"You can come out now." Felina said as she opened up the door calling down to Michael, who had fallen asleep on the couch while the police conducted their investigation and the coroner and his staff hurried to remove the body, cleaning up the blood before it became a bio-hazard. Michael sat up wiping his tired eyes as he stared down at his watch it was just after midnight and he had still not eaten.
Felina stood at the top of the stairs and beckoned him to come back up to the kitchen Michael smiled up at her, for she had brushed back her long raven hair and fixed her make up and she looked like a little sexy baker in her kitchen uniform "Are they gone?" he asked nervously as he slowly ascended the narrow staircase.
"Yes, finally!" as she stood over the threshold of the doorway she said with a serious look "Now will you tell me who you are?"
Michael smiled as he stood toe to toe with her as he gazed down at the dark eyed beauty and said "I am a wealthy businessman who can not afford the publicity." he laughed.
"Be serious!" Felina said with a look in her eyes as if to say 'tell me your name or I will push you down this staircase'.
"Michael, my name is Michael and this is my first night here in Buenos Aires. I am very tired and very hungry. All I have had for dinner is a half a bottle of whiskey." he answered most annoyed.
"Well then.., Michael, let's get the fuck out of here!" Felina said as she grabbed him by the hand leading him through the, now spotless, kitchen as the dead man had long since been removed. Felina grabbed her purse handing over her car keys to Michael saying "Please drive me home, I am to distraught to drive and I do not wish to be alone tonight. I will make you something to eat from my own kitchen."
"This is my first night in the city, I don't know my way around town."
Felina smiled and said "It is alright Michael, I have been to my house, I know the way." she gave a soft laugh as she handed over the keys,
Michael took the keys and the two left the little English pub, Felina setting the alarm as she had Michael lock the doors as they exited. Felina turned and pointed to a black convertible 1991 Maserati TC parked across the avenue "That is my car over there."
Michael felt a bit of excitement getting to drive the brand new, luxury sports car. So they scurried barefoot across the street as Michael opened the car door for Felina helping her in to the passengers seat, then he climbed behind the wheel of the automobile, moving the seat as far back as possible to accommodate his 6 foot 1 inch frame. With a rev and a roar of the engine the two drove off with the windows down past the wide, tree-lined sidewalks, through the warm Summer night, down the quiet streets lit up by old bronze streetlamps like on the Champs Elysee in Paris. Felina instructed him to turn right at the corner, then three stop lights down they turned left, it was a brief eight minute ride as she lived just a stones throw away from the Cock and Bull.
"Pull up in the driveway." she instructed Michael who was more than impressed with the town home, nay city mansion, she lived in. Michael turned up the U shaped drive way pulling the car to a stop underneath the portico, where the old carriages, of another time and era, used to pull up in front of the marble steps; which led up to 2 tall, intricately carved doors. "It is an amazing structure, is it not?" Felina commented as the two exited the vehicle.
"How old is it?" Michael gazed up in wonder at the three story Parisian style ornate building with colonnades and solid marble balustrade and railings.
"This was the first French Embassy in the city, it was built in 1779, my grandparents purchased it in the late thirties and my sister and I had a complete renovation of all the rooms done, back in 1986. My sister Serena is a talented Interior Designer, she decorated the entire house!" Felina said proudly as she took Michael by the elbow and said "Shall we?" Felina asked motioning for Michael to unlock the door with the keys he was still holding. Now this seemed like a very intimate act to Michael, opening up this woman's front, for she was still a virtual stranger to him. Slowly he slipped the silver key in the lock and opened up the door as Felina, the mistress of this house, breezed past him, as some of the weight of the terrible night lifted up off her shoulders now she felt safe and relaxed, being back in her home. "Come! I will feed you."
Michael had to be pulled along through the grand foyer as he gazed around at the marble staircase and gold and crystal chandeliers, large scale works of art, oil paintings dating back to the eighteen century, there were over sized crystal vases filled with giant bouquets of lilacs, roses, gardenia's etc..., gilt and marble tables, Louis XIV style couches, chaise lounges and high backed chairs, and massive, ornately carved, Italian marble fireplaces etc... Michael thought this was a home Princess Diana, or Alexis Carrington would feel very comfortable in. "Come on." Felina said pulling him by the hand as she led him to a massive, modern kitchen with black granite counters, stainless steel appliances, white ash cabinets, a black and white marble checkerboard floor. "I will make you a nice roast beef sandwich, how does that sound?" she smiled opening up her Sub Zero refrigerator.
Michael's stomach rumbled loudly with a hungry growl as Felina laughed.
