It was a little after 9 o'clock, that warm summer evening, when Aphina, Carlo, Felina and Michael were served a sumptuous, delicious meal 'al fresco' out on the patio by the pool, under the stars and the bright full moon, the sound of crickets chirping, water splashing from the fountains in the lush garden. The warm glow of citronella candles burning, keeping the mosquito's at bay, as a light breeze came rustling through the trees as Michael sat with the family talking a little about himself. Giving them enough information to satisfy their curiosity, but not too much information that would lead them to any knowledge of his crimes. Felina had kept her word, and kept his secret, and for this he was thankful.
Now, in order to cast away any queries his way, Michael began asking many question of Aphina and Carlo about their children. They delighted in sharing much information about Serena, Felina, and their son Xation. He learned Serena was single, 29, a well renowned Interior Design Artist in Europe and South America, as well as Michael's homeland. She had redecorated many hotels, penthouses, mansions, corporate office spaces and board rooms. Michael was told Serena had started her first project, a room by room renovation of the gatehouse, a three story building with 12 bedrooms and six bathrooms. Then when she had proven her talent, Serena was allowed to remodel the family's town home in the city. Finally finishing the next year with the country estate. Michael complemented their daughters talent and he was impressed by her level of taste and skill. Any room could be photographed for Architectural Digest.
Then came much praise to heaped upon their eldest daughter, Felina, who was still single at the age of 35, whom Michael learned was a world class riding instructor, she, over the last fifteen years, had trained many Olympic athletes from all over the world, who went on to win gold and silver medals in the summer games, Felina also had many of the graduates of her riding academy win many times at the Argentine Open, the fifth oldest Polo Championship in the world. As her proud parents gushed on about their daughter, Felina would blush as she sipped from her glass of wine. Michael was deeply impressed by her talent and skill and he eagerly awaited his riding lesson with her in the morning.
Then Aphina and Carlo spoke of their one and only son, Xation Day. Michael noticed a little difference in their demeanor when they spoke of him, they each sat a little taller, spoke a little louder, a radiant light filling their eyes. For their son had grown into a financial genius, whom, after graduating from Cambridge with an M.B.A at the age 21, Xation had worked for Stanley Morgan as an investment broker on Wall Street, and by the young age of 27 had established one of the largest real estate investment brokerage firms in South America. Xation was the C.E.O of his own multi-million dollar investment empire. Now this was the most impressive of all the information the two had shared with Michael.
When the conversation, and adulation, had turned to her brother, Michael noticed Felina had become silent and somber. He did not know if this was some jealousy of her brother's success, or merely regret for the way she had treated her brother on the telephone earlier this morning. So, unsure of which, he said "It seems all of your children have made you both extremely proud, I only wish..," he paused unexpectedly becoming homesick for his own parents love and affection.
"Dear Michael, what troubles you so?" Aphina asked with a deep look of compassion for his sorrowful gaze.
"It is just, I, myself, lost my parents in a terrible plane crash years ago, and now that I sit here with you fine, good people, I feel myself missing them now, more than ever." Michael confessed the bitter pain in his heart, open and honestly.
"Oh, our poor Michael." Aphina said extending her hand out in a loving gesture of comfort and sympathy. "We, are all, so sad to learn of this tragic news." Felina leaned over and rubbed his back gently for this was a sad, shocking truth. "We offer our deepest condolences to you, and, on behalf of my entire family, can reassure you, from this day forward, to show you our deep thanks and love and trust, for what you have done to protect our dearest daughter, you may, if you wish, look upon Carlo and myself as your Mother and Father." the two both smiled in agreement and Michael felt the warmth of love and friendship pass between them and this did his broken heart good. "You are always welcome here, let our home always feel like your own. We can be your family, for family is THE most important thing on the face of this Earth."
Here a wave of sadness and regret overcame Felina, she wept a little as she realized it was now, exactly, 24 hours ago the brutalizing rape of her body had begun, this made her feel ill at ease and she felt sick to her stomach, the fresh grilled lobster and fillet mignon churning in her belly. So she sipped some more wine and looked up at the twinkling stars in the sky. From off in the distance, on the dark horizon, there came the far off rumble of a jets engines and everyone fell silent as a silver Bombardier Lear 60 XD, Xation's company jet, flew low to the ground coming in for a landing on the private airstrip to the east side of the property, swooping loudly over their heads. Felina shot an angry look to her parents saying, speaking in Spanish "Usted le dije estoy aqui? Le dije que no quiero a nadie!" Felina said as she began weeping, shouting "I do not want to tell the story again! Xation will only want me to tell him everything that happened!"
Michael became very concerned by Felina's sudden, extreme agitation and he suggested she go up to her room and lie down, promising to speak to her brother for her. Felina's parents did not think this was a good idea, they preferred she be gracious to her brothers attempt at consolation and allow him to speak to her. Felina refused not wanting to recall the fresh details in her mind of her embarrassing, degrading tragedy. Felina stepped away from the dinner table telling her parents, and Michael, "All I want to do now is go to my bed and curl up with a bottle of wine." Felina then took her glass and the newly opened bottle from the dinner table and slowly, quietly stepped through the french doors going back inside her family home. Michael excused himself and retired back to the guest room where he felt a terrible migraine headache coming on. He took his toiletry bag out of his suitcase as he went into the bathroom where he swallowed 2 vicodan pills, Michael decided to take a hot, relaxing shower as he suddenly felt very apprehensive now he was alone, now Felina had locked herself in her room. Michael was oddly, troubled by the thought of Felina's brother, Xation Day, suddenly showing up. This realization for some, unknown, reason, set Michael's nerves on edge.
