Keptintug

KEPTINTUG

C. DUNFORD

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: 1-800-839-8640

© 2012 by C. Dunford. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/22/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-0369-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-0368-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012908472

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Sir wake up, we’re here. I heard as I glanced up and saw a familiar face. She smiled at me and I yawned back. As I tried to move my legs I said, I just had the strangest dream.

Well you know I will be here for a while, maybe we could get some coffee and you could tell me about it.

I would love to, but I don’t have much time. Would you take a rain check? I inquired as the numbness slowly turned into something else.

From you, of course, she paused and looked for something to write with. You know that isn’t necessary. With a name like that, I pointed to her name tag, I’m sure I can find you again. She glanced down and returned her eyes to mine and said, Oh that, I think my parents were trying to be funny or something.

I like it. Matches your hair, I told her as I stood and turned to get my bag out of the overhead. When I turned back towards her she smiled and told me that I needed to put on a coat if I had one for the past winter had been harsh and the spring wasn’t being any kinder.

Thanks, I said as she kissed me on the cheek and then spoke: you know if you catch a monkey by the toe and it hollers, she paused and brushed her hair behind her ear. The look in her eyes was devilish as she continued, you aren’t doing it correctly.

At that moment I just wanted to throw up my hands and yell ‘I surrender’ but instead I stood still and heard her say, Till next time. She turned away from me and I watched as she made her way back to the other passengers. All I heard in my head were the words of Michael my publicist that I had things to do and not to be messing around. ‘Too bad,’ I whispered under my breath as she turned and waved at me as I exited the plane.

As I was walking down the gangway over the loudspeaker I heard an announcement about a ground delay and something about icing so I took my ticket out of my pocket and looked at the destination. It said Frankfurt and something wasn’t right, but when I glanced over to customs it became apparent that was the least of my worries. I’ll be lucky just to get out of the airport.

I glanced around the terminal and there was no way around it so I walked towards the large room. There were rows of people standing in front of long tables with their luggage open and strange hands touching everything. It smelled like dirt. The aroma became stronger as I felt someone grab my arm and when I turned the agitation subsided for there stood my friend, the monkey catcher. She led me to another part of the room and told me with a wink of her eye that this was the line I should be in.

Am I that obvious? I inquired as she said, No, but you’re not the only one that knows Michael.

Good to know, I told her as I placed my bag on a small table and turned back to her and thanked her. Don’t thank me. Thank him, she said as she once again left me.

Do you have anything to declare? Are you hiding anything? The agent asked as he looked into the bag, he didn’t touch anything so I answered, No, and even though I was lying I was allowed to pass. After walking through a large glass door I made my way to the main area of the airport and found the ticket counter.

Excuse me. What is the temperature outside? The man behind the counter didn’t look up but told me it was 23 degrees. Is that Celsius by any chance?

Not quite. It’s Fahrenheit and if you think it is bad now you should have been here 3 months ago.

Not pretty, huh? I inquired and he told me that it had been utterly ruthless. That could mean only one thing as I turned and saw a woman in a long parka. It looked constricting and uncomfortable but warm. My bag was heavy but not because of that for I have never owned one of those. I’m in trouble, I whispered under my breath.

The man behind the counter must have heard me for he said, Yes you are. But in more ways than one. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that but I needed to find my ride and get out of there.

I turned and looked around the airport, it had been a long time since I was here last and it looked like everything had changed. As I started to move forward a young man ran right into me and as I turned he said, Watch where you are going!

I’m always watching, I told him as I reached out my hand to pick him off the floor. He brushed himself off and glared at me so I asked him if I was supposed to be afraid. He nodded his head no and said, Just be careful. After stating this he was on his way and I noticed just how fast he was.

Looking up I saw the walls talking, the ground was moving and a sign with an automobile and arrow caught my eye. Finally I knew which direction to go. It took a few minutes and more than a few weird looks but I found myself staring at a sea of faces. The drivers all looked alike and each had a sign in front of them. I glanced around the room and saw what could have been my name. It was spelled wrong but the driver holding it in one hand lifted a coat with the other and smiled.

Only Michael knows me that well, I said out loud as I walked over to the driver. His smile got bigger as he said, When Michael told me who was coming and from where I figured you would probably need this. I thanked him and he nodded his head and handed me the goose down coat and urged me to put it on as we really had little time.

We made it to the car and I was shutting the rear door he started talking: It is unfortunate that you have come under these circumstances.

What do you mean?

Well, I am simply referring to the weather. This place is usually vibrant with life and the temperature is much milder.

The car pulled away from the curb and I felt a little relief but knew this was far from over so I said, This wasn’t my idea to come here and yes the timing is poor, but it is what it is.