"I will take that as a yes. Now sit, relax this will take but a moment." Felina said washing her hands as Michael sat down at the island in the middle of the kitchen sitting himself down in a comfortable captains chair. He watched in silence as Felina moved with a certain grace through her kitchen. She grabbed a large saute pan from the cupboard to which she drizzled in a bit of olive oil, salt and fresh ground pepper, a drop of balsamic vinegar, some Worcestershire sauce, half of a sliced purple onion, two sliced portobello mushrooms, the aroma of which filled Michael's nostrils making his mouth water. Next she took out almost half a pound of deli-sliced, rare roast beef, this she placed in the pan where it sizzled and simmered with the onions and mushrooms. Felina opened up a large wooden bread box taking out a loaf of what she said was homemade honey wheat berry bread. Cutting off two Texas size slices she popped the dark brown bread into the toaster, while she waited Felina placed four hearty slices of Swiss cheese on top of the roast beef, letting it melt over the, heavenly smelling, mixture of onions and mushrooms. Michael watched as she took out a jar of mayonnaise, a small jar of Dijon mustard, and large bottle of stone ground mustard, slathering this on the warm toasted bread. Carefully Felina used she a spatula to place the tender, hot, juicy roast beef, smothered in Swiss cheese, mushrooms and onions between the slices of bread. Then she cut the large sandwich in half, diagonally and placed a few strawberries and grapes on the plate; which she sat in front of him on the counter. All this took about five minutes and Michael was in a word, delighted! "Here, you eat up!" Felina said as she handed him a napkin, pouring him a glass of cold San Pellegrino. "Michael?" she asked a look of worry coming over face.
"Yes Felina?" he asked only wanting to take a bite of the enormous sandwich.
"I am going to take a nice hot shower, will you promise you will not leave? Will you promise to stay here with me?" she asked sincerely too terrified to stay by herself, not tonight. "I will take you back to your hotel, in the morning."
"I would be glad to stay here with you, I promise I won't leave." he smiled warmly knowing she looked to him to protect her through the rest of this horrific evening. Felina gave him a sweet, little kiss on the cheek, then she went out to the hall, and went upstairs to have a nice cleansing shower. Michael sat in the kitchen of the magnificent house, devouring the most delicious roast beef sandwich he had ever eaten, all the while Michael still could not believe the course of events which led him here, to this city, to slice open a rapists throat, to save this woman, to be in her house. Michael could not help but wonder what else awaited him in Argentina.
Felina stood at the top of the stairs and beckoned him to come back up to the kitchen Michael smiled up at her, for she had brushed back her long raven hair and fixed her make up and she looked like a little sexy baker in her kitchen uniform "Are they gone?" he asked nervously as he slowly ascended the narrow staircase.
"Yes, finally!" as she stood over the threshold of the doorway she said with a serious look "Now will you tell me who you are?"
Michael smiled as he stood toe to toe with her as he gazed down at the dark eyed beauty and said "I am a wealthy businessman who can not afford the publicity." he laughed.
"Be serious!" Felina said with a look in her eyes as if to say 'tell me your name or I will push you down this staircase'.
"Michael, my name is Michael and this is my first night here in Buenos Aires. I am very tired and very hungry. All I have had for dinner is a half a bottle of whiskey." he answered most annoyed.
"Well then.., Michael, let's get the fuck out of here!" Felina said as she grabbed him by the hand leading him through the, now spotless, kitchen as the dead man had long since been removed. Felina grabbed her purse handing over her car keys to Michael saying "Please drive me home, I am to distraught to drive and I do not wish to be alone tonight. I will make you something to eat from my own kitchen."
"This is my first night in the city, I don't know my way around town."
Felina smiled and said "It is alright Michael, I have been to my house, I know the way." she gave a soft laugh as she handed over the keys,
Michael took the keys and the two left the little English pub, Felina setting the alarm as she had Michael lock the doors as they exited. Felina turned and pointed to a black convertible 1991 Maserati TC parked across the avenue "That is my car over there."
Michael felt a bit of excitement getting to drive the brand new, luxury sports car. So they scurried barefoot across the street as Michael opened the car door for Felina helping her in to the passengers seat, then he climbed behind the wheel of the automobile, moving the seat as far back as possible to accommodate his 6 foot 1 inch frame. With a rev and a roar of the engine the two drove off with the windows down past the wide, tree-lined sidewalks, through the warm Summer night, down the quiet streets lit up by old bronze streetlamps like on the Champs Elysee in Paris. Felina instructed him to turn right at the corner, then three stop lights down they turned left, it was a brief eight minute ride as she lived just a stones throw away from the Cock and Bull.
