There was a slight stir among the crowd as everyone did find it strange that Dragos Sr. would miss his own shakedown after four years of constructing The Caesar. Dellie and Gwen looked at each other simultaneously, but said nothing. Jack behind them was smiling gleefully, reflecting only on how he had been selected for such a cruise and would possibly hold a higher position when it was all said and done.
"Son…" Dragos Sr. looked at the gentleman seated in the chair next to where he had got up from.
The young man stood up and met his father at the podium. They both shook hands.
"I want to wish all of you Bon voyage!" Senior said before returning to his seat.
Dragos Jr. was apparently a more serious character than his father. He had darker, sharper features, resembling his mother more than he did his dad. Everyone could see by his demeanor and the failure to crack the slightest smile that he meant business and had no time nor interest in common pleasantries. He got right to the point stating his honor to have been chosen by his father to make the shakedown for the first cruise ship built for their new shipping company. He ended his two minute speech with: "Be ready to set sail in exactly one hour," then promptly returned to his seat.
The other two men seated up front spoke briefly. They were Silvin Hammond, a mechanical engineer at the shipyard and Captain Bruce Arahna who would set sail with them. Adam Lutwig closed off the meeting and everyone went their separate ways in the Plant to ready themselves for the upcoming voyage.
Chapter Three
"What do you think of Junior coming along for the ride?" Dellie asked Gwen as they cleared up their work space. They were stacking unused, light-weight machinery in lower shelves and storage bins.
"That guy gives me the creeps. Always did. None of the commoners around here ever sees the guy except for when there's a meeting due to a major complaint."
"Guess that's the actions of second in command. He doesn't have to rub shoulders with us who he thinks is beneath him," Dellie said contemplatively.
"Senior's okay, but I think he and the missus spoiled their one and only son."
"Well, once he stays out of my way, everything's cool. He can be the baddest beast of the east, it wouldn't matter to me once he stays up there where he thinks he belongs."
"I second that," Gwen replied, mopping up some fresh paint that had recently spilled.
Dellie's cell rang. She checked the caller ID and sighed heavily.
Gwen looked at her. "It's him?"
"Yeah." Dellie sighed again.
The phone rang for the third time.
"Aren't you gonna answer?"
"No. He can leave a message." Dellie shoved the phone into her pants pocket.
Gwen shook her head. "I really wish it didn't have to come to this, Dell, but I understand your position."
"I'm glad you do." Dellie walked off. The sound of a voicemail landing reverberated at her side.
* * * *
The crew made their way towards The Caesar. It looked like a bright white, sparkling castle on the still, blue waters of the sea. Dellie was in awe of its beauty and enormity as if she was seeing it for the very first time.
Dragos surely has a taste like none other I've seen, Gwen thought as she walked with her friend.
The Caesar was a mammoth of a cruise ship. It was ten levels high and built with the latest navigational communication and engine room gear. Dragos spared no expense with the interior neither from light fixtures to furniture, providing high-end interior design on every level imaginable. Several restaurants were set to open for the maiden voyage, as well as jewelry and souvenir stores; ice cream parlors, coffee shops and delis. For this trip, all stores were closed except for one coffee shop to be run by Francesca Evans of Chicago, Illinois. The main cafeteria was in full gear, however, ready to serve the fifty plus heads aboard for the journey.
Dellie and Gwen entered the vessel behind a number of co-workers that streamed in to set sail. Captain Arahna was already on board in the ship's bridge and Dragos Jr. and long-time love interest, Mattie Lovres, a beautiful Italian native were also on board when Gwen and Dellie walked in. They were strolling side by side checking out the colossal interior; Dragos pointing out to Mattie what he deemed necessary. Only a few feet behind them were at least fifteen men, mostly engineers and top execs that worked for the shipyard. However, two of the men who trailed behind, Dellie had not seen before.
"Do you know who they are?" she asked Gwen who had followed the direction of her stare.
"Have no idea."
