LOVE STORM

by Beryl Trebble

  ...x...

  The next day, Carl came across by himself to drop his bombshell.

  "Brace yourself, kiddo. Angela and I are going to get married tomorrow and we'll be leave for home the next day. I want to ask a big favour of you. Would you be a Good Samaritan and look after the kids for us while we get the civil formalities done? I'll take her for a lunch somewhere, just the two of us, and then maybe you could ask some of our friends around in the evening for a barbecue -- if it's not too much trouble?"

  She hugged her brother. "Of course not! I'm so happy for you, Carl. I'll keep the kids here and sort out a party in the evening. Give me a list of people you want to come and leave it to me."

  Her own thoughts flew out of the window with this exciting news, and because of the time constraints, she settled down to organize a Mongolian barbecue.

  The next day, she collected the children early and coaxed them into helping. They were more trouble than they were worth, but she felt it made them part of the excitement. Almeira was a star, and the laughing noisy mob in her kitchen didn't bother her at all. In fact, at one point, she told Kris that she felt younger because the place was alive with the joy of children.

  The evening weather turned out glorious, which made it ideal for outside entertainment. As usual, Kris had excelled herself as hostess. She had all the food ready and beautifully arranged when the guests arrived. There were prawns laid out in whorls, and the finest of beef, pork, lamb and chicken were sliced and displayed in overlapping rows. There were vegetables of every description shredded and neatly arranged around hot and mild sauces, and bowls of fluffy Basmati rice that surrounded the centrepiece of shiny and succulent black rice. Kris made sure, for every party, that there was always a talking point.

  Kris knew this kind of barbecue had advantages over the conventional type where the cooking load fell on two or three willing guests acting as chefs, or individuals who burned their meat. This way they were able to help themselves to a mixture of food and sauces as they made their way to a gas-heated sheet of steel laid out with spatulas so guests could stir and fry the ingredients to personal taste. It was a companionable way of cooking and guests wouldn't end up with a burnt offering or a raw one, as the case may be. Besides, it was really tasty. Using chopsticks, small bowls and with good wine at hand, one could not wish for more.

  The meal leisurely mixed with the idea of being able to cook a little at a time and to try different flavour combinations, as well as savouring fresh young vegetables and high quality meat and fish. It was outdoor cooking at its best.

  Ginger in syrup, litchis and mandarin oranges with a drizzle of thin cream was the only way to end such a day.

  They were enjoying desert when the phone rang. Kris called out as she saw her brother emerge from the house, his arm around his new wife. "Oh, Carl, answer that for me. Tell them I'm coming."

  "Right-o. Jeeves at your service, ma'am."

  As she walked towards the house, she could see Carl speaking into the instrument. He then banged it onto the table as if it had bitten him. She raised her brows, enquiring about the problem.

  He bowed and then waved towards the handset. "All yours, ma'am," he murmured as she lifted the receiver to her ear. "Hello?" she inquired gently.

  She tensed as she heard Raoul's deep accented voice.

  "I am obviously disturbing you and your guest, so I'll phone first thing tomorrow. Goodnight."

  A click, then silence.

  "You okay, Kris?" Carl stood in the doorway, his eyes concerned as he watched her staring at the purring telephone. "He sure doesn't say much, that boss of yours. I can't understand why you put up with it."

  "Oh, its nothing. He decided to call tomorrow."

  With an effort, she smiled brightly. "Come on, make me an Irish coffee, it'll slide down well."

  Carl realised that she was covering up her true feelings and noticed the nervous way she put her hand to her hair to smooth it down.

  He put a hand under her elbow and led her to the veranda. "Good idea, little sis. I'm a dab hand at putting those things together. You didn't know that being so young and all...."

  "There's a lot I don't know about you these days, Carl. And with you dashing off again, I don't suppose I will ever find out."

  Carl gave her a squeeze. "Don't sound so sad, sis. I don't intend losing touch again. I want you to get to know my family, even if it's only by mail. We'll also be coming back here on holidays now that you are here, so keep your chin up."

  Feeling calmer, she laughed up at him, grateful he had broken the tension without questioning her.

  All the guests left around one a.m., noisily bestowing on Carl and Angela all sorts of wishes for the future: from dozens of children, to Darby and Joan growing old in age together.

  At last, the three of them were alone.

  "What a wonderful day you made possible for us, Kris. I am so grateful to you." Angela put her arm around the willowy girl and gave her a hug. "I am only sorry we are going so far away. I feel so close to you, even though I don't really know you. I am sure we could be good friends. Should you ever come our way, you know our home is your home. And if you ever want to get away from things for a while, you will be most welcome," Angela said. "Promise you won't think we are too far to be of assistance if you need us, okay?" She looked towards her husband, "You tell her I mean it, Carl."

  "I don't have to, angel, she knows. It has been wonderful to see you after so long. We were always close before and none of that has been lost with time. Only, I have a brain in my head now and know what family means. We won't be losing contact again."

