After a few brief words with her parents, Felina escorted Michael down the long hallway to a spacious guestroom; which was located at the south end of the expansive stately home. The guest room was all in white, from the Carerra marble floors, to the mission style furniture, to the walls, the bedding, pillows and drapes, the only accent color, emerald green, from the tropical palms and orchids through out the bright, airy room. Two french doors looked out over the garden terraces and well manicured lawns, where Michael noticed an olympic-sized swimming pool surrounded by ancient columns; which he imagined were transported all the way across the Atlantic Ocean from some far away ruins of a temple in Greece. Michael set his suitcase atop the comfortable bed unzipping it, he turned to Felina asking "What am I supposed to do with this?" he pulled out the large commercial-size bank bag which contained the $200,000 in cash.
"Here." Felina replied taking the bank bag from him, walking over to a small white desk; which had a new computer system on it. She bent down turning a small key, unlocking the bottom drawer. She deposited the money, then Felina closed the drawer and locked it. Handing over the small, silver key to Michael she said "Now hide this somewhere so you do not lose it." Felina smiled giving him a look with her eyes as if to say 'do not worry my friend, your money will be safe here.' She turned her back to Michael as she went over to the french doors stepping out on the veranda as Michael took the key and slipped it under the computer monitor on the desk. Michael breathed a sigh of relief as he joined Felina outside.
"It is so beautiful here!" Michael exclaimed remarking on the spectacular view. He surveyed the grounds of the vast property, a quiet, tranquil land of verdant, lush gardens filled with perfectly maintained boxwood hedges, shaped into submission by years of skilled gardeners hands, their was a miniature version of the hedgerow maze at Hampton Court, peacocks strutting around on bright patches of Bermuda grass, under the towering cypress, pine, and maple trees, the scent of jasmine and honeysuckle permeated the air, as a warm summer breeze rustled the leaves of the olive trees down off in the grove to southwest of the property.
"Yes..," Felina agreed as she felt a wave of deep relaxation fill her weary body and mind, and she was grateful and just so happy to be alive, overjoyed to be able to spend another day in the gardens of her childhood, where she learned to love, to laugh, and play. "Come let me show you around." Felina smiled sweetly taking Michael by the hand as she led him down to the pool, inviting him for a moonlight swim later in the evening.
As the sun set, far off in the west, Michael was happy to be led around by Felina, for he found her to be an ideal friend, for she was breathtakingly beautiful, with a brightness to her eyes the mark of intelligence, she was witty, warm, sweet, generous and most kind. Michael found her to be a caring thoughtful person in the short time he had come to know her. He was delighted to know they both were close in age, she was 35, born in 1955, he was 33, born in 1958 they enjoyed the music of the 60's and 70's, both huge fans of The Rolling Stones, Jethro Tull, The Doors, and Led Zeppelin, as well as a penchant for classical music, Mozart, Bach, Ravel, Segovia and the like. Now, the fact that Felina was from an incredibly wealthy family did cause Michael to ponder about the benefits of establishing a life long friendship with this graceful, elegant lady.
As they walked towards the east side of the property Michael smiled when he saw the riding ring, polo field, and the huge stable; which housed twenty majestic, valuable horses, some for jumping and dressage, others for polo training, and a few that were just for riding. Felina delighted in being among the thoroughbreds and polo ponies, Michael thought it was cute how she spoke to each animal rubbing it's nose lovingly feeding each a peppermint treat. Introducing her favorite mounts to Michael saying "This magnificent creature is Iguazu, a strong Andalusian stallion." There was Mr. Whiskey a bay with a blaze of white on it's face,, and a few other's with interesting names like: Sir Galahad, Prado, Le Master Grand, Mr. Friday, etc... Michael felt a little fearful around the thousand pound animals, and he did not wish to feed any treats to the equine. Now when Felina noticed Michael was a little apprehensive around the horses she asked him "Michael? Do you know how to ride?"
"I grew up in Chicago, I have never been on a horse in my life." he openly and freely admitted.
Here Felina's face took on a glow of radiance, a glimmer in her eyes as she said "Oh Michael! You need to have me teach you!" she exclaimed excited with the prospect of teaching her new, dear friend how to be a true and proper horseman. "We can go riding in the morning and then play a round of golf in the afternoon."
"You have a golf course here?" Michael said in amazement.
"No, not a golf course.., just a three hole layout down by the river." she replied "My father and Xation practice their game there." Felina said with a sudden apologetic look on her face saying "You do play? I suppose I just assumed you played, since you told me you were a doctor, back in America."
"No, I do play, but not since college, it has been a long time. I must say I am delighted by your wonderful suggestion." Michael smiled happy to have something to take his mind of his legal troubles back home in the U.S. "I would love for you to show me around the saddle, and shoot a few holes of golf with you.., it's just." he paused.
"Just?"
"I am afraid I will only embarrass you, as well as myself." Michael laughed sheepishly.
"Oh Michael do not be afraid." Felina reassured him then a rumble came up from her hungry stomach and she said "Are you as famished as I am?"
"Yes." he said glancing at his watch it was now 8:00 p.m. as the sun had set and the vast canopy of stars began to shine in the ever darkening night sky.
Felina went over into the stable masters office, picking up the telephone calling up to the main house. "Mother, Michael and I will be having dinner, would you like to join us?" Felina paused then said "Good."
next she called the gate house "Chef, could you prepare dinner for my mother, my father, my guest and myself?" Felina paused then said to Michael "What do you think of steak and lobster?"
"Yes." Michael answered quickly, his mouth watering at the suggestion.
"Chef, steak and lobster please.., oh Michael we do steaks medium rare. Is that alright by you?"
"Perfect."
