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The Quintessential Q
Chapter Thirty
Who's Coming to Dinner.
Mrs Landsbury opens the door having been notified by the launch pilot that Master Nikolas was arriving. Her eyes widen and her jaw drops slightly before snapping back to her unflappable visage. "Mister Nikolas, was there an accident? Do you need medical assistance?"
Nikolas looks down at himself and grimaces. Covered in grime and so ripe he can smell himself is not the way to meet the bankers. "I'm fine, Mrs Landsbury. Could you inform my father that I apologize for the delay but I'll be at least half an hour more. Is there still..."
"Your rooms are ready and the suits you didn't take with you are pressed in your closet. If there is something I can get for you?"
"Just buy me some time." Nikolas shakes his head and races up the stairs.
As soon as Nikolas leaves Mrs Landsbury gives a subtle grin and rubs her hands together. The Cassadine were never boring. The last time she'd had this much fun she'd been making a call for Master Stefan pretending to be a neighbor of the Jones' fishing shack. Picking up a tray of refreshments she enters Stefan's study. Stefan looks up from the desk his focused gaze over his half glasses piercing Mrs Landsbury. "Mrs Landsbury..."
"That was Master Nikolas. He'll be another half an hour. He sends his apology for his tardiness." Mrs Landsbury had done her homework on the bankers and wafts the tray of goodies next to them. Glancing over at their employer they are still unable to resist the temptation. Mrs Landsbury plies the bean counters with scones and tea then goes back to the silver service to check to see if it needs refreshing. Stefan rises and casually walks over to the serving cart pouring himself a cup of tea.
"Where is Nikolas?" Stefan demands in quiet tones.
"Changing into appropriate garb. He indicated that he was not in need of medical attention, merely fresh attire." Mrs Landsbury hands Stefan a small plate of his preferred delicacies. "Master Nikolas appeared rushed and distracted, and if I may say so, sir-- thin. Shall I set another place for dinner?" Mrs Landsbury hints.
"I'll share your concern with him. Yes, set another place." Stefan's eyes glint knowingly at Mrs Landsbury's subtle manipulation. Mrs Landsbury nods and excuses herself. Stefan makes his way back to the desk and glances over a report.
Sliding under the bracing spray, Nikolas steps into the shower. He sighs as the warm water hits him. Leaning his raised right arm against the stall's tiled wall. he allows the water to sluice down his back to his dimpled buttocks. The grime of the day is pounded off his frame and circles the drain. There is a knock on the door. "Yes?!"
"Master Nikolas, I've laid out your suit; what do you want done with your other garments?" Mrs Landsbury calls through the door.
Nikolas leans back taking the spray straight in the face before turning his head and sputtering a little. "Do what you like with them; they're pretty well ruined." Nikolas calls out. He reaches out and grabs the shampoo, running his hair through the spray for another quick soak. Mrs Landsbury's concern had reminded him that he was on a tight timeframe. No matter what Mrs L. had done to make things easier she was fighting an uphill battle; there were two additional strikes to his tardiness-- Swiss and bankers.
Quickly finishing up his shower he turns off the water and reaches for a warm towel. He wraps it around his hips and grabs another to start toweling off his hair. Glancing in the mirror he decides shaving will take too long but finishes the rest of his routine. As he walks out of the bathroom he glances around to see if Mrs Landsbury is still around. In many ways Mrs L had been like a mother to him, any mothering he'd gotten as a child had come from her but there was no reason to flash her.
Finding himself alone, he checks out the clothes that Mrs L had laid out for him. Perfect as always but she was still trying to get him to wear a tie. Nikolas laughs and sets the tie aside. Unfastening the towel, Nikolas brushes off the remaining beads of water and tosses the towel aside. He slides on his undergarments and picks up his slacks. Nikolas glances over at the clock by the bedside and swears. Every minute of the thirty he'd requested had lapsed. He rushes with the rest of his garments and stops halfway to the door. Turning around he grabs up his watch that he'd left on the bedside table and the cell phone. Opening the door he almost mows down Mrs L as he is fastening his watch. He glances up. "Sorry."
"Master Cassadine is keeping your guests occupied." Mrs L looks over Nikolas quickly and with a quick motherly motion brushes his collar straightening it even as she frowns that he is not wearing the tie that she picked out.
"The tie was fine. I just don't like wearing them anymore." Nik says reading her thoughts with long practice. "Have there been any calls for me?" Nik asks as a last resort.
"No, sir. Would you like me to check the messages at the cottage?"
Nik shakes his head. "I'll do that myself after the meeting." Nikolas begins to walk away but turns back at Mrs L's quiet tones.
"Master Nikolas.... I was wondering if you would be staying for dinner this evening?.... I know I'm overstepping but I'm growing concerned about your father. You know he doesn't eat properly when he dines alone."
Nikolas gnaws on his lip. He knew it was true. "Yes, set another place please."
"Of Course, sir." Mrs Landsbury heads back into the bowels of Wyndemere having gotten what she was after and Nikolas goes reluctantly to the meeting.
