The Red Box

by Laura Sgarella

  “Don’t be bothered Araon. I am not a slave of my whims.”

  “Since you are having hydro massage, I’ll have a shower. I’ll be quick. I have just finished eating and my digestion has not started yet. Do you fancy some music?”

  “Why not? We are just the two of us in this house.”

  Araon admired the refreshing sensation under the shower. Never had London been so hot lately. The air conditioning was not missing, certainly. Everything considered, he felt healthier and more confident about Jill’s relaxing sense of peace. She was well enough in that bathtub. Probably she had found pleasure and a touch of wellbeing. Araon was wearing his bathrobe waiting for Jill to come out from her soothing experience in the bathroom. He looked around the house as he used to do frequently and noticed some notes next to the doctor’s number. Jill wanted to ask for some pills for her stomach ache. That brought trouble to Araon who decided not to bombard Jill with questions of every kind. Those must be some nasty, innocent pills. He found the right position in bed and finally closed his eyes. The semi-darkness made him wiser. He could still admire Jill in the hydro massage tub. To lay in bed was a delicate device to spy upon his object of desires: sweet Jill.

  After a while, she finally reached him in bed. “Honey, you look tired, don’t you?” she said.

  “Well I’m deafened with incessant words. I love to spy on you. And I think it is no time to lay in bed doing nothing. The shower was a sort of a miracle to me. The weather definitely plays a good part in our lovely stay in London. Hopefully, Phil and Samantha won’t complain for being in a place with a temperature much higher than this one.”

  “So we can tempt our lot and fully immerse ourselves in London sightseeing. We are used to going out not before half past four in the afternoon and this is the habit we must keep here as well. Have you any suggestion concerning our being busy with something? I don’t like your silence. Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude,” he said.

  “Yes Araon, there is something we must absolutely do. I am bewildered by the thought of exploring Knightsbridge casino. I don’t want to go there to test our attachment to money but just to have a look at that luxurious place. It’s something I have never done in my life.”

  “And you’ll never do, Jill. Casinos are too unhealthy and dangerous,” said Araon.

  “I guess I have to wait for your proposal Araon.”

  “I read in the newspaper that there is a meeting with Ian McKellen after his theatre performance tonight. He will answer to all the questions of his fans. I don’t know if you are interested in him. The meeting will be held at seven pm. We can go to Piccadilly Steakhouse for dinner before the event,” said Araon.

  “Sounds good. But we have to make an intermediate plan before that happening. You are excellent in finding way to kill the time,” said Jill.

  “I’m not so ostentatious. You know the limousine is outside ready for our command. We can have a tour of the city, sipping champagne and tasting caviar. Just as we are used to doing together with Phil and Samantha. There is a hole in our stay in London and this is the absence of our two great hosts. But you’ll realize we are able to find alternate enjoyment anyway. Now I go to open the windows. The heat will bring here flies maybe. How stupid: Phil and Samantha’s house is well equipped to stand any unpleasant situation. The windows have the appropriate curtains. I hope time passes quickly so that we go out to be thrilled,” said Araon.

  “Never mind. There are indefinite things we are ready to face meantime. I can read a book, there are so many I love on these shelves. You cannot imagine how much I love Phil and Samantha’s house. But I’ll go to read it downstairs. Jane is not here, so I won’t disturb her. I’ll leave you alone in the meditation in this room. From what I see there are a lot of things you have to clear up with yourself.”

  “I don’t know to what you are referring, Jill. My conscience is immaculate and I have not subconscious stuff that overwhelms me.”

  “Sorry Araon. I didn’t mean that. It’s as simple as this: we need to have our own independence during the day. Don’t you remember the strolls you make all alone along Amsterdam streets in the morning while I’m away on my own?”

  “Sweet Jill. Here in London the vibe is different but I subscribe to your point of view. There are a lot of things I can do in this room while you are downstairs watching TV, listening to the radio, to switch on and off the lights like a baby who secretly trespasses on his parents will. I feel so stupid sometimes. Lucky man to have married such an understanding woman as you. Look, I can also sweep the floor. There are the broom and the small shovel over there. The meaning is clear: do it by yourself. Hopefully I don’t regard it as a rude gesture from our hosts. They simply don’t want us miss our everyday life. But now you can go, otherwise we will go out late.”

