Glass of Wonderland Chapter 11
lafter@singnet.com.sg
Riversong.
"RISE AND SHINE! IT'S MORNING!!!"
Go away…. Grr…….
"HEY! YOU HEAR ME? RISE AND SHINE!"
"Joe… can you go see who it is outside our hut?" Frank, lying on the bed next to his, mumbled lethargically. They returned to their resort hut the night before during the wee hours of the morning and Joe was very certain he had not even shut his eyes for more than five hours.
"Mornings are especially beautiful here!" Another voice, now a familiar female one, spoke more politely unlike that of the barbaric, high-pitched yelling. Joe let out a frustrated growl, pulled his pillow out from under him and covered his head with it, hoping to drown out the voices.
"Joe…" Frank nagged at him croakily. Joe flung his pillow onto the floor and reached down the edge of his bed for his slippers which were on the floor. Picking up one side of the rubbery footwear, he hurled it at the door angrily.
"WE'RE SLEEPING!" He hollered.
"Joe, keep it down." Frank tossed and turned on his bed before revealing his half-opened cobwebbed eyes from under his covers. "Now I'm awakened. I can't get back to sleep."
"It's all their fault." Joe really hated this trip now. He recognized the two voices and warned himself never to accept free trips from lunatics in future.
"HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY! MIGHTY MOUSE AND FRIENDS ARE ON THEIR WAY!" Clown sang off-pitched and at the top of his lungs. Joe wondered why no one outside strangled the menace yet.
"Boys, we're bringing you to see the Queen. You want to see the Queen, don't you?" The leaf-lady implored them as impatient raps assaulted their door. Joe heard Frank struggling up. Moments later, Frank threw opened the door, dressed only in his boxers.
"Do you mind? We're really tired." His brother tried to reason with the two grinning fiends.
"Hmm… get dress. We'll be waiting for you at the gates to the palace! You know where it is. Hurry! Time waits for no man." Leaf Lady had a tray in her hands. The delicious smell of waffles wafted to Joe's nose and he sniffed, a little tempted to get out of his warm, cozy bed.
Frank took the tray and thanked her. "We'll have it later. Maybe we'll see you there in a couple of hour's time. Thanks."
"No! In half an hour." Clown insisted vehemently. Joe could practically see his brother roll his eyes.
"Two!"
"Half!"
"ONE!"
"NO! HALF!"
"ARGH!" Frank slammed the door in both their faces and trotted over to the dressing table which he placed the breakfast tray on. Joe lazily gazed at his brother who had stumbled back to his bed.
"Two or one or half?"
"Never. I hate you right now for convincing me to stay on." Frank muttered his reply.
Seconds later, someone blasted loud metal music outside their hut, igniting screams and yells of protest from other patrons in nearby huts. Frank groaned and Joe cursed under his breath.
"Half." Frank conceded reluctantly as he flung his covers aside and pounded his forehead in frustration.
***
Isolated away from the heart of the resort, Queen McHeart's beach villa was an ostentatious, two stories affair set at the far end of the island on a private beach meant only for her. She seemed to treasure her privacy for her part of the beach was separated off a tall, wooden fence which gates were unlocked for the Hardy's and the moment they entered, they were wowed by the grandiose setting of the place which they could only catch glimpses of from the breakwaters on the public beach.
Secluded from the rest of the world with the clear emerald ocean in front of it and jungle covered mountains behind, Queen McHeart's villa was a secret locked from the entire universe. It was so private, so remote that it was… well… precious. Clown and Leaf Lady were already waiting for them on the other side of the imposing fence and when they saw the Hardy Brothers, their faces lit up in happiness.
"We thought you'll never come. Hurry! We're late!" Clown, or rather, White Rabbit (since he was wearing his tuxedo and overtly obsessed with a pocket watch chained to his coat's pocket) grabbed Joe's hand and led him into the compound. Leaf Lady offered her hand to Frank who politely slipped his through hers and the two of them followed behind. Joe was stunned speechless when White Rabbit led them around the colonial bungalow and into the backyard where there was a round pool, two Jacuzzis and a gazebo equipped with outdoor massage facilities. White Rabbit scampered up the stairs of the gazebo, dragging Joe along with him. The Queen was lying on her front on the message bed- her long, lustrous golden hair sprayed all across her svelte, tanned back. A white towel covering her from waist down assured her modesty. Her masseuse seemed a little unsure of what to do in their presence and the Queen sensed her uncertainty for she raised a graceful hand to halt her.
