THIRTYSIX.
Mislead ideas
"Thank you for the walk and telling me about the grounds," Mark escorted Helena back to the door of her bedroom, "I hope you learned something about this old place," She answered placing her hand on the doorknob, "I did, I like this old place," He furrowed his brow making a funny face, "Not to live in though," They both laughed trying to break the tension that was between them. "You've been here for several weeks and you don't seem to worried about it," She teased mildly, Mark thought for a moment, "I promised you I'd be on my best behavior," He quickly changed the subject, "And I thank you for that, for respecting me, I hope you understand that all I want from you is friendship," Mark could feel his heart sinking, "I understand and I have to respect that there is another man in your life," Helena gazed into his gray eyes, his good looks came front and center, "So, if you would like to tour the other parts of the castle, look at some of the other art we have," He interrupted her, "I would like that, speaking of art there was a museum downtown I would like to see again," Helena squinted her eyes thinking, "Krause museum?" She asked furthering her grip on the doorknob, "Yes, I would like to go there again," He spoke quietly, "I think we can arrange that, I should go, I'm tired," Mark nodded, "Goodnight then, I'll see you at breakfast," He grinned walking away his thoughts on playing it cool with her until he could make her see him in a different light.
Marlene, half awake grunted rolling over and snuggling against Rebecca's back her hand slipping around her waist, there was a deep groan from Rebecca. Marlene stared at the back of her head she felt awful for not telling her, the truth about Carla, "I love you," She whispered her throat knotted. Rebecca wriggled a bit grasping Marlene's hand, "Your awake early," She spoke lowly not opening her eyes, "Yes and I didn't mean to awake you but is Laura coming today?" She questioned rising up on her elbow, "No, she's finishing the details on her collection and is preparing for Riga, Tanja will be back tomorrow and I want everything in order for her return," She answered keeping her voice down. "Oh, I will call Elisabeth in a while," Rebecca frowned, "Call Elisabeth? Didn't you just meet with her yesterday?" She inquired, "Yes but they, Carla and her want to meet with dad about the forestry service," She eluded to what was going on and the real reason Thomas was there. "Hmmm, didn't we discuss this?" Rebecca rolled over to face her as she spoke, "We did but Carla has asked for his help and I contacted him about, I did tell you," She winced, "You did, I do vaguely remember that conversation but with everything going on I didn't really dissect it," She replied firmly, "I told Carla," Rebecca rolled her eyes causing Marlene to stop talking, "I told her I doubted my father would be interested because he is settled now and I don't think Biggie would care to move back here," She answered feeling strange about the conversation they were having.
Marlene escorted her father to the castle, "Countess," Justus greeted them as they entered the foyer, "Justus," He and Thomas shook hands. "Elisabeth, is she here?" Marlene asked, "Actually she's in the study," He motioned with his hand. Marlene walked with Thomas by her side softly knocking on the opened door, "Oh Marlene, Thomas how wonderful to see you," She stood up grasping him in a hug. "It's so good to see you," He told her sizing her up and then kissing her cheek, "How I've missed you," She smiled, "Please sit down," Marlene and Thomas sat down, Justus brought a tray with coffee in. "Elisabeth, I got that report back," Carla gabbed walking into the office unaware that Marlene and her father were present, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize," She stopped talking swallowing hard, "Thomas Wolf," She extended her hand out greeting him, "It's been a long time," He tightened his grip on her hand, "Marlene," Carla stood beside Elisabeth's desk acknowledging her, "Carla," She quietly spoke. "So Marlene tells me you wanted to meet with me," Thomas relayed getting to the point. "I did," Elisabeth answered, Marlene got up and poured her father a cup of coffee, "Thank you," He spoke as she handed it to him, "What's this about?" Thomas asked in a perplexed manner, Elisabeth took in a deep breath, "Our forestry service has been absent of a director since you left, we are wanting to hire someone with experience," Thomas sat his coffee cup down, "You mean you've never replaced me?" He thought it odd, "No, with everything else in need of attention at the time I didn't pursue it, Dieter Brock stepped forward and has helped us greatly but he has other tasks at hand," She implied.
"Elisabeth and I have talked about our issues on this subject on more than one occasion," Carla took the reins giving Elisabeth a breather. "And what did you conclude?" Thomas inquired uncertain of what they were wanting, "What we were hoping for is that you would consider a temporary return, getting things lined out, lose ends need to be sown up and a new person needs to be chosen, with your experience you could lead Lahnstein enterprises in the right direction," Thomas listened clearing his throat. "I'm not sure my wife would be opened to us returning here, I've Tommy in private school in Belfast and the apartment here is sublet for the next year," He motioned with his hands. "You could always stay with us," Marlene hinted, "Nonsense, the castle has plenty of space with privacy, you both could live here," Elisabeth added kindly. Thomas mildly grunted, "It's something to think about," He remarked, "However, everything would hinge on my wife and son," He responded in continuance. "Think it over, if you are interested, I think you'll like the salary we have to offer," Carla mentioned, "Well if you'll all excuse me, I have a bank meeting at eleven," Carla noted looking at her wrist watch, "Marlene," She nodded speaking under her breath leaving out in a quick manner.
