Billionaire's Retreat Read online

  The next afternoon Lucinda got a call, “Hi, this is Vincent.”

  “How did you get my cell phone number?”

  “I noticed after you left the party that you had dropped your earrings. Sarah gave me your phone number.”

  “Wait until I get my hands on that bitch!”

  “That’s no way for a lady to be speaking. I thought maybe I’d drop by to return them.”

  “I told you, I am a married woman!”

  “I only want to return your earrings.”

  “Why don’t you leave them with Sarah? She will give them to me.”

  “I am going to be at the coffee shop on the corner down from your house in the next fifteen minutes. Be there. I’ll have your property.” He hung up.

  Lucinda walked into the coffee shop. Vincent was sipping on a latte. She slithers into the booth across from him, “I don’t intend to be here long!”

  “Why wouldn’t you?”

  “Where are my earrings?”

  “I didn’t think you would really come. I wanted to let you know that I enjoyed being with you last night. Maybe we can have a nice innocent sociable conversation.”

  “I told you, I am a married woman!”

  Tauntingly he said, “I know. You are a married woman. Here are you earrings dear. Maybe I’ll call you again.” She picked up the earrings from the table, turned her back, and then sashayed out the door.

  Sarah heard a knock on her door at the hotel. She opened the door to find Lucinda still fuming. “How could you have given out my personnel information to a guy that I barely know?”

  “Come in Lucinda. I am packing. I will have to be at the airport shortly. Why are you mad at Vincent? He is a harmless cooperate attorney that recently made partner at a high profile law firm. I wish that he were interested in me.”

  When Sarah finished packing, Lucinda followed her to the airport to see her off.

  Chapter 5

  After arriving back in Los Angeles, Sarah wasted no time getting back into her regular work routine. One afternoon, as she sat at her desk preparing to leave, the telephone rang. “Yes Anna.”

  “You have a call on line two. A Mr. Johnny Davis says he needs to speak with you urgently.

  “Hi Johnny, what do you have to tell me that could not wait? You’d better have a good reason for interrupting me. I am a busy woman. I don’t have time to waste.”

  “You are right. I have quite a nerve to be calling so soon after casting my City Council vote to help Brisband win his contract.”

  “Insane is a better word to describe this call. Why are you calling me, Johnny?”

  “My wife Vera and I were talking about old times when I happened to mention your name. She is concerned about you. We all attended college together. We are going to Malibu Beach this Saturday. Would you like to join us? You can probably bring along one of your business associates.”

  “Tell Vera, I wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to get away.”

  Sarah wrote down the information needed for the weekend stay over.

  Johnny said, “We will meet you in Malibu Beach.”

  “Take care.”

  Jared’s mother Rachelle hired Dallas based Private Eye Daniel Burks. She provided him with information regarding Jared’s friends and family members. “I don’t trust his wife, Sarah. I believe she has something to do with his disappearance.” Burks assured her that he would do a thorough investigation. His mother wanted to remain hopeful but knew he probably would not be found alive.

  On Tuesday, Sarah came in late to the office. Anna informed her that Bridget Titanimum had set an appointment for Thursday to finalize the interior designing contract for the castle. “She said her husband really wants to sign the contract as soon as possible.”

  “That’s good Anna. Thank you.”

  That night when Sarah got home, she had a talk with her sister that was visiting from out of town. “Sister girl, I have some friends flying in from Dallas. I agreed that we would spend the weekend with them in Malibu Beach.”

  “I wouldn’t mind going. However, I thought we could spend some sister time together. After all, Jared is still missing. Who knows what ever happened to him.”

  “You are right Amanda. Maybe I should just call them and cancel.”

  “No! No! Don’t do that. If you are feeling up to it, then we should spend the weekend in Malibu Beach.”

  Sarah changed the conversation, “I’m really surprised that you didn’t bring your fiancé Damien with you from San Francisco.”