  Carl put a finger under Kris' chin. "One thing worries me...your boss seems to see himself as a winner, and I don't want you worried by a man who thinks he owns everything, including you. He shouldn't expect you to jump when he cracks the whip simply because he pays the salary and provides a handsome car for you to drive. Promise me you will let me know if things get rough, okay?"

  "I promise," Kris said.

  "That's all I need since you never break a promise." He smiled. "Well, it's late and we must go. We'll be back early in the morning around seven to fetch the kids. You've been a real star." Carl grabbed her and hugged her close.

  With the goodnights said, they drove off. Angela sat close to him with her head on her new husband's shoulder.

  Kris watched the lights of the car disappear into the trees and shivered. This evening was their wedding night, and the thought of them together, shutting out the rest of the world and losing themselves in each other with love and tenderness, made her feel very much alone and vulnerable. Her own dilemmas flooded back.

  She shrugged off her own thoughts. Luke had said Raoul was acting like a bear with a sore head and it couldn't possibly be all to do with her.

  The evening's events caused restlessness in Kris' sleep. Her night was full of strange dreams, and it was almost a relief when the dawn broke. She rose and made some coffee and took it onto the veranda. She enjoyed watching the sun as it rose over the sea. Beautiful, she thought. The lazy waves seemed on fire as they broke gently onto the golden sands.

  She strolled to the end of the garden, drinking in the freshness of the new day. Suddenly, she heard someone calling her name. When she turned back to the house, she saw Carl beckoning to her with the telephone in hand.

  Her heart sank. Raoul! She had forgotten he would be calling early...and damn it, Carl had answered again! What a bad coincidence. What sort of a response would that get? she wondered.

  "Coming!" She quickened her pace as she crossed the lawn. Looking at the brewing anger in Carl's eyes, she guessed Raoul had been rude. Her brother was beginning to burn on a short fuse.

  She was breathless when she picked up the phone. "Hello?"

  "Every time I phone, day or night, this slick gent answers. Either you tell him to leave or I will! My house is not open to every Tom, Dick and Harry that you entertain! And don't tell me that he's there because PJ is playing with his kids -- it
isn't even seven in the morning! What the blazes is he doing there so early in the morning? What the hell is going on, Kris?"

  "Raoul, I can explain it all," she began. "I--"

  "I haven't time and I'm not particularly interested in hearing a batch of lies this early in the morning. Just get him out of there.

  "I phoned because I want you to catch the plane back when Luke arrives. There's been a change of plans and he's arriving in my plane today. He can use your car to drive back to the house. I'll get one of the boys in the office to meet you and he'll bring you to my office. Luke will be there at about eleven-thirty, so I suggest you get a move on. I know you were planning to show them around, but they will have to manage on their own. Instruct Almeira to look after them. I'll see you when you get here. Goodbye."

  There was a click on the other end before she could get out a single syllable. Tears welled in her eyes and her throat felt constricted. She replaced the receiver and was about to run from the room when Carl caught her. He had been watching the whole time.

  "That bastard's done it again, hasn't he, Kris? What did he say this time?"

  "No, Carl, it's no use. This is something I have to sort out myself."

  "I hate seeing you like this. Surely I can help somehow, even if I need to call the swine myself."

  Pulling away, she murmured, "Please, Carl, don't do anything. It will only make things worse, and I don't need anything to be worse, believe me." She looked into his eyes, pleading with her own, big, dark and full of tears.

  He raised his hands as if in surrender. "Okay, okay. If you don't want to talk to him, it's okay by me. But promise me that if things get bad, you will let me know. No matter how far I am in miles, I'm only as far as the phone and I can help somehow, I'm sure. You know, two heads are better than one." He smiled engagingly.

  "I promise." She smiled tremulously.

  "Good, girl. I hate to leave you like this, but it is time to get the brood together and get going."

  He moved away and gave her time to compose herself before the excited boisterous mob burst into the room. After a few hectic minutes of scuttling about and collecting their belongings, they were off.

  Calling their good-byes and waving out of the car windows, they were totally unaware that Kris had tears streaming down her face. She felt as though her heart were breaking, and the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach told her that for all his encouraging words, she may not see Carl for sometime.

  Sobbing, she went into the house, painfully aware that she had lost an ally, a friend and a confidant when Raoul was at his obnoxious best. She was alone once more.

  Return to Contents

  * * *

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kris gave a start when she saw the time. She'd have to get a move on if she hoped to get some welcoming organization done for Luke. But she always had Almeira who was a star, and could rely on her assistance. The activity stopped her thinking about her impending meeting with Raoul.

  Security would obviously accompany Luke and his fiancé, but protocol would surely be minimal as this was a private visit. She went ahead and prepared the big suite overlooking the gardens and the sea beyond. A smile lit her face as she arranged a large bowl of perfumed roses. What was there to hide? After all, they had been using her flat for their secret trysts. She stood quietly at the window and thought about the magical place that seemed to encourage lovers.