Marlene and Thomas slowly strolled back down the path towards home, "That was a surprise, did you know about this all along?" Thomas questioned her as they made it to the gate at the, stonewall they stopped to talk. "Yes, that's when I called you, I did tell them I would try to get you here for a meeting but not to get their hopes hope," She replied in monotone, "I see, can I ask you something?" He shifted an eye to her, "Yeah, sure," Marlene shrugged her shoulders, "Do you have an issue with Carla or does she have one with you?" Marlene could feel her heartbeat quicken. "Something was off between you two it was tense," He answered, "And above all, I know you better than anyone, don't forget you are my daughter," He rehearsed she looked at him not wanting to answer, "Can we just drop it?" She asked knowing the answer, "Marlene," He grumbled under his breath. "I just don't care to discuss her right now, please just let it be dad," She hurried away from him he stood there not moving watching her as she quickened her pace towards the front door. "Where's your dad?" Rebecca questioned, her briefcase in hand, "He's a little slow today, he's coming along," She answered becoming fidgety. "Going to the office?" Marlene changed the subject, "Well yes, I wasn't going to but Laura called and has some questions," She kissed Marlene's cheek. "I'll see you a little later," She met Thomas at the door, "Rebecca," He winked, "Thomas," She left he followed Marlene in the kitchen.
"Something happened between you two, I'm not sure what but something happened," Marlene sighed crossing her arms she looked around to see if anyone else was present, "She is interested in me," Marlene groaned, "She kissed me, Rebecca warned me about her, I didn't listen, I thought we were friends but she wants more," Thomas grimaced, "Have you told Rebecca? I mean she deserves to know Marlene," He begged to differ. "I know dad, I know, it's finding the timing she won't be happy the longer I wait the worse it will become," She put her face in the palm of her hand. "You have a mess, a mess you obviously are partially responsible for creating," He talked under his breath further, "Ok dad, I know or I didn't know," She threw her hands in the air, "I never thought she would abuse our friendship in that way and now I have to tell my wife the truth," She began to weep, "Stop crying, it will be ok, you just have to be more mindful of these situations, marriage can become complacent, you know some of the struggles your mother and I went through," He kindly advised. "I would never cheat on Rebecca this is almost a slap in my face, really dad, I like Carla and we had become good friends and I know what she's been through too, losing her wife, being alone, its scary when you think about it," She looked at her dad with sadness in her eyes, "I miss your mother," He confessed as they began to reminisce. "I long for our talks, her advise," She mused, "Your mother would be the first to tell you Rebecca needs to know the truth," He rubbed the side of her arm as he told her.
Rebecca thumbed through the mail on her desk, "Hey," Laura knocked, "Hey yourself," She wrinkled her forehead reading the spreadsheet left on her desk by Abby, "Is everything alright you look upset," She asked walking up to her desk, "Abby," She picked up the spreadsheet and then tossed it back to her desk, "I have an after lunch meeting with her," She rolled her eyes, "Ok so can I have your attention? I could make you forget about her, well at least for a little while anyway," She teased, "What did you have in mind?" Rebecca fished, "A sketchpad waiting upstairs for your approval," She replied, "Give me a few and I'll be up," Laura excused herself. Rebecca picked up the phone and dialed Abby's desk, "Abby, do you need any other paperwork for our meeting?" she asked, "No actually I have the original bonus sheets in front of me," She answered her sharply but with a kind tone, "Good enough, I'll see you after lunch," They hung up, Rebecca walked upstairs, "Let me see," Laura smiled opening her sketchpad, "I think I have a name," Rebecca spoke furrowing her brow, "Ok, so don't keep me in suspense, what do you have?" Rebecca began to tell her, "Well it's hard to find a name that's sexy but speaks of romance and intrigue, so I came up with, night whispers," She finally answered. "Night whispers, hmmm, I love it lets just hope Tanja does," Laura embraced Rebecca unaware that Abby was watching them from the door way of the pressing room, "I have enjoyed this time we've had and I've learned so much in such a short time," Rebecca pulled back from her, "Thank you and it's been my pleasure, put together a port folio with the new name and place those sketches in order, I want it to sing when she opens it for review," Laura nodded watching Rebecca as she walked downstairs.
