Hmm...Wonder if this Veldun guy is interested in more than just my professional talents. If he so much as makes a pass, I'll say thanks but no thanks. I have all I need in Lahon. He is the key to my success and peace of mind. Without him, I'd still be at KFTV...I'd still be at Daddy's mercy, trying too hard to please him, for him, not doing anything for myself...Just work, come home, just to start it all over again. No fun, no play...Lahon changed everything for me, opened so much opportunity...Maybe he has a point...This interview may not be what I think...Maybe this Veldun will...Hey!
Marlene's reverie was interrupted by the insistent ringing of her cell phone. Keeping her eyes on the road, she shrugged then picked up. "Hello?"
She screwed her face into a righteously indigent frown when the other party responded: It was her father.
"Daddy...What a surprise. I didn't expect to hear from you."
"Marlene, what is this about an interview. And don't lie to me because I found out via your music friends."
"Oh, OK. I just thought..."
"You thought I wouldn't find out, didn't you?"
"No, Daddy, I called Diane to tell her since I wouldn't be at rehearsal until late. So they wouldn't miss me."
"Well, I still don't like it. You, going off to a strange man's house for an interview. Tell me, Marlene. Who is he?"
"I don't know myself, Dad. I got his note Sunday afternoon. Apparently he's read my book, so he thought I'd be perfect for whatever this job opportunity is. What's it to you?"
Marlene could tell her father's mood by the exasperated tone in his voice. She wanted to hang up on him then turn off the phone, however something made her listen to what he had to say.
"Marlene, I worry about you. You have not been yourself these days. All this sudden change is not to my approval. It's that man you're seeing. He's the cause of all this upheaval in your life. I just got off the phone with Annette. She told me about your little music group, and she said you've been evasive about your boyfriend."
Now Marlene became exasperated herself.
"Annette is a busybody who has nothing else better to do. She had no business telling you. Besides, she's never met Lahon..."
"Ah ha! So he has a name. I want to meet this man, Marlene, without fail! I will be over this evening, and you'd better be at home! And your friend had better be there...I have this sneaking suspicion..."
"Daddy, I may not be...Oh, there's my turn-off. I have to go, Dad."
"Oh, so you're giving me the brush-off. Marlene, I will not hang up until you tell me about this man you're seeing."
"Do you mean my boyfriend, or my potential employer?"
"Both."
"You know my boyfriend's name, that's all. As for this man...Oh, I'm here. Nice big estate, Daddy. All hidden by high iron gates and stone walls. I see the name of the place on the plaque, but I can't make it out. It's all obscured by ivy..."
"So, who is the man? The one who's conducting the interview."
"I wish I could tell you, but I do know his name. It's kind of weird. His name is Veldun."
The phone went dead silent on Harlan's end, and Marlene smirked to herself, thinking he was taken aback by the mention of the man's name.
"Dad? Are you still there? Dad?"
"Uh...Y-yes, Marlene. I'm still here."
Noting Harlan's nervous tone, she asked, "Something wrong?"
"No, dear. Nothing is wrong. Just when you mentioned 'Veldun'...There
is something familiar about that name."
Now she was more than merely intrigued. "You know the guy? Why didn't you tell me? You said..."
"Never mind what I said. Turn the car around and get out of there!"
"Why?" Marlene, now becoming disgusted with her father's increasingly willful hold on her, simply snapped off the phone. No more playing the 'good' daughter. No more kowtowing to Harlan Prentice and his petty worries over his position in society.
When she mentioned the name "Veldun", Harlan fell suddenly silent. Is the potential employer one of Harlan's sworn enemies, perhaps a man to whom Harlan did wrong years ago? Mr. Prentice, in his corporate dealings, did manage to step on too many toes in his long career. Veldun is, to Marlene's thinking, obviously one of Harlan's victims. If so, why did he warn Marlie to stay away?
"Just another of his tricks, to punish me for changing too much for his tastes. I'm going to meet with Veldun, impress him with my talent, then, if I get the job, show Daddy I'm not his little trophy to show off to his high-powered, got-lots friends."
Stopping at the tall, imposing iron gate, Marlene noticed the large wrought iron initials dominating the center: "V" and "L".
"Okay," she said to herself, "The 'V' is for Veldun. So what's the 'L' stand for?"
Shrugging, Marlie lowered her window, leaned out, then pressed the button on the intercom. She waited for a few seconds before a deep female voice answered.
"Yes?"
"Marlene Prentice. I'm here for the interview."
"Ah, yes. He is expecting you. Wait while I open the gate. Come up the drive then park out front. I shall be waiting to escort you inside."
"Thanks."
Smiling with satisfaction and nervous about meeting this strange man, Marlene didn't have to wait long, for the gates parted within seconds. Up the long, winding driveway, Marlene took in every site – The gatekeeper's cottage just inside, the heavily forested grounds obviously used for protection from prying eyes.
The further she drove, the grounds became less wooded, revealing expansive, well-manicured lawns, intricate topiary, abundance of flowers and shrubbery. More than two-thirds from the main house, Marlene couldn't help noticing the scent of the air, a sweetly scented breeze almost reminiscent of...
"No, that can't be. I'm just nervous and paranoid." Indeed, Marlie did become a bit apprehensive of this meeting. What if Veldun turns out to be one of those weird guys who lure unsuspecting women. They ply the ladies with strong drink laced with drugs then imprison them in a dungeon or attic. Could that be what Daddy warned? Perhaps Veldun is a recently released criminal, perhaps convicted of a series of horrid offenses. Yeah, he could have kept dozens of women here against their will, kept them chained and naked, only letting them out to serve his crass sexual perversions.
