Halfway to the Truth

by Mays, Anthony

  Reese thought for a second. “I say alright. It would be good to see everyone again, even if I haven’t been gone that long.”

  “Great! I know we’ll have a good time,” said Shelley, pumping her fists.

  CHAPTER 14

  The phone call between Nikolaus and Reese was short. He told her that they were expected for dinner at his father’s house Thursday evening. She suggested to him that they meet at Bistro Bistro at 6 P.M. and have a drink before they went over there. Her real reason was because she felt uncomfortable inviting him to her apartment. He didn’t appear to object.

  When Thursday rolled around, she had a difficult time picking out the type of dress she wanted to wear. It couldn’t be too formal looking, but yet, not part of her everyday look either. She tried on six outfits before settling on a sleek black dress and a black waist-high jacket that she could take off it she needed to. She planned to put on undergarments that would help minimize the amount of cleavage revealed believing that it wasn’t appropriate for the occasion. But she also didn’t think that would prevent Nikolaus from noticing anyway. And after all, she thought, isn’t that what a woman wants – to be noticed.

  After selecting her clothing, she drew herself a bath, pouring in a good dose of scented bath oil, and slipped into the water. She sponged the fragrant liquid across her neck and shoulders, as her mind drifted back to the dock when Nikolaus pulled her away from the path of the forklift. Even though it happened so fast, she could still feel his arms around her, holding her tight. It felt good in a way that was hard for her to describe. Maybe it was because she hadn’t been with a man in quite a while. Or, maybe it was because she was succumbing to his charm like, she believed, so many other women had done before her. Either way, he was in her thoughts daily and she knew there was room for further exploration on both their parts.

  When she arrived at Bistro Bistro she was five minutes early, but even so, Nikolaus had still managed to arrive first. He was sitting out front in a yellow Corvette that had the top down and was talking on his cellphone. The vehicle clearly parked in a NO PARKING zone.

  When she approached, he terminated his call and got out to meet her.

  “You look absolutely beautiful,” he said, taking her in with his hungry eyes. “Excellent choice of attire — not too flashy but the hint of sensual at the same time.” He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek then adding, “Let’s go inside and have that drink.”

  She looked over her shoulder to where he was parked saying, “Aren’t you worried about getting a ticket?”

  “Not really, it’s my way of helping the city meet its budget every year. I even think the police are tired of giving me tickets because I haven’t had any lately. Besides, one drink and we’re outta here.”

  They went inside and were greeted by a short, dark-haired hostess.

  “We’re just going to have a seat at the bar,” said Nikolaus as the woman escorted them to a seat.

  “Where’s Gino?” asked Reese to the hostess.

  “It’s his day off ma’am. He usually goes to visit with his mother. Hasn’t missed a Thursday visit with her since I’ve known him. Let me know if either of you need anything.” She dismissed herself from their company.

  “How about we have an Ouzo aperitif? It will help prepare us for whatever my father is serving.”

  “I’ve never had Ouzo,” she replied. “I hear it tastes like licorice.”

  “Yeah, I guess so,” he replied and then ordered two Ouzos with water.

  She took a sip and puckered her lips as the bartender watched.

  “You don’t like it?” Nikolaus asked.

  “It’s okay. Maybe I can get used to it.”

  “Why don’t you try a Greek Chrysanthemum? It’s probably closer to a cosmopolitan,” he said indicating to the bartender to make one.

  Reese watched as he poured a mixture of Dry Vermouth, Benedictine, and Ouzo into a shaker with ice cubes and shake it. He sprayed an orange peel into a martini glass and then poured the mixture into the glass, garnishing with the peel. He served it to her hoping for her approval.

  Taking a reluctant sip, she acknowledged to the bartender, “This is much better, thank you.”

  Then turning to Nikolaus, she solicited, “What’s your father like? Before I form my own opinions, I’d like to know what you think of him.”

  “Overbearing, demanding, hard-hearted are a few words that come to mind,” he replied taking a drink of his Ouzo.

  “He can’t be all that bad,” she said.

  “Well that’s the way I see him and probably a lot of others as well.”

  “Are you an only child?”

  “As far as I know I am. But I suspect I might have half-somebodies out there. He never married my mother, or anyone else for that matter. He probably didn’t want them attaching themselves to his money.”

  “Where is your mother now?”

  “She lives in Athens. She felt she had to move away from her family’s village after my father dumped her. A pride thing, you know? Anyway, at forty she married a carpenter. They do alright for themselves, but my father provides her a healthy annual income. I think he’s trying to ease his conscious about getting her pregnant and leaving us when he came to the states. But she sends most of it to me. She knows I don’t get much help from him and I don’t think she wants his money anyway.”

  “So you were raised by your mother?”

  “Yeah, until she met the carpenter. I was fifteen when she told my father it was his turn to take care of me.”

  “Do you hold that against her?”

  “This may surprise you,” he said, “but I don’t. I blame him for everything. He ruined our lives equally and she’s remained good to me. With him, I have to work for everything I get.”

  “Is there something wrong with working to get ahead?”

