Vanished Without A Trace

by Nava Dijkstra

  Daniel was sitting in Mikhail's office, excited, praying the attendance would be high. When he distributed the prospectus, there were lots of people who expressed their interest and thought it might be a good and a cheap solution for them because they were spending weeks at the sea and on cheap housing; European standards could help to change the atmosphere. But now, his heart was filled with doubts. Would he be able to fill the Shuttle? The shuttle was scheduled to leave at ten o'clock. It was already nine o'clock, and Daniel felt the time was not moving fast enough. Mikhail tapped his shoulder to calm him down. "The model looks pretty nice," he said, when he noticed Daniel took the trouble to make a scale model of the project.

  "I hope they will also think the same way," Daniel said. "I need them to invest. Although it’s not a big investment, I have no other way to continue the project without investors. I took advantage of all the resources.

  Mikhail did not answer. He knew what Daniel was talking about. If the resort project did not prove itself, the construction of the apartments would be delayed, to put it mildly.

  At nine-thirty the office phone rang and Mikhail picked up.

  "It’s the bus driver."

  Daniel picked it up gingerly.

  "Listen, I've been full for a half an hour already and there are people outside who have no place."

  "I’ll come to you," Daniel answered and sent a big smile to Mikhail. "Success!"

  If he had known the attendance would be so high, he would have asked them to confirm their arrival, but he had not expected this. Even when he hired the bus, he thought it was a big mistake. He called the bus company and asked them to send another bus and then went to the Marina. He explained to the people who were standing outside the bus he didn’t anticipate such a high attendance, so they needed to wait for the next bus for another half an hour.

  When the visitors arrived in Brasov, their admiration was great, just as Daniel had been thrilled with the place the first time he was there. Daniel led them to a guest room. There, marketing agents were sitting at the table, waiting for potential customers to sign on to the project. Each guest received an updated plan and description of the construction phases from the receptionists. The impression of the model project also did its job.

  Daniel stood before them, tall and charismatic. He explained the idea in a captivating and purposeful manner. They were captured by a young man full of energy who talked to them in fluent English, savored with sweet remarks. It was hard not to like Daniel who always seemed to have a spark of joy that glowed at the edge of his lips. His personality indeed helped him to earn the trust of the people just as Sultana had claimed in the past. His eyes automatically turned to Sultana, who was busy arranging the buffet, though she came as a guest and it was not her role. He stifled a laugh when he saw she spoiled the arrangement of the table while trying to make it more beautiful in her own way. His eyes fell to a woman standing right next to Sultana. She was distant from everyone but was attentive to his words. He looked at her so many times. There was something more in the details of her beauty that he couldn’t figure it out. She was like a breath of fresh air in this race. It was clear to him that she was older than him and he tried to guess a number. When he finished his explanation, he stepped off and gave the mayor of Brasov the honour of giving his speech. He knew how important it was to bring people of his status to the meeting. The mayor tried to explain to the guests about the place and the profitability of investing in the project. The future success of the project was supposed to be his success. The idea to turn a deserted mountain into an attractive ski site absolutely attracted him. The mayor's remarks captured the confidence of the investors. He spoke as a politician and his words about the vision of turning the place into a thriving tourist town were certainly convincing, especially since Romania intended to join the European Union. He finished his speech with these lines "It seems like a dream at the moment, but if this happens, no one will regret investing here."

  After the explanations, the guests were invited to access the buffet and enjoy the food. The pianist at the corner pleasantly and relaxingly accompanied the event. Daniel saw the reception tables being filled. People signed. There were some visitors who wanted to get more details but Daniel sent them to talk with the company lawyer. The woman he saw earlier was now talking with someone and Daniel wondered if he was her husband. If so, what was the meaning of the direct gaze she gave him? Even at the moment, when he looked at her, she still gave him unexplained glances.

  At the end of the gathering, Daniel had enough contracts in his hands to finish the project, but the advance payment from the investors was just enough to cover his expenses for now. He hoped to find some more funds to continue the project until it was finished or at least until he could get the rest of the payments the buyers promised.

  He looked at the exception papers the agents gave him to review. There were people who demanded very high standards and were willing to pay the entire cost. Daniel was pleased. This would allow him to upgrade the place and give a more luxurious look would raise its value. He collected the papers quickly, sent a last look at the woman and headed back to his apartment in Constanza, where he threw himself on the bed and slept until morning. He woke up happy. "I love you Romania!" He screamed. He felt he was powerful. He was surprised to hear the intercom call so early in the morning. The guard at the entrance informed him a woman was in the lobby and wanted to see him for business matters. He looked through his intercom camera and smiled with satisfaction. This was the woman from yesterday. She was beautiful and dressed with sophistication. He asked the guard to send her to him in ten minutes.

