Odalisque at the Spa

Odalisque at the Spa

Jeanne Rejaunier

Published by Jeanne Rejaunier at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Jeanne Rejaunier

All rights reserved.

ISBN 1: 9781301063314

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

About the Author

Excerpt, Planes of the Heavenworld, by Jeanne Rejaunier

Sample Chapter, The Zoetron Revelation, by Jeanne Rejaunier

Critics' Reviews, The Beauty Trap, by Jeanne Rejaunier

Also by Jeanne Rejaunier

Coming Soon by Jeanne Rejaunier

Connect with Jeanne Online

Chapter 1

Do I have a fantastic surprise for you! Wait till you hear!

That was the last text message Mason Bolt received from Barry King before his iPhone, iPad and MacBook Pro all ran out and needed recharging. Since Mason was on his way to meet Barry, he would soon find out what the surprise was. Knowing Barry, it was probably something out of the ordinary. Mason wasn’t used to unexpected surprises. In fact, the last surprise he’d had occurred on his 16th birthday, when his older sister Clara had organized a joke Sweet Sixteen party for him. He was over 40 now, so that was a long time ago.

He had just come from his most recent blow-out BAM (Bolt Action Movement) seminar in London, followed by huddles with his British publisher, and was behind the wheel of a rented Mercedes, on his way from the Strasbourg, France Airport, a 45 minute scenic drive to the superb five star Brenners Park Hotel and Spa in Baden-Baden, situated in a picturesque valley deep in the northern foothills of Germany’s most romantic Black Forest.

For the past few years, Barry King had been singing to Mason the praises of Baden-Baden – its social life, spas and curative waters, art galleries, theatre, concerts, opera and first class sporting events, until finally the two men’s separate busy schedules coincided so that they could arrange to spend two weeks together, luxuriating in the incredible wonders of Germany’s historic spa town, both for a well-earned rest and healthful relaxation, a guy thing, and also with the idea of Mason sampling the facilities for future BAM seminars. The time in Baden-Baden would be a fortnight of thorough escape from routine and obligations, to be spent in restoration and rejuvenation – healthy meals, daily spa and exercise programs, hiking in the nearby mountains, relaxing in the salubrious air, enjoying the many cultural advantages the town afforded.

Mason needed this break from his schedule of nonstop seminars, promotion and public appearances on behalf of his multi-million dollar a year enterprise BAM, to revel in total peace. He was delighted with this opportunity to finally experience Baden-Baden, especially to do so with Barry, whom he admired greatly. Like himself, his friend and advisor, international financial guru Barry King was a self-made entrepreneurial high earner, pulling in eight and nine figures a year in personal income and plenty more in investments, doing what he loved best as the head of his own multimedia financial consulting empire, KEG (King Exponential Growth). Both men, wildly successful in their respective fields, enjoyed the best of all worlds. Like Mason, Barry had just completed a popular seminar for his organization, his held in Zurich, then stopped off to consult with bankers in Frankfurt.

During his stay at the Brenners Park, Mason would be partaking of a variety of benefits afforded by the world renowned establishment. Due to the high demand for treatments, the hotel had recommended booking appointments prior to a guest’s arrival, so Mason had signed up for an extensive, all inclusive package of gourmet meals, spa specials, medical workups, gym workouts, and side trips. Everything looked so interesting that he had hardly known what to choose, especially since he had no idea what some of the exotically named spa offerings were. The names all sounded appealing, despite his unfamiliarity with some of them: Niance® Men Power, Premium Glacier Eye Deluxe, Brenners Spirit of Jaipur Peeling, Anika Organic Vitality Body Scrub, Futuresse Secret of the Lotus Treatment, Exotic Reviving Pure Masculin (minus an e at the end) Vital Bath, Underwater Massage, and many others. There would also be daily fitness activities; body analysis; advice and treatment from specialists in internal and holistic medicine, and other medical professionals, including preventive healthcare programs, aesthetic dentistry and dermatology, naturopathic diagnostics, ophthalmology, medical foot reflexology, lymph drainage, and much, much more.

When the town’s tree-lined 350 year old historic main street, the Lichtentaler Allee, came into view, Mason was almost at his destination. Brenners Park Hotel and Spa, the fabled grande dame, styled as a French château cum classic French country house, loomed ahead of him. Its impressive historic roots combined classical architecture and European décor with modern accents. It was set like a jewel in the midst of a lush private park, one of the most beautiful in Europe, facing the Lichtentaler Allee. Surrounded by majestic pine and fir trees, the hotel backed on the River Oosbach (usually abbreviated to Oos), which gave it a woodland, country feel.

