to be some money-hungry hussy. Olivia was nothing of the sort. She couldn’t care less about the money that the Davidsons had. She was only concerned with the love she had for Dietrich!

Gretchen looked exactly like her mother. This was probably the reason that her grandfather was so protective of her. Her father had left home and didn’t even tell her goodbye. He was so distraught over the way his father treated him, he simply left home and didn’t say goodbye. Slick Willie doing the only honorable thing in his life, took over in raising his granddaughter, and had given her everything that she could ever want, which explained why she was so spoiled and material. Gretchen had grown into a very beautiful woman just like her mother. She was five foot eleven tall and had smooth black skin. She was also blessed with a full, firm, and fit figure. Her twenty-two-inch waist was highlighted by full round hips. People always asked her if she had ever been on the track team at her college. Her hair was very long and thick, and the length was just past her shoulders. She possessed a beautiful pair of slanted eyes that were the lightest brown. Her teeth were perfectly straight and white. This was a result of quarterly trips to the dentist’s office. Her eyes seemed to twinkle when she laughed. Those were the eyes that had Donovan Bradley transfixed when he first laid his eyes on her.

That was a day that will never be erased from his memory. They were both students at Rice University. He was eating at the dorm cafeteria when it was suddenly a lot of commotion and talking. He looked up and saw the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. She had on an oversize white oxford shirt. The last four buttons were loose, and it was tied at the end around her very small waist. She had on a pair of red shorts that were trimmed in white all around the edge. Even though the scarf she had on her head covered a head full of rollers, her beauty was unimaginable. He looked down at her feet and she had on a pair of flip-flops that had the strap going between her toes. Her toes were perfect. They were freshly polished, and her nails were painted bright red. She was, without a doubt, gorgeous!

This was why he put up with the Davidsons’ obnoxious housekeeper, Mr. Jeffries. Mr. Jeffries was the Davidson butler/housekeeper. He headed a staff of six people who attended to the grounds and everything else around the Davidson household. It seemed like all he ever did was wait for Donovan to come by to see Gretchen and have the opportunity to harass him. He wondered what or how he would harass him today.

Donovan pressed the button on his steering wheel that turned down the music and pressed the button to let down his window. He reached his arm out and pressed the bell at the gate. He knew that Mr. Jeffries was watching him on the surveillance camera, so he waited.

Who is it?

It’s me, Mr. Jeffries. Donovan

Donovan who?

Donovan Bradley, sir. I’m here to see Gretchen.

After what seemed like an eternity, Mr. Jeffries finally responded, in his own dry way, Stand by.

How long was this little game going to be played? he wondered. This happened every time he came here. He was sure that it was nothing personal, but it was starting to get on his nerves. You would think that after all this time that he had proved or earned his merit with this family. Was she worth the entire hassle? He could basically have any woman that he desired. He smiled because he knew the answer to that even before he asked himself that question. She was definitely worth it. She was so much more than just another very beautiful woman. She was his friend.

Donovan!

Hey, Gretchen! what is the deal with Jeffries.

Oh, don’t worry about him he’s just trying to get on your nerves.

Yeah, and it’s working too.

Well!

Well what!

Do you want to come in and see me or not?

Of course I do, will you please let me in!

Wait a minute, are you taking me somewhere, and if you are, where?

Don’t you think that it would be a little more appropriate for us to talk about this inside.

Okay. She pushed another button that communicated to another part of the house, the part that Mr. Jeffries was monitoring and issuing the daily instructions to the Davidson house and groundkeepers. Her voice startled him.

Jeffries! Let Donovan in the gate please!

At once, Ms. Davidson.

He waited in his car as the big iron gate slowly started to open. He pulled forward slowly and proceeded down the long treelined driveway. The driveway was made with bricks and was redone every nine months. Gretchen’s grandfather had a thing about the number nine. He had never told her why, but according to Mr. Jeffries, it was a number that was all-encompassing. The driveway was a long curved one. The house sat at the apex of the curve. The front entryway was about seventy-five yards long. The curve was the equivalent to the curve on a running track. The kind that surrounded a football field. The exit way on the other side, which was also seventy-five yards, had another exit gate that had to be opened electronically from the inside. So once again he had to play the game with Mr. Jeffries whenever he chose to leave. The only exception to this rule was when he left with Gretchen. He pulled up to the front of the massive house and saw the door open. He was hoping that it would be Gretchen coming out to meet him. No such luck. It was Mr. Jeffries. He was the resident guard dog when it came to Gretchen. If you were lucky enough to get past him, then you had to deal with her grandfather! Right now, he had to deal with the immutable Mr. Jeffries.