  11

  Quickly, Daniel took a shower, shaved and put on some aftershave. When he finished he heard the ringing of the front door and opened it wearing a sports suit. He invited her to come in to sit and he sat in front of her silently, waiting for her to explain the purpose of her visit.

  "I came here on a yacht with my friends. At first the project did not interest me. I got onto the bus just because my friends convinced me to come with them, but I was impressed by your explanation and in fact, I am convinced enough to buy cabins."

  Daniel tried to understand why she had to come to his house to do what she could have done the day before.

  "Sorry ... I did not introduce myself. I'm Karina."

  She was a little embarrassed. "I intend to buy a few cabins for the club from you, so I thought maybe it would be better to have a private conversation." Excitement was evident in her words.

  Daniel was happy, but he hid his eagerness.

  "I thought if I wanted to invest on a large scale, I prefer a personal service. I hope you do not see my coming here on my own and without any invitation as disrespect."

  Daniel lifted his shoulders. "No, it’s fine." Generally, he was a fanatic to privacy, but here it was not only about a beautiful woman but it was also about a good investment.

  "I really love the place. I would like to consider doing more business with you, a business partnership. I have enough money to invest," she said.

  He wanted to believe the purpose of her visit was business, but it did not seem real to him someone who had seen him for such a short period of time was interested to get him into partnership. Now he was a bit bored, one hand on his chin and the other was playing with the glass. He was silent and let her continue.

  "Romania is close to my heart. I was born here. I left ten years ago, when I was eighteen years old. I married an Israeli tycoon. Since then I lived in Israel, but I always missed Romania."

  Daniel's eyes lit up. "Are you an Israeli?"

  "Yes," she answered.

  He smiled, and she finally saw him soft. "What happened?"

  "I was born in Romania, and lived in Israel for fifteen years, it’s a long story."

  "Do you speak Hebrew?"

  "Yes," he replied in Hebrew. "We have lots of things in common for two people who have just met."

  Karina was more relaxed now. A moment ago Daniel was mo
re formal, enough to make her feel it was a mistake to go to his apartment, but now she felt free to go on. "My family lives in Romania and I really want to invest here. My husband was the only one who dealt with money. He didn't skimp on anything for me, but now I want an opportunity to do something for myself. I'm pretty lonely in Israel and if I start a business here in Romania, I will be able to stay close to my family."

  Daniel put his elbow on the table and leaned into his hand, listening intently. He wanted to say he felt pretty lonely in Israel too, but preferred to deal with business alone. You should know investing in Romanian business will not yield large profits compared to Israeli standards."

  "I know, but this is not only about financial profits, it’s also about my connection to Romania, my native country. Who knows, maybe, after all, it will turn out to be worthwhile in the future ..."

  Daniel smiled at her. "I'll think about your offer."

  "Don’t you want to hear more about the amount of money I am talking about?"

  He looked straight into her eyes.

  "I'm talking about a lot of money, enough to put you on the map in Romania, not only for this project."

  "What does your husband think about it?"

  "My husband died of cancer a year ago."

  "Sorry to hear." Now it seemed to be a much more serious proposal. If there was something real in her words, then he must take it with both hands. She was the way to the top. Although there were still lots of doubts in her words, he must not squander her offer.

  "Suppose I accept your offer, what are your conditions?"

  Now it was her turn to smile. "Last night I spoke with my consultant and we came close to a conclusion I would hold seventy percent of the company share and you would hold thirty, but of course we would need to sit and discuss it in a more serious manner." She saw his gaze. "But remember, we are talking about a lot of money. Thirty percent is more than what you can afford to dream of."

  She looked into his eyes and knew she was in love with him. She fell in love with him yesterday; love at first sight, like a little girl. An infatuation that was significant in her business decision. She wanted to keep the feeling of falling in love as long as she could. Her marriage with her husband was out of love. She married him to escape a hard life. She was faithful to him throughout their marriage despite the possibility of dating and charmers were always around. Even a year after his death, she still found it difficult to go out with men because she felt a sense of betrayal, until yesterday, when she saw Daniel.

  You do not know me, why do you want to go into partnership with me?" He checked to make sure of her intentions.

  "I have my reasons."

  Daniel smiled, knowing at this moment he wanted to shake her hand and close the deal, but he learned it was always a good idea to wait another day. Traps can only be tested when you go slowly and safely.

  "Anyway, I'm staying at David Continental for three days until the cruise. You can find me there." She handed him a business card. "I'll wait for a phone call from you."

  "Will you not be on the yacht?"

  "No. I agreed to sail with them, but I prefer the privacy and convenience of a hotel."

  Daniel looked at her as she left. He gave himself a slap to be sure he was not dreaming. Then he stood on the balcony and looked at the sea. Neta was something that seemed so far from him, she was something that didn’t belong to the present reality. He put on his sneakers and went jogging on the beach. There, he was stopped by the sight of a mangy, abandoned little dog. He picked her up in his arms.