"No, he wouldn't be like that," she muttered as she neared the house. "But to be safe..."
Marlene turned on her cell phone then placed it in her jacket pocket for quick access. If this man tries anything dastardly, she'll be ready. Better yet, Marlie decided to pocket her pepper gun, just in case. Can't be too cautious these days.
"But he said to go to this interview. Lahon loves me, protects me, and he wouldn't want me to walk in on a trap. Wouldn't he?"
Slowing the car, Marlene finally got a good look at the imposing edifice. What a mansion! All stone and blond brick with massive stained-glass windows. The steps leading to the front door were highly polished marble, and the hand-carved stone creatures – Well, they weren't lions – added an air of certain mystery.
"What are those things? Gargoyles?," she asked herself, exiting the car. At closer glance, the carvings looked more like snaky monsters. Maybe Veldun is one of those eccentric guys who has a twisted sense of humor. Whatever, she thought, just gather the resumé, a few samples of my previous work, and have courage. If it doesn't pan out, so what? I can always say, "No."
Before she made it halfway up the steps, the door slowly opened, revealing an aged man. This must be the butler, and so distinguished looking despite his advanced age. The butler, in his finely appointed livery and abundant snow-white hair, greeted Marlene as she neared the door.
"Miss Prentice, if you will follow me to the drawing room. Master Veldun is presently occupied with other business and will meet with you shortly. Tea is ready, and the maid will attend to your needs."
The butler, Jenkins, led Marlene through the grand entry hall, impressive in its own with highly polished intricately inlaid marble floors, dozens of tapestries and old masters' paintings on the walls, and a winding staircase with equally impressive hand-carved bannister and railing. Jenkins informed Marlene the bannister was carved from a single piece of high quality mahogany.
"Master has exquisite tastes, miss. He acquired that Monet just yesterday," he said, nodding to the Impressionist painting of water lilies floating on a misty pond.
Jenkins led Marlene up the stairs then turned to the door on the right off the first landing. Opening the door, he said, "If you will wait here, Miss Prentice, Master will be with you shortly."
Before leaving the room, he nodded to the maid who stood guard at the tea table. She immediately, almost in robotic fashion, began bringing a tray of dainty sandwiches and sweets.
"Do you take lemon or milk? Cucumber or salmon sandwich?," the maid asked in a clipped British accent.
It was all too grand for Marlene to comprehend at once.
Marlene glanced about the room, marvelling at the rich opulence. This Veldun has to be so obscenely wealthy to afford to live like this. A grand estate hidden away in the woods, servants to wait on his every need and wish, dozens of priceless artworks and other precious items. She wondered if he was that eccentric to have that letter hand-delivered by his flunky instead of calling himself. And what was he doing now that was so pressing he could not meet her at the prescribed time?
The maid gone, Marlene could relax and enjoy her tea. Sipping the warm liquid, she noticed there was much silver – the teapot, sugar bowl (lump sugar, no granulated), spoons – all finely wrought and gleaming. The delicate Coalport cup attested to the man's incredible wealth. In fact, the entire house screamed billionaire.
Now Marlene pondered if this could all be one big mistake. As she reasoned, she had everything she ever wanted: a best-selling book, a promising and rewarding music career, and she had Lahon.
Lahon...How I wish you were here...
Even out in the "boonies", in these opulent surroundings, Marlie could feel his presence, hear his deep sexy laughter, sense his slinky form slithering sensuously toward her.
Getting up to help herself to more tea and cakes, Marlene did not notice the door slowly opening nor did she detect the presence of another. That is, until her host spoke and laughed.
That laughter...Deep, sensual, definitely a turn-on for Marlene. Something about that laugh was very familiar.
She turned around and, in her shock, nearly dropped the fragile cup on the soft Oriental carpet.
Into the room slithered Lahon followed by another creature who looked much like him, only this second beast appeared a bit older.
Speechless, she watched as her lover and his companion slinked toward her. He spoke.
"Marlene, my love. I hope you are not angry with me, but this 'interview' is not, as you can see, what you think. Please, may I present..."
"This is your father," she said flatly, trying not to allow her surprise and nervousness to overtake her. "Veldun is your father."
"Marlene Prentice," Veldun said at last, "So, I finally meet my son's choice of mate. I approve, my dear. And, to make this meeting complete, I have a special surprise for you."
Veldun wriggled his scaly black body aside, his movements as deliberately sensual as the son's, allowing entry of the human woman who stood in the doorway. The woman had to be Veldun's mate, a middle-aged lady of great beauty. As she came into view, Marlene detected the familiar but could not remember who this woman was or where their paths might have crossed.
Veldun picked up on Marlene's apprehensiveness and curiosity, saying, "While I did not want to deceive you by posing as a prospective employer, it was the only way I could make this reunion possible. Your father is aware of me, and of what I did. It is why he reacted so when you mentioned my name."
"Huh?," said a puzzled Marlene, "My father knows you?" She turned to Lahon and asked, ignoring the accusatory tone in her voice, "What is going on? Why are you doing this? I thought you loved me!" The tears came quickly, and Marlene nearly stormed out of the room. Instead, she approached the woman then asked, "Who are you? What is all this about my father and Veldun – and you?"
The lady finally spoke in a voice thickly laced with Midwestern twang and drawl.
"Marlie, you wouldn't remember me as you were just a baby. Your father knew Veldun came into my life, and what he and your aunt told you are lies. I wasn't forced out; I left Harlan on my own accord."
Now the realization hit Marlene. "Mom?"
To be continued...Go to Part Three
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