  “That man is always busy. When we first met, I could never have imagined his work as a certified public accountant would consume so much of his day to day life.”

  Amanda, he must feel the say way about you. I wonder how the two of you ever find time to spend together. As a corporate office manager, you’re always on the go.

  We both feel fulfilled in our careers. The time we do share, we try to make the best of it.

  Thursday Bridget and Woodrow came in for their appointment. They looked over the contract, asked a few questions then Woodrow affixed his signature.

  “I should be able to start work on the castle next week.”

  Woodrow said, “Take all the time you need Sarah. I know you are going to make us proud.”

  “I might be tempted to come over to take a dip in your new huge pool.”

  “We’ll be certain to invite you over to break it in.” Bridget promptly replied.

  Chapter 6

  Sarah, Amanda, Vera, and Johnny were now at the hotel in Malibu Beach where they would spend the weekend. They had dinner at the restaurant on site. Prior to dinner being served, Vera excused herself to use the ladies room. Sarah decided she might as well go too.

  Amanda said, “Johnny. While we’re alone, there’s something we need to discuss.”

  “What could we possibly have in common?”

  “I recall a rumor that you and my sister Sarah went out on a couple of dates while in college. Please tell me that never happened.”

  “No Amanda. It’s the truth.”

  “So explain to me how you agreed to go on a weekend getaway with your wife and a past girlfriend?”

  “Let’s keep that to ourselves. Vera doesn’t have to know that Sarah and I dated. It was Vera’s idea to get away this weekend. She felt Sarah needed to have fun and to get her mind off Jared. After all Vera is my wife and Sarah is merely an old acquaintance.”

  “Sure Johnny. But you are still wrong.”

  On Saturday, after spending time relaxing around the beach, they all went to Los Angeles where they partied late into the night.

  The next morning, Vera had a severe hangover. Johnny tried to get her to go downstairs with him for breakfast. She decided to sleep in late.

  While in the restaurant, he phoned Sarah. “Good morning Sarah. Don’t tell me you are sleeping in late too like my wife Vera.”

  “No, Mr. Johnny Davis, I have been up for some time now.”

  Johnny replied, “I figured you and your sister would be out and about.”

  “My sister left a few minutes ago to jog on the beach. She won’t be back for awhile. You should come up and keep me company.”

  After a brief silence he accepted her offer. “I’ll come up for a little while. Let me get my breakfast to go. I think it’s ready.”

  After hearing Johnny’s faint knock, Sarah opened the door and then beckoned him to enter. The room was dark except for the sunlight which crept through the curtains covering the bay windows. After locking the door behind him, like magnets, they were drawn to each other. A tight hug progressed to include a long emotionally charged kiss. Moments later Sarah lifted her dress methodically over her head exposing her bare radiant light tone skin. She sprawled out over the bed; her body was completely bare except for a diamond studded sequined choker necklace. Johnny joined her as their bodies meshed. Suddenly forbidden passion consumed them as a wild fire devouring a forest. The embers from their sexual ecstasy burned for a couple of hou
rs then smoldered. The fire was almost rekindled when there was a frantic knock at the door. They lay quiet until whoever it was decided to leave. They theorized it must have been Vera since the do not disturb sign was displayed. Johnny cleaned himself up and then wolfed down his breakfast. As he was leaving, he saw Amanda walking down the hall. She said, “Does your wife know that you were visiting my sister?”

  In a whispering voice he said, “Keep your voice down. She’s down the hall in our room. I paid Sarah a friendly visit.” Lifting his voice back to normal he said, “How was your jog on the beach?”

  “It was fine. After my jog, I sat downstairs in the lobby chatting on the phone with my fiancé Damien back home in San Francisco.”

  “Congratulations on your engagement.”

  Vera had a look of relief when Johnny returned to their room. “Honey, I’ve been worried sick about you. After finally getting out of bed, I went downstairs to the restaurant, ordered breakfast, and ate alone.”