"Oit! Oit!" Floyd Weathers, standing near the entrance, ushered the women along. Floyd was in his late fifties. He was of a slim build, had a pencil-like moustache and wore old eyeglasses. He had worked at Dragos Inc. for twenty years and was a consummate professional, people pleaser, yet all-around snitch. The latter was how people thought he had managed to work his way up the ladder as senior maintenance supervisor. Everyone knew his reputation and tried to carefully watch their step as some past missteps by former workers had promptly cost them their jobs — thanks to Floyd.
After being assigned their own cabins, Gwen and Dellie immediately headed to the kitchen. Both women were intent on performing at their best, particularly since they now knew what the stakes were. They worked in maintenance, but were delegated to "kitchen help" for the voyage.
Chef Andy Baker was waiting for them when they arrived.
"Good morning, sir," the ladies said almost simultaneously.
"Good morning, ladies!" Andy smiled. He was a heavy-set man with a round face and jovial personality. Dressed in all-white, his huge waist spilled over his stomach like ice cream over a cone. As far as Dellie and Gwen had heard, he never seemed to have a dull day and was an all-around likeable guy. Andy was another Dragos Inc. long-time employee, but had utilized his skills mainly in Clyde Dragos Sr.'s mansion. Dragos was convinced that he must have him as master chef aboard The Caesar to make him look good there too.
"You girls can help to stack the dishes in that section near the pantries." he pointed. "Silas or Kim over there can show you how I want it done. We must get ready, there's a lot to do."
"I just can't stand him!" Gwen said quietly as they stood side by side stacking medium and large-sized ceramic plates.
"Who? Andy?" Dellie sought clarity.
"No. Weathers. Look at how he set up all those people to lose their jobs — people with families and bills to take care of. Every time I think about it, I get sick to the stomach."
"I can't stand him either," Dellie replied, "but I don't let him get to me. Once he doesn't rub me the wrong way, I'm cool. Best he keeps his distance as much as possible and speak to me on an as-needed basis."
"I wish I were a tough cookie like you, Dell."
"Trust me, darling, I'm not as tough as you think."
Gwen sensed that Dellie was referring to something other than their conversation. "Did you ever return his call?" Gwen asked.
"Who?" Dellie gave her a baffled look.
"You know who…Rob."
"No."
"Why not?"
Because there's nothing more for us to talk about. What I said before I left was all that was needed to be said," Dellie returned with a glare.
"Are you really sure about that, Dell? I mean, I understand why you feel the way you feel, but don't you think you guys should have sought counseling instead of just throwing in the towel like that?"
Dellie was quiet for a moment, then replied, "You have to actually still want to make your marriage work in order for counseling to be worthwhile, Gwen. When I wanted to make my marriage work, he didn't seem all that interested. Now that I'm no longer interested, he appears to be, but it's too late now. I'm moving on with my life and he needs to also."
Gwen didn't like the finality of Dellie's words nor the coldness in her voice. It reminded her of how it pained her as a teenager to see the love her own parents had for each other seemingly disappear overnight.
"You need to lighten up, Gwen,"
Dellie went on. "You seem more broken up about it than I am!"
Gwen cracked a smile that was clearly laced with sadness.
"Ah… get over it already!" Dellie barked. "Life goes on."
* * * *
The cruise ship set sail at 8:55am. There was a subtle air of excitement as many passengers, including Dragos Jr. and Mattie, Gwen and Dellie, and other members of the crew stood at the rail of the main deck and looked out at the sea as the ship moved slowly and steadily along. Dragos Sr. and many of the employees bade them farewell from the platform as The Caesar departed.
"Well, this is it," Gwen remarked, wiping a few pebbles of sweat from her forehead.
"Yes, indeed — the shakedown of all shakedowns," Dellie replied with a confusingly frightening serenity.
