Damn hell.
“Why didn’t we catch it?” I ask, harshly.
“They must have come from the back. We covered the front. No one has seen anything until the neighbours called it in this morning.”
“That is not something done easily,” I say. “How did they miss someone carrying a ladder there?!”
“I don’t know,” Henry says.
“Did you reach the headteacher of her school?” I ask, angrily.
“Yes. He has been reluctant to speak with Bill; his traditional values echo those of several parents. The suspension is already issued, and there will be a disciplinary investigation; he also recommended dismissal to the Governing Body.”
Bastards.
“Anything new on the photographer?”
“Yes,” Henry says hesitantly.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Emiliano sent me the guestlist from that night,” Henry says. “One name stood out.”
“WHO?” I ask.
“Olivia Quinn.”
I close my eyes briefly as my lips thin out.
“I surely would have noticed her”, I say.
“She looks quite different today,” says Henry, and shows me a photo of her. And yes, I wouldn’t have noticed her. Nothing about her resembles the woman who has stalked me all these years. Eventually, it had stopped, right after she had met someone.
“I thought she was in a relationship?”
“She ended it several weeks ago. I talked to the ex, she said it was because of you, because Olivia was so obsessed with you.”
I breathe in and out.
“Have someone shadow Olivia’s every move. Mia will freak, I know it. Shit,” I say. Not because Mia will freak, but because this causes more disruption than I hoped.
“Done,” says Henry.
“Mia needs close protection for the time being. Aside from keeping the paps away, this is more serious than I thought.”
“I already set things in motion,” Henry says. “Bill is also preparing a lawsuit against the media outlets for breach of privacy,defamation, and harassment if they continue to follow her. He said it would come in handy if she were dismissed, talking multiple six figures.”
“I believe her job is more important to her than the money, unless someone talks sense into her,” I say.
“Is that likeable?” he asks.
“She is many beautiful things, but having sense in that department is not part of it,” I say with a sigh.
I do not wish for anyone, not even Henry, to know what has happened at Glenmere. I have never been shouted at and slapped in the face before. My subs would have never dared to try.
But Mia—she doesn’t even know what that word means in its full extent. She just acted, emotionally, mirroring parts of my behaviour. I am also certain she has never set a boundary with anyone about anything, which has led to a complete overreaction.
I spent an entire day in solitude, thinking about it, to get to where I am now. As a dominant, I am used to bringing awareness to my actions before I seek reasons from those who obey me, and I can see my part. I did not prepare her for what her involvement with me might mean or lead to.
