Vanished Without A Trace (8 page)

11

Quickly, Daniel took a shower, shaved and put on some aftershave. When he finished he heard the ringing of the front door and opened it wearing a sports suit. He invited her to come in to sit and he sat in front of her silently, waiting for her to explain the purpose of her visit.

"I came here on a yacht with my friends. At first the project did not interest me. I got onto the bus just because my friends convinced me to come with them, but I was impressed by your explanation and in fact, I am convinced enough to buy cabins."

Daniel tried to understand why she had to come to his house to do what she could have done the day before.

"Sorry ... I did not introduce myself. I'm Karina."

She was a little embarrassed. "I intend to buy a few cabins for the club from you, so I thought maybe it would be better to have a private conversation." Excitement was evident in her words.

Daniel was happy, but he hid his eagerness.

"I thought if I wanted to invest on a large scale, I prefer a personal service. I hope you do not see my coming here on my own and without any invitation as disrespect."

Daniel lifted his shoulders. "No, it’s fine." Generally, he was a fanatic to privacy, but here it was not only about a beautiful woman but it was also about a good investment.

"I really love the place. I would like to consider doing more business with you, a business partnership. I have enough money to invest," she said.

He wanted to believe the purpose of her visit was business, but it did not seem real to him someone who had seen him for such a short period of time was interested to get him into partnership. Now he was a bit bored, one hand on his chin and the other was playing with the glass. He was silent and let her continue.

"Romania is close to my heart. I was born here. I left ten years ago, when I was eighteen years old. I married an Israeli tycoon. Since then I lived in Israel, but I always missed Romania."

Daniel's eyes lit up. "Are you an Israeli?"

"Yes," she answered.

He smiled, and she finally saw him soft. "What happened?"

"I was born in Romania, and lived in Israel for fifteen years, it’s a long story."

"Do you speak Hebrew?"

"Yes," he replied in Hebrew. "We have lots of things in common for two people who have just met."

Karina was more relaxed now. A moment ago Daniel was more formal, enough to make her feel it was a mistake to go to his apartment, but now she felt free to go on. "My family lives in Romania and I really want to invest here. My husband was the only one who dealt with money. He didn't skimp on anything for me, but now I want an opportunity to do something for myself. I'm pretty lonely in Israel and if I start a business here in Romania, I will be able to stay close to my family."

Daniel put his elbow on the table and leaned into his hand, listening intently. He wanted to say he felt pretty lonely in Israel too, but preferred to deal with business alone. You should know investing in Romanian business will not yield large profits compared to Israeli standards."

"I know, but this is not only about financial profits, it’s also about my connection to Romania, my native country. Who knows, maybe, after all, it will turn out to be worthwhile in the future ..."

Daniel smiled at her. "I'll think about your offer."

"Don’t you want to hear more about the amount of money I am talking about?"

He looked straight into her eyes.

"I'm talking about a lot of money, enough to put you on the map in Romania, not only for this project."

"What does your husband think about it?"

"My husband died of cancer a year ago."

"Sorry to hear." Now it seemed to be a much more serious proposal. If there was something real in her words, then he must take it with both hands. She was the way to the top. Although there were still lots of doubts in her words, he must not squander her offer.

"Suppose I accept your offer, what are your conditions?"

Now it was her turn to smile. "Last night I spoke with my consultant and we came close to a conclusion I would hold seventy percent of the company share and you would hold thirty, but of course we would need to sit and discuss it in a more serious manner." She saw his gaze. "But remember, we are talking about a lot of money. Thirty percent is more than what you can afford to dream of."

She looked into his eyes and knew she was in love with him. She fell in love with him yesterday; love at first sight, like a little girl. An infatuation that was significant in her business decision. She wanted to keep the feeling of falling in love as long as she could. Her marriage with her husband was out of love. She married him to escape a hard life. She was faithful to him throughout their marriage despite the possibility of dating and charmers were always around. Even a year after his death, she still found it difficult to go out with men because she felt a sense of betrayal, until yesterday, when she saw Daniel.

You do not know me, why do you want to go into partnership with me?" He checked to make sure of her intentions.

"I have my reasons."

