“But Azmir—”
With resolve in my voice I said, “It’s final. You’ll have assigned muscle at all times when you’re not with me. While you’re working they’ll keep their distance, but get it in your head that their presence will be felt at your job. They’ll blend in with the wallpaper. As this investigation progresses, so may the details of your security.” I stood from the table, feeling the loss of my appetite and I wasn’t about to argue about what had been decreed in my mind. “I have some calls to make. I’ll be in my office.”
I left my love there processing my words.
~~~~~~~~~~
Rayna
It had been two days since Azmir hit me with the news that, from now until the unforeseeable future, I’d be followed by security—and not just any security, my detail was professional. I learned yesterday he went to the extent of contracting with a private company that employed former governmental agency security and they carried weapons.
Imagine my surprise when yesterday, as I prepared for church, not only did Azmir get dressed along with me, but insisted on attending. I was followed all throughout service by a large, stiff red head man in an all-black suit. It was intolerable. It was odd enough having Azmir, a self-proclaimed Muslim, sitting next to me, stiff and squarely poised himself. But to be followed by my personal security to the ladies’ room was the most embarrassing thing I’d had to endure in years. All the women gaped oddly at me and ogled Azmir for the duration of the service. Once it was over, I made a beeline for the door before Pastor Edmondson could call for me. I couldn’t explain my varied company in morning worship that day.
And then this morning, I had to ride into work with Azmir and Ray with our security in tow, two cars behind. Who in the hell were we, Barack and Michelle? I didn’t express my disdain and total confusion about this debacle, trying to respect Azmir’s decision and accommodate his lifestyle, but this was too much!
This morning before we began seeing patients, I had to hold an impromptu mandatory staff meeting and inform my team that from here on out there would be security on the grounds monitoring, per the advisement and loan of the recreation center. I threw it all on the rec because there was no way that I was prepared to discuss my personal life with my staff. It was humiliating.
Once my day was done, I jumped back into the Bentley with Azmir and Ray and headed back to the marina. As soon as I laid eyes on Azmir I could tell he ended his day with a session with Tyler. He wore a soiled sweat-suit. We rode in silence. Other than him grabbing my hand once we pulled off, we had very little interaction. I had forgotten he was there. I thought to myself maybe if I had the heart to express my feelings about this to him instead of holding them inside and suppressing them I wouldn’t be so wound up. I said very little to Azmir since his announcement of this insanity. He didn’t press me either. He had seemed so preoccupied, I’d assumed from the fire.
We walked into the apartment and Azmir headed straight to the shower. I was right on his heels, but went to the walk-in closet to discard my work clothes when I heard the phone ring. Azmir had state of the art technology at the marina, which included a telephone system that streamed jazz music at every station and utilized several ringtones. This particular ringtone indicated a call from the front desk downstairs. I answered and could hear Roberto speaking in a distinct murmur.
“There’s a Tara Harrison down here. She’s been waiting for over an hour for Mr. Jacobs. I explained to her when she arrived that he was unavailable and she said she knew and would wait.”
What on earth is Tara doing here? How does she even know where he lives? Does she have stalker tendencies like her father? This was all becoming too much for me. I felt like I was going burst of frustration. Tara picked the wrong day to show up unannounced and I was prepared to show her.