Theodore met Alexa and Nicky at the door upon their arrival at the Terrace. The butler, like everyone else, so far, was surprised to see the striking resemblance Alexa has with Alaina. "Ms. Gold, Mr. Gold, welcome and I hope you enjoy your stay, I will make sure that you are well attended to, by the staff. My name is Theodore." the butler introduced himself. Alexa looked around and couldn't help herself from gasping at the sheer brilliance in the way the manor was set up. The one way mirror walls give the impression that they are outside and anyone inside can see the trees, the driveway, and the freeway from the manor. She was completely mesmerized with the ingenious design. As Alexa admired the whole first floor of the manor, the Gambones were instructed to take their bags upstairs as Nicky studied the portraits hanging on the walls. Nicky observed a beautiful blonde woman in one of the portraits, although the portrait seemed tucked away from plain view and not as obvious as the portraits of Geoffrey and Stephanie Green. Nicky peered closer to it and looked at the woman's bright blue eyes, the long, champagne colored blonde hair, and her sad smile. "Who is this woman?" Nicky asked Theodore. As he did, Alexa walked towards the portrait and mouthed a "wow" upon seeing what Nicky was looking at, as Theodore replied, "Her name is Miranda." Nicky nodded in appreciation of the vision before him. "Miranda", he whispered, "what a lovely, lovely woman you are, Miranda." He added but with disappointment as Nicky has observed, the woman must be Martin Green's grandmother or great grandmother, based on the age of the portrait itself and what the woman was wearing. Alexa found the door to the North Wing and mouthed to Theodore if it would be alright to look, and Theodore nodded as he walked towards her. "You're drawn to it, the same way Ms. Alaina was, she was quite thrilled with that room and has referred to it as "Batman's secret agent room". Theodore told her. Alexa's eyes sparkled enthusiastically after hearing what Theodore said. She opened the door and was a bit disappointed to see that the set up of the room was similar to the entryway and the only difference was the ceiling being so low, unlike the cathedral ceiling in the foyer, the hallway and the entry or landing room. She was quite impressed with the antique books lining the shelves made of gold trimmed, cherry oak and the matching desk facing the east side of the room. Other than that, Alexa did not find the room anything close to Theodore has talked it up. The butler has sensed Alexa's disappointment and said, "Not quite what you expected? I am sorry it did not live up to your expectation, Madame." And he smiled wistfully, recalling how Alaina was more adventurous and more curious than how her sister Alexa seems to be, as he observed the older Gold woman is more reserved. As Theodore was closing the door to the North Wing, Nicky asked, "Martin Green doesn't have a swimming pool? Is there a gym nearby where I can do laps and lift weights?" to which the butler thought, "Ah, the boy is more like Alaina, a sports minded youth, this one," as he smiled secretly. "Please, allow me to show you where the pool is, Mr. Gold. Madame, would you be interested to look at the pool, also?" Theodore asked Alexa, but she was busy looking at the framed photos sitting on a grand Steinway piano, he motioned to Nicky, instead. Nicky followed him immediately after hearing that there is a pool somewhere in this huge manor with no walls, Nicky was sarcastically thinking as he neared Theodore. Alexa followed Nicky immediately after hearing him let out a loud "booyah". "What is it? What?" Alexa breathlessly ran towards Nicky and finally saw what has Alaina enamored with the room and what Nicky was whooping about. "It is a secret agent's lair." Alexa sighed to herself at the abundance, the lush and gauche lifestyle Martin Green must be accustomed to and she was glad that Alaina has resigned herself to accepting that it was just a fling between the two of them.
