The sun was high on the eastern horizon by the time Sophie deigned to arose her self from the blissful abyss of sleep. The sun was steadily and determinedly making It's energetic ascent in the sky, It's gentle rays shyly peeking through the slightly open shutter windows of the bedroom, thus letting in slanted bursts of gold tinged lighting that illuminated the room and positively settled upon Sophie's sleepy face with a rosy blush.She was feeling peculiarly lethargic and couldn't decide whether to allow herself come into full consciousness or to just simply let her body slide right back into sleep. However, the puzzling feeling of certain things being strangely out of place, distracted her long enough to allow her make the subconscious decision of coming into full wakefulness.She couldn't feel the extra silken layer of her eye mask on her face, so she wondered, for one, how come she appeared to have fallen so easily asleep the previous night without her eye mask, and why on earth wa
Sophie was beginning to grow dizzy from constantly having to watch Dante's anxious pacing movements. He seemed to be every where at once. He had gotten right up to making series of phone calls after he was done setting up their luggage.Sophie had been eventually pressured to get her things ready and had managed to do so in record time too. There was no way She could have been able to keep up that lackadaisical air of nonchalance under Dante's watchful eyes and hovering presence. He had been literally breathing down her neck. He had such an unwavering tenacity about him that could bend the will of anyone_even someone as stubborn as she was. He could make you squirm with out even saying a word. All he need do was pin you with that intimidating look that spoke volumes all on its own.Not that Sophie was intimidated. She just felt... Well, a little bit guilty. For what exactly..? she wasn't sure. It was just something in that look of his. It made you feel things you didn't understand
"Where are we heading to..?" Sophie asked of the elderly looking gentleman who had earlier received them_Dante and herself_ at the air space moments ago, shortly after their safe landing on the helipad.He had come along with Alberto Sanchez, Dante's much younger PR manager, and had introduced himself as Jethro Gibbs, Dante's professional Chauffeur. Jethro was quite a dependably agile sexagenarian, with a full head of silver tinted greying locks and an amiable smile that bespoke of a certain ancient, but once admirably youthful charm.He had an easy manner of speech that was placating and an air of assurance that was welcoming.Perhaps that had been the reason why Sophie had not been particularly difficult when he had directed her towards the black Mercedes which was to be their lift, right after Dante had simply instructed him to; "..take her home."Dante had said it then as though he were some weary guardian who couldn't wait to get rid of his infinitely troublesome ward.Sophie ha
Once again, Sophie was seated at the back seat of the Mercedes Benz, inwardly seething like a petulant child who had had her favorite toy taken away and refusing to talk to Dante the whole way home. This was to be her second trip to the penthouse in less than twenty four hours and she didn't relish the second time going anymore than she had the first time.It was embarrassingly provoking to think of the crude manner in which Dante had rudely come to collect her from her friend's place.Dante had stormed Janet's home, with Marko in tow, like an angry father who intended to confront and bring back home, his young daughter who had eloped with her lover.Sophie had done no such thing. She had simply wanted to spend the night with her maternal cousin and Friend. To be around someone familiar. Someone she could still trust. She didn't understand Dante's anger at all. Afterall, she had left him a note. But then again, maybe some one like him was incapable of comprehending something as bas
Julia Guthram. She was the word on everyone's lips this morning. Dante stared dispassionately at the grainy photograph of a young beautiful woman in her early twenties side by side with that of a middle aged man, Robinson Guthram, who Dante vaguely recognized as a quite influential business Mogul in the real estate business. Their photographs was splashed on the cover page of New York's daily paper with the suggestive headline "Robinson Guthram confirmed deceased; A death worth a fortune." Alberto had brought him a copy of the morning papers earlier this morning and Dante was hesitant, but glad to admit that it was a relief to see another name other than that of the Castillos, taking over the scandalous headlines.Apparently, Julia, The young heiress whose husband had been previously declared missing following his mysterious disappearance, had turned up conclusively dead. Rob Guthram's demise had automatically reverted the ownership of his estate to his very much younger wife, much
The telephone had been ringing off the hook for the better half of an hour now, and Dante on his own part, had done his ultimate best to completely ignore it.He had toned the telephone down to a dull vibration after the first few rings, as he concentrated on finishing his latest analysis on another disheartening folio of Mr Gonzales' financial statement. So far, he had one word for it; "disastrous." Alonso Gonzales had obviously down stated the true nature of his financial ruin. It was indeed worse than Dante had Originally assumed, and as much as Dante faulted his father-in-law for his current state of ruination, he also had to admit that Alonso, regardless of being the spendthrift that he was, couldn't have dug such magnitude of deficit holes all around him, all on his own.The man needed to fire whoever had been placed in charge of his accounts all these while, along with his personal accountant. Infact, Dante would suggest that Elliot Castro, Alonso's financial adviser, be thr
Alonso Gonzales was a fraud: in many ways than one could imagine. And Dante was only just beginning to realize exactly how crooked the man could be, when trying to find a means to satisfying his selfish needs. Alonso was a big shark, and he didn't care about what he had to gnaw into bits or destroy on his way to achieving his own ends. He would have been an unbeatable force in the business world, if only he had a little more sense and some basic amount of discipline and self-control. Especially when it had something to do with finance management. For that, Dante supposed, had to be the old man's Achilles heel. "What do you mean by it can't be done..?" Alonso asked of Dante in a tone that suggested he was highly displeased by the information he had just received. "Exactly what is implied Mr Gonzales!" Dante drawled emotionless as he observed Alonso with an air of infinite boredom. He was unmoved by Alonso's bruised sense of entitlement. "I want to speak with Gaius!" Alonso demande
Marina Gonzales carefully set down the tea tray on the small round table in front of her daughter and took her time straightening out the cushioning table cloth and unnecessarily set herself up to rearranging the delicate china cups and the accompanying serving plate of tiny square shaped, delicious looking biscuits."Tea..?" She inquired politely of the young lady before her, as though she were just another random visitor to be entertained and not infact, her very own daughter.Sophie stared at her mother for a moment and seemed to be realizing for the first time, how weird and unfamiliar Marina Gonzales looked. The paleness of her skin and the unhealthy pallor of her face, caused Sophie to worry.It seemed as though Marina had shed more than just a few light pounds in less than a week..? Or had her perceived deficiency endured for much longer than Sophie had taken care to notice..? Sophie wasn't sure. Everything just felt different, and it wasn't only her mother. It was the usual