Mason could readily see that Barry hadn’t exaggerated one bit when he declared Brenners Park to be a nonpareil hotel and the town of Baden-Baden a virtual paradise. He was looking forward to the hotel’s discreet and attentive service, its old world charm, and to everything Barry had told him about. Daily outdoor concerts, enchanting parks and gardens, mountaineering trails on the cliffs of Batterflelsen, international horse racing with the famous Prix de Baden, musical events in the acclaimed Festspielhaus; museums and galleries, historic churches and monuments, and the world famous Belle Époque casino were among the things he would be sure to make time for. Soon he and Barry would be enjoying all this together.

Within minutes, Mason pulled up at the dramatic red draped portico of the hotel’s front entrance. Two narrow church steeples loomed in the background; foliage proliferated everywhere. A large green hotel Volkswagen minibus with license plates reading BAD VW 67H was parked outside the porte cochère. Apparently it met passengers at the airport, and would have certainly met him, had he not elected to drive himself. With GPS, getting here had been no problem. A uniformed attendant saluted him, addressed him in English (how did he know?), relieved him of the Mercedes, and his luggage was carried by yet another English speaking attendant into the lobby of the historical building that was synonymous with great tradition.

Welcome to Brenners Park, the desk clerk greeted him warmly, in English, as Mason entered the stunning, imposing yet at the same time comfortable and cozy lobby, and prepared to sign the guest register.

Herr Bolt, you have a phone message.

The desk clerk handed him an envelope which Mason tore open. Inside, a message from Barry read, Couldn’t reach your cell. Will try you later. Just wanted to let you know am unfortunately being delayed two days with bankers in Frankfurt. It’s important, otherwise I’d rush to your side. Be sure to read the stuff and play the videos I sent online. Will reveal the exciting surprise when we next connect, dude. See ya soon, Barry.

Disappointed, Mason was left feeling a bit disoriented. He’d been counting on Barry to show him the ropes here. Now he’d be on his own at the outset.

Ushered to his suite by the bell hop, Mason was overwhelmed as he entered the elegant quarters. Surely, the magnificent Park Villa accommodations were the most impressive in which he had ever been a guest, and he had stayed in the world’s best hotels. For the next two weeks, he would enjoy luxury and comfort over three floors and 600 square meters of modern living space, enhanced by carefully chosen, tasteful antiques and works of art. Utter perfection. Each of the spacious, airy rooms was decorated in reds, greens, blues, purples and yellows respectively. Mason explored the new terrain: a luxury lounge with fireplace (not needed in this warm late summer weather), two bedrooms, a separate room with private cinema, Bang & Olufsen video and audio equipment, including, of course, high-speed WI-FI W-LAN Internet access. The suite even boasted a high level of security with bullet-proof windows.

Mason immediately noticed that the hotel had welcomed him with abundant amenities: sparkling water, fresh fruit and flowers everywhere, purple tulips and orchids in the hallway, and on tables in every room were placed bundles of sycamore, lilacs, delphinium, willow branches, crocus, orange tiger lilies, lemon leaves and sprays of white alstroemeria and cymbidiums staked with natural bamboo. He took in the elegant rooms’ special touches – two purple canopied oversized double beds sharing a single plush purple quilted headboard; striped wallpaper in an alcove; a George III silver tea set on the living room table; a dramatic spiral staircase with patterned blue diamond design; interesting lamps with blue print shades; plum striped curtains and red, yellow and orange patterned chairs facing each other; a striped window seat; blood red lamps; an ebony bookcase; love seats with yellow cushions. His suite boasted two cavernous Carrara marble bathrooms, a charming balcony offering a superb view of the magnificent Brenners private park, from which the soft splashing sound of the River Oos below was heard, and a private veranda overlooking the spectacular, tree-lined Lichtentaler Allee.

He plugged in his laptop, tablet, and smartphone for recharging, feeling conflicted about the place the digital world would be holding in his life during his vacation here. On the one hand, in order to really unwind, he should reduce online communications, ideally forego them, but in this day and age, and given his busy lifestyle, that was close to impossible. Nevertheless, he would try to make the effort to curtail, in order to have time to relax and refresh body, mind and spirit. For part of the day, at least, he hoped to no longer be a slave to smartphone, emails, internet, Skype, Twitter, texting, Facebook, Linked In, Google +, YouTube, and the rest of the world that conspired to interfere with his peace of mind. Everything would be at least partially shut down or preferably, shut off when possible, so he could unwind, relax and renew. He would make the effort to keep texting and Twitter to a minimum, forget Facebook existed for the duration in order to really unwind and connect with inner self. He would minimize all the customary devices and communication methods to which he was addicted. But how hard that was, especially when his life might depend on it. Still, should anything of vital importance occur when he was disconnected, he could always be reached through the hotel switchboard. On the other hand, though, this presented a distinct dilemma, because for the past six months now, he had been waiting for a very important phone call that he kept expecting might come through at any moment. For that reason, he was disinclined to be without his iPhone.

