Chapter Twenty Three: Part 1: Sex Island Scammer

The first day, Thursday, after Aarav left, Meriam emailed him. There was no reply. She emailed him two days later, on Saturday, thinking he was on the site, and not the office. Still no reply. Later that week, he called on Sunday, and explained the messages go to a server he doesn't trust. He added that his company had court cases, and authorities could seize his phone and laptop any time. And if seized, he didn't want to implicate her. So it was better if he didn't reply. He said she could email him if she had a problem. Still, he couldn't reply.

Meriam thought his reasoning strange, but remained quiet. She deliberated and questioned whether he was honest. What did he fear? Her mind wandered in circles. Had she spooked him, accusing him of being with Mariana? She needed her questions answered.

He called her on Monday of the second week. She forgot her questions, as his unexpected call surprised her, leaving her without focus. They discussed the hotel and Guyana scenery. Then he ended the call, leaving for work.

The next week, he called on Monday again and they chatted. The rest of the days he did not call, and she didn't bother interrupting his work, or raising his phone bill. She stopped emailing him too, since he didn't reply and it was more a monologue than a conversation. At least he was calling her, though, once a week. With that, she remained content.

Three Weeks Later

Everything went on as usual at Savannah House. Meriam tended to Elaine and gave lessons to Ralph, who kept improving with passing time. It was now three months since she came to work in Savannah and seven weeks since Meriam's childhood home burned and Bani began working at the Chocolate Factory. She and Bani had purchased a sofa set for their living room, where they'd settle in Savannah Gardens. They'd visited their old spot in Granville and hoped to rebuild a tiny house on the very spot since they didn't want to keep spending money on rent for the rest of their lives. They decided it was best to rent for now and rebuild a small house in Granville.

Lauren was still at Savannah House. Whenever not spending time with Enrique, she and Meriam did enjoyable things together. They went to the movies and sometimes Valentina accompanied them. They invited Ana, too, but she declined each time. Another day, they baked cookies and pastries. Other times, they just hang out at Savannah House.

Ana's behavior was still peculiar. Lauren still speculated on her problem, though Meriam perceived Mariana's arrest as the reason. She wondered by now if they repatriated her to Venezuela. Considering what Dulcy said, she rationalized if true, Ana might know, and that'd explain her behavior. But Aarav had denied being with her that Sunday, as Dulcy claimed. And she never bothered asking him if he was with her before that. She remembered his response when she saw him in the office talking to Mariana. He didn't confess to a relationship. Even if they had a relationship, he'd never admit it, she thought. Her thoughts turned to cheaters. She'd learned that a player and a cheater had one differing characteristic. A player told women he had other women. But a cheater fooled women into thinking they were the only one. Her mind went round in circles the more she considered. A part of her mind contemplated whether he was telling the truth and she was just overthinking.

Soon it was Wednesday and Aarav was due back. She kept her phone near, hoping for his call. He didn't call until later that night when she was falling asleep. He informed her he was at the airport waiting for his father. Deo was coming with his vehicle so he could drive home. They chatted until he reached home. He said he was coming to Savannah Friday and couldn't wait to see her. Meriam felt thrilled. The anxiety she felt before found its release that night. She was on a rollercoaster ride the past three weeks. It was unsettling and unusual for her. No one ever put her on an emotional rollercoaster. She hoped she didn't have to experience that anymore. She believed her heart might collapse, and she might die from the emotional highs and lows of the past weeks. They said good night, and she fell asleep soon afterwards.

That week after Aarav's arrival, Meriam remembered the questions she wanted to ask him. Sometimes, though, when he called, she forgot most of them. The excitement she felt talking to him made it hard to concentrate. But she asked him one question, which she had asked once already. How come he'd built a house in Savannah? He said besides liking the quiet countryside; he intended to rent his house and earn an extra income. Meriam concluded he gave a reasonable answer. He further informed her he'd rented it in the past a few times, and that someone was going to be renting it this Saturday. She became curious, thinking that he never mentioned he built it to rent out. Did he change his answer because she kept asking? Did someone really contact him intending to rent it? Or did he say that just so she'd leave the topic alone? Meriam thought she was overthinking again. She left the topic alone. She needed to trust him, and she was going to try.