  “Yes Araon. And don’t forget you are a special gift from Heaven for me. I hope my eyes won’t close themselves immediately when I open the first page of the book.”

  “Jill?”

  “Yes Araon.”

  “Promise me you won’t go upstairs to the bodyguards’ rooms.”

  “You must be joking. It was a clear sign of madness for me to encounter one of them. I won’t do it again and I hope Phil and Samantha never happen to learn what I have done. Now I go. Don’t idle about when I’m not here.”

  “Sure, not Jill. I wonder how long it will take us to be ready to go out. It’s already three p. m. But OK. Go downstairs now. I won’t disturb you any more,” said Araon.

  “A kiss,” whispered Jill in a sign of reverence for her adorable husband.

  It was easier then to depart from him for a while. Definitely she imagined him sitting in the rocking chair roaming around all the time as if he was a war prisoner. She was enjoying her reading while thinking of Araon all the time.

  “So Araon we are ready.”

  “Yes Jill, we are ready to leave. Jane is out as anticipated and the limousine is waiting for us.”

  “Araon I have a strong desire: shall we go to our Mayfair flat to check if everything is at the proper place? Our bodyguards will follow us everywhere. I noticed they wear bullet-proof jackets. The one I met was ashamed of seeing me. He told me clearly that he has to abide to the contract that says he has never to show his face to the protégée. Yes, he has told me that he is my protector.”

  “Jill you have to be careful. Don’t do it again. We risk losing Phil and Samantha’s trust.”

  “That’s true. I won’t do it any more. I’m confident that the guy won’t talk.”

  “It’s out of discussion. Let’s go.”

  The two finally got in the limousine and made a perfect tour of the city before going to their Mayfair flat. That was the way they enjoyed themselves most. But there was a sensation of a void due to the absence of Phil and Samantha. “What do you think our beloved friends are doing right now, Jill?”

  “It’s an easy question. They might be in the water of the ocean fighting against their first meeting with the sharks. One day we can do the same if you fancy it.”

  “Sure we will. But now let’s enjoy London, the smartest capital in the world. Can you see all these shop windows? They must be a delight to your eyes.”

  “I am not a material girl Araon.”

  “Liar. There is nothing wrong with it if you have a spiritual balance. And you have it, trust me.”

  “Thank you Araon, you are too kind to me. I think we are already at home. Yes, the driver is parking the limousine. I’m looking forward to seeing our flat.”

  “Jill, I have the wrong keys.”

  “What?”

  “I am joking, of course. I am not as brilliant as Phil at making jokes but sometimes I succeed.”

  “You have frightened me. You have no idea how important this flat is to me. By the way: do you think the driver has parked the car properly? I think he has left the car in a no parking area.”

  “He has teetered to another direction as soon as we turned to walk home. Now enjoy yourself. We are in o
ur adorable flat. Do you see it is nice and clean?”

  “I still smell the coffee we took the last time we were here. I can have a cup of coffee now just to kill the time. Two coffees per day is not unhealthy.”

  “Yes Jill. I guess you want to see the rest of the house first.”

  “Maybe. I adore the old coffee machines and the odour of coffee. Meanwhile I check every niche of the house. Everything looks fine. The bathroom. smells of bleach and so does the floor of the kitchen. The bed has new clean sheets. It seems the housekeeper came here recently. But what about the bills?”

  “Don’t worry. Jill. Phil has given me the credit card details to credit the bills straight from the account. The electricity and gas readings are made automatically. We don’t risk getting fines, Jill. We are well organized. Now let me prepare the coffee.”

  “Yes. Meanwhile I’ll go to have a look at the safe. There are no goods that are valuable inside; maybe just important documents. I even don’t remember the combination.”

  “I should have written it somewhere in my wallet. But now let’s enjoy the coffee. I will massage your feet while you are sipping your favourite drink.”