  “No, I’m not saying that. You can call me spoiled because I had more than most people but, when you’re as rich as my father, you expect to be treated a little different. I think we need to be going,” he suggested, throwing a $100 bill on the bar. “We don’t want to keep the old man waiting.”

  The drive to the Drakos Estate took twenty-five minutes once they crossed over the Talmadge Memorial Bridge. Nikolaus was quiet most of the way, but Reese could see he had something gnawing at him. She wondered if her questions about his upbringing had anything to do with it. She wanted to feel sorry for him but, unlike herself who grew up without parental love, he did at least have his mother. And while Viktor Drakos doesn’t seem to lavish riches on him, he still grew up in luxury.

  The Corvette slowed making a right turn onto a long driveway. The vehicle came to a stop in front of large, wrought iron gates with the initial D welded to each gate and a mansion beyond.

  Nikolaus pushed a button opening the gates and continued toward the home. His Corvette pulled into a semi-circular brick driveway that was lined with a well-manicured lawn and garden.

  “Here we are,” he announced. “Showtime!”

  Reese didn’t notice Nikolaus getting out of the vehicle. She was too busy gaping at the grand marble staircase that rose up to the crystal stained-glass, double-front door.

  Turning and looking past where Nikolaus previously sat, she observed another garden with a huge water fountain sitting in the middle of it. Jets of water were gushing toward a large, carved-stone feature sitting at the top. It was an image of the fabled Poseidon holding his Triton.

  Nikolaus came around and opened the door for her to get out. Seeing that she was awestruck with the mansion, he said, “If you think this is something, wait until you get inside. My father spared no expense building and furnishing this place. I’ll give him credit for having good taste.”

  He grabbed Reese’s hand and helped her out of the Corvette.

  She accompanied him up the stairs and tried to regain her composure, that is, until she stepped inside the entrance hallway.

  “I’m sorry for staring,” she said, “but I have never
seen anything like this. It’s like going into a museum.”

  Viktor’s manservant arrived to meet them. “Your father is waiting in the drawing room sir. Dinner will be in a half-hour.”

  Nikolaus escorted Reese down the hall and turned into a room on the left. An older gentleman was sitting with a book in hand which he promptly put down and rose to greet them.

  “Father, this is Reese Summers. Reese this is my father, Viktor Drakos.”

  His father grabbed the hand that Reese extended and kissed the back of it making Nikolaus bristle.

  “Come,” he said, indicating toward a sofa, “sit down and tell me about yourself. My son hasn’t told me anything other than that you work for the Savannah Daily. By the way, that was a very nice story you did on our longshoremen. You really were able to capture the essence of the hard work that goes into moving goods into and out of our port on a daily basis. Was that story your idea?”

  “No sir, it was my editor’s,” she replied. “Doug Williams. I think you know him.”

  “Oh yes, we go back quite a ways. Has he talked to you about me?”

  “Not in so many words. If you’ll forgive me, I don’t think he likes you.”

  Nikolaus headed to a bar across the room. “Anyone want a drink?” he asked over his shoulder as he helped himself to an expensive Scotch.

  Both his father and Reese ignored him.

  “No, Miss Summers he doesn’t, but I appreciate your bluntness. Mr. Williams has changed since we were younger. He thinks he has to tear me down for some reason and uses that newspaper to do it. Over the years I’ve given him plenty of good writing material.”

  Reese’s face sported a puzzled look as Viktor had hoped.

  “You see, in the shipping business there are a lot of rules and regulations. I’ve often had to deal with litigation regarding personal injury either by dockworkers or merchant seamen. But when you have as many employees as I do, that are performing dangerous work assignments, you’re bound to have some issues. Mr. Williams has mostly seen fit to publish only the negative side of my business whenever he could. Your article was the first in a long time that was positive in nature and I appreciate it. That’s why I’m surprised it was his idea. But you did all the leg work on it and that’s what counts.”

  Reese decided to push the conversation further. “Why do you think he has this vendetta against you? You were close friends at one time weren’t you?”

  Nikolaus had been left out of the conversation long enough. With the Scotch giving him some backbone he entered the discussion answering her question before his father. “Because he’s ruthless and he’ll squash anyone who gets in his way. Right father? Isn’t that one of your many qualities?”

  Reese was taken aback by the affront Nikolaus gave his father in his own house. But she was even more surprised by Viktor’s reaction.

  Viktor was actually glad that Nikolaus helped deflect him from having to provide his own answers to her question. “See, even my own son has misgivings about me,” he said. “So it’s not much of a stretch to see why others, including Mr. Williams, may think the worst of me. You can’t build a business like Drakos Shipping without having stepped on some toes. Admittedly, I’ve done that and more. But now that I’m at the top of the game and getting older, I want to change. I don’t want to be remembered for being the asshole I was while climbing to the top. And, I think you can help me with that Miss Summers.”

  “Me? What can I do?”

  The manservant entered the room and announced dinner.

  “Let’s talk about that over a good meal,” he suggested and helped her up from her seat. He then guided her in the direction of the dining room with his son following behind them.