Morning, Mr. Jeffries, how are you?

I see you went and bought a new car.

And a very good morning to you too, Mr. Jeffries.

Don’t get smart-mouthed with me. Is the car new or not?

Yes, it is new. It is a—

I know what kind of car it is, it’s a stinkin’ Lincoln, I know a Lincoln when I see one.

Is Gretchen ready? I really would like to leave now.

Hold your horses, young man. That’s the problem with you young people today. You always want to be in a hurry. Let me take a look at this fine piece of vehicle. He walked around the truck and sucked his teeth every once in a while. He kicked the tires and asked Donovan to raise the hood. He looked at the engine and even though he didn’t know what he was looking at. He didn’t ask any questions.

This thing fully loaded?

Absolutely, it even has some things that you can’t get at the dealer!

Yeah, I saw those little televisions in the headrests.

Those are called monitors, Mr. Jeffries. They’re for watching a DVD movie.

Well, you a real fancy dan, huh?

That was Gretchen’s idea.

* * *

As Gretchen was getting out of the shower, she was already deciding what to wear. Should she wear the black, brown, red, blue, or teal leather pants? She wasn’t sure which color she would choose, but she was sure she would choose the leather pants. She looked down at her toes and decided that she did not have to paint them besides she would have closed-toe shoes on. She toweled off and walked over to her dresser she opened the door and selected the leopard-print panties. She opened the top drawer and selected the leopard-print bra. She turned around and faced her full-length mirror and admired herself. She was all natural and all woman. She didn’t need a weave because her hair was really thick, and it was already down to her shoulders. She didn’t need or never entertained the idea of breast implants because, well, like Donovan always said, What’s understood doesn’t need to be explained. She walked over to her nightstand and looked for the measuring tape.

She found it right behind her pedicure kit. She pulled it out and stretched it long enough where it would reach around her. She then wrapped it around her chest and placed her thumb were the end of the tape stopped. She looked at the number and smiled. Hmm, 38, and she was a D-cup. She wrapped it around her waist looked at the number and smiled again—22 inches, the same as last week. She was a little apprehensive about her hips, but she decided what the hell. She wrapped the tape around her hips and looked at it and smiled. She should have known, the same as last week, 38 inches. She turned and walked to her huge walk-in closet and had to make the decision on what blouse to wear. She turned on the light, walked in the closet, and chose the flowery blouse that she bought Saturday at the Galleria. She walked over to the four rows of shoes that were lined up in the back of the closet. She walked back and forth, finally deciding on the lambskin flats that her grandfather gave to her. She walked out of her closet and over to her dresser and picked out a pair of knee-high stockings to wear with her flats. She turned around and walked to her canopy-covered bed and sat on the bed bench. She thought that she should maybe wear the teal leather pants because the blouse that she had on was full of teal flowers. Nah, I’ll be better off with what I’m wearing. She slid her knee-high stockings on her feet, and then she slid into those leather pants and they looked like they were painted on her.

She looked into the full-length mirror and was pleasantly surprised by how good she looked. In her leopard-print bra and leather pants, she was a very striking figure. She put her blouse on and grabbed her lambskin jacket that was on the hook inside her closet. She walked out of her room and into the elevator. The Davidson estate was three stories high and her room was on the third floor. This was more by design than by accident. Her grandfather specifically placed her on the third floor to thwart any male visitors from having any ideas of midnight creeping. She pushed the number one button in the elevator and felt the familiar jerk as it began its quick descent to the entrance of the estate. She stepped out of the elevator and walked down the long corridor to the front door.

When she opened the door and walked out, she overheard Donovan say, Those were Gretchen’s idea.

What was my idea?

Donovan and Mr. Jeffries both turned around at the same time. They both were so preoccupied with the new truck that they didn’t notice Gretchen as she walked out of the house. Every time that Donovan Bradley saw this woman, his heart jumped. She was simply stunning. She was wearing a pair of black leather pants that had to be altered at the waist. She wore a silk blouse with a flowery print that seemed to say she was not going to succumb to the dreariness of the day by dressing in drab colors. He walked briskly toward her and gave her a snug hug. He immediately smelled her perfume and recognized what kind it was just as soon as he received the enhanced aroma. It was called Romance. The aroma was enhanced by her body temperature, which for some reason was rising even though it was cold outside. She gave him her jacket, which was soft and supple as her skin. She turned around and allowed him to help her put the jacket on.