"Pull up in the driveway." she instructed Michael who was more than impressed with the town home, nay city mansion, she lived in. Michael turned up the U shaped drive way pulling the car to a stop underneath the portico, where the old carriages, of another time and era, used to pull up in front of the marble steps; which led up to 2 tall, intricately carved doors. "It is an amazing structure, is it not?" Felina commented as the two exited the vehicle.
"How old is it?" Michael gazed up in wonder at the three story Parisian style ornate building with colonnades and solid marble balustrade and railings.
"This was the first French Embassy in the city, it was built in 1779, my grandparents purchased it in the late thirties and my sister and I had a complete renovation of all the rooms done, back in 1986. My sister Serena is a talented Interior Designer, she decorated the entire house!" Felina said proudly as she took Michael by the elbow and said "Shall we?" Felina asked motioning for Michael to unlock the door with the keys he was still holding. Now this seemed like a very intimate act to Michael, opening up this woman's front, for she was still a virtual stranger to him. Slowly he slipped the silver key in the lock and opened up the door as Felina, the mistress of this house, breezed past him, as some of the weight of the terrible night lifted up off her shoulders now she felt safe and relaxed, being back in her home. "Come! I will feed you."
Michael had to be pulled along through the grand foyer as he gazed around at the marble staircase and gold and crystal chandeliers, large scale works of art, oil paintings dating back to the eighteen century, there were over sized crystal vases filled with giant bouquets of lilacs, roses, gardenia's etc..., gilt and marble tables, Louis XIV style couches, chaise lounges and high backed chairs, and massive, ornately carved, Italian marble fireplaces etc... Michael thought this was a home Princess Diana, or Alexis Carrington would feel very comfortable in. "Come on." Felina said pulling him by the hand as she led him to a massive, modern kitchen with black granite counters, stainless steel appliances, white ash cabinets, a black and white marble checkerboard floor. "I will make you a nice roast beef sandwich, how does that sound?" she smiled opening up her Sub Zero refrigerator.
Michael's stomach rumbled loudly with a hungry growl as Felina laughed.
"I will take that as a yes. Now sit, relax this will take but a moment." Felina said washing her hands as Michael sat down at the island in the middle of the kitchen sitting himself down in a comfortable captains chair. He watched in silence as Felina moved with a certain grace through her kitchen. She grabbed a large saute pan from the cupboard to which she drizzled in a bit of olive oil, salt and fresh ground pepper, a drop of balsamic vinegar, some Worcestershire sauce, half of a sliced purple onion, two sliced portobello mushrooms, the aroma of which filled Michael's nostrils making his mouth water. Next she took out almost half a pound of deli-sliced, rare roast beef, this she placed in the pan where it sizzled and simmered with the onions and mushrooms. Felina opened up a large wooden bread box taking out a loaf of what she said was homemade honey wheat berry bread. Cutting off two Texas size slices she popped the dark brown bread into the toaster, while she waited Felina placed four hearty slices of Swiss cheese on top of the roast beef, letting it melt over the, heavenly smelling, mixture of onions and mushrooms. Michael watched as she took out a jar of mayonnaise, a small jar of Dijon mustard, and large bottle of stone ground mustard, slathering this on the warm toasted bread. Carefully Felina used she a spatula to place the tender, hot, juicy roast beef, smothered in Swiss cheese, mushrooms and onions between the slices of bread. Then she cut the large sandwich in half, diagonally and placed a few strawberries and grapes on the plate; which she sat in front of him on the counter. All this took about five minutes and Michael was in a word, delighted! "Here, you eat up!" Felina said as she handed him a napkin, pouring him a glass of cold San Pellegrino. "Michael?" she asked a look of worry coming over face.
"Yes Felina?" he asked only wanting to take a bite of the enormous sandwich.
"I am going to take a nice hot shower, will you promise you will not leave? Will you promise to stay here with me?" she asked sincerely too terrified to stay by herself, not tonight. "I will take you back to your hotel, in the morning."
"I would be glad to stay here with you, I promise I won't leave." he smiled warmly knowing she looked to him to protect her through the rest of this horrific evening. Felina gave him a sweet, little kiss on the cheek, then she went out to the hall, and went upstairs to have a nice cleansing shower. Michael sat in the kitchen of the magnificent house, devouring the most delicious roast beef sandwich he had ever eaten, all the while Michael still could not believe the course of events which led him here, to this city, to slice open a rapists throat, to save this woman, to be in her house. Michael could not help but wonder what else awaited him in Argentina.
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