Martin awoke to Miranda sitting by his side on the bed, her golden tresses all mussed up, and her light blue and sheer nightgown hung loosely on her one shoulder. She was again humming a tune as she watched him stir from his sleep. She pulled at Martin to get out of the bed as she continued to sing "It Had to Be You" as he got up. Miranda put her head on his shoulder as she swayed to her own singing as Martin held her upper waist and hand in a Waltz position and slowly danced with her. His heart beats cautiously awaiting another outburst of non recognition from Miranda. She stopped moving and looked up at Martin with questioning eyes, the same look she gets when she wants to be assured by Martin of his love for her, before the dementia has taken a hold of her. "That was many years ago," Martin thought sadly. "Will you still love me when I am old, Martin?" she asked imploringly at him. Martin nodded, again, careful not to trigger her outburst. "Well? Please say something. Don't just stand there and nod and patronize me, honey." Miranda pleaded. "I will always love you in ways I have never loved anyone, my love." Martin replied, but was a little surprised that his mind drifted to Alaina for a brief moment, as he said the words to Miranda. After hearing what Martin said, she stood on her toes and kissed Martin. Martin was careful this time not to kiss back as passionately as he's done last night. The private nurse knocked and peeked in the room as Miranda's eyes registered hurt from Martin's cold kiss. "Mr. Green, I am so sorry, I just took a call from the good doctor when she slipped away from my sight." The nurse explained as she put her arms around Miranda's shoulder and gently told Miranda she has to eat her breakfast before she can dance. "Isn't he handsome?" Miranda asked the nurse as she looked admiringly at Martin. The nurse said yes and proceeded to walk Miranda out of the room. After the nurse closed the door behind her and Miranda, Martin sat back on the bed and checked his mobile phone. He had several voicemail messages from Slim and Slim's secretary. His good old friend reserved his bid on the merger and confirmed the 300 million he has authorized him on the table. He was pleased to know that there are still honest business colleagues out there, no matter the amount of money in transaction. As he was about to turn off the phone, he noticed an icon he wasn't quite familiar with and realized it was a text message. He smiled even before he read what it said. He knew it would have only been from Alaina since their meeting gave him an insight on her modern ways and tech savvy. Martin read the text; it said "Hi Leonidas. Thinking of you. Go get your 300. Sparta out." Martin chuckled at her reference of a Greek drama as she expressed her thoughts to him. He liked it and figured he should send a text back. "Skip the pomegranates, Hades will be seeing Persephone asap." He sent the text. A text came back immediately. It said, "Demeter departs in three days." And Martin was impressed how quick and bright Alaina's mind truly is as she knew he was referring to her sister and brother. He decided he wanted to hear her voice and dialed her mobile. As Alaina said hello on the other line, Miranda came charging in the room and hugged Martin and excitedly said, "Honey, I will be late for dance class and you still have to take our daughter to school, you're not even dressed." Martin muted the phone too late. He can hear Alaina say, "Martin? Are you there?" then Martin heard the line clicked off.
Alaina clicked the end button on her mobile and turned it off. She set her phone down on the bedside table. She clearly heard the woman on the other line call Martin honey and referred to a daughter, there is no denying it and she's resolved. She knows now that Martin was only obligated to her because of James Traynor's heinous action. Her heart felt like it was going to break but she held herself together. "What did you expect when you just met the man in person a few days ago?" she asked herself. She's disappointed but it's time to stop the ride of excitement. When she's discharged from the hospital, she will go home to her place and that will be the end of that. She's got a good material to work with for the papers, she will concentrate on Martin's heroics to save her and it will be a very good article. She smiled sadly, but her siblings were correct. She closed her eyes and wished Martin all the best, in her own mind. "Sending you good energy and positive vibes, Mr. Green, thank you for the brief joy ride." She whispered softly.
After Miranda was cajoled by the private nurse to come with her, Martin tried to reach Alaina on her mobile again, but all his calls just went to voicemail. He was worried. Why? He didn't know and he didn't care because at that moment, he doesn't want to question his intentions anymore. He just wants to abandon any notion and he mostly wanted to explain to Alaina the situation. The most important thing right now is to get Miranda settled into her peaceful mindset and ensure her health crisis minus the episodes, and in a stable environment, then for him to fly immediately to Alaina, because he knows now how much he misses her and wants to be with her. He called Eric immediately to prepare the jet for the transatlantic flight. "When you realize that you may have met the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you don't wait." Martin thought.
As soon as Nicky got in his room, he hurriedly put on his trunks and started for the North Wing. He was anxious to swim, to have the water take off the edge that still lingers within him. "Why does the chauffeur's name haunt his brain? Where has he heard that name before, and why is he so angered by the man who now sits in jail awaiting arraignment?" Nicky thought angrily. On his way to the wing, he accidentally knocked Martha down as he circled the bottom of the stairs. Nicky helped the lady up and was horrified at how hard she fell on the floor. "I am so sorry, ma'am, I was not looking, please accept my apology, I did not mean to hurt you." Nicky apologized profusely. Martha waved her hand off to let him know she was alright and she murmured something about how polite the young man was as Nicky kept asking her if she was, indeed, fine. "You are so polite, it was my fault, I should be aware of the corners of that stair since Mr. Green has knocked me down many times. It is