Cindy didn’t have to wait long to find out where she’d heard the name Aldon Wentworth. Waiting in the airport for the quick flight, Cindy picked up the paper and saw a story on the main page about him. Aldon Wentworth, a blue blood from Boston, was well known for his charitable giving, foundations and established family. Right now he was down on St. Martin’s, throwing a huge, destination wedding for his socialite daughter, Tara. Both Aldon and Tara’s pictures was spread all over the front page. Tara looked ravishing, dressed magnificently in a sleek, glittering dress, sporting her huge diamond ring.
Naturally, a wedding of this magnitude was garnering a great deal of attention and the entire island was preparing for the event. Not only were the Wentworths featured, but there were also photos of the groom’s family, the Sprains, as well. The Sprains, owned the largest importing firm on St. Martin and in the States. Glamorous and dashing in their own right, the Sprains were covered in the papers regularly. This was a celebrity coupling and the world was taking note. Excitement was building as the nuptials were scheduled to take place at the famous Aupres Hotel, on the beach, in a few days.
Cindy handed the paper to Mattheus as they boarded and took their seats on the small plane.
“Quite a spread,” he said, looking it over. “I thought I’d heard the name Aldon Wentworth before.”
*
Evening was falling as the small plane lifted into the sky. Cindy always loved flying during sunset, watching the incredible shifting colors of the fading light reflected on the clouds. The short flight was quick and easy. Before they knew it they were ready to land. Cindy took Mattheus’s hand as the plane glided smoothly into the airport, like a large bird swooping down, searching for home.
The moment they stepped out of the plane, two well dressed men, in pale blue linen suits, came over to greet them.
“Aldon asked us to meet you and take you to see him,” one of the men said formally.
“Let’s go,” Mattheus agreed.
The two men led them to a limousine and they all got in and drove away.
“We’re not going to the main hotel for this meeting,” one of the men announced as the car left the airport. “Aldon actually has a suite in a smaller, private hotel, on the northern side. He’s also reserved a suite for you there.”
This meeting was obviously hush, hush and Cindy’s curiosity was sparked. Whatever it was, no detail had been overlooked. Aldon organized it beautifully, Cindy thought as she looked out of the window at the incredibly beautiful, winding countryside which was slowly being covered with twilight’s haze.
The car drove a little further then, taking them to an intimate, custom designed hotel, hidden behind bourganvellia, at the end of a long winding road behind the water’s edge. The hotel was not only hidden, but small, narrow and elite. It was the perfect place to go when you wanted total privacy.
Cindy Mattheus walked into the custom designed lobby that had incredible hand painted tiles on the floor and what looked like award winning, handmade furniture placed sparsely here and there. When they walked in the lobby was practically empty. The two men with them led them to the elevators and without a moment’s hesitation, they went straight up to Aldon’s suite.
*
Aldon Wentworth, a medium sized, formal, beautifully groomed man, with thinning hair, in his early sixties, opened the door of his room and stood there taking in the full measure of Cindy and Mattheus. His hands clenched into fists, he seemed unnerved.
“Please come in,” he finally said in a high pitched tone, nodding to both of them. Then he signaled the two men who brought them here to leave.
Cindy and Mattheus entered the room slowly. It was spacious and luxurious with high ceilings and beautiful paintings on the walls.
“I am most grateful that you made your way down here,” Aldon extended a hand first to Mattheus and then Cindy. “I will not forget your kindness to me.”
“You’re most welcome,” said Mattheus.
“Please take a seat,” said Aldon then, showing them to a comfortable, brocaded sofa next to the glass doors which led out to a patio over the ocean.
Aldon quickly took a seat opposite them. “Of course no one at all knows I’ve called you down here,” he started hurriedly, catching his breath with each word. “I heard about you from Tara’s aunt, Olivia, who thinks the world of the two of you.”
“Thank you,” said Cindy softly, wanting to calm him down.
“I did not tell Olivia about it,” Aldon went on. “She has no idea that I’ve contacted you now. Nobody has any idea at all.”
“Is that why you’re staying here, rather than at the main hotel?” asked Cindy.
Aldon looked at her impressed. It was obviously difficult and painful for him to get to the matter at hand. “Precisely,” he went on. “Everyone is down on the island or will be shortly. They’re all staying at the Aupres Hotel.” He bit his lower lip. “There will be photography sessions, rehearsal dinners, on and on.”
Cindy smiled, “A busy time.”
Aldon did not respond to her smile. “And the papers have gotten wind of it. It’s all over the news.”