  "What do you say about enhancing your life and moving in with a charming man?"

  The dog barked.

  "Well, I guess you'd rather have the four-legged creatures, but despite the rejection I'm still willing to open the door for you." He lay flat on the sand and tried not to think about Karina's proposal, but failed. He wanted to wake up the next day knowing it was real, that the proposal offered was true. Spring sun washed the beach. He could hear the gentle waves come and go. His past life flashed in his head; when he was five, when he first arrived at the boarding school with a tall and shady escort, when he had the terrible meeting with his grandfather. His thoughts turned toward Neta’s appearance, walking with a dog on the beach, displaying her white teeth. Her curly hair blew with the wind. She happily looked at him and kissed his lips, which gave him a never-ending happiness. But when he woke up he realized the dog was licking his lips. He wondered what was going on with Neta now. Almost three years had passed, she was already twenty years old, still young to be married, but someone as beautiful as her certainly had a boyfriend. He remembered when she told him men would run away from her when they realized her parents were disabled, and he thought that there was no way it was true. It was her imagination for sure. No one could leave a beautiful girl like her. He felt a strong need to hear her voice.

  "Come here," he called the dog, "Let's go to your new home."

  He ran home with the dog, went up to his apartment and dialed the number he remembered by heart, believing he would forever remember it. For a while, there was no answer and he thought about hanging up. Suddenly the phone was answered and he heard her voice. He could not open his mouth. He had nothing to say to her. He hung up.

  Daniel looked around the apartment. Within three years he had succeeded in changing his life dramatically. He had money to rent a beautiful apartment, he had a respectable company and two major projects, and now he was standing at the opening of a bigger business deal, the business deal of his life, with a stranger.

  He turned to the dog that clung to him all the time, "If by tomorrow, the offer is still on the table, it means I was not dreaming. Now, stay here and I’ll go to speak with people, because if I continue to talk to a dog I just met an hour ago, I will surely go crazy."

  He left the dog at home and went down to Alexander's bar. He used to sit there every afternoon, and became friends with the owner. Alexander gave him a beer and sat down next to him. He explained to him that the business in this time of the year was very slow.

  "You can’t make a living just from drinks," Daniel said.

  "Why? There is also food. Honestly, since you suggested I bring in food, my income has gone down," Alexander said.

  "Is that what you call food? If I bring my dog here tomorrow to eat breakfast, she will never want to see me again, believe me."

  "That’s not nice to say." Alexander pretended to be offended.

  "You don’t know how to cook Alexander. Just as I know you as the best bartender, you’re the worst cook, accept that fact."

  "A chef, not a cook." Alexander corrected him. "Since when do you have a dog?"

  "A few days ago," Daniel answered vaguely.

  "Don’t worry," Alexander said, smiling, "Soon, I will bring dancers here, and you will be satisfied."

  Alexander demonstrated by showing some belly dance steps. "This would solve all my problems, believe me, it will bring a lot of customers here."

  "You need to bring a woman who knows how to cook, not to dance," Daniel said and immediately thought of Sultana. "I have someone wonderful for you."

  "But is it not a shame to pay for someone while in fact I don’t do anything most of the time?" Alexander poured Daniel a drink on the house. "I thought of putting slot machines here, what do you think?"

  Daniel looked around, "It has potential too."

  "This business about gambling and women is filthy, but there’s only one real problem with it," Alexander said and gestured two fingers, "lack of money."

  Daniel looked at him with squinted eyes. "I'll give you the money if you will take Solly to cook here."

  "Who's Solly?" Alexander asked angrily.

  "Your new cook," said Daniel.

  "Young?"

  Daniel nodded.

  "Well, give me the loan for a few slot machines and we'll talk about the woman. Who is she, your girlfriend?"

  "A very good friend." Daniel wanted to see Alexanders face when he saw a seventy yea
r old come to him instead of a young lady.

  He emptied the glass of beer, and went to Sultana. As usual she was happy to see him. He handed her the loan she had given him, but when she tried to take the money, he pulled it back laughing.

  "Wait a minute we have a deal to close. I don’t like it when you barge into my privacy and predict my future."

  "I didn’t guess," Sultana said and forcibly pulled her money out of his hand.

  He sat in the living room for half an hour trying to persuade her to agree to work for Alexander. "You love people and you love to cook. Working in a restaurant will keep you busy, you can’t stay at home alone all day... Aside from that, I go to Alexander’s every day, that way, we could meet and you don’t need to come all the way to my apartment just to see me." Daniel saw the last lines took effect for good. Her face became softer, but she added pointedly, "If you bothered to visit me the way you visit Alexander, I wouldn’t have the need to abuse my old feet all the way to your house."

  "Well, do not start again. I'll let Alexander know you are coming to work tomorrow."