Thursday, November 24, 2011

End Chapter 9

     Feeling much better, some time later, Michael emerged from the bathroom a towel wrapped around his waist. Upon stepping into the bedroom Michael was shocked to see Felina's brother sitting on the edge of the bed, and there was a very large, tall, bald man standing at the dresser holding Michael's Rolex watch giving it a good look. Both men were dressed in a style that was 'casual summer chic'.
     Startled, Michael felt his heart race, his pulse quicken, his first natural reaction was danger, followed by the overwhelming urge to flee; which Michael thought was extremely odd, indeed. He spoke "You must be Xation." Michael said extending his right hand, adding "Your family has told me so much about you."
     Xation shook hands with the tall, handsome, muscular American with ice-blue eyes and short blond hair "Well, I wish I could say the same, though it is so nice to finally meet you, Michael." Xation let go of his hand then with a turn of his head said "Allow me to introduce my good friend, Bengiman Pruce."
     "Michael! Our unknown hero." Bengiman smiled coming closer to Michael, whom he towered over.
     "Hello." Michael said as he stared up at the 6ft 5in Englishman, who looked to be in his mid thirties, with small, dull, grey eyes. He was broad shouldered, barrel chested, ham-fisted, and he spoke with a booming voice that was loud and clear.
     "Listen, Michael," Xation said as he remained sitting there on edge of the bed "Bengiman and myself are extremely grateful you were there to handle this unfortunate situation."
      "You know we would've done exactly the same!" Bengiman said with a regretful look in his eyes as if he wished he had been there to save Felina. "Except for.., I would've have taken his head clean off, but that's just me."  Bengiman said smiling like fiend.
     "Ah, Bengiman, so charming and violent." Xation laughed softly. "Michael, put on some clothes and come outside by the pool for a drink, so we can have a talk. I want to know what happened last night, everything, all of it."
     "I will tell you the story, and I would like to drink whiskey, please." Michael said a little relieved.
     "Cheers mate!" Bengiman said slapping Michael on the back.
     "Well let me just get dressed." Michael said waiting for Xation to get up off the bed and leave.
     After a few awkward seconds Xation said "Oh, yes, of course. If you will excuse me." He stood shaking Michael's hand again and he exited the room via the french doors; which led out to garden terrace and the pool.
     Bengiman gave a quick smile as he followed Xation out then he stopped and turning back towards Michael he said "Oh, nice Rolex, by the way."
     "Thanks, Felina gave it to me." Michael explained and when he said this, to Bengiman, Michael sensed a slight twinge of jealousy in the bald, British man's eyes.
     "Well.., it suits you." Bengiman said and he did feel a little jealous now that Felina had a new, good looking friend, whom had saved her life. Michael was so much better looking, charming, and charismatic than he. But, alas, Bengiman had spent some time in the sunlight of Felina's love, however, as with all men, she soon lost interest in poor, dimwitted Bengiman. Though he would always believe in his heart that someday Felina would welcome him back into her bed.
     After putting on a pair of Levi's and a white vee-neck t-shirt Michael strode outside, barefoot, where he found Xation and Bengiman sitting at a glass and iron table at the far end of the patio. They had brought out a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue, Bengiman's favorite whiskey, pouring out three high-balls of the expensive amber liquid over ice and they welcomed Michael to the table with open arms. Michael was glad to sit out with them on this warm summer night, but he did not relish telling the story, but tell the tale he did. Xation and Bengiman hung on his every word so intrigued by what Michael spoke of. So he told them all, and Michael could see they were both deeply affected by the information, only because they both loved Felina so. Then when he explained about the knife, and the blood, and the death it seemed as if a great weight of tension lifted off their shoulders and Xation, as well as Bengiman, sat up a little straighter in their chairs when he had finished the gruesome tale.
     Silence followed for a few minutes as Xation and Bengiman reflected for a moment, visualizing in their minds what had transpired. Then Xation spoke saying "Well thank God you were there to protect her. I am so relieved she is safe."
     "Well she's not out of the woods yet." Michael said a serious look coming to his face.
     "What do you mean?" Bengiman said in an almost threatening manner.
     "Felina is waiting for a call from the coroner, they have to test her attackers body for H.I.V, S.T.D's, Hepatitis C, etc..." Michael said taking a sip of the intoxicating whiskey as he felt the numbing effect of the vicodan kick into his bloodstream.
     "Dios mio!" Xation exclaimed sickened by the aftermath of the violent attack. "If only she would talk to me!" Xation lamented as Bengiman gave a sympathetic look of understanding to his dear, old friend of thirteen years.
     "Listen, it might take a little while for her to come around." Michael tried to explain "For some reason, Felina said she feels ashamed and embarrassed by what happened and she is terrified she may have contracted some ruinous disease. And she could have, quite possibly, conceived."
     "No, that is impossible!" Xation balked, both men giving Michael a strange look, for the two men had more information about Felina than Michael, but they said nothing of her condition to him.
     "Well, all that matters is Felina needs some time to heal, and as we all know, healing takes time. So be patient with her, she will come 'round." Michael said with great confidence.
      "So, Michael, how long were you planning on hanging around?" Xation asked as he poured out another glass of whiskey for himself and his guests.
     "Well, I have only been in Argentina for 2 days, I have a room at the Wilton for the next five days. But I promised to stay with Felina for as long as she wants me to. She feels safe when she is with me." Michael paused taking a sip then saying "In fact, since this has happened we have not been apart until now, when she went to bed."
     "What can I say Michael, you are more than welcome to stay here for the rest of your life, as far as I am concerned." Xation said with a sigh of relief and a pain in his heart as he said to Michael "You know, if anything ever happened to either one of my sisters, I do not know if I would even want to be alive." Xation stared off thinking upon this for a moment, then with a tear in his eye he smiled and said "So! my friend! I am compelled to reward you for your bravery, keeping my sister safe for me. I am a man of enormous wealth and power, I am able to do a great many things. So what is the one thing you prize above all else, money is no object! What may I give to you to show you my appreciation?"
     Bengiman looked over at Michael, who was deep in thought for a moment, until he answered Xation saying "There is one thing I most desperately need.., but I am afraid you will not be able to accommodate me." Michael said hopelessly.
     "Name it Michael, tell me what you want." Xation said taking his statement as a challenge.
     "Well, what I would really like to have is a new identity." Michael said as Xation and Bengiman sat there a moment shocked and in silence.
      Xation gave Michael a sly cunning look saying "You must be in some sort of trouble."
      "Some sort." Michael replied with a sigh "But please do not make explain." Michael gave a desperate look to Xation as he said "All I want is a new life, and a new name."
     Here Xation and Bengiman began to laugh and both men seemed quite amused by his request, why this was so Michael hadn't a clue. Then Bengiman, all rosy cheeked and with a mischievous smile said "Oh I think that can be arranged!"

   

No comments:

Post a Comment