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| | | | Demetrius Mansur was outside on the second level deck of his private lake house. Demetrius was sipping on a crystal glass of gin and tonic, enjoying a fresh, brisk early crack of dawn. He sat at a table, relaxing in a chair, looking out at his prized view of the picturesque Lake Tarika. There was a morning fog over the waters. Mansur raised his glass, bringing the brim to his parted lips and swallowed.
He cherished the tranquility the lake house provided with exceptional warmth and style by sparing no expenses. He purchased the lake house years ago as a means of escape from the enclosure of the city. The house was nice to flaunt as well, not just at friends, but to his clients. There was politics in this region, but it was not as apparent as it was in the city. Demetrius also found love out here, one precious day while taking a stroll on the lake shore. He remembered it was autumn. She said her name was Cassandra. And she was a fox. “You come to Lake Tarika often?” Demetrius asked Cassandra. “I’ve been coming to this lake now for years every summer through autumn. And yourself?” She asked. “I bought my lake house just rather recently. I visit the Lake sporadically.” Demetrius replied. They remained talking through the afternoon. Demetrius asked if she would like to come back to his place. Cassandra agreed. They walked back up a trail, then a set of stairs and soon they were on his property. “This is magnificent!” She gasped. Demetrius chuckled. He showed her up the front steps and unlocked the front door. He opened the door and gestured for her to enter. She found the inside to be even more beautiful. He gave her the fifty-cent tour, which lasted a good ten minutes and ended with them sipping on wine in the living-room, talking about old times. He asked if she would like to stay for the evening. “I’d be delighted.” She said with a teasing smile. He made a candle light dinner. After dinner, being a gentleman, he showed her to a guest room. He remembered Cassandra cooked eggs in the morning.
Demetrius was soon interrupted and brought back into the present when the balcony door opened. Demetrius heard the door, set his glass down on a coaster and rose off his chair. He saw his maid before him and gave an inquisitive look.
“I’m sorry to disrupt you Senor Mansur. There is a man who claims to be an old colleague of yours waiting for you in the living-room. I told him I would find you and check with you.”
Demetrius cocked a smile. His guest arrived to the lake house, however, a tad early. Demetrius was expecting him not until the afternoon. The time was just sun up now. There was nothing certainly wrong with his sudden arrival, however, Demetrius thought. More time to conduct business together. He nodded to his maid. “Yes, yes Margaret. That is all fine with me. I’ll change and be down in a moment. In the meanwhile, get my guest a drink.”
“Gladly Sir,” the maid complied, leaving Demetrius once again alone. Demetrius remained standing, reached for his drink on the coaster and finished off the gin and tonic. He set the glass down and took in his last breath of fresh air.
Demetrius walked across the deck, reached out and opened the door and stepped into the upstairs lounge of his lake house. The lounge was a spacious room, furnished with leather couches, a bookshelf, a bar area, a pool table, and a small wood burning fireplace. The front wall of the lounge was all glass.
Before heading downstairs, he first went down a hallway into his bedroom, another beautiful room of the house.Demetrius disrobed, letting the scarlet colored robe fall lazily to the floor. He also stepped out of his slippers. He walked across the room, through his master bathroom and went to his walk-in closet. He pushed the sliding door open. He walked in, turned the light on and went first for the pants on the shelf. He picked out a pair of black slacks and put them on one leg at a time. He then got a black belt and put that on to keep the slacks from falling. Demetrius unfolded a white undershirt, slipped it on and then took a shirt off the rack. The shirt was a dark crimson silk buttoned up shirt. He put the shirt on, buttoned up and tucked the shirt neatly into his pants. He then went for the sock drawer, getting a pair of black socks. He stuffed them into his pocket.
Demetrius walked out of the closet into his bathroom and went over to the sink. He turned on the cold water and dipped both hands into the running water. He cupped his hands together, gathered some water and first splashed that water on his face. He then ran his wet fingers through his hair. He reached for a comb and tried to groom himself. Once satisfied, he put the comb down and turned off the water. This was the best he was going to have to do for right now. He always liked to present himself clean and professional, for he was Demetrius Mansur, a rich and influential person who dealt with prominent members of society.
Demetrius gone back into the bedroom and sat on the foot of the bed. He took the socks out of his pocket and put them on. He rose off the bed and left his room, closing the door behind him. He walked down the hallway, into the lounge, and proceeded down the staircase. Halfway down, Demetrius saw a man in his living-room. Two large comfortable couches and two large cushioned chairs were centered in front of a large, stone, wood-burning fireplace, which kept the downstairs warm. The man was by the fireplace, drinking and admiring the deer head above the mantle, which was appropriately placed next to a framed painting of a snow covered wooded area. Demetrius smiled, delighted. The man was him, Mansurs’ old time associate. “Sam, you old bastard. Glad to see you.” Demetrius spoke out as he stepped off the last step.This message was edited by Anita~Gretchen on 11-29-06 @ 2:04 PM |
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| | | | Sam was short for Samuel Ramsey, middle aged man. He and Demetrius had been school-mates together at St. Clarence University and followed on having a few jobs together. Later Samuel left and pursued his own interests. He turned around from the deer head and laughed, setting his drink down on the mantle for now. “Demetrius, you arrogant ass.”
The two grown men walked toward each other until they were close and first shook hands. Demetrius then grabbed out and put an arm around Sam, patting him on the back. “It’s been a while old friend since we’ve been together.”
“Yes Demetrius. When you called me, said you got something big, you caught my attention.” Samuel smiled. “When you say you have something big, it’s got to be grandiose I imagine.”
Demetrius nodded and laughed as he let go of his friend. “You give me too much credit.”
“This is a nice place you have, Demetrius.” Sam complimented.
“Ah, thank you Samuel. I purchased this fine estate a few years back now and come here on occasion.” Demetrius smiled. “You’re early, my watch tells me. I was not expecting you until later this afternoon.”
“About that. I had to get out of Payat County early.” Sam said quite unpleasantly.
Demetrius gave a concerned expression. “I hope it’s not something serious.”
Sam chuckled and shook his head. “No, no, not at all. Everything is just fine.”
“Good.” Was all Demetrius said about the matter then moved on. He figured Samuel could take care of himself just fine. Or he would tell Demetrius when it was appropriate. “Are you hungry?” Demetrius asked.
“Matter of fact, starved. I only had a cup of coffee on the road.” Sam mentioned.
“All right.” Demetrius walked over to the breakfast bar that separated the living-room from the kitchen, where the maid was. “Margaret, if you could serve us some eggs and biscuits in the study in about an hour that would be wonderful.” He then turned and put a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”
Sam nodded, turned and followed the owner of the estate up his stairs. When they came up to the lounge, Sam’s eyes went wide. Demetrius walked to the back of the lounge and came to a set of French doors. He opened the doors revealing his large private study. He gestured for Samuel to enter. Samuel nodded and stepped inside the room. Demetrius hung a sign on the doorknob saying ‘Do Not Disturb’ and then closed the doors. Demetrius walked to his oak desk and took a seat in his executive chair. Samuel sat down in a chair and pulled it close to the desk. Demetrius sat back in his chair and folded his hands together on his desk. He began the official conversation. “I really appreciate you coming out all this way Samuel. I did say this will be big and I need your help.” Demetrius nodded assuring.
Samuel nodded along. “Anything Demetrius for an old partner.”This message was edited by Anita~Gretchen on 11-29-06 @ 2:08 PM |
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