  “I’m sorry baby. I didn’t mean to worry you. After Breakfast, I went walking along the beach.”

  “I understand Johnny. You didn’t do anything wrong. I stopped by Sarah and her sister’s room, however, no one answered. I guess I’m the only one that slept in late.”

  Down the way, Sarah and her sister were putting on their swimwear, when Sarah’s cell phone rang. “Hi Sarah, this is Brisband. How are you?”

  “I am doing fine. I’m relaxing in Malibu Beach with my sister and some friends. How is the man with all the money?”

  “You are not doing too bad yourself. I’m doing find. The reason for my call is to inform you of the tentative date for work to commence on the government contract. Right now, the expected start date is about six months away.”

  Later in the day, Vera and Johnny joined Sarah and her sister Amanda in a game of beach volleyball. Sarah was dressed in her stringed bikini that highlighted her nice figure. Johnny was having trouble keeping his eyes off her. The night before Vera had observed how he looked at Sarah and now his staring was even more obvious.

  As they walked back to the hotel, she was steaming with utter disgust.

  “What’s wrong Vera?”

  “I am upset at how you have been eyeing Sarah! And they way you were gawking at her while we were playing volleyball, is just pathetic!”

  “She is only here because you felt sorry for her and thought she needed some time to relax. And now you are being unjustly jealous.”

  “Don’t worry about me acting jealous! You should start acting grownup and respecting me! That’s all I have to say! Now let’s end this conversation!”

  The night before Amanda returned to San Francisco, she sat up late talking with Sarah. “Have anybody ever accused you of having something to do with Jared’s disappearance? I know how insensitive people can be at times.”

  “You should listen to yourself, Amanda. I am your sister. You have known me your whole life. I am appalled you would even fix your mouth to ask me that question! I am hoping he is still alive. Why are you trying to bring me down?” Tears started flowing from Sarah eyes. “I love Jared. I love Jared. You know that I love Jared. Don’t ever ask me a question like that again.”

  “Calm down sis. I know you would never do anything wrong. However, people in general sometimes think the worst.”

  “I walked the streets when he first disappeared handing out flyers with his picture. I’m offering a quarter million dollar award to whoever can find him. I am thinking about upping that to a half million dollars if it will bring someone forth to inform me of his whereabouts. He is still alive, isn’t he, Amanda.”

  “Of course Sarah, we have to continue to believe he is still alive. I didn’t intend to upset you. I’m sorry. Okay?”

  Sarah continued to cry profusely as she held her hands to her face.

  The weekend in Malibu beach concluded, Sarah was again hard at work. Near midweek, she placed a phone call to Vera. “Hi Vera, this is Sarah.”

  “Oh, hi Sarah, I was just leaving.”

  “Sorry, I caught you at an inopportune time.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I have an appointment with my hairdresser. However, you will need to talk quick. So Sarah, why are you calling me in the middle of the day?”

  “I would like to let you know that your husband is the greatest.” She paused from speaking for a moment. “Okay let me get serious. I called to see if you have made a decision whether or not to work with me on the missing persons fundraiser.”

  “Sarah, I would love to work with you on the fundraiser.”

  “Good. I will give you a call next week when I’m back in Dallas. Three other women have agreed to volunteer their time as well. I will call a meeting for us to meet.”

  “I would like to host the meeting at my house.”

  “That would be ideal.”

  “Well Sarah, I have to leave. I will let Johnny know you asked about him.”

  “Yeah honey, you do that. See you later.”

  “Bye.”

  After she wrapped up her phone conversation with Vera, she met with Chris. “Come on in Sarah. Have a seat. I have put together a team of men to start restoring some of the rear bedrooms.”

  “Great. Were you able to order the various amenities to highlight the ballroom and banquet facilities?”

  “The only hold up is with the two oversized chandeliers.”

  “I still want Gus Willem to be the foreman on the project.”

  “Yes. I know, Sarah.”