Abby approached Laura eyeing her as she watched Rebecca, "Daydreaming?" She caught her by surprise, "Excuse me but what exactly do you mean?" She felt strange and exposed asking Abby, "I see the way you look at her," She replied, "The way I look at her? She's my boss I look up to her and her talents," Laura appeared shocked by Abby's accusations, "She's also attractive and wealthy," She added, Laura slightly lowered her head pursing her lips, "I'm not interested in her in that way," She looked back up to Abby, Abby sheepishly grinned. "Are you seeing anyone? Dating? Seriously involved?" She barked, "No but what does that have to do with what we are talking about? Obviously you have nothing better to do then start lies and rumors," Laura snapped standing firm. "There are many beautiful men and woman who work here, hell, they walk through these doors everyday, they excite us, intrigue us to the point of us wanting to get to know them better, Rebecca is no exception but she's married and has a family," Abby rehearsed bluntly, "I know how you feel about Rebecca, you are scorned because of Marlene, people talk and some here have the gift of gab, I'm sorry that you still feel the pain of that loss," Laura broached crossing her arms in a harden stare. "The loss of Marlene was years ago, she's married, with children and happy, I've gotten over that," She became inclined to tell her, "You still have an issue with Rebecca though, even if you don't admit, it" Laura grumbled. "Your right, I don't like Rebecca, I tolerate her because I have to, I need this job and I'm happy here, Tanja and most everyone else respects me and likes the work I do, Rebecca will not be an obstacle for me because I won't allow it," She quickly left Laura before she could make a remark.
Marlene waited for Rebecca to return home she paced until she heard the front door open, "Hey," She hurried towards her, "Hello," Rebecca answered sitting her briefcase inside the door of her office, "It's too quite, where is everyone," She looked around craning her neck, "Dad took the boys over to the castle to visit Dana and the baby and then to a movie," She grinned, "Hmmm," Rebecca looked towards the staircase, "Some alone time," She grabbed Marlene around the waist, "I packed a bag and some things to snack on, I thought we could drive up to the cabin for a little alone time," She offered. "Let me run up and change and I'll be ready," Rebecca trotted up the stairs as Marlene watched her she sucked in a deep breath rehearsing in her mind how she would tell her about Carla. "Ready?" Rebecca broke her from her daydream, "Yes," They got into the car, "How was your day?" Marlene asked, "Laura and I named the new collection, night whispers," She smiled winking at Marlene, "Oh, I do like your choice, however Tanja will have to have the last word," They both giggled, "I'm glad we are getting away, I had to meet with Abby today and that's always torment," She mentioned, "You shouldn't have an issue with her Rebecca," Marlene stated, "She'll always blame me for her demise with you, she thinks I should feel shitty about it all Marlene," She cut her an eye to her, "Nonsense and if you think about it, when you take your new position you will have less time to deal with her," Rebecca lowered her shoulders, "True," They finished their journey to the cabin.
It's quiet out here," Marlene mused as she and Rebecca walked hand and hand around the small lake, "It is now but when those boys of ours get here," They both laughed out loud taking in the summertime air, Marlene spotted a small knoll nestled in a stand of trees she pulled Rebecca by the hand they say down, "I love it already," Marlene began to talk, the trees, the singing birds, Wolfgang will certainly be dirty," Rebecca grinned, "All of them will be dirty, it's their middle name," There was a moment of silence , "Do you still wish we would have had a girl?" Marlene broached, "I do but I wouldn't trade what we have in a million years," She added with a smile, "Besides your sister has a little girl and you'll be able to dote on her and there's always Zoey she lives with us half the time anyway," Rebecca grunted as she spoke. Marlene thought for a moment she felt her heart pounding loudly in her chest, "I need to tell you something," She finally voiced, "Yes, I figured that out already or you wouldn't have planned a get away in the middle of the week," She stared at her. "Well you know me all too well," She smirked looking for the words to say, "What happened Marlene?" Rebecca questioned, "I uh, you were right," She started off, "I'm right about a lot of things, what exactly am I right about now?" She inquired further her index finger pulling Marlene's chin up to face her.
"When I went to the castle the other day to visit Dana I bumped into Carla we took a horseback ride and stopped for a rest and to talk," Marlene swallowed hard thinking of the kiss they shared, "She kissed me," She finally blurted the words out, Rebecca sighed deeply, "And how long were you going to wait to tell me? I know you all to well you wouldn't have planned this without the aid of your father and I know you had to have told him," Marlene lowered her shoulders, "I did, when we met at the castle earlier he could tell there was tension between Carla and I, I feel terrible for lying to you, timing is everything and I wanted to tell you the day it happened," Rebecca moaned, "And why didn't you?" Marlene grimaced, "Because I know how you are, you would have started a conflict, the family doesn't need that right now, you can say it all you would like," Rebecca interjected, "Say what, I told you so?" Marlene's gut curdled at the sound of those words, "Yes, I have to face the fact that I was naïve and stupid how could she ruin our friendship in that way, I wasn't expecting that at all," She implored explaining herself. "Are you sure, deep down that you don't find her charming, a challenge?" Rebecca asked in a deep sigh, giving pause to Marlene.