  “Yes, Araon you are just under my heels. Do not stop.”

  Adrenalin upon adrenalin was marring. Jill’s blood was the consequence of the pleasure of the moment. She had even missed the convulsive thoughts she was having lately. She felt apparently calm and safe because of Araon’s cuddles. She had recently experienced hell with those weird images of horror. Now she was sitting in her favourite chair of her favourite kitchen in the world. She never stopped thinking how luck had changed their destiny so far. Van der Baast, the doctor that visited three couples in a row was in her mind suddenly. A worldwide famous doctor who deserved all his luck to the full was her best friend in an imaginary situation. He deserved more than this. Araon could clearly read into Jill’s eyes her tenderness which was inspired by little Rokin to her. But he reversed his terms of enjoyment. He started talking about business to Jill.

  “Do you know, my dear, since I am Phil’s business associate, I feel more vulnerable. Speaking French was only the first of my anomalies. I could talk about these nasty little things endlessly but I don’t want to affect your mood. Whatever I do, I do it for you and for our little Rokin. And this is enough to push me to pursue success. Phil has confessed to me that he was also in trouble at his very first day of business appointment. He had a leap problem. Are you surprised about how much our life has changed since we have met him and Samantha? We are living a fairytale.”

  “I know you are very ambitious and I drive you into temptation like a good white Lady Macbeth has to do. I also think of Mark and Rose, Albert and Ravina and that poor single man as Sylvanus is. I am attached by a hand of friendship to them. They belong to the category of ordinary people but there is something unique about them. I miss them all as well,” said Jill.

  “Have you heard from Sylvanus recently?” asked Araon.

  “Not really. He has not contacted me yet. I don’t think he knows we are in London. The last time I heard from him he promised me to be more successful with women. The expedient of the handkerchief dropped on the floor is a very old one, but always effective,” said Jill.

  “I’m surprised by your being so naive. I believe that Sylvanus wants to enjoy his life as a bachelor for a long time. Oh Jill: the clock reads seven pm. We must me ready for the meeting with Ian McKellen. Do you still want to attend it?”

  “Yes, why not?”

  “So let’s go immediately to the car. We have to hurry up.”

  The two left the apartment the way they had found it and they rushed towards Piccadilly. The city looked different from the windows of a car when another couple was missing. It was Jill’s desire to be in the hub of the city dealing with their friendship. And they went quickly away. The conference was thrilling. Jill was in her tiny little world, though. Araon pretended not to notice it. He was rapt with wonder. All the questions of the public were acclaimed with smart answers from the actor. The subjects were about his legend of Tolkien movie or his important role in Macbeth. Araon listened attentively whatever the actor said about this last. His companion, on the other hand, was absorbed by her daydreams. Her soft imagination was spoilt by dark colours of obsession. The knitting course; the old lady of the outskirts of Amsterdam; her little Rokin strangled by the placenta and the sweeter image of Araon wandering along fields of barley and wheat. A big breath and that fuss came to an end. The conference finished as well.

  “Jill?”

  “Yes, Araon?”

  “I noticed you were absent-minded during the meeting. Did you enjoy yourself?”

  “The problem is that I couldn’t find the right concentration to better appreciate the speech.”

  “Are you still prey of your bad thoughts? Tell me the truth.”

  “No Araon, I’m fine.”

  “Do you fancy an ice cream? They sell it downstairs.”

  “Yes, one with pistachio and cream. And a can of diet Coke as well.”

  “Easier said than done. Enjoy it. Now shall I call the driver to accompany us somewhere?”

  “First I would like to have a stroll through Piccadilly Square. By night it must be wonderful.”

  Sure enough, it was. A lady with a dark cloak and old faded jeans passed them by. She was perfectly made up and in the company of a manly man. “She was watching us,” complained Jill about the woman:

  “No, Jill. There was a vein of admiration in her facial expression.”

  “She should be ashamed to go out with a man much younger than her. He must be half her age.”

  “It’s the usual matter of the money issue.”