Mason was feeling an uncharacteristic uneasiness, an emptiness that lately was becoming more characteristic, due to the unresolved, troubling situation he had not been able to put out of mind for the past half year. Six months was a long time to wait. Would the phone call ever happen? He sometimes asked himself if he should try to put the anticipated situation out of mind, at least for a while. But forgetting wasn’t easy.

Who would believe him? Calista, Calista, you are – you were? my only link. Where are you, Calista? Where did you disappear to and why? Email bounces back, no callback on phone, texting receives no answer, no Skype presence anymore – so strange. How long could he nurture a dream before giving up the ghost? To be fair, Calista had told him she would be unreachable for a while, not to worry, it would happen, they would contact him, just be patient. But unreachable for six months?

While recharging the digital equipment, his iPhone rang. It was Barry, apologizing for being held up, but ready to divulge the big surprise. Remember how I used to refer to you and me as ‘BTB’ – Better Than Billionaires, because we’re liquid and so many of those vaunted billionaires are not?

Sure, I remember.

Well, now here’s the surprise, dude. Are you ready for it?

You bet. I’m all ears.

Dude, you have just become a real, an authentic, genuine billionaire. And, my friend, you are that extreme rarity – a liquid billionaire.

I am? I did? Are you serious?

It was only a few months ago that Barry had asked him, Do you know why you and I are in better shape financially than so many hot shots that are hyped under the category of billionaires? You and I, dear man, are actually richer than a whole lot of them. Why? Because we are liquid, while those highly touted billionaires are overextended. They’re weighted down with obligations, companies and other acquisitions which their accountants make look good on paper, but a lot of them couldn’t come up with enough cash if they had to. You’d be surprised how many pay their bills late or don’t even pay them at all. They owe on loans, which if called, they couldn’t honor. They’re billionaires on paper and it’s mostly all hype and headaches. We, my friend, you and I, are the real deal.

Now Barry was telling him, Welcome to the club! It’s official. Mason, you and I are both fully liquid billionaires! And need I say, we want to avoid a Forbes listing, so let’s keep this status under the radar, agreed? Now tell me, dude, how does it feel to be the real thing?

Wow, I’m amazed! All I can say is thanks, Barry. It’s all because of you, bro.

I’m a billionaire, I’m a billionaire, Mason told his reflection over and over, as he thought about Barry’s question, how does it feel. Actually, it didn’t feel any different from just a few minutes ago, when he didn’t know he was a billionaire.

He guessed it would take time for the news to sink in – if indeed being a billionaire would actually make a difference in his life. There was only one thing, he reflected, that would make a real difference. Only he and Calista knew exactly what it was.

It was the Odalisque.

If only – if only it would start happening.

Chapter 2

He had just started unpacking when there was a knock at the door. There stood one of the hotel’s young desk assistants, the tall, angular, dark haired and snappily uniformed Hans-Josef, wearing tortoise shell glasses and a welcoming smile, ready to give him a full tour of the hotel, its elaborate spas, fitness rooms, restaurants, private park and grounds. A stroll through Brenners’s beautiful salons was a journey through a century and a half of history. The private park, the gardens, everything was perfection. Mason was continually impressed with the hotel’s style, its impeccable service and staff support.

As they inspected the establishment’s several posh eateries, Hans-Josef said the Brenners Park Restaurant, which had been awarded with two Michelin stars and 17 out of 20 Gault Millau points, offered unforgettable charm and stylish ambiance that make every meal an unparalleled feast that delights both the palate, the nose and the eye. They visited each of the hotel’s other dining and gathering spots, the Wintergarten, Rive Gauche, Salon Lichtental, outdoor Park Terrasse, Oleander Bar, Cigar Lounge, the conservatory and the Kaminhalle.

Hans-Josef said, It is such a pleasure to be a guest here at Brenners Park. One reason it is so delightful is our outstanding cuisine, which excels at culinary taste and presentation. Mason was impressed with the charming décor of every dining spot. He wanted to spend time in all of them and would be hard pressed to choose which to try first.

We also have special kitchen events where our guests can participate with the chef de cuisine in creating gourmet delicacies, Hans-Josef continued.

