I was still at college then, while he was a rising star in the organisation. I was flattered to catch his attention and my Dad was after assurances th...t I was not going to be ... taken advantage of, I suppose.”Gertie smiled back, “I realise it’s a little unconventional for a grandmother to get involved, but Jake is very special to me and, well, he never tells me anything about his private life. That’s why I tend to worry about him. And I worry about you too, my dear. I mean, how are you coping. ‘I can support us both,’ Derek told her flat-out. He was making far less working as a plumber than his wife was earning modeling and working for her mother’s company. Wendy had managed to finance a second store and then a 3rd, Sharon was helping her manage operations. She was still getting requests to model, although she turned a few down. She also entered a number of body-building competitions and won a few, plus a few Wet T-Shirt nights at a local pub. Sharon had no problem showing her body. “Bastard!” Aithorn cursed as he broke through the fog.“Taking out the medic first is basic strategy, wouldn’t you agree? Still, I’m rather surprised. The ‘Wandering Spirit?’ I really blurted out more than I should have in the heat of the moment. To think those are the words the kingdom would heed. You’ve made the mistake of ignoring my warning to Tarnas, but perhaps I should appreciate that your kingdom fears me enough to give me a nickname.”“Zodiac: Teez! Rakshon! Baol!”Not too far off, Valia. I like to paint!” He told me about how he would always be drawing things when he was a c***d and it was decided to send him to school for it where he did very well! “It's how I make a living now! One of my greatest joys in life is seeing an idea come to life on canvas!” I decided to tease him “Maybe you'll paint my picture sometime?” He came up to me cupped my face in his hands and said “That was the first thing I thought of when I saw you this face should be on canvas so beautiful!” Then he.