Chapter Four
The atmosphere inside the ship was unlike anything Dellie had ever experienced before. There was something about this vessel that made her feel like she was living a fairy tale. The interior color scheme consisted of mostly bright, golden colors that emitted a light-hearted, dreamy ambience. And there were places she passed that literally resembled parks and bazaars. During her break, Dellie strolled through the floating mansion, taking in the soft, calming music that escaped tiny speakers overhead and seemingly all around her.
As she sauntered through, a few people were here and there, mostly maintenance workers and cabin attendants doing whatever they were assigned to do. Dellie imagined what it would be like during The Caesar's first commercial voyage when the ship would be filled with passengers, intent on having a blast while sailing atop the vast ocean to various international ports.
"Hi There," nodded an elderly man who had worked at the shipyard for many years. Dellie nodded back, wondering how was it that Floyd Weathers had not found a way yet to convince his superiors that this guy's time has long been up at Dragos, Inc., especially considering the fact that his frame was now bent over slightly and he moved along quite slowly. She couldn't imagine what they could possibly have him doing in maintenance at his age as he looked to be at least eighty! She carried on, however, eventually dumping her thoughts about the old geezer and again sucking in the artistry and elegance of everything around her.
Suddenly, an inviting, cocoa aroma caressed her nose. The scent seemed to lure her — to demand that she follow it. Then over to the right, she saw Francesca Evans tidying the tables of her small coffee shop as a man about her age, probably Mr. Evans, Dellie assumed, was behind the counter straightening things up. Dellie headed over there and as she walked inside, the woman looked up right away.
"Well, hello there!" Francesca was wearing a dark brown apron and her silky, silver hair was neatly tucked into a bun. She had the bluest eyes Dellie had ever seen and a face that had to be the bait that hooked Mr. Evans.
"Hi," Dellie answered.
The man waved from behind the counter with a slightly forced smile.
"That's my husband, Ben," Francesca told her. "Would you like a cup of one of our specialty coffees? We have an entire array to choose from." She pointed to the long custom-built shelf pleasingly attached to the front counter. "We have the purest coffee that money can buy and since you're my first walk-in, I'd love to offer you one on the house."
She chatters like a real sales lady. Offer a freebie and hook 'em in, Dellie thought. "Um…okay, but I just have a few minutes left on my break." She sat down at the table Francesca had just wiped down and started to feel like she was following Gwen's unhealthy pattern. Nevertheless, she didn't want to shirk the nice lady's offer.
"Don't worry, dear. You make yourself comfortable and I'll be right back. Oh, by the way, which one would you like to try?"
Dellie scanned the shelf, beautifully lined with bold-colored packaging from left to right.
"Ah, maybe the Colombian cappuccino," she finally said.
"Great! One of my absolute favorites." Francesca nodded to her husband and he immediately went to the back where she went to join him. Dellie sat at the small, circular table fiddling with her fingers and looking out through the open door. Her mind ran on Rob and she recalled the look on his face when she told him she didn't love him anymore. With a tinge of hesitance, she soon slipped the cell out of her pocket and pressed the voicemail key. Battling with the feeling of not wanting to listen to the recording and at the same time, thinking she should, she slowly raised the device to her ear. Immediately, she was struck with the sound of desperation in his voice — one that she had never heard before.
"Please," he pleaded with her, "please forgive me, Dell. I'm so sorry about the way I treated you. I know I don't deserve you. All you ever did was love me and I betrayed that love. I realize that now." He was uttering the words between sobs. Dellie hadn't remembered ever seeing him cry before and every part of the recording felt unusual — eerie. Then as if a lightbulb had gone off inside her head, she suddenly felt like she had always felt the countless times he had messed up. She knew it was a manipulative tactic to get pity from her and for him to climb into her arms again, only to hurt her once more.
She ended the call abruptly in the midst of his pleading and shoved the cell into her pocket again. She felt her eyes welling up a bit and was determined not to fall into the usual trap again - no matter how desperately different this plea sounded.
