Post by Danielle Basch on Jan 10, 2018 0:22:16 GMT -5
Mountaintop Villa
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
January 9, 2018
Scene fades in on Danielle Basch as she stands near a picture window, looking out at the tropical paradise she and her husband are experiencing as part of their honeymoon. From behind, we can see a shirtless Donovan Basch move in to stand behind his bride, wrapping his arms around her waist as they both take in the view. From where they stand, they can see as far as the waters of Grapetree Bay, glistening in the midday sun.
Danielle: I just can’t get over this beautiful view!
Donovan chuckles as he looks down at his wife.
Donovan: And the scenery is pretty impressive as well….
Danielle looks up at her husband, the corner of her mouth turning upward in a smirk as she rests her hands over his. Their ring fingers line up, prompting Donovan to hold his arm out so that they could look at their wedding rings against the bright blue backdrop of the sky.
Danielle: Look at that matching bling…
She giggles as they stare at their wedding rings. Donovan follows up with a chuckle of his own.
Donovan: And if all goes well, by this time next week, these rings won’t be the only matching accessories we possess…
Danielle giggles again, looking up at her husband.
Danielle: Do you remember when you tweeted that you had a spot set aside on your mantle for the West Coast Championship? It was right after they debuted the title….
Donovan: I do. Why do you bringing it up?
Danielle: Remember what I said in response?
Donovan: Refresh my memory….
Danielle: I said something to the effect of “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.”
Donovan: To which I replied, “Why would you set aside a space for MY property?”
Danielle: Ah, so you DO remember!
Donovan: Of course. It’s just that it sounds so much better when YOU say it.
Danielle: Well, imagine BOTH of our titles sitting on the mantle….
Husband and wife lower their hands, looking blissfully out the window as they ponder the image of the West Coast and South Bay Championship belts sitting side by side.
Danielle: You know what they say about the power of creative visualization….
Donovan: The more you visualize something happening, the more likely you are to actually MAKE it happen?
Danielle: Something like that, yeah. But that doesn’t take the place of hard work.
Donovan: Of course not. But it shows that I have my eyes on the prize.
Without breaking off the embrace, Danielle turns around to face her husband. She rests her hands on his chest, running her fingers through the forest of hair covering his pecs.
Danielle: You’ve always had your eye on the prize, haven’t you, Donny?
She gazes up at him, her peridot eyes flashing a seductive gleam as she smiles.
Donovan: That’s the only way to become successful in life, let alone the ring. But enough talk about our livelihood; we can go down to the gym later. For now, let’s just get back to enjoying each other.
Danielle: And what did you have in mind, Mr. Basch?
Donovan flashes an equally flirtatious grin at Danielle as he draws her even closer to him.
Danielle: On second thought, I think I have a pretty good idea….
A low, playful growl rumbles in Donovan’s throat as he leans in to kiss Danielle on the lips….
Meanwhile….
An Abandoned Hotel
Redondo Beach, CA
January 9, 2018
Sitting behind a large wooden desk, with all matter of papers and photos scattered across the surface, is Luther Cunningham, Danielle Basch’s estranged father. As he pours over the items on his cluttered workspace, a younger man with short-cropped black hair walks into the room with a newspaper in his hand. He approaches Luther’s desk and hands him the paper.
Man: Sir, here’s the newspaper you requested.
Luther: Thank you, Rick.
Luther picks up the paper as Rick looks on, inquisitively
Rick: Sir, if you don’t mind me asking…
Luther looks up at Rick and nods his head.
Luther: Of course not; ask away!
Rick: Why not just read the news on the website? You wouldn’t get that bothersome ink on your hands from the newsprint.
Luther: I’m not above getting my hands a little dirty, Rick. In fact, I plan on seeing to some of this place’s renovations, myself.
He turns his head and glares at the pictures spread out all over his desk.
Luther: Starting with that filthy, algae-encrusted cesspool they call a jacuzzi!
He gestures toward the spread of photos of the property on his desk; one of which showed a dilapidated triangular jacuzzi, the bottom of which is lined with a thick layer of dark green algae. He sneers in disgust as he shakes open his paper. He clears his throat, then dismisses his assistant.
Luther: That’ll be all, Rick.
Rick: Yes, sir.
As Rick leaves the room, Luther leans back in his chair, reclining it as far as it will go as he props his feet up on his desk. He closes his eyes and opens the newspaper to a random page.
Luther: Okay… I guess I’m starting with the classifieds. I can see that want ad I put in for hotel staff….
As he scans the columns, his eyes suddenly lock onto a 2x4 column block in the announcements section. He blinks for a moment at the accompanying picture, that of his estranged daughter Danielle… and her new husband.
Luther’s eyes narrow as he stares at the image before they slowly close, and a deep sigh escapes from his mouth as he balls up the newspaper and tosses it aside.
Luther: You really blew it, Cunningham… first Marie, then your own daughter.
With another sigh, Luther swings his feet onto the floor and pushes up out of his chair. He storms out of his office, leaving his chair swiveling in its place.