  When all was ready, she called PJ and threw her hurriedly packed suitcase onto the back seat of the car. She climbed behind the wheel, ready to go. With her hair sleekly coiled and in tailored navy slacks, she felt slimmer than ever. The cream blazer over a jade green blouse gave her an air of cool sophistication, belying the turmoil within.

  Once she arrived at the airport, she watched anxiously as the plane landed. She watched with amusement as Luke and Marie Louise walked towards the buildings with only a discreet distance separating them. Four or five security men followed -- luckily, Almeira had been instructed to cater for their needs when she knew what was required. Kris also knew she would be the soul of discretion.

  The greetings were warm as Luke introduced his fiancé, and Kris was pleased to note the girl's genuine friendliness and natural kindness. PJ began jumping around like a jumping bean until Luke started swinging her around. Kris wondered how Marie Louise would cope with the exuberant little girl, but her fears were allayed as she watched them leaving, the child swinging on their hands between them.

  Kris wanted to get away as soon as possible and was happy that she didn't have to hang around for too long.

  ...x...

  As the plane circled the airfield, she looked down. She saw, with a bird's eye view, the estate with its mellow stone house, and her car resembling a dinky-toy as it sped along the country road.

  Raoul had their ETA and after landing, a young man from the office waited to collect her. They stopped just outside the building. Kris felt physically sick as she walked into the immaculate premises, ready to face the bright impersonal secretary who told her to go straight into the inner sanctum.

  Walking through the doorway into his office, she had a dreamlike feeling that this had all happened before. Raoul stood by the window with his back towards her. Slowly he turned, and with a slight nod, acknowledged her presence.

  "Hello, Kris. Do sit down. I presume the flight was uneventful?"

  She sat down in the indicated chair.

  He moved to his desk and nonchalantly leaned against it, undisturbed that she hadn't answered him.

  Kris cursed inwardly, knowing that she had fallen easily into his trap. Again she felt discomfort at having to look up to him.

  For a moment, his eyes searched her face, a strange light in their dark depths. "I will get straight to the point...."

  He moved restlessly back to the window, stared out for a moment, then turned to face her, squaring off his shoulders.

  "I want to marry you." He held up a hand to stall her when she opened her mouth to speak. "Let me finish. PJ loves you and I can think of no one I would rather have in her life than you. Before long, PJ could be hearing snide and suggestive remarks about our relationship, so for the sake of respectability and security, marriage would be the logical answer. Even my friends and business acquaintances can't stop talking about you and your talents...and you are quite beautiful." His voice had dropped low and quiet with his last words.

  A smoldering heat entered his eyes and Raoul wasted no time as he advanced across the room, stopping only inches away. "Besides..." He reached out and seized her shoulders, pulling her up against him. "I am only a man. As you know, things will eventually happen when a man lives in the same house as a beautiful, irresistible woman."

  His head descended with the speed of a hawk and his mouth crushed against hers, forcing her lips to part. The kiss was passionate, but short. Abruptly, he pulled away.

  "Isabella will never wish to be a part of PJ's life, and it would be out of the question to expect the present situation to continue."

  Need-less-to-say, Kris was flabbergasted.

  He reached into his shirt pocket, brought out a small box, and snapped it open. "I know it will fit, and I think it will suit you. But women are strange over these things, so if you don't like it we can exchange it."

  A most unusually designed ring with a magnificent emerald and two diamonds winked at her from its bed of black velvet.

  Taking her left hand, he looked at the thin gold band. "I think you can take that off now -- you will have no further use for it. I understand it doesn't hold the happiest of memories anyway. Give it to me."

  When she didn't move, Kris watched him remove it and pushed the other ring into its place. Kris stared at the beautiful ring, her brow knit in confusion and panic.

  Immediately, Raoul turned and walked back to the window.

  "There is something else I must say. I shall not interfere with your life. However, from this moment on, you will have nothing more to do with other men. I'm particularly
referring to that man with all those children. I have the newspapers standing by for our engagement notice to appear tonight, and that should make things quite clear for everyone."

  She flushed, but before she could speak, he said, "Did Luke mention the plan changes? I want you to attend a Chamber of Commerce Dinner Dance with me tonight." He could see that she was confused. "Lovesick fool probably forgot. Anyway, we will make an engagement announcement this evening. I don't intend to drag this thing out. I'm making plans to go to Hong Kong for three days for factory meetings, and I thought we would get married and fly out together. Formalities like that please everybody." He looked at her quizzically. "I see no point in a long engagement, and under the circumstances, it would be a farce, don't you agree?"

  Memories of their last encounter flooded back, catching her off guard. For a moment, she studied her left hand with its long fingers and trim, unpainted nails. The emerald ring looked magnificent against her tanned honey-gold hand. Engaged? Married?