a terrible blind spot in the house." She explained to Nicky. After Nicky felt sure the housekeeper was not hurt, he went to the study and tipped the bust of David as Theodore has shown him and climbed up the mini-stairwell leading up to the floating pool. The pool area was equipped with all kinds of swimming gadgets as waterproof earbuds, iPods, earbuds that can receive wifi signal from the waterproof audio system surrounding the pool. "High tech billionaire/player", Nicky muttered while shaking his head in disbelief. "Good thing he will be stuck longer in Denver and my sister would have been out of the hospital already, and on her road to complete recovery." He thought to himself. Alexa has informed him of what she witnessed during the call of Martin to Alaina and mentioned how she observed how Alaina had the same spark she had for Joseph a long time ago. "Now Joseph, that's the guy for her. Joseph is quiet, successful and completely safe." Nicky thought, with safe being the key word. Nicky jumped into the water and started his laps. He's always loved the water, it has a calming effect on him and just like his sisters, he is an expert swimmer from being tutored since they were children. Nicky could have tried out for the 50 meters Olympic Short Course relay, if he had not enlisted for the military. Nicky is a speed swimmer compared to Alaina who is a stamina swimmer. She can go longer, but he is much faster, swifter than her. Nicky swam the length of the pool and while in deep thought of their childhood; it came to him why Traynor's name sounded familiar. "He was the private E2 class that Dad talked about going AWOL then MIA after the MPs were advised of his location!" Nicky got out of the pool in a hurry and ran to Alexa's room. He knocked rapidly and called out to his sister, as she hollered behind the doors, "I'm coming, Jesus, Nicky." Alexa opened the doors for him looking irritated as hell. "Where's the fire?" Alexa snapped angrily at Nicky. Nicky looked at his sister and then averted his eyes. Alexa was wearing just a bra and panties and in her rush to open the door, forgot to throw on her robe. "What the hell, Lexie, put some clothes on," Nicky told her abruptly."Well, if you did not bang on the door like you were on fire, I would have had time to be decent for my priestly brother!" Alexa snapped back sarcastically, sounding more irritated with Nicky and his urgency to speak to her. After Alexa put on her robe, Nicky told her about his discovery regarding James Traynor. They debated whether they should call their father. Nicky suggested that he and Alexa stay longer with Alaina until Martin Green has returned from Denver. "You're only on a three day pass." Alexa reminded him. Nicky reassured her once his CO find out it was Traynor, he would give him some leeway. "What has that horrible chauffeur done?" Alexa thought, feeling a little scared.
Martin awoke to Miranda sitting by his side on the bed, her golden tresses all mussed up, and her light blue and sheer nightgown hung loosely on her one shoulder. She was again humming a tune as she watched him stir from his sleep. She pulled at Martin to get out of the bed as she continued to sing "It Had to Be You" as he got up. Miranda put her head on his shoulder as she swayed to her own singing as Martin held her upper waist and hand in a Waltz position and slowly danced with her. His heart beats cautiously awaiting another outburst of non recognition from Miranda. She stopped moving and looked up at Martin with questioning eyes, the same look she gets when she wants to be assured by Martin of his love for her, before the dementia has taken a hold of her. "That was many years ago," Martin thought sadly. "Will you still love me when I am old, Martin?" she asked imploringly at him. Martin nodded, again, careful not to trigger her outburst. "Well? Please say something. Don't just stand there and nod and patronize me, honey." Miranda pleaded. "I will always love you in ways I have never loved anyone, my love." Martin replied, but was a little surprised that his mind drifted to Alaina for a brief moment, as he said the words to Miranda. After hearing what Martin said, she stood on her toes and kissed Martin. Martin was careful this time not to kiss back as passionately as he's done last night. The private nurse knocked and peeked in the room as Miranda's eyes registered hurt from Martin's cold kiss. "Mr. Green, I am so sorry, I just took a call from the good doctor when she slipped away from my sight." The nurse explained as she put her arms around Miranda's shoulder and gently told Miranda she has to eat her breakfast before she can dance. "Isn't he handsome?" Miranda asked the nurse as she looked admiringly at Martin. The nurse said yes and proceeded to walk Miranda out of the room. After the nurse closed the door behind her and Miranda, Martin sat back on the bed and checked his mobile phone. He had several voicemail messages from Slim and Slim's secretary. His good old friend reserved his bid on the merger and confirmed the 300 million he has authorized him on the table. He was pleased to know that there are still honest business colleagues out there, no matter the amount of money in transaction. As he was about to turn off the phone, he noticed an icon he wasn't quite familiar with and realized it was a text message. He smiled even before he read what it said. He knew it would have only been from Alaina since their meeting gave him an insight on her modern ways and tech savvy. Martin read the text; it said "Hi Leonidas. Thinking of you. Go get your 300. Sparta out." Martin chuckled at her reference of a Greek drama as she expressed her thoughts to him. He liked it and figured he should send a text back. "Skip the pomegranates, Hades will be seeing Persephone asap." He sent the text. A text came back immediately. It said, "Demeter departs in three days." And Martin was impressed how quick and bright Alaina's mind truly is as she knew he was referring to her sister and brother. He decided he wanted to hear her voice and dialed her mobile. As Alaina said hello on the other line, Miranda came charging in the room and hugged Martin and excitedly said, "Honey, I will be late for dance class and you still have to take our daughter to school, you're not even dressed." Martin muted the phone too late. He can hear Alaina say, "Martin? Are you there?" then Martin heard the line clicked off.