The days passed and soon it was Friday. Mr. Bastian called early that morning, informing her he and Agatha were coming to Savannah that evening and that she could go home then. She expected Aarav that evening too, and it thrilled her. She sat on the porch with Elaine and Lauren in the afternoon. Elma had gone to the groceries at Point Fortin with Danny Thomas and Ana. Ralph and his friends were playing cricket on the road out front.

Lauren sat next to her and leaned closer, whispering. "You remember de number that registered on Valentina's phone when she say a woman was calling?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I memorized it. Then one day I blocked my number and called it."

Meriam was silent as she listened.

Lauren continued. "A man answered and I could swear he sounded like Joe's brother Tony. I had a new sim, and phone number, so I unblocked my number and called another day, so he'd think it was someone else. I asked to talk to Tony, and he said, speaking."

Meriam stared wide eyed as she recognized what that meant. It meant the woman who'd call Valentina used Tony's phone.

Lauren continued. "I heard from someone that de Venezuelan coast guard chased de boat a few months ago. The boat iz wrecked on de Bonasse beach, near de jetty. There is a talk that he involved in human trafficking, and other illegal things."

Meriam listened with interest.

Lauren continued. "I did ah little research into de matter. Do you remember de 'sex island scam' ah year ago?"

Meriam knew of the event. They advertised it as a getaway event where men could meet women on a boat for pleasure in confidentiality. News of it spread throughout the world. "Yes, I remember."

"Well, I thought de event suspicious. I did research out of curiosity. That was a year ago. The research I did, I learned that the contact for the event was a guy named Tony. Back then, I didn't connect it to Tony, Joe's brother. But when I learned that de Venezuelan coast guard chased Tony's boat, I made de connection."

Meriam realized what Lauren was saying.

"I could be wrong. But, ah think Tony Cooper is de Tony from de scam, and I have a plan to prove it."

Chapter Twenty Three: Part 2: Will You Please?

Aarav picked up Meriam that evening at seven o'clock. He told her to wear something nice, like a favorite dress, no jeans. She wore a knee-length navy blue velvet, v neck straight dress with three quarter length sleeves. She wore her hair in a gorgeous side sweep, her dark hair arranged in cascading waves. When she entered his van, he breathed deep and asked her if she planned on driving him crazy.

He couldn't take his eyes off her. "Wow, you look amazing Meriam."

She blushed. "Thanks."

He leaned over and kissed her lightly on her cheeks before driving away. His touch awakened a million sensations within her, driving her into a frenzy.

He didn't tell her where he was taking her, only that it was a surprise. They passed Point Fortin and San Fernando and kept going. He explained he didn't want to spoil the surprise. She soon realized she was in strange territory, as everywhere looked unfamiliar in the night. All she noticed were the streetlights and the busy roads. Ten minutes later, he entered a road with little traffic. It was sparsely populated with houses in the distance, their lights dim against the surrounding darkness. Ten minutes later, they neared a place with a sign that read Cara Suites Hotel and Conference Center. Meriam's heart raced as she looked at Aarav as he parked.

He appeared to have read her mind. "Don't worry. I haven't brought you here intending to bed you."

Meriam lowered her gaze, feeling embarrassed.

He continued. "At least, not yet."

Meriam looked up and froze.

He looked at her, his eyes probing as if trying to look beneath her. Then he smiled and switched off the engine. He emerged, and she did likewise, following him as they approached a part of the building that read Restaurant. She smiled, thinking, how romantic of him, taking her to a restaurant.

A woman greeted them and led them to their table at one end of the empty restaurant. Meriam wondered whether the restaurant was always empty. Not long afterwards, a couple entered and sat on the opposite end. Meriam realized business was slow. She felt happy being there with Aarav.

A short time after, a waitress came and gave them the menus. They looked it over and when she returned, they ordered the Lobster avocado toast as an appetizer. And for the main course, they ordered two New Zealand lamb racks, truffle sauce and broccoli risotto. For dessert, they ordered the warm chocolate cake, toasted milk and salted caramel.

They chatted as they waited for the waitress to return. Ten minutes later, she arrived with their appetizer.