The monitors were your idea, remember?

Of course I remember, I also remember you saying it was an unnecessary convenience.

Is there some reason that I was not invited inside? Donovan asked.

Where are you taking me today, Donovan?

Gretchen, you didn’t answer my question!

She don’t have to answer you either, I’ll answer your question. We don’t like you that’s why we didn’t invite you in.

That will be enough, Jeffries.

Yes, ma’am.

He opened the front door of the Navigator for her to get inside. She turned away and opened the front door to the house and pressed the intercom. She was about to inform her grandfather that she was leaving.

Paw-paw, I’m leaving now do you want anything while I’m out? There was no response. Paw-paw?

Who are you leaving with?

Donovan Bradley, the same person that I always leave with!

Hearing this made Donovan feel good. He always hoped that he was the only one that Gretchen was seeing, and she more or less just confirmed it.

I want nothing, have a good time, her grandfather responded coldly.

Donovan opened the car door for Gretchen. He closed the door and brushed up against Mr. Jeffries as he walked around the other side.

You better watch where you walking. I don’t want to have to open up this can of whoop ass.

Jeffries, now that really is enough.

Didn’t you see how he walked into me, ma’am?

I’m sure that Donovan didn’t intentionally walk into you, Jeffries.

He better watch his back. I may be little, but I’ll still whip his ass.

Donovan took this opportunity to drive off. He pulled out of the circular driveway and headed for the large iron gate that was between him and freedom from the harassment of Mr. Jeffries. He always liked to push the envelope when he approached the gate. He knew that Jeffries or someone was watching them as they left and would open the gate as they approached. He sped up and Gretchen immediately knew what he was up to.

Donovan Bradley, why are you instigating a reaction from Jeffries.

I have no idea what you are talking about.

Why then did you speed up when you know that he has to open the gate.

He continually agitates me, and it has really gotten next to me.

Slow down please, don’t make something out of nothing!

Donovan slowed down and the gate opened at the appropriate time. He drove through and turned right. He stopped at the stop sign on the corner and saw the same patrol car that he did when he entered the neighborhood. This time they did nothing. This time they didn’t even look his way. He wondered why. Maybe Gretchen’s grandfather had made a phone call not to harass his precious little granddaughter. Whatever the reason, he was really starting to get fed up with this entire idiotic behavior. He really felt like it was no reason to treat a responsible individual like this. Who the hell did the Davidsons think they were! He was a multimillionaire and really didn’t have to put up with this mess. He was so caught up in the events of the morning that he didn’t notice the white Jaguar that pulled out of the Davidson estate. The car pulled out onto the street and began following them just far enough behind that it was inconspicuous.

Gretchen sensed that Donovan was very tense. She reached out and touched his hand. The touch of her hand soothed him. He took a deep breath and looked at her for the first time since they sat in the truck. As it was every time that he looked at her, he was mesmerized. He smiled sheepishly and focused on where he was driving.

Don’t let Jeffries bother you. He is only trying to get under your skin.

It’s not only Mr. Jeffries. It’s the whole package that I have to deal with simply to maintain a relationship with you.

Now wait just a minute, Mr. Bradley. Don’t blame me because you can’t handle a little pressure. The only reason that my family is putting you through this is simply because they want to see if you are truly serious about being a part of my life. Now look at me, Donovan, I’m not being conceited when I say that a lot of men would do anything to sleep with me, including going along with the harassment that Jeffries and my grandfather put you through. My grandfather wants me to do things the right way. He wants me to do things the Christian way. He wants me to be married before I engage in any ‘extracurricular’ activity, Donovan. There are so many negative things that result from premarital sex. I haven’t even mentioned all of the money that is involved. I purposely didn’t mention it because you have a little money of your own.

Listen. First of all, I think that you are giving yourself a little bit too much credit. You look good, but you don’t look that good! He felt the lie in that statement even before it left his mouth. I don’t have to deal with these situations. If they don’t think that I am worthy of your company, then say so, but don’t place me in that asinine atmosphere and expect me to like it.

"It’s just that it’s so much at stake, Donovan. I’m sure that you understand. I’m all that my grandfather has at this point. No one has heard from my father. He is probably who knows where. I have never known my mother. No one tells me anything when I ask them. They act like it’s some big secret. So you see, Donovan, when my grandfather dies, everything is going to be in the control of my hands. He wants to be sure that the person who might be in my life for the rest of my life is not only worthy but also trustworthy!

"You’re