“Oh I apologize,” Nestor Gregory said. “I should have been more specific about the dress attire for tonight’s dinner. It is supposed to be casual.”
He eyed the Shans as Sandra’s Uncle Lee arrived at the manor in his own work suit, Aunt Brit sporting her blazer and pleated skirt, and she in a semi-formal tunic dress and black leggings.
“No apologies necessary Mr. Gregory,” relied her Uncle Lee. The Gregory’s butler Reginald offered to take their coats as Nestor beckoned them to follow him into the salon. Waiting for them were two recognizable people Uncle Lee identified with.
“Please call me Nestor, Mr. Shan. We’re all informal here.”
“Sure Mr. Gregory…er Nestor. Call me Lee as well.”
Two people, a man and a woman, entered the salon. The gentleman had sandy brown hair, appeared to be in his mid-thirties and stood a foot shorter than his blonde haired partner who exuded a snobby air about her. The blonde woman’s eyes scanned Sandra’s family from head to toe producing a resentful discharge of offensiveness scoffing at the fact that Nestor’s guests were common working folk. Unfortunately, the duo’s idea of casual involved being decked out in designer duds even for a simple dinner.
Nestor introduced the couple. “I’m sure you know my younger brother Jason and my sister-in-law Eleanor.”
“Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory,” Uncle shook their hands. “It’s good seeing you again and thank you again for selecting my company for handling your financial contracts.”
“It’s not like we had a choice,” muttered Eleanor. “It was Nestor’s idea to go with a local brokerage firm.”
Uncle Lee ignored the remark, cleared his throat, as he introduced his family. “Please meet my family. This is my beautiful wife Britta and our niece Sandra.”
“Actually, my aunt and uncle adopted me,” added Sandra. “So technically, I’m more than just their niece. I’m their adopted daughter.”
“Adopting your niece. That is so commendable,” remarked Nestor. “I admire people like that because they not only care for their families but they are capable of caring for other people.”
“Since dinner will be awhile, why don’t the adults retire into the atrium to discuss business,” Jason Gregory suggested. “We need to talk about plans to locate prime real estate to expand Neptune’s Cove.”
“Excellent idea,” complimented Nestor. “While we’re doing that, Sandra there are a couple of people that have been dying to talk to you. I’m sure you don’t mind instead of hanging around the old people.”
Puzzled by this statement, Sandra racked her brain trying to put the clues together to solve the riddle. Who would be interested in talking to her?
“My daughters, Callisto and Calypso, are down the hall in the library waiting for you to arrive. I can have Reginald show you the way.” Nestor Gregory pointed toward the direction of the corridor.
Callisto and Calypso Gregory? Oh no! “That is quite all right Mr. Gregory. I’m sure I can find the room myself.”
“I didn’t know you knew Nestor Gregory’s daughters,” commented Uncle Lee.
“We met briefly at the park,” answered Sandra. “They helped out with the situation with Chip Laughlin. For some reason, we keep missing each other in school.”
“That Chip Laughlin,” Nestor lamented. “I never liked that boy. He’s such a troublemaker. I do wish my daughters would not associate with the likes of him.”
“Well I’m sure Sandra wouldn’t mind getting a chance to hang out with your daughters,” said Uncle Lee. “I’m sure they have plenty to talk about.”
Sandra tried to conceal her displeasure with a plastered smile as she watched her aunt and uncle disappear into the atrium. It is now or never. Let’s get this over with. She inhaled a breath putting one foot in front the other until she reached the final destination of voyage. Placing her hand on the wooden door, she felt the vibration of a myriad of emotions pass through her.
Anticipation. Excitement. Uncertainty. Happiness. Fear. Sadness. Envy. Kindness. Compassion. Hope.
Her reached for the knob and turned.
“Cassandra!”
A friendly voice greeted her.
Calliope Meyers, dressed in simple floral dress, jumped up and embraced her. “Welcome friend!”
Shutting the library door behind her, Sandra observed her surroundings. Rows and rows of books, old and new, graced the walls as every corner and hob included some interesting sculpture or sea theme art piece. Above the fireplace mounted against the wall were three weapons, two swords on the top and bottom trimmed and hand carved with an oval shaped object with a triangle symbol at the end, placed in opposite directions of the partition. In the center was fastened a gold and silver spear bearing the same logo overlapped by a sheer, mesh netting made of a copper material that cascaded over the trio of arms.
Her eyes darted around the room. No one present except for Calliope and her present. Oddly enough, the Gregory sisters were not in attendance.
“What you doing here?” she asked her BFF.
“Doug got invited over for dinner,” said Calliope. “Unfortunately, it was the same night as his meeting with the school superintendent so he had me come in his place so I’m here.”
“I’m so glad. I was dreading this dinner.” Sandra told Calliope. “At least I’m not being fed to the sharks alone.”
“Well sharks don’t attack people deliberately unless they smell blood,” interrupted a feminine voice. “It is just in their nature.”
Calypso stood at the entrance of the library. Her brown hair complimented her emerald Zac Posen printed dress as her green eyes sparkled against the color. Her sister Callisto looked like a blonde goddess next to her wearing a Roberto Cavalli top and shorts.
Sandra instantly recognized the designers since it was featured in last month’s Vogue issue. Damn. It must be nice to be rich!
“Don’t worry we won’t bite Cassandra,” grinned Callisto. “Unless you want us to.”
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