"Are they here, White?" her voice was calm, smooth and sultry. Joe was very sure she must be gorgeous as well. Frank nudged him from the side, reminding him not to ogle too openly. Joe clamped his mouth shut immediately.
"Yes they are, Queen, just like you requested." White Rabbit excitedly informed her. She laughed merrily at his childish jubilant.
"All right. Bring them to the balcony where I always take my breakfast from. I'll be there in a minute."
"As you say!" White Rabbit and Leaf Lady immediately hurried down the stairs. Frank was about to follow behind when he noticed that Joe was still too awestruck to move.
"Joe?" Frank jabbed his side, shocking him. He blushed and left the Queen's side with his brother.
Moments later, they were at the balcony which overlooked ocean. Leaf Lady poured them each a cup of tea and Frank, the know-it-all connoisseur of tea, took a deep breath and smiled satisfactorily.
"Darjeeling. A good grade."
"The best grade! Queen enjoys her luxuries." Leaf Lady corrected him as she took a seat next to Joe. White Rabbit sniffed at the tea and winced.
"I'll rather have coffee."
"I rather have a milkshake." Joe jumped in. Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Oolong whatever- Joe was not interested in tea. Tea was just tea. Now, milkshakes had many flavors and he could have one different kind each day. As long as human beings have imagination, there would be a continuing stream of new tastes for milkshakes.
"Sorry to keep you boys waiting…" Queen sauntered in at that moment, smiling at them as though she was bestowing graces. Joe's intuition was right. Queen was gorgeous. She must be in her early forties but her age only lent her an air of seasoned royalty. Knowing girls very well, Joe immediately associated her beauty to fine wine that tasted better with each passing year.
"No worries, madam." Frank shrugged, seemingly unfazed by her commanding presence. Joe was speechless as she took a seat on the other side of him and he could smell the aroma of essential oils emanating from her robed body. Vanessa was obsessed with essential oils and forced him to memorize a few scents. Joe recognized the one Queen had used- lavender with a tinge of spice.
"Well, I hope you're enjoying your stay here. I am the one who brought you to my lovely island. Do you boys like it?"
"Yes, very much. It's beautiful." Frank replied. Joe decided then he would let his unaffected brother do all the talking. He was sure he would sound stupid in front of the Queen- her scourging deep blue eyes gave him the shivers.
"Actually, the trip isn't free. Let's cut to the chase. I brought you two here for many reasons, one of which is to help me solve a case of theft."
"A case of theft?" Frank arched a brow. "All those trouble just to enlist our help? And how do you know about us? Your island doesn't seem like it can receive anything but pigeon letters."
The Queen chuckled blithely. "Oh, I have my ways and I do have internet access at the resort…" Her tone grew somber before she continued. "I don't want the case to be blown up too big because people come here to enjoy a slice of paradise, not to be stressed or worried. Actually, there have been things stolen before from my villa but none as important as this one."
"Why don't you just instill security cameras?" Joe couldn't help asking. "Then you'll know the culprit."
Queen's eyes shadowed over and finally, she nodded. "Yes, maybe I should but I really don't want such intrusive machineries in my villa and I hate having bodyguards or any sort of such watchdogs around my personal space. I love privacy to the extend that I don't want to film anyone, including myself. Like I said, the previous did not bother me at all. This one does. I have a pocket watch- an antique Patek Philippe pocket watch which holds much sentimental feelings for me. In as quiet a manner as you can, please, help me retrieve it."
Frank lips stretched into a taut line. He stirred his tea listlessly and behind the dark brown eyes, Joe could hear his brother's brains ticking away furiously.
He too was becoming interested in the case which was a nice change from murders, terrorists and drug lords. A nice, simple case of theft.
"Why is the watch so important to you?" Frank asked, sipping his tea.
Queen's regale air vanished all at once and Joe saw a very vulnerable, lonely lady who wore a mask of deep yearning so blatant and yet, so mysterious on her sculptured face.
"It belonged to my dead husband. I bought it for him as a wedding gift and I really want it back."