Now, in order to cast away any queries his way, Michael began asking many question of Aphina and Carlo about their children. They delighted in sharing much information about Serena, Felina, and their son Xation. He learned Serena was single, 29, a well renowned Interior Design Artist in Europe and South America, as well as Michael's homeland. She had redecorated many hotels, penthouses, mansions, corporate office spaces and board rooms. Michael was told Serena had started her first project, a room by room renovation of the gatehouse, a three story building with 12 bedrooms and six bathrooms. Then when she had proven her talent, Serena was allowed to remodel the family's town home in the city. Finally finishing the next year with the country estate. Michael complemented their daughters talent and he was impressed by her level of taste and skill. Any room could be photographed for Architectural Digest.
Then came much praise to heaped upon their eldest daughter, Felina, who was still single at the age of 35, whom Michael learned was a world class riding instructor, she, over the last fifteen years, had trained many Olympic athletes from all over the world, who went on to win gold and silver medals in the summer games, Felina also had many of the graduates of her riding academy win many times at the Argentine Open, the fifth oldest Polo Championship in the world. As her proud parents gushed on about their daughter, Felina would blush as she sipped from her glass of wine. Michael was deeply impressed by her talent and skill and he eagerly awaited his riding lesson with her in the morning.
Then Aphina and Carlo spoke of their one and only son, Xation Day. Michael noticed a little difference in their demeanor when they spoke of him, they each sat a little taller, spoke a little louder, a radiant light filling their eyes. For their son had grown into a financial genius, whom, after graduating from Cambridge with an M.B.A at the age 21, Xation had worked for Stanley Morgan as an investment broker on Wall Street, and by the young age of 27 had established one of the largest real estate investment brokerage firms in South America. Xation was the C.E.O of his own multi-million dollar investment empire. Now this was the most impressive of all the information the two had shared with Michael.
When the conversation, and adulation, had turned to her brother, Michael noticed Felina had become silent and somber. He did not know if this was some jealousy of her brother's success, or merely regret for the way she had treated her brother on the telephone earlier this morning. So, unsure of which, he said "It seems all of your children have made you both extremely proud, I only wish..," he paused unexpectedly becoming homesick for his own parents love and affection.
"Dear Michael, what troubles you so?" Aphina asked with a deep look of compassion for his sorrowful gaze.
"It is just, I, myself, lost my parents in a terrible plane crash years ago, and now that I sit here with you fine, good people, I feel myself missing them now, more than ever." Michael confessed the bitter pain in his heart, open and honestly.
"Oh, our poor Michael." Aphina said extending her hand out in a loving gesture of comfort and sympathy. "We, are all, so sad to learn of this tragic news." Felina leaned over and rubbed his back gently for this was a sad, shocking truth. "We offer our deepest condolences to you, and, on behalf of my entire family, can reassure you, from this day forward, to show you our deep thanks and love and trust, for what you have done to protect our dearest daughter, you may, if you wish, look upon Carlo and myself as your Mother and Father." the two both smiled in agreement and Michael felt the warmth of love and friendship pass between them and this did his broken heart good. "You are always welcome here, let our home always feel like your own. We can be your family, for family is THE most important thing on the face of this Earth."
Here a wave of sadness and regret overcame Felina, she wept a little as she realized it was now, exactly, 24 hours ago the brutalizing rape of her body had begun, this made her feel ill at ease and she felt sick to her stomach, the fresh grilled lobster and fillet mignon churning in her belly. So she sipped some more wine and looked up at the twinkling stars in the sky. From off in the distance, on the dark horizon, there came the far off rumble of a jets engines and everyone fell silent as a silver Bombardier Lear 60 XD, Xation's company jet, flew low to the ground coming in for a landing on the private airstrip to the east side of the property, swooping loudly over their heads. Felina shot an angry look to her parents saying, speaking in Spanish "Usted le dije estoy aqui? Le dije que no quiero a nadie!" Felina said as she began weeping, shouting "I do not want to tell the story again! Xation will only want me to tell him everything that happened!"
Michael became very concerned by Felina's sudden, extreme agitation and he suggested she go up to her room and lie down, promising to speak to her brother for her. Felina's parents did not think this was a good idea, they preferred she be gracious to her brothers attempt at consolation and allow him to speak to her. Felina refused not wanting to recall the fresh details in her mind of her embarrassing, degrading tragedy. Felina stepped away from the dinner table telling her parents, and Michael, "All I want to do now is go to my bed and curl up with a bottle of wine." Felina then took her glass and the newly opened bottle from the dinner table and slowly, quietly stepped through the french doors going back inside her family home. Michael excused himself and retired back to the guest room where he felt a terrible migraine headache coming on. He took his toiletry bag out of his suitcase as he went into the bathroom where he swallowed 2 vicodan pills, Michael decided to take a hot, relaxing shower as he suddenly felt very apprehensive now he was alone, now Felina had locked herself in her room. Michael was oddly, troubled by the thought of Felina's brother, Xation Day, suddenly showing up. This realization for some, unknown, reason, set Michael's nerves on edge.
No comments:
Post a Comment