One last dance and she would be free. One dance, and then she could close her eyes to this nightmare. It was all Sophie told herself as she went with Dante to lead the customary opening dance.But when they stood to take their positions, Sophie was a bit intimidated. She was wary, but Not so much as because of the height difference as it was owing to the fact that she had noticed the new edge of indifference in him. Almost as though he had added several layers of ice since the last time she they spoke, Which of course was at dinner. He hadn't spoken much... well, infact, he hadn't spoken at all. Not since their last squabble at the table, where he had teased her, then sort of threatened her right after in not so many words. She wondered what was up with him. She had hated it when he teased her and urged her to speak up and act more lively, but his silence bothered her most. His face was closed off. Almost hostile, and she couldn't read him at all. It made her terribly nervous. And
Sophie hesitated at the entrance to the bedroom, quietly watching Dante as he moved to set their bags at the foot of the wardrobe.She watched him lower himself to a squat as he unzipped his duffel bag and set to unpack.There wasn't much to be unpacked though, besides his laptop, a small cellophane bag containing his essential toiletries and a couple of shirts and trousers. None of which looked at all benefitting for a two week long beach vacation stay. Which might have served to drive home the fact that he had had very little time to pack and had of course, not initially planned to go on a vacation in the first place, but Sophie was determined to be suspicious.Although something about him, gave her the feeling that Dante wasn't the kind of person who would know how to go about selecting an appropriate wardrobe choice befitting of a vacation.He probably never even had a day of vacation in his whole life. "I can do that.." Sophie spoke up suddenly as Dante drew her travelling bags
The sun was high on the eastern horizon by the time Sophie deigned to arose her self from the blissful abyss of sleep. The sun was steadily and determinedly making It's energetic ascent in the sky, It's gentle rays shyly peeking through the slightly open shutter windows of the bedroom, thus letting in slanted bursts of gold tinged lighting that illuminated the room and positively settled upon Sophie's sleepy face with a rosy blush.She was feeling peculiarly lethargic and couldn't decide whether to allow herself come into full consciousness or to just simply let her body slide right back into sleep. However, the puzzling feeling of certain things being strangely out of place, distracted her long enough to allow her make the subconscious decision of coming into full wakefulness.She couldn't feel the extra silken layer of her eye mask on her face, so she wondered, for one, how come she appeared to have fallen so easily asleep the previous night without her eye mask, and why on earth wa
Sophie was beginning to grow dizzy from constantly having to watch Dante's anxious pacing movements. He seemed to be every where at once. He had gotten right up to making series of phone calls after he was done setting up their luggage.Sophie had been eventually pressured to get her things ready and had managed to do so in record time too. There was no way She could have been able to keep up that lackadaisical air of nonchalance under Dante's watchful eyes and hovering presence. He had been literally breathing down her neck. He had such an unwavering tenacity about him that could bend the will of anyone_even someone as stubborn as she was. He could make you squirm with out even saying a word. All he need do was pin you with that intimidating look that spoke volumes all on its own.Not that Sophie was intimidated. She just felt... Well, a little bit guilty. For what exactly..? she wasn't sure. It was just something in that look of his. It made you feel things you didn't understand
"Where are we heading to..?" Sophie asked of the elderly looking gentleman who had earlier received them_Dante and herself_ at the air space moments ago, shortly after their safe landing on the helipad.He had come along with Alberto Sanchez, Dante's much younger PR manager, and had introduced himself as Jethro Gibbs, Dante's professional Chauffeur. Jethro was quite a dependably agile sexagenarian, with a full head of silver tinted greying locks and an amiable smile that bespoke of a certain ancient, but once admirably youthful charm.He had an easy manner of speech that was placating and an air of assurance that was welcoming.Perhaps that had been the reason why Sophie had not been particularly difficult when he had directed her towards the black Mercedes which was to be their lift, right after Dante had simply instructed him to; "..take her home."Dante had said it then as though he were some weary guardian who couldn't wait to get rid of his infinitely troublesome ward.Sophie ha
Once again, Sophie was seated at the back seat of the Mercedes Benz, inwardly seething like a petulant child who had had her favorite toy taken away and refusing to talk to Dante the whole way home. This was to be her second trip to the penthouse in less than twenty four hours and she didn't relish the second time going anymore than she had the first time.It was embarrassingly provoking to think of the crude manner in which Dante had rudely come to collect her from her friend's place.Dante had stormed Janet's home, with Marko in tow, like an angry father who intended to confront and bring back home, his young daughter who had eloped with her lover.Sophie had done no such thing. She had simply wanted to spend the night with her maternal cousin and Friend. To be around someone familiar. Someone she could still trust. She didn't understand Dante's anger at all. Afterall, she had left him a note. But then again, maybe some one like him was incapable of comprehending something as bas
Julia Guthram. She was the word on everyone's lips this morning. Dante stared dispassionately at the grainy photograph of a young beautiful woman in her early twenties side by side with that of a middle aged man, Robinson Guthram, who Dante vaguely recognized as a quite influential business Mogul in the real estate business. Their photographs was splashed on the cover page of New York's daily paper with the suggestive headline "Robinson Guthram confirmed deceased; A death worth a fortune." Alberto had brought him a copy of the morning papers earlier this morning and Dante was hesitant, but glad to admit that it was a relief to see another name other than that of the Castillos, taking over the scandalous headlines.Apparently, Julia, The young heiress whose husband had been previously declared missing following his mysterious disappearance, had turned up conclusively dead. Rob Guthram's demise had automatically reverted the ownership of his estate to his very much younger wife, much
The telephone had been ringing off the hook for the better half of an hour now, and Dante on his own part, had done his ultimate best to completely ignore it.He had toned the telephone down to a dull vibration after the first few rings, as he concentrated on finishing his latest analysis on another disheartening folio of Mr Gonzales' financial statement. So far, he had one word for it; "disastrous." Alonso Gonzales had obviously down stated the true nature of his financial ruin. It was indeed worse than Dante had Originally assumed, and as much as Dante faulted his father-in-law for his current state of ruination, he also had to admit that Alonso, regardless of being the spendthrift that he was, couldn't have dug such magnitude of deficit holes all around him, all on his own.The man needed to fire whoever had been placed in charge of his accounts all these while, along with his personal accountant. Infact, Dante would suggest that Elliot Castro, Alonso's financial adviser, be thr