"One coffee on the house!" Francesca appeared moments later. "Don't tell anyone you got it free," she added with a wink.
Dellie managed a smile. "I won't. It looks great and smells heavenly. Thank you."
Francesca walked away with a wide smile, feeling like she had accomplished something grand. After all, it was such customer service that had caught the attention of Clyde Dragos Sr. during a brief business trip to Chicago some years back where he first met the bubbly couple in their downtown coffee shop. Added to that, he absolutely fell in love with their specialty coffee and always went back and patronized the Evans' whenever he visited from that point on. Dragos only wanted the best for his first luxury cruise-liner and Francesca Evans had prided herself on being one of the best in quality and service.
Dellie checked her watch a few minutes later and started to get up. She looked back and noticed that the couple were both at the counter looking at her.
"I have to go now," she told them. "Thanks so much for the coffee. It's perfect."
"Are you sure you liked it, dear?" Francesca advanced closer.
"I love it! The best I've tasted." Well, Francesca just beamed with both hands clutched together in front of her bosom.
"Ooh, you have some left, so let me get a nice carry-out cup for you to take it with you. Never waste a good cup of coffee." She waved with a finger.
"Ben!" she yelled while still smiling at Dellie. The man knew exactly what to do. Seconds later, he headed over with a decorative cup and lid. His wife took it and quickly transferred Dellie's coffee to it. "Now, you tell all your friends and co-workers how great your coffee is and I'm sure they'll want to try it too." The smile seemed stuck to her face since the moment Dellie admitted that she loved the coffee.
"Will do. Thanks again." She glanced over at Mr. Evans who had busied himself behind the counter.
"Ooh, and although they're not quite ready yet, tell them we'll have croissants and other pastries at lunch time. Starting tomorrow, we'll have them ready for breakfast too."
"Okay," Dellie answered as she headed for the door.
"Have a good day now." Francesca's wide smile disappeared the instant Dellie left the coffee shop. She immediately turned around and hurried Ben to finish working on the pastries.
"Where did you go wandering off to?" Gwen asked after Dellie joined her in the kitchen. She was wiping out one of the large, rectangular baking pans.
"Did a little exploring."
"You couldn't have explored very far in twenty minutes. What do you have there?" Gwen noticed Dellie had placed a decorative cup on the stainless steel shelf in front of them.
Dellie hesitated for a moment. She knew what it might mean i
f she told Gwen what it was, but she also knew that Francesca wanted her to spread the word about her specialty coffees.
"I got it from the coffee shop."
Gwen looked at her in a state of shock. "You drank another cup of coffee already? And you criticize me when I do the same thing? Well, hand it over! Let me have a taste." Her eyes were beaming with anticipation.
"No way!" Dellie resisted. "Your hands were shaking this morning from caffeine overload. I will not be responsible for your early demise, Gwen. If you're going to kill yourself, I won't have any part of it."
"You're over-reacting!" Gwen reached for it. Dellie blocked her hand and grabbed the cup, then quickly proceeded up the aisle.
"Where are you going?" Gwen called behind her with a shocked, but irritated look.
Dellie didn't respond.
She stopped next to a guy named Ted whom she knew would eat or drink anything anyone gave him. "You want some coffee?" she asked him straight-faced. "It's from the specialty coffee shop."
"Sure! Thanks, Dellie." He readily took it, and upon snapping off the lid sniffed in the warm, velvety aroma. "Oom…oom," she heard him moan after she had walked away.
Gwen's arms were folded in disgust when Dellie re-appeared. Dellie chose to ignore her and politely went on to start cleaning one of the other pans.
Knowing she had just lost the battle, Gwen simply shook her head and resumed her work.
* * * *
The sea that time of night was still as The Caesar quietly sailed along. Captain Bruce Arahna and officer of the watch Dwight Hexler, a twenty-six-year-old bachelor, quietly manned the bridge, looking out at the dark waters.
Haunted Cruise: The Shakedown Page 2