Research and Sabotage
The next morning, a sore Dan sat across from David at his massive desk. He had stayed at his best friend's house a second night, knowing full well that he would eventually need to go home.
They both sat bent over their laptops, performing searches for muds and minerals needed for spa baths. He looked up from his computer.
"Listen to this post. Tell me what you think."
"Hey guys! Need your help. I am looking for the ultimate anniversary gift for my better half. She is following her dream and starting a new enterprise and I want to help her…"
"Is this going to be a vid or just a post?"
"I was just going to do a post so I can get it out quick."
"Well, calm down and just speak as you normally do. You sound too keyed up in that. Just do a video and let it come naturally—like you always do. Since when have you written a script?"
Dan ripped out the paper and balled it up. "You're right."
"Go do it now. I will look into the suppliers we found for the minerals. Remember to tell them Marcus will be our go-between…"
"Okay, I will remember."
Dan left before David could finish speaking.
He went to David's soundproof studio and set up his phone. He took a deep cleansing breath and began.
"Hey guys! I know this live is short notice, but I am reaching out because I need your help. Hey, mackIsGreat, good to see you, bro.
"I have been extremely selfish, and I am trying to show someone very special to me that she is special. I have taken her for granted for too long, and if I continue like this, I know I will lose her." He paused and took a deep, shuddering breath. It took him a few minutes to calm and restart. "The problem is she is brilliant, capable, and richer than I am. I want to do more than buy her something; I want to help her in her newest endeavor.
"You see—because of me—she hasn't been doing what she loves, but now she will. I want to help her make this business a success.
"All that babbling is to ask for your help to find sustainable, food-grade, high-purity, or cosmetic-grade mud, minerals, and essential oils for a bath and spa.
"My better half—and the true light of my life—has decided to make a change. I want to show her the support she deserves. So, guys, help me help her. I want the best of the best. Money is no object. She is about quality, so that is what I will find her.
"Okay. Thanks, SaraSpeaksLoud. I will look into Huangshan Earth Riches. Thanks, TiredAllTheTime."
A little over an hour later, Dan returned. David raised an eyebrow. Dan shrugged.
"I just went live."
"Only someone with your following can make a gain going live without any warning. I have a list of essential oils like we discussed, and I got the supplies for the mud narrowed down to two suppliers."
Dan raised a hand and took out his notebook. "Are they the Jade Serenity Mineral Works out of China and The Great Rift Geothermal Products out of Rwanda?"
David looked at him with a smile. "In just an hour? My Chinese location is Huangshan Earth Riches."
Dan sat down, shaking his head. "One of my followers said that they are good as well, but more expensive and their customer service is horrible."
"Good work."
"Not good enough, bro." Dan sighed. "Amber really doesn't need me, does she? I was such a fool."
"Don't be an idiot. It's not about what she needs; it is about the thought behind what you do. I think you're a fool because you don't want her to know what you're doing for her."
Dan shook his head. "I don't want her to know yet. Right now, she is just thinking I will never change, but when she sees how I change, and then realizes I found her supplies for her and paid for six months of the supplies, she will know the truth.
"It's all about actions."
"Look at you sounding like a guru."
Dan laughed, his eyes suddenly lit up. "I just got an email. The mineral supplier has already shipped everything to Marcus."
"And you already paid for it?"
"Yes. I told him to just tell her that a supplier reached out to him after hearing about the project, and she would only need to pay his transportation costs, but the supplies themselves are paid for."
"She won't believe that."
"Probably not. But she will not dispute him, especially when she sees it is a legit supplier." Dan smiled knowingly. "She is probably going to harass him for information."
"He won't talk. You finding these suppliers is strengthening his business."
"I know. Let's hope the mud, mineral, and essential oil suppliers are just as easy for me." He groaned. "I need to hurry up and get that beach house on the market. It's ready, but I hadn't given it over to the realtor yet."
"I still don't understand why you are not your own realtor—you have the licensure." David held up a hand to quiet his friend. "I know your reasoning, but I still don't understand."
Dan was cut off again when his phone rang. He looked down and frowned—it was Amber's brother, Damon.
"Damon?"
"I want you to know that we will get Jessica out of Amber's house tonight. I hope she does not get back in."
The phone disconnected. Dan was annoyed and happy at the same time.
Annoyed because no one believed he had changed—happy because Jessica was about to exit from his life forever.
He felt an odd queasiness in his stomach.
He hoped she was gone forever.