Daniel smiled, knowing at this moment he wanted to shake her hand and close the deal, but he learned it was always a good idea to wait another day. Traps can only be tested when you go slowly and safely.

"Anyway, I'm staying at David Continental for three days until the cruise. You can find me there." She handed him a business card. "I'll wait for a phone call from you."

"Will you not be on the yacht?"

"No. I agreed to sail with them, but I prefer the privacy and convenience of a hotel."

Daniel looked at her as she left. He gave himself a slap to be sure he was not dreaming. Then he stood on the balcony and looked at the sea. Neta was something that seemed so far from him, she was something that didn’t belong to the present reality. He put on his sneakers and went jogging on the beach. There, he was stopped by the sight of a mangy, abandoned little dog. He picked her up in his arms.

"What do you say about enhancing your life and moving in with a charming man?"

The dog barked.

"Well, I guess you'd rather have the four-legged creatures, but despite the rejection I'm still willing to open the door for you." He lay flat on the sand and tried not to think about Karina's proposal, but failed. He wanted to wake up the next day knowing it was real, that the proposal offered was true. Spring sun washed the beach. He could hear the gentle waves come and go. His past life flashed in his head; when he was five, when he first arrived at the boarding school with a tall and shady escort, when he had the terrible meeting with his grandfather. His thoughts turned toward Neta’s appearance, walking with a dog on the beach, displaying her white teeth. Her curly hair blew with the wind. She happily looked at him and kissed his lips, which gave him a never-ending happiness. But when he woke up he realized the dog was licking his lips. He wondered what was going on with Neta now. Almost three years had passed, she was already twenty years old, still young to be married, but someone as beautiful as her certainly had a boyfriend. He remembered when she told him men would run away from her when they realized her parents were disabled, and he thought that there was no way it was true. It was her imagination for sure. No one could leave a beautiful girl like her. He felt a strong need to hear her voice.

"Come here," he called the dog, "Let's go to your new home."

He ran home with the dog, went up to his apartment and dialed the number he remembered by heart, believing he would forever remember it. For a while, there was no answer and he thought about hanging up. Suddenly the phone was answered and he heard her voice. He could not open his mouth. He had nothing to say to her. He hung up.

Daniel looked around the apartment. Within three years he had succeeded in changing his life dramatically. He had money to rent a beautiful apartment, he had a respectable company and two major projects, and now he was standing at the opening of a bigger business deal, the business deal of his life, with a stranger.

He turned to the dog that clung to him all the time, "If by tomorrow, the offer is still on the table, it means I was not dreaming. Now, stay here and I’ll go to speak with people, because if I continue to talk to a dog I just met an hour ago, I will surely go crazy."

He left the dog at home and went down to Alexander's bar. He used to sit there every afternoon, and became friends with the owner. Alexander gave him a beer and sat down next to him. He explained to him that the business in this time of the year was very slow.

"You can’t make a living just from drinks," Daniel said.

"Why? There is also food. Honestly, since you suggested I bring in food, my income has gone down," Alexander said.

"Is that what you call food? If I bring my dog here tomorrow to eat breakfast, she will never want to see me again, believe me."

"That’s not nice to say." Alexander pretended to be offended.

"You don’t know how to cook Alexander. Just as I know you as the best bartender, you’re the worst cook, accept that fact."

"A chef, not a cook." Alexander corrected him. "Since when do you have a dog?"

"A few days ago," Daniel answered vaguely.

"Don’t worry," Alexander said, smiling, "Soon, I will bring dancers here, and you will be satisfied."

Alexander demonstrated by showing some belly dance steps. "This would solve all my problems, believe me, it will bring a lot of customers here."

"You need to bring a woman who knows how to cook, not to dance," Daniel said and immediately thought of Sultana. "I have someone wonderful for you."

"But is it not a shame to pay for someone while in fact I don’t do anything most of the time?" Alexander poured Daniel a drink on the house. "I thought of putting slot machines here, what do you think?"

Daniel looked around, "It has potential too."

"This business about gambling and women is filthy, but there’s only one real problem with it," Alexander said and gestured two fingers, "lack of money."