I am a little surprised to hear you say that, figured you wouldn’t be all that happy to be here under these conditions.

Like I said it is what it is and I would do anything for Michael. He has always been good to me and just so you know it is a not u… My words trailed off as the desire to chat was lost on both us. We rode in silence and it felt like I was a dog attempting to outrun the night because I knew that once the sun was to set my willingness might become as similarly silent.

I glanced into the rearview mirror and could see the driver, he was staring at me. It made me uncomfortable for I would have preferred him looking at the road. After he noticed me looking at him he diverted his eyes downwards and stayed like that until we arrived at the gate of the hotel.

There was a small security building where a large man emerged and stuck his head in the car. He didn’t bother with the driver; his interest was solely directed at me. We’ve been expecting you, he said as he stood and then gestured towards the security building and the gate opened. As we slowly drove through it the driver started speaking: You need to do exactly what I tell you. The only reason you are here is because Michael pulled some strings. Do you understand?

I nodded my head that I did so he continued, Michael wants you to simply check in so you have the key and a place to leave your bag. He paused and looked beyond me and watched the gate completely close. You’ll find a suit in your room that you can wear until you can arrange something else. And one more thing, He stopped as his eyes looked ahead of the car and as they returned to mine he spoke with authority. Don’t you dare tell a single soul what you see inside! This is the Hotel Coelo and some things are not to be spoken of!

Of course, I told him as I tried to hide the thoughts in my head for I really hated being told what to do but in this case I understood.

I exited the hotel and got back into the car, the driver seemed pleased with himself as he proceeded back towards the gate. As we went through it my head turned as it closed; sounded like a coffin in the inner tombs of Egypt—you could the echo. The sound roared through my head as the car roared back to Frankfurt.

Remy never stopped astounding all who knew her, she entered the restaurant and even the music was rendered speechless, there was a slightness to her that was unexplainable. Something about her eyes when she looked into the lights of the stage, her walk her smile her laugh her everything. Michael stood as she closed in to the table. Her dress was casual just like he had asked her.

I hope I’m not late, she said as he kissed her on her cheek. Nope right on time and you look fabulous might I add. Remy sat down facing the door. She always liked to watch people and not have her back to them. Almost seemed rude and she was far from rude. Why thank you.

Have you had a chance to think about what we talked about this morning? Michael asked picking up the large menu.

Yes I have. I am not entirely sure about it though. Have you talked to your friend about it? How does he feel? She had thought about the proposal all day. It was a great idea but wasn’t sure if they could pull it off.

Well let me tell you a little about my friend, as you so eloquently put it, he is a very interesting man. He reached for his glass of sparkling water, cleared his throat and continued, I have known him for several years. He is an author that is enjoying success even though he acts like he is not. Very down to earth guy, but has a mischievous streak. I wouldn’t bet my life on it, but I think he will go for it.

You mean you haven’t asked him, she asked with a quizzical look on her face. He flew over here and you haven’t even asked him yet.

He knew how it sounded, but he knew no one could say no to him or for that matter the woman sitting across from him.

Well if you must know he does have other plans for the next few days, a seminar or something down south, so he was coming over here anyway. Come on Remy I wouldn’t have done that to anybody. His hand touched her arm which was a certain gesture that she had become use to working with Michael. She knew that it only meant trust me. She smiled at him and picked up her own menu. Several minutes passed and the waiter came over to get their order.

So tell me how do you think this will work? Remy asked after the waiter left.

Well… He reached over the table and retrieved several glossy magazines. Look here do you recognize any of this people. He handed Remy the magazines. She leafed through them slowly. She knew all the women on the front covers. Yes I know all of these women. Not the guy though.

Exactly. All of these women were ‘unknowns’ until they were seen with this guy. One picture and voilà you even know who they are. And you can bet that people around the world know who there are, he said with a smile that filled Remy’s heart. She knew that he had done nothing but try to help her with her music career.

Okay? She gestured with her hands in the air.

Well think about how big you are going to be. If someone wanted to get their face out here what would be better than be seen with you.

So your friend would want to be seen with me so he could sell books here?

Yes, but he could help you too. The guy on the magazine cover is my friend.

Really? Remy picked the magazines back up and carefully studied them this time. The face that looked back at her didn’t look American to her. She saw black hair, olive skin or maybe just a tan and pretty green eyes. Oh my, what big eyes you have. The better to see you with she thought as she looked passed Michael and watched the wolf swallow the sun.

The drive felt like it took forever, I finally got to the restaurant. Not entirely sure what to expect. Michael had said that because I was coming