  “Well. Did he agree to our terms?

  “Yes. He’ll be on the job with the crew on Monday.”

  Chapter 7

  In Dallas, local newspapers reported in their headlines the finding of a decomposed body in a car. The news story went on to say workers dredging and cleaning a large retention pond on the outskirts of the city made the gruesome discovery. Crime scene investigators speculated the severely burned body appeared to have been there for months. They also surmised it would be weeks before they would have a full coroner report on the corpse.

  Two weeks later, Sarah rings the doorbell at the Davis’ home, Johnny answers the door. Vera had excused herself to freshen up and to change her attire. “Where is your wife?”

  “Vera is taking a shower. Come on in. How have you been Sarah?”

  “I am fine. I’m here for a meeting. I want to make sure Vera has everything in place before the other committee women arrive.”

  Briefly, they stood staring at each other. The next moment she found herself being held passionately by Vera’s husband. She moaned sweetly and lowly as they engaged in a frantic kiss. When their mouths finally parted she said, “No Johnny. You said we are through. We can’t do this anymore.” After relinquishing his hold, she took a seat on the nearby plush leather couch.

  “Make yourself comfortable. Feel free to watch television. I am going to check on Vera.”

  A few minutes later Johnny returned. “Vera said she’ll be out in a moment.”

  “Okay.”

  He puts a hand on her shoulder, “You take care. I am going to leave the house to you women.”

  Sarah batted her eyes while holding her head in a flirtatious pose. He returned the lustful look.

  Approximately five minutes after Johnny left Vera emerged from her bedroom.

  “Hi Sarah, I wasn’t expecting you to arrive so early.”

  “Yes. I know.”

  “I have a suggestion that I want to run pass you, if it’s all right. I don’t want you to feel I’m trying to take control.”

  “I’m open for suggestions.”

  “I thought maybe having a local golf tournament would be a great idea. We could advertise for sponsors to pay a hefty entrance fee to enter local dignitaries.”

  “That’s a great idea. Why couldn’t I have thought of it? We’ll see if the other ladies will have any ideas before voting on how to proceed.”

  Vera changed the subject of conversation, “You must be really crushed after hearing the most rec
ent news. I know they haven’t confirmed the body found as being Jared, but the news has to be disturbing.”

  “Oh! No! Oh! No! I have only been in town for less than a day. I didn’t know. No one cared enough to call me to let me know.” She wiped tears from her eyes.

  “Are you going to be okay?”

  “Yes. I’m just a little overwhelmed.”

  Vera and Sarah eventually adjourned to the dining room. “Excuse me, Sarah dear, I’m going to get the hors d’oeuvres so I can situate them neatly on the buffet.”

  “Let me help you.”

  The other women finally arrived. The meeting was called to order. They agreed to have a golf tournament and to name it in honor of Jared. At the conclusion of the meeting, Sarah informed the ladies they will meet again the following month. Vera was put in charge of collecting information on golf courses suitable to hold the tournament.

  The next morning, Sarah knocked on the door to Lucinda’s house. She looked through the peephole, opened the door, and then greeted Sarah. “What a surprise. I didn’t know you’d be back in town today.”

  “I flew in yesterday to set up a fundraiser. I plan to be here until the end of the week to conduct other business. How have you been?”

  “I’m Fine.” She paused from speaking before stating, “I’ve been thinking about going to college to be an attorney.”

  “That’s great Lucinda. You should really consider calling Vincent James. He could perhaps guide you in making the right decision toward a law school.”

  “Wasn’t he the attorney that you introduced to me at the celebratory ball?”

  “Yes.”

  “I had to keep reminding him that I’m married. To make matters worse, after he found my earrings, you had him call me.”

  “Sarah. You have Vincent all wrong. He may be able to get you into an entry level position with the law firm where he works.” She scribbled his phone number down. After tearing the sheet from the note pad, she handed it to Sarah. “Take this number, give Vincent a call.”