Alaina clicked the end button on her mobile and turned it off. She set her phone down on the bedside table. She clearly heard the woman on the other line call Martin honey and referred to a daughter, there is no denying it and she's resolved. She knows now that Martin was only obligated to her because of James Traynor's heinous action. Her heart felt like it was going to break but she held herself together. "What did you expect when you just met the man in person a few days ago?" she asked herself. She's disappointed but it's time to stop the ride of excitement. When she's discharged from the hospital, she will go home to her place and that will be the end of that. She's got a good material to work with for the papers, she will concentrate on Martin's heroics to save her and it will be a very good article. She smiled sadly, but her siblings were correct. She closed her eyes and wished Martin all the best, in her own mind. "Sending you good energy and positive vibes, Mr. Green, thank you for the brief joy ride." She whispered softly.
After Miranda was cajoled by the private nurse to come with her, Martin tried to reach Alaina on her mobile again, but all his calls just went to voicemail. He was worried. Why? He didn't know and he didn't care because at that moment, he doesn't want to question his intentions anymore. He just wants to abandon any notion and he mostly wanted to explain to Alaina the situation. The most important thing right now is to get Miranda settled into her peaceful mindset and ensure her health crisis minus the episodes, and in a stable environment, then for him to fly immediately to Alaina, because he knows now how much he misses her and wants to be with her. He called Eric immediately to prepare the jet for the transatlantic flight. "When you realize that you may have met the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you don't wait." Martin thought.
As soon as Nicky got in his room, he hurriedly put on his trunks and started for the North Wing. He was anxious to swim, to have the water take off the edge that still lingers within him. "Why does the chauffeur's name haunt his brain? Where has he heard that name before, and why is he so angered by the man who now sits in jail awaiting arraignment?" Nicky thought angrily. On his way to the wing, he accidentally knocked Martha down as he circled the bottom of the stairs. Nicky helped the lady up and was horrified at how hard she fell on the floor. "I am so sorry, ma'am, I was not looking, please accept my apology, I did not mean to hurt you." Nicky apologized profusely. Martha waved her hand off to let him know she was alright and she murmured something about how polite the young man was as Nicky kept asking her if she was, indeed, fine. "You are so polite, it was my fault, I should be aware of the corners of that stair since Mr. Green has knocked me down many times. It is a terrible blind spot in the house." She explained to Nicky. After Nicky felt sure the housekeeper was not hurt, he went to the study and tipped the bust of David as Theodore has shown him and climbed up the mini-stairwell leading up to the floating pool. The pool area was equipped with all kinds of swimming gadgets as waterproof earbuds, iPods, earbuds that can receive wifi signal from the waterproof audio system surrounding the pool. "High tech billionaire/player", Nicky muttered while shaking his head in disbelief. "Good thing he will be stuck longer in Denver and my sister would have been out of the hospital already, and on her road to complete recovery." He thought to himself. Alexa has informed him of what she witnessed during the call of Martin to Alaina and mentioned how she observed how Alaina had the same spark she had for Joseph a long time ago. "Now Joseph, that's the guy for her. Joseph is quiet, successful and completely safe." Nicky thought, with safe being the key word. Nicky jumped into the water and started his laps. He's always loved the water, it has a calming effect on him and just like his sisters, he is an expert swimmer from being tutored since they were children. Nicky could have tried out for the 50 meters Olympic Short Course relay, if he had not enlisted for the military. Nicky is a speed swimmer compared to Alaina who is a stamina swimmer. She can go longer, but he is much faster, swifter than her. Nicky swam the length of the pool and while in deep thought of their childhood; it came to him why Traynor's name sounded familiar. "He was the private E2 class that Dad talked about going AWOL then MIA after the MPs were advised of his location!" Nicky got out of the pool in a hurry and ran to Alexa's room. He knocked rapidly and called out to his sister, as she hollered behind the doors, "I'm coming, Jesus, Nicky." Alexa opened the doors for him looking irritated as hell. "Where's the fire?" Alexa snapped angrily at Nicky. Nicky looked at his sister and then averted his eyes. Alexa was wearing just a bra and panties and in her rush to open the door, forgot to throw on her robe. "What the hell, Lexie, put some clothes on," Nicky told her abruptly."Well, if you did not bang on the door like you were on fire, I would have had time to be decent for my priestly brother!" Alexa snapped back sarcastically, sounding more irritated with Nicky and his urgency to speak to her. After Alexa put on her robe, Nicky told her about his discovery regarding James Traynor. They debated whether they should call their father. Nicky suggested that he and Alexa stay longer with Alaina until Martin Green has returned from Denver. "You're only on a three day pass." Alexa reminded him. Nicky reassured her once his CO find out it was Traynor, he would give him some leeway. "What has that horrible chauffeur done?" Alexa thought, feeling a little scared.