Free Vanished Without A Trace by Nava Dijkstra Page A

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