Chapter Four: THE PETAL STORM

The sound of the bus woke Layla.

“The government is leasing properties like this for top dollar. Your properties are approved. All you have to do is sign. You get to serve your country and make a mint. This is perfect for you, Paul. You still want to go to the airport?” Lee’s voice boomed through the courtyard.

Paul nodded yes.

“Madelaine, work your magic, convince Paul to stay. I get a hell of a finder’s fee and Paul will be set for life.” Lee prodded.

Madelaine caught up with Paul in the center of the courtyard. A whirling sea breeze dipped into the atrium and all of the wisteria petals took flight. Madelaine put her hands in the air and spun around like Julie Andrews in THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

“You simply must stay, Paul. It’s a sign!” Madelaine laughed. Paul took her hand and spun her around again.

“You have bewitched me, Madelaine. I’ll stay and take the meeting tomorrow with Lee.” Paul laughed louder. The petals swirled round and round. The children laughed and ran wild screaming with delight. Everyone was laughing except Lee.

“He’s agreed to stay,” Milo told Lee.

“I offer the man the chance of a lifetime, a government contract beyond compare and how does he thank me? He makes a pass at my wife!” Lee burned with irrational jealousy.

On the bus wives asked their husbands why Lee was so angry.  

Husbands told their wives to ignore it. Everyone welcomed more champagne to calm their nerves.

Lee lingered in the courtyard complaining to Milo that Madelaine never looked with such loving eyes upon him. Surely this was more than the moment. Certainly Paul was Corina’s father.

“The way Paul held the child and sang, “Corina, Corina, I love you so”, who does that?” Lee vented.

“He was just trying to be witty, sir, I’m sure that’s all it was.” Milo suggested.

“Poison him after he signs the documents tomorrow and drown the baby tonight.” Lee fumed.

Layla dropped her camera. Both men looked up. The storm bird fluttered down from the roof and landed on the potted bamboo plant, bobbing about as the wind lifted and lowered the branch. It began to rain hard.

“Let’s go.” Milo urged.

Lee called Otto, his son’s bodyguard and ordered him to keep Max away from his mother.

Layla photographed the bobbing and weaving white-throated needletail as it enjoyed its bamboo ride in the rain. 

She mouthed the words: “Thank you.” 

If the storm bird had not distracted the men, they might have discovered her. 

She took her phone from her backpack and turned it on. There were a ton of messages she didn’t dare answer yet.

***

~ To Be Continued ~