  During dinner, Viktor purposely stayed away from their earlier conversation, instead he pressed Reese for more information about herself. She told them about losing her parents at a young age and staying in foster homes until she was old enough to set out on her own. It was the first time Nikolaus had heard about her upbringing, so he was glad his father had changed the subject.

  “You had a tragic childhood my dear,” consoled Viktor. “No silver spoon was given to you,” he said, glancing at his son. “I’m sure those experiences from your youth made you who you are today. That and doing the things necessary to make yourself successful. You have an inner strength that shows in spite of your circumstances. That’s why I’m going to make you an offer.”

  He signaled for his manservant to take a note over to Reese.

  Nikolaus was bewildered by his father’s intentions and watched as the note was delivered to her on a silver tray.

  Reese took the note from the tray. “What’s this?” she asked with a surprised look.

  “Open it!” said Viktor

  She opened it up and read its contents. Then she looked at him with her mouth open.

  “What’s it say?” Nikolaus almost demanded.

  “Mr. Drakos, you’re offering me a job?”

  “What?” yelled Nikolaus dropping his fork onto his plate?

  Ignoring his son’s outburst he replied, “Yes, Miss Summers. I’d like you to become my company’s Public Affairs Officer. Your salary will at least double from what you’re getting now. I believe you were guided to Savannah for a purpose more meaningful than doing news stories. So, I would like you to use your talents to help turn my image and the image of Drakos Shipping around.”

  “I-I-I don’t know what to say?”

  “You don’t have to say anything right now. Take your time and think on it. My private number is on the note when you make your decision. Now, let’s all enjoy our meal,” he said, staring into Nikolaus’ face.

  CHAPTER 15

  Nikolaus opened the gates to leave Drakos mansion. When he hit the main road, he let the Corvette exercise its muscle.

  “I’m guessing by the way you’re driving that you weren’t expecting anything like that?” Reese said to stimulate conversation.

  “No I wasn’t! This is another example of how he cuts me out of things. I never saw it coming!”

  “Nikolaus, could you please slow down a little, you’re scaring me.”

  The vehicle slowly returned to just above the speed limit.

  “I’m sorry, but he knows how to get under my skin.”

  “Why do you allow it? He can only do it if you let him. You’re usually pretty cool about most things. Or, is it you didn’t like him offering me to work for the company?”

  “No, it’s not that. It’s actually a smart move on his part.”

  Reese’s ears perked up. “What do you mean by a smart move? Do you think he’s trying to play me against Doug?”

  “Hell yes, I do! That’s what he does. And I also think he’s trying to keep you busy and away from me.”

  “What do you think I should do about his offer? I don’t know anything about public relations.”

  “Just like he said, think it over. With your researching and writing abilities and the fact you handle yourself really well, it wouldn’t take you any time to learn about the company. I just hope if you decide to take it, that it doesn’t come between us. I really like you Reese and I’m sorry that my father brings out my bad side. I’ll work on your suggestion. But would you please let me know what you decide before calling my father? You have my cell phone number.”

  “Alright. I’ll do that for you.” She leaned in grabbing his arm and gave it a squeeze trying to assure him that she was still interested in him.

  A short while later, they arrived back at Reese’s parked car near Bistro Bistro.

  Nikolaus repeated his gesture of helping her out of the Corvette and pulled her close to say good night. “Do you allow kisses on the second date?” he asked looking into her eyes.

  “I was wondering when you were going to ask?” she said, raising up on her toes and putting her lips close to his. “Is this what you want?”

  He didn’t wait to answer. He locked his lips with hers and gave her a long passionate kiss. It was the
kind of kiss that kindled a woman’s desire, a desire that Reese had almost forgot about.

  When they released each other he asked, “Come out to Tybee Island with me this weekend. I have a place out there on the beach. You’ll love it.”

  She was giving it serious consideration when she remembered that Shelley had invited her to go visit New Harmony and they were leaving on Saturday.

  “I’m sorry, I have a prior commitment. May I take a rain check?”

  “Come on, what could be more important than us right now?” he asked, putting his hands on her hips and pleading with his eyes.

  She found it difficult to resist his allure. But there was so much happening to her lately, that the need to temporarily get away from Savannah and the Drakos family was a stronger emotion. And going to New Harmony would give her time to think everything through.

  “A rain check will have to do,” she said, breaking free of his grip. “I promised Shelley I would accompany her to visit her sister in New Harmony and I keep my promises. Besides, I need to think about your father’s offer and I need to do it without being influenced by you. I’m afraid I’d make an emotional decision rather than a logical one if I spent the weekend with you. I hope you understand?”

  “Alright! As much as I don’t like losing out to Shelley, I do understand. But can we make it the following weekend? It’s the last weekend before Memorial Day and the beaches start getting crowded after that.”

  “Agreed!” she committed. “I’ll call you as soon as I can. Thank you for being sensitive to my commitment.”

  She kissed him on the cheek and quickly darted in the direction of her car before she changed her mind.

  CHAPTER 16

  Saturday morning came faster than Reese wanted it to. On one hand, she was looking forward to returning to New Harmony and seeing old friends. On the other, she wanted to stay and pursue the red zone scoop. Her gut was telling her there was a lot more going on there than anyone imagined.