The Brenners Spa was an oasis of peace and relaxation and regeneration ... when you visit the spa, you escape to a world of joy for the senses, Hans-Josef rhapsodized. Brenners offers excellent facilities for a vitalizing week, or in your case, vitalizing two weeks, since I see you will be with us for a longer stretch. I’m confident you will find our highly qualified professionals, physiotherapists and certified sport trainers will focus on all your requirements.

As they toured the hotel’s Medical Spa, Hans-Josef said, Our medical spa offers a wide range of healthcare programs. We recently renovated this space. A new mosaic floor and window panes give new life to our 17 meters long swimming pool and its surrounding area. Azure blue, crystal clear water entices you to swim in our lovely pool. Its Roman décor creates an exclusive atmosphere. As you see, our glass-walled pool is very beautiful.

It certainly is, Mason said, surveying the area, thinking he would be jumping in the pool as soon as possible.

This area is enriched with ozone, Hans-Josef said. "You will find peace and comfort where you can relax in a Roman ambiance, take a plunge in our Roman-style pool, and find renewal in the saunas, the relaxation rooms, and the fitness studio. Many types of massages and health treatments are available here.

The hotel’s Medical Spa offers the highest quality preventive health care, Hans-Josef advised, with two day comprehensive examinations, aesthetic dentistry, ophthalmology and dermatology services. You can consult with our outstanding staff of top notch expert medical professionals, our physicians and dentists.

Yes, I’ve arranged for that, Mason said, and I’m looking forward to meeting your physicians.

"Excellent, Herr Bolt. You are a wise and discriminating man, I see. I can assure you our doctors are tops in their profession. At the Brenners Medical Spa, your health is important to us! At your disposal are specialists of every type. Our practicing physicians will prescribe treatments for anti-stress, anti-aging and other conditions. At your disposal is a great team of professionals using the best examination and diagnostic methods, combining alternative medicine with classical techniques. Our physiotherapists, osteopaths and massage therapists will create tailor made programs for you. Our nutritionists will analyze your dietary needs, and the kitchen shall be happy to prepare you individual meals in accordance with your requests. Anything you wish – medical foot reflexology, lymph drainage, underwater massage, fango pack – it is all available to our guests.

Following a thorough physical check-up, a personal health program will be developed according to your personal requirements. We pay particular attention to individual training and motivation aspects that are so important to your health and wellbeing. In Brenners’s Physio Spa, exercise therapies are applied that will have a significant impact on your health. You will find our state of the art Fitness Center has a wonderful adjoining Sports Bar which serves light snacks. Our well qualified staff of personal trainers is at your disposal to assist with your fitness program and answer all your questions. Here, you will be pleased with the level of cardiovascular training using our fitness equipment.

I’ve signed up to work with a personal trainer every day of my stay, Mason said.

Wonderful. Our trainers and sports instructors will monitor your individual workouts. We have a fitness terrace where you can enjoy snacks and refreshments to complement your fitness program. Mason was pleased to see the fitness center offered the latest state of the art equipment.

Upon their entering the serene Day Spa, Hans-Josef said, "At this special Day Spa, you can escape from everyday stress and relax, to rejuvenate body and soul. Brenners specializes in providing individual care and attention with a personal touch. Visitors love Baden-Baden; they love the countryside and all the many attractions and sights we have to offer.

Here in Baden-Baden, you are at one with nature. We have spiritual yoga sessions, mystical massage rituals, heavenly aroma therapies, lomi lomi and much more, guaranteed to make your soul smile.

Lomi lomi – that’s part of the package I signed up for. It’s wonderful, I know.

You are familiar with lomi lomi?

I am. I’ve had lomi treatments in Hawaii, Mason answered, where lomi lomi originated. There are several different Hawaiian lomi traditions, brought down through the ages from the original Hawaiian people. I’m interested to see what type you feature here in Baden-Baden.

I am sure you will be pleased, Hans-Josef said. For over a century and a half, international guests have found their way to the savoir-vivre of Brenners. Brenners is synonymous with luxury and stylish atmosphere. And incidentally, for an entire day or half day, as you choose, you can pamper yourself and free your mind in the serene atmosphere of our private Spa Suite.

Yes, that’s on my plate as well. My friend and I booked the Spa Suite for several half days together.

Ah, very good. You and she are in for a rare treat.

He, Mason corrected. My friend is a he.

Oh, I beg your pardon. I assumed –

My wife couldn’t make it, Mason explained.

I’m sorry. But I’m sure you and your friend will enjoy all our facilities and amenities.

I know we will. My friend has been coming here for many years, but it’s my first time. One thing that interests me very much is the Baden-Baden thermal springs, Mason said. I’ve heard so much about the curative waters.