Stefan looks up from the report as he hears the soft click of the door. He glances down at his watch but smiles at his son and waves him to a near by seat. "Herrs Guttman and Franz, Nikolas Cassadine." Stefan makes the introductions.
The gentlemen rise to shake hands. "Herr Cassadine." There is a formality to their tone. Now that Nikolas was there they were reminded of his tardiness but the Cassadine accounts were too great to do anything but fawn obsequiously whatever their feelings. Their bank handled but a fraction of the Cassadine accounts for Stefan Cassadine was not a man to put all of his eggs in one basket as the Americans' would say. But that was no reason for them to stop trying for a bigger piece of the omelet!
"Gentlemen, I've wasted enough of your time." Nikolas waves them back to their seats. Stefan brings Nikolas up to speed and then the bankers take up the presentation. As Nikolas had feared every dime was being accounted for, every quarter of a percentage point on the various stock indicies. Looking down at the file before him, Nikolas sees that his doodles have taken a romantic turn. Setting down the pen he tries to focus on the earnest men. He is relieved when his cell phone begins to ring. "I'm sorry; I've been expecting a call all day I have to take this." Nikolas looks over at a disapproving Stefan. Stefan takes off his glasses and sets them on the desk. His crisp movements expressing his intolerance of the disruption. Nik answers the phone. "Nikolas Cassadine." Then he holds the phone away from his ear.
"Do you have any @#$ing idea what the $%*@ you've done?!"
"Lucky?" Nikolas looks over at Stefan and shrugs. He rises to go over to the window to have a pretense of privacy. The bankers look down at their reports using the break to review their already memorized presentation notes.
" Is there anyone else whose life you have totally screwed lately?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Nikolas states firmly. "Look you know I"m in a meeting..."
"Screw your #$@&ing meeting. You got me into this mess you're going to get me out. Do you have any idea what those little pieces of paper you gave me are worth? MILLIONS. You've ruined my life."
"Millions?" Nikolas voice rises. The bankers ears perk up.
"Emily and Carly are still doing the research..."
"Emily is with you? Did you get a chance to talk to her?"
"Get your head in the game; have you heard a thing I've told you?"
Stefan had heard the question about Emily and decides to assist his son. "Nikolas, invite your brother and Ms Bowen-Quartermaine to dinner. This... difficulty can be settled more expediciously face to face."
Nikolas nods. "Lucky, you're in luck, sorry, I'm meeting with the perfect people to help you out. Why don't you and Emily come to dinner here on the island?"
Lucky groans. "Spook Island, great."
"Bring everything: the papers, the research notes; Liz has to work the dinner shift anyway at Kelly's. You were going to be at loose ends..." Nikolas adds persuasively.
"I know but Spook Island!" Lucky covers the mouthpiece of the phone. " Emily says fine as long as Alexis is there. She thinks I'm going to need a lawyer. Thanks a lot, bro." Lucky adds sarcastically
"You can't tell Emily where you got the certificates." Nikolas realizes and demands in a rush.
"You get me out of this mess or I'll blow you out of the water." Lucky says sweetly.
"I'll call Alexis, okay? Just keep your cool. I know it goes against the Spencer grain but it'll all be okay." Nikolas reassures. Lucky hangs up on him. Nikolas turns to the bankers and asks even as he dials the phone. "I know this is short notice but is there anyway you can postpone your trip back to Geneva overnight? My half brother has come into some money and needs some financial advice. Your accomodations at the Port Charles Hotel will of course be on me."
"Of Course, Herr Cassadine." The bankers are more than interested in staying after hearing half of the conversation.
"You're bringing Alexis into this?" Stefan asks grimly.
"She's the best lawyer I know and Lucky knows that to." Nikolas retorts.
"Gentlemen, if you'd like to freshen up before dinner?" Stefan turns to the bankers wanting to clear the room so he can get to the bottem of this mystery. He rings for Mrs Landsbury to notify her of the change in plans. The bankers rise taking the hint. Mrs Landsbury appears as if by magic. "Mrs Landsbury could you show these gentlemen to a room so that they can freshen up before dinner? They'll be staying over. And make arrangements for accomodations for them at the Port Charles Hotel."
"Of Course, Sir. This way, gentlemen." Mrs Landsbury puts on her game face even as she silently fumes. This was suppose to be a quiet dinner for the master and his son.
"I know it's short notice, Mrs Landsbury, but my brother, Emily and Aunt Alexis will also be joining us." Nikolas adds apologetically.
"Miss Emily and Miss Alexis. No problem sir." Mrs Landsbury is cheered by the news. She escorts the bankers from the room. Nikolas starts talking as Mrs Landsbury is leaving.
"Aunt Alexis. I need your help." Nikolas invites Alexis to dinner on the island.
"Nikolas, does your father know about this?" Alexis asks hesitantly.
"He's right here. This isn't Cassadine business, Alexis. This is my business, well mine and Lucky's. Lucky needs a lawyer."
Alexis groans. "It's not that gambling thing, is it? He didn't get caught stealing something, conning someone?"
"Your faith in my brother's Spencer genes is touching but this could actually be a good thing it's just up to you and me to convince Lucky."
"I'm on my way." Alexis disconnects the call.