Tales from Beyond ( cont'd)

The greed in those cunning little eyes made Sushma uncomfortable. She picked up her luggage and walked away quickly into the foyer noticing the paan stains on the walls and wondered how she could have been so foolish as to consider spending a night in this dingy little hole. She quickly called her secretary and waited while the phone rang. "Sushma!" came the gruff voice she loved so well. "Where are you? Are you OK?" in that familiar singsong convent school accent she loved. "We have been frantically looking for you. One more day and I 'd have called the police." That was Anju always melodramatic, but a good friend and a wonderful secretary. "listen Anju, I am fine. Do as I say please and no questions. Book me into my usual five star. I'll be there within the hour" and she hung up a little guilty. She was in no mood for lengthy explanations. Besides everything seemed like the twilight zone right now and they'd think she was batty. Looking for her frantically were they, she thought a trifle cynically. She had no doubt she was giving her agent nightmares right now and all that beautiful moolah slipping away out of his fat greedy hands. She read in the newspapers that both concerts had been cancelled and the fans wanted the organizer's head. Serve them right she thought recklessly and illogically. She had always been dedicated and known for her commitment to work but she didn't care any more. Let them find another money spinner she hissed to herself as she luxuriated in the warm scented bath of her luxury suite. The candle light danced on the aqua coloured bathroom walls and reflected off the water and she felt her cares slipping away. She slipped on her bathrobe feeling lightheaded with the excellent wine she'd ordered in and glided into the bedroom. Hmm money had it's advantages! she thought dreamily. She was suddenly hungry and decided she'd better go down to one of the hotel restaurants for a meal. (continued in next post)