Daniel looked at him with squinted eyes. "I'll give you the money if you will take Solly to cook here."

"Who's Solly?" Alexander asked angrily.

"Your new cook," said Daniel.

"Young?"

Daniel nodded.

"Well, give me the loan for a few slot machines and we'll talk about the woman. Who is she, your girlfriend?"

"A very good friend." Daniel wanted to see Alexanders face when he saw a seventy year old come to him instead of a young lady.

He emptied the glass of beer, and went to Sultana. As usual she was happy to see him. He handed her the loan she had given him, but when she tried to take the money, he pulled it back laughing.

"Wait a minute we have a deal to close. I don’t like it when you barge into my privacy and predict my future."

"I didn’t guess," Sultana said and forcibly pulled her money out of his hand.

He sat in the living room for half an hour trying to persuade her to agree to work for Alexander. "You love people and you love to cook. Working in a restaurant will keep you busy, you can’t stay at home alone all day... Aside from that, I go to Alexander’s every day, that way, we could meet and you don’t need to come all the way to my apartment just to see me." Daniel saw the last lines took effect for good. Her face became softer, but she added pointedly, "If you bothered to visit me the way you visit Alexander, I wouldn’t have the need to abuse my old feet all the way to your house."

"Well, do not start again. I'll let Alexander know you are coming to work tomorrow."

He returned home, having second thoughts about whether to tell Mikhail about yesterdays’ success with the investors and the buyers, or to wait until there was an answer from the lady who came to him today. He knew Mikhail did not call to ask about the event yesterday only to give his disagreement and resentment on the use of the Romanian funds.

12

Daniel woke up in the morning in his living room. The big window was wide open since last night. He had always slept like this during the few warm summer months, especially yesterday when the moon was full and threw a glowing light into the living room. It illuminated the darkness of the living room. He slept there because he didn’t dare give up the night in the moonlight. The thought of the meeting that was waiting for him flooded his heart with energy and excitement. Was there something from the night before, or was it all just his imagination? He recalled how he heard yesterday’s knock at his door in this same early morning hour. After an hour, she left just as she came, leaving the decision in his hand and asking him to call her after thinking about her proposal. He didn’t have to think too much. He certainly agreed to cooperate and to the percentage she offered him, but he knew it was not right to agree immediately to all the conditions. He should insist on something. Besides, he had to test his negotiating skills. He was in self-deception because he remembered her admiration when she looked at him and he knew it was not his negotiating skills that were tested here, but his outer appearance. He got out of bed, reminding himself he should not underestimate Karina’s values, especially with his problems with cash flow.

He showered and dressed, more conscious than usual about his appearance. He stroked the dog, wondering if it was good to leave her at home or to send her to the beach alone for a walk at the risk of her not coming back. He found himself consulting her, "Today I have lots of things to do. Do you want to stay home alone or go for a walk on the beach?" The dog lay on the carpet. "Well, go laze on the carpet while I go make some money for us." Then he drove his car to Alexander's bar for breakfast. Alexander's face was peeping out from behind the tall counter. He looked serious, "In the meantime, you bothered to bring me this young lady in the kitchen but you forgot the slot machines."

Daniel remembered he forgot to update Alexander Sultana would be arriving that day. "Is she here?"

"And so?" Alexander grumbled.

Daniel jumped into the kitchen, ignoring Alexander's anger. He heard Sultana with her long and tireless complaints about the lack of cleanliness in the kitchen. Alexander answered her back by raising his voice and tried to shut her up, but she shouted back. Daniel hugged Sultana and tried to keep her quiet by pulling her head under his arm as a gesture of love, aware of his guilt on the unsuccessful match. "Come sit with me for a while." He dragged her to the table, hoping to calm her down, but she just sat for two minutes and returned to the kitchen with the excuse there were lots of things to be done. She continued to slander Alexander who had left the kitchen. Sultana didn’t have any problem saying what she had in her heart, leaving Alexander with no choice but to tell Daniel he would kick her out when she finished cleaning the kitchen. After a while, he calmed down. Only then did he take time to relax and sit down with Daniel. "You look better from day to day." Alexander complimented him.