"Ah, yes! Our wonderful thermal waters! Whether its cardiovascular problems, metabolism upsets, arthritic or respiratory complaints, the healing powers of our springs promote health. Our warm spring water aids blood circulation in the muscles, joints and skin. The water rises from a depth of 6,500 feet under Baden-Baden, reaching the surface, rich in sodium chloride mixed with minerals – lithium, cesium, silica, boric acid, manganese, magnesium, as well as traces of cobalt, zinc and copper. It’s these minerals we can thank for their marvelous curative effect.

The special healing effects of the Baden-Baden springs are a wonderful experience for mind, body and soul. Our thermal springs are a true gift of nature that do wonders. Here in Baden-Baden, nearly a million gallons of unique, mineral-rich water surge from the thermal springs daily, as they have done for nearly twenty thousand years. Our Thalasso Thermal Therapy is the only treatment that combines the range of thermal water remedies with comprehensive Thalasso therapy. You will only find this in Baden-Baden, where you can treat yourself to the ultimate experience.

He needed this. Despite extended business travel – and because of it, often to the world’s leading esthetic attractions – it had been a good three years since he’d had a real vacation. He was ready for the cure, ready for the works, for a respite from the past couple of years of so many responsibilities and obligations that building his brand and helping others to psychological freedom had entailed. All the vibrations of all those countless hoards, the masses eager to be bammed, everyone seeking help, answers, solutions to life problems, all so certain he could provide them, made extra demands on his time.

Mason left a Skype voice message for his wife Melanie: Hey, beautiful. Wanted to touch bases to mention that with the 9 hour time difference (one hour more than in London), and considering our various respective activities, yours, mine and ours, it may not always be convenient to communicate. You’re out a lot and so am I. Just wanted you to know I love you, babe, and not to worry. All’s well. Thinking of you and love ya lots! He also left individual messages for his four teenage children, Matthew, Megan and the twins, Michael and Melissa. Mulling over whether it would be a wise course to divulge to the family his newly minted billionaire status, and keeping in mind Barry’s cautionary admonition, he decided not to broadcast it, at least not for now.

He played a message Barry had left on Skype, one which undoubtedly preceded the phone call in which he’d learned about his new billionaire status: "It’s going to be a great time together, bro. Can’t wait to start the engines running on our creative idea sharing, as we two genius brains always profit from same. Two minds are greater than one, and you and I have a very special bond that never fails to work wonders for both of us personally, to say nothing of professionally, via our respective organizations. It’s more than just a great friendship and professional relationship with us, although it’s certainly that too. I apologize profusely for the two day delay; it wasn’t intentional and couldn’t be avoided.

"I trust you’ll find everything you need at the hotel to start your spa, medical and other schedules, and get to see some of the sights. I’ll be eager to join you Wednesday. There’s loads to do in Baden-Baden, which I’m sure you’ll discover without me to point out. When I get there, I’ll be looking forward to some authentic Black Forest cake. Real cherries. Real whipped cream. Add in a bit of cherry schnapps. And my mouth is already watering for Weissworst – that beautiful white sausage that’s a Bavarian specialty. Cut the skin off and enjoy its full of flavor. Something before dinner to prepare the stomach, perhaps a schnapps, champagne or grappa, then wine or beer with dinner. Let’s hit France for a change of pace and gourmet meal one night, too, okay? A few side trips, maybe, to experience the cities around Baden-Baden – Strasbourg, Freiburg, Heidelberg. What say you, bro?

And of course, we’ll be sure to take in a full menu of theatre, opera and concerts. As you can imagine, I’m so looking forward to seeing my lady love, the amazing opera star Joyce DiDonato, with whom I am madly in love, in her fabulous Drama Queens concert the critics are raving about. Can’t wait! Barry had a huge crush almost bordering on the adolescent on DiDonato, the glamorous American mezzo-soprano. Barry’s message continued, Am sending you a couple of YouTube videos for starters so you can appreciate what a fabulous artist my beautiful Joyce is. Sending Berenice’s aria Da torbida procella," and from Hasse’s Antonio e Cleopatra, ‘Morte col fiero aspetto.’ Will send more Joyce links soon."

Mason would play the two DiDonato videos later. Barry continued: Joyce is appearing in the concert with Il Complesso Barocco, a well known international orchestra that specializes in baroque music, with an emphasis on Italian baroque opera and oratorio. It was founded by Alan Curtis, American harpsichordist, musicologist, and conductor, one of the most acclaimed specialists in the interpretation of pre-romantic music.

Another Barry message pertained to an investment plan he had come up with, a surefire