  A man with a tiny dog had to apologize. The pet attached itself into Jill’s dress and it didn’t seem to be willing to stop. His owner stopped him eventually.

  “It is routine at Piccadilly in the night Araon?”

  “Why not Jill? The vibe is fantastic. You are annoyed by the dog; I know it.”

  “It was a little accident, nothing more. Just look at that woman. She has been refused entrance at the Steakhouse. It must be because the way she is dressed. I do not know. Weird place Piccadilly, isn’t it?”

  “You are telling me you want to go back home. This time at Holland Park House.”

  “If you don’t mind. I’m not at my best this evening.”

  “It’s a pity. I was enjoying myself a lot. The car is just after the corner. We will be home soon.” Araon waited for Jill to calm down.

  “What’s this?” she said.”

  “I bought it in Piccadilly when you were staring at the old weird woman. And there is more I have to show you. You were absent-minded. At the end of the conference I wrote a poem though it is not profound or moving. I read it; you are the queen of my senses. You are my rose, the desert one. My life would mean nothing without you. You have beauty, you have charm, you are the only star on my horizon. Do you like it?”

  “Yes, Araon. How could you find the time to write it?”

  “I told you, you were absorbed in your daydreaming.”

  “That’s fine. I have to improve. When we are back at Holland Park House, I have to finish Samantha’s nightdress. It should be ready by the time they are back from their honeymoon.

  “The lightning couldn’t be faster.”

  The car found the house gates open and Jill and Araon entered the house gracefully. Just one minute and a mobile phone rang. “It’s for Phil. I want to be professional and I left a message on his answer machine. He answered that he will call back on the eighth of September. A lot of people have called so far. Now I know why you were not listening to Ian McKellen’s speech. You didn’t want to soil your hands with blood. I mean you didn’t want to turn from a white to a black Lady Macbeth.”

  “You are crazy Araon. Let’s go to our room. Jane should be already here now.”

  From the other side of the world some news arrived. “Hi Araon. This is Phil. We are just digesting lobste
r and caviar. The sun is hot here and Samantha didn’t say no to the temptation to plunge herself in this mysterious water. I trust you are well and that you are enjoying yourselves a lot in London. Did you go to have a look at the Mayfair flat?”

  “Oh, yes. We have been there this afternoon. We are missing you two and we are looking forward to seeing you here in London.”

  “The same with us. Please don’t listen to the messages on my mobile answer machine. I left it at home because I am not currently available. See you soon Araon and don’t forget to give my apologies to Jill for not speaking to her directly.”

  “I’ll do it Phil. See you soon.”

  Araon realized the fairytale was working and, while Jill was steady at her knitting, he tried to figure out how their next day out with Phil and Samantha would be. Jill have you heard that?” he said as soon as he realized a newspaper was for him in the room.

  “Apocalypse is near, according to the Jehovah witnesses.”

  “Oh, my poor Araon. I want to refrain from answering.” And she went back to her daydreaming.

  She refused to understand the meaning of her dirty imagination. She saw blood, blood and blood again. But she didn’t talk. Araon hadn’t got the slightest idea of what was happening in her mind. He was sitting at the desk reading the news of the day. He couldn’t figure out what Jane was doing downstairs. They didn’t request any particular agenda for the following day.

  “One for one, one for two. Itch, Itch.”

  “What are you saying, Jill? Are you sleeping?”

  “No darling. As you see I am awake. I was repeating the words of the ritual that the bad woman forced me to attend to in the park close to Luciensteeg. I was dreaming about her tonight.”

  “You’ll see. During the day all the anguish will disappear. We will enjoy ourselves like little children. But first I have to show you what I have found in the drawer of the bedside table. Have a look. These are copies of People magazine:” ‘Phil Morris and fiancée date young Dutch couple. The woman is pregnant. Let hope it’s a baby girl. There is a picture of us around London and it says Phil Morris is not a pack of cigarette’. And have a look at this one: ‘Phil Morris’ new love’. Do you understand Jill? We have reached the limelight. I think Phil has done it on purpose. He left this magazine for us to let us know we have reached the celebrity status.”