Aarav looked at Meriam as she chewed, her mouth full. He swallowed his first mouthful, a twinkle in his eye. "Meriam, how was your three weeks away from me?"

She swallowed her food. She decided not to hold a grudge for her inability to talk to him then. People who hold grudges in relationships always lose in the end. Besides, the food was too nice, and she loved it. "Well, it was difficult but I'm happy we are here now."

He smiled and continued to eat, his eyes on her, softening, admiring, she thought.

After ten minutes, the waitress came with their main course. It looked sumptuous. Meriam and Aarav began eating, glancing at each other now and then. Whenever their eyes locked, she held onto his and looked deep within them. She loved looking at him. He was poetry brought alive. A magnificent work of art that breathed, spoke, moved and thought, a living miracle.

She soon grew comfortable eating in front of him, and he appeared to love watching her eat. She couldn't help it, the food was delicious. They barely spoke as they ate, and Meriam didn't mind. She wasn't one who talked much when she was hungry, and hungry she was. Though, sometimes, she commented on the food as he nodded and smiled.

As they were eating dessert, Aarav spoke. "Meriam," he said.

She looked at him. Her name emerged from his lips as a whisper.

"I... I have fallen in love with you," he said.

Meriam froze.

He held her hand, looking into her eyes. "Meriam... will you marry me?" he asked.

Chapter Twenty Four: Part 1: A Deadly Secret

The following day, Saturday, Aarav met his weekend tenants. Meriam watched from home as the people entered his yard and he took them inside his house. There was one thick young woman, three men and a young boy, around Ralph's age. They brought a dog with them. Soon, another car pulled up, and the occupants emerged and walked towards the house. There were two men and two women. They were of Indo-Trinidadian descent. Not long afterwards, Aarav emerged and drove off, stopping in front of Meriam's house. He signaled for her to approach. She informed Bani before walking towards his vehicle and entering it. Then he drove out of Lime Street and onto the Southern Main road. Meriam wondered where he was taking her.

Meriam had said yes to his proposal. And right after that, he kissed her, a memory she couldn't forget.

* * * * * * * *

Last night (A Memory):

They were still in the restaurant. He put his chair next to hers and sat up straight, looking into her eyes as she gazed back at him, her heart racing.

He leaned towards her. "Can I kiss you?"

Her body grew weak at the thought. "Yes."

It came out inaudibly. It shocked her when he leaned toward her and put his lips against hers, kissing her; softly at first. She felt her body grow weak as she gave up her senses to him. The blood rushed through her, warming her, as his lips probed deeper, attacking savagely her lips. Weak against him, she leaned into him as his hand grasped her small waist.

She pulled away to breathe, and they sat breathless, gazing into each other's eyes.

* * * * * *

They'd agreed to be engaged in two weeks. Earlier this morning, he spoke to Meriam's sister, Bani, about his proposal. She looked happy for them. Talia appeared happy too, since Aarav mentioned that after marriage they'll live next door.

Soon, they were on the hill, where they last picnicked. The air conditioning was on and the vehicle was idle. He faced her, a concerned look in his eyes. "Meriam, there're lots I need to tell you."

She was silent.

He stared at her long before he spoke. "You weren't born yet, but have you heard of the 1990 attempted coup?"

Meriam remembered her parents talking about it. "I heard of it."

"Well, I served in the army then," he said.

Meriam remembered he was twice her age. She never would have guessed he was a soldier. Although, he displayed excellent defense skills the harvest festival's night. Meriam had wondered then where he learned those moves.

He continued. "I barely weighed one hundred pounds."

Meriam thought he appeared to go over the memory in his head.

"I put a group together back then. And lost touch with most of them. But sometime ago I met two of them. They told me don't contact the rest."

Meriam thought he appeared distant. "You put a group together?"

He nodded. "Lots of things happening in dis country and no one knows who doing it?"

Meriam couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"There was someone else in de shadows, the mastermind behind the 1990 attempted coup," he said.

"Who is that?" Meriam asked.

He looked at her and smiled as he said the name. Meriam heard the name before and couldn't believe her ears.

He smiled. "Meriam, there many criminals in the shadows, unsuspecting."