Now let's go back up to the house, have a shower, then meet in the dining room for a quiet meal with my family, and I can tell you more about my brother and sister, whom I shall introduce to you soon. As for tonight, it will be nice to relax and enjoy some good food, great wine and, most importantly, enjoy your company." Felina said giving Michael a little hug, she felt good in his arms, and for the first time, in such a long while, Michael felt happy to be alive.
"Here." Felina replied taking the bank bag from him, walking over to a small white desk; which had a new computer system on it. She bent down turning a small key, unlocking the bottom drawer. She deposited the money, then Felina closed the drawer and locked it. Handing over the small, silver key to Michael she said "Now hide this somewhere so you do not lose it." Felina smiled giving him a look with her eyes as if to say 'do not worry my friend, your money will be safe here.' She turned her back to Michael as she went over to the french doors stepping out on the veranda as Michael took the key and slipped it under the computer monitor on the desk. Michael breathed a sigh of relief as he joined Felina outside.
"It is so beautiful here!" Michael exclaimed remarking on the spectacular view. He surveyed the grounds of the vast property, a quiet, tranquil land of verdant, lush gardens filled with perfectly maintained boxwood hedges, shaped into submission by years of skilled gardeners hands, their was a miniature version of the hedgerow maze at Hampton Court, peacocks strutting around on bright patches of Bermuda grass, under the towering cypress, pine, and maple trees, the scent of jasmine and honeysuckle permeated the air, as a warm summer breeze rustled the leaves of the olive trees down off in the grove to southwest of the property.
"Yes..," Felina agreed as she felt a wave of deep relaxation fill her weary body and mind, and she was grateful and just so happy to be alive, overjoyed to be able to spend another day in the gardens of her childhood, where she learned to love, to laugh, and play. "Come let me show you around." Felina smiled sweetly taking Michael by the hand as she led him down to the pool, inviting him for a moonlight swim later in the evening.
As the sun set, far off in the west, Michael was happy to be led around by Felina, for he found her to be an ideal friend, for she was breathtakingly beautiful, with a brightness to her eyes the mark of intelligence, she was witty, warm, sweet, generous and most kind. Michael found her to be a caring thoughtful person in the short time he had come to know her. He was delighted to know they both were close in age, she was 35, born in 1955, he was 33, born in 1958 they enjoyed the music of the 60's and 70's, both huge fans of The Rolling Stones, Jethro Tull, The Doors, and Led Zeppelin, as well as a penchant for classical music, Mozart, Bach, Ravel, Segovia and the like. Now, the fact that Felina was from an incredibly wealthy family did cause Michael to ponder about the benefits of establishing a life long friendship with this graceful, elegant lady.
As they walked towards the east side of the property Michael smiled when he saw the riding ring, polo field, and the huge stable; which housed twenty majestic, valuable horses, some for jumping and dressage, others for polo training, and a few that were just for riding. Felina delighted in being among the thoroughbreds and polo ponies, Michael thought it was cute how she spoke to each animal rubbing it's nose lovingly feeding each a peppermint treat. Introducing her favorite mounts to Michael saying "This magnificent creature is Iguazu, a strong Andalusian stallion." There was Mr. Whiskey a bay with a blaze of white on it's face,, and a few other's with interesting names like: Sir Galahad, Prado, Le Master Grand, Mr. Friday, etc... Michael felt a little fearful around the thousand pound animals, and he did not wish to feed any treats to the equine. Now when Felina noticed Michael was a little apprehensive around the horses she asked him "Michael? Do you know how to ride?"
"I grew up in Chicago, I have never been on a horse in my life." he openly and freely admitted.
Here Felina's face took on a glow of radiance, a glimmer in her eyes as she said "Oh Michael! You need to have me teach you!" she exclaimed excited with the prospect of teaching her new, dear friend how to be a true and proper horseman. "We can go riding in the morning and then play a round of golf in the afternoon."
"You have a golf course here?" Michael said in amazement.
"No, not a golf course.., just a three hole layout down by the river." she replied "My father and Xation practice their game there." Felina said with a sudden apologetic look on her face saying "You do play? I suppose I just assumed you played, since you told me you were a doctor, back in America."
"No, I do play, but not since college, it has been a long time. I must say I am delighted by your wonderful suggestion." Michael smiled happy to have something to take his mind of his legal troubles back home in the U.S. "I would love for you to show me around the saddle, and shoot a few holes of golf with you.., it's just." he paused.
"Just?"
"I am afraid I will only embarrass you, as well as myself." Michael laughed sheepishly.
"Oh Michael do not be afraid." Felina reassured him then a rumble came up from her hungry stomach and she said "Are you as famished as I am?"
"Yes." he said glancing at his watch it was now 8:00 p.m. as the sun had set and the vast canopy of stars began to shine in the ever darkening night sky.
Felina went over into the stable masters office, picking up the telephone calling up to the main house. "Mother, Michael and I will be having dinner, would you like to join us?" Felina paused then said "Good."
next she called the gate house "Chef, could you prepare dinner for my mother, my father, my guest and myself?" Felina paused then said to Michael "What do you think of steak and lobster?"
"Yes." Michael answered quickly, his mouth watering at the suggestion.
"Chef, steak and lobster please.., oh Michael we do steaks medium rare. Is that alright by you?"
"Perfect."
Now let's go back up to the house, have a shower, then meet in the dining room for a quiet meal with my family, and I can tell you more about my brother and sister, whom I shall introduce to you soon. As for tonight, it will be nice to relax and enjoy some good food, great wine and, most importantly, enjoy your company." Felina said giving Michael a little hug, she felt good in his arms, and for the first time, in such a long while, Michael felt happy to be alive.
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