chapter 20

Lisa made her way back to the kitchen, while Micheal got himself dressed.

She couldn't for the life of her start to guess what Micheal had to discuss with her. She was fine with anything, just as long as he would not be asking to search her room for yet another missing item.

She sat quietly at the island making a mental list of the things planned for the next day. Micheal came in a few minutes later, dressed in a night robe. "If i had a body like that, i too would sleep in the nude." Lisa thought, and catching herself thinking such a thing, she had to physically shake herself inorder to snap out of it.

Micheal took a seat adjacent to Lisa at the island and rotated the seat, such that he could look at her. He then said, "Are you well?"

Lisa was a little taken aback by the question.

Micheal noticing the look of confusion on her face said, " What i mean is, you were almost kidnapped a few weeks ago. Do you feel alright? Or do you think you need professional help?"

" I'm doing just fine sir." Lisa said." "Can I speak freely?" she asked.

"Of course" he replied. "The entire purpose of this unusual conversation is that you speak freely."

"I'm doing quite well except for the fact that i always have to look over my shoulder, i literally feel like a moving target, and Ironically sir, i feel like the events of my life had been preparing me to handle just this situation."

Micheal smiled. "You're one strong lady Lisa. I believe that was why Lucas got you for the job. You have great work ethic, and an incredible amount of tolerance, and home management and planning skill."

"One more thing" he said unconsciously raising his index finger. Have you noticed any strange behaviour or strange activity going on in the household, anything out of the ordinary, that may point is in the direction of the mastermind?", Micheal asked.

"Unfortunately, i have not noticed any strange behaviour whatsoever. No strange activity either. And honestly, this whole thing is giving me a migraine."Lisa said.

"I'm afraid for now the cops have no leads. I was able to give a description of the kidnapper to the artist, hopefully i was accurate. But up until now, they have been unable to find the guy. He seemed to have no criminal record. And he's just vanished, so we're at a dead end." Micheal said.

Lisa pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

Micheal then said, "I'm going to call it a night now. You should get as much sleep as you can. Tomorrow is going to be a long day." He then made his way up the stairs and into his suite of rooms.

Lisa was ecstatic to find her bed. She took off her uniform as quickly as she could manage, put on her pajamas, and got under her sheets. She was fast asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The household was quite. Deadly still infact

One might say it was the calm before the storm. For the watcher lay in her own bed somewhere in the mansion, plotting her next scheme, and as with all her previous schemes, she intended to put on a show, and of course it had to be more grand than the last.

Lisa was not to be spared of nightmares tonight. And as fate would have it, the nightmare had somehow evolved, to include a nameless, faceless figure, like a wraith, that shot arrows at her back, and suffocated her in her sleep with a pillow.

Lisa woke up sweaty, and breathing heavily once more. Try as she might, she couldn't help but shift some of the blame for this most recent nightmare to Micheal. It was logical ofcourse for her to think that the wraith only appeared in her dreams because Micheal had reminded her of the predicament she was facing.

Lisa put these troubling thoughts aside and set herself to the task. For there was just too much to be done, and it all had to be perfect. Lisa and Jacob had had the foresight to get Elise out of the house the day before, inorder that all preparations be carried out in complete secrecy.

Lisa did her ablutions, put on her uniform, and hurried to the kitchen for breakfast. The rest of the household, that is excluding both Lucas and Micheal were also in the kitchen.

Pretty soon the delivery trucks with fireworks, fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, bread, and other supplies would be arriving.

Mrs. Lee hastily prepared a hearty and delicious breakfast for everyone. And they began a thorough cleaning the house, grounds, and cutlery that will be used. They were done in less than two hours because they've made sure to get that out of the way during the week, knowing that they couldn't afford cleaning on the day of the special event.

The trucks began to arrive, and Mrs. Lee with Carie's help began to prepare breakfast for Micheal and Lucas.

A little later she started to prepare the lunch that would be carried aboard the cruise ship, more accurately called the yacht for Elise's and Jacob's pleasure and enjoyment.

Lisa was trusting that Jacob had begun Elise's day at the hotel with a flower and the classic breakfast in bed, with kisses to the forehead. And then maybe a shopping spree or presentation of a thoughtful gift.

But that was not at all what Jacob had in mind. He planned to let the surprise be a surprise. So he woke up early, and headed to the hotel's gym for exercise. Elise was still asleep so he gave her no word of greeting nor did he wish her a happy anniversary that morning. He returned about an hour later, and found Elise awake.

He said, "Good morning darling, hope your sleep was restful?"

"It was restful." She said "By the way, what day is it today?" Elise asked, subtly throwing a hint, hoping that Jacob would remember that today was their anniversary .

Jacob caught on, but inorder to not ruin the surprise, he said instead, "It's Saturday darling. Don't bother you don't have any appointments."

"And the date?" Elise asked.

"I'm not quite certain darling. You can check your phone, i need to shower. I reek" he said.

Elise lost all hope. Jacob spied her dejected expression, but said to himself, "Later. She'll be so happy, just hold the forte until then."

Jacob bathed, and clothed himself, as did Elise and then they went to the restaurant for breakfast. While they were eating, Jacob suggested that they go for a ride around the city and then walk in the park. Elise just nodded. Resigning herself to a long day of uninteresting activity.