Who Was Grey?

By Cossette Vivas Vogel

The large gates of the cemetery opened to make way for an automobile from which an elegantly dressed lady emerged. She was carrying in her hands a bouquet of roses and a book. She walked through the mausoleums surrounded by pine trees and paths with flowers. She arrived at a tomb where she bent to deposit the flowers and the book, entitled &quot

• Language: English
• Publisher: TOPLINK PUBLISHING, LLC
• Release date: Mar 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781946801104

Cossette Vivas Vogel

Born in the city of Bluefields on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua , a United Kingdom enclave during the mid nineteenth century that later hosted a colony of Prussian immigrants. Among them were the Vogel, her maternal family ancestors, of rich culture, strong ethical values and great appreciation for the arts. Her paternal family ancestors the Vivas, came from Granada, Nicaragua, Spanish - Creole aristocrats remarkable in politics, literature and industry. At age six she entered a private boarding school, where in addition to her school education, she studied universal culture, etiquette, arts and crafts. Later on, she immigrated to the United States of America with her children, where with great determination, all graduated from college. After graduating of Art and Design studies in Los Angeles, CA, she founded a company of which she is the chief designer. In addition to the novel "Who was Grey", she is writing a series of children's books illustrated with lithographs of her own creation.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

T

HE MOST ANTICIPATED

day was finally here. At the airport terminal, Norel anxiously awaited the exiting of passengers. She was nervous, because it had been many years since she last saw Grey, and he saw her.

What will happen? she asked herself.

She felt thousand of butterflies in her stomach. She was confident of her appearance, of how she looked. She noticed how she was prey of stolen glances. Nobody that travels nowadays dresses with elegance. It seemed that she was going to meet an executive.

Yes, Grey was there, walking slowly towards her. Her heart was pounding. They look at each other, they kissed, and holding hands, they got inside the car heading for what would be the beginning, or maybe the end, of that romance.

They got to Norel’s house, where they were some sandwiches, cheeses and dry fruits.

I am exhausted, said Grey, that trip is very tiresome. I need to eat something and then I will have time to admire your antiques and paintings.

Here, Grey, have some Parmesan cheese.

You remembered, Norel!

I will always remember your likings, Grey. On my behalf, I will try to please you in everything that makes you happy.

Grey smiled.

I want to open my luggage. I brought you some gifts.

*     *     *

In front of the crystal mirror on the antique armoire, Norel and Grey contemplated their image. Norel dressed in a silk and lace nightgown. Grey gently took her face in his hands.

You know? I am impressed by your figure and your face. It is as if you were forty years old. All of your skin without spots. You are very beautiful, and sometimes I feel I am under the impression of being in front of a hallucination.

From the small balcony in Norel’s bedroom, which overlooked the beautiful garden, was a scent of jasmine and lavender, which mixed with the aroma that emanated from her. White tulle curtains hanged from the French doors and the wind moved them slowly. In the middle of the bedroom, there was a precious wood table, a Baccarat crystal candelabrum full of lit candles, white roses and some pictures of her parents and children. The environment was really very pleasant, similar to one in a movie of the thirties.

Grey kissed her and together they walked towards the bed. Everything dreamed-of and even more of what was imagined happened that night. Grey proved to be very special, passionate; impossible to doubt his love. What occurred that first night was very beautiful. They both slept embracing each other, as if they wanted to stop time.

*     *     *

The smell from the coffee woke her up. Grey was standing in front of the bed holding a tray. She opened her eyes saying:

Thank you, my dear, but this is not right. I should be the one serving you breakfast in bed, not you to me, Grey.

Norel, sit back and let me adjust the pillows for you. Look what I prepared for you! I will be the one taking care of you these days that we will be together.

And you, did you have breakfast? asked Norel.

Yes, I had a tea with fruits and cheese like I usually do.

Norel surrounded Grey’s neck with her arms. He kissed her saying:

I knew that your perfume was the finest of all. This scent will remain impregnated in my memory.

I am very happy, and I will be even more when the distance stops separating us, responded Norel.

You and I will never be separated, not even the distance will do, added Grey. I hope I get the transfer, you do not know how I dream for that moment.

And I, replied Norel. It would be a great joy to have you at my side forever.

The days passed quickly, and happiness, regretfully, is temporary. Those days lived with Grey had been like a dream. Everything was perfect. Every gesture, every kiss, the conversations and the love she felt was like to give thanks to God.

Grey had come into her life unexpectedly. He was her cybernetic angel, since they had met again thanks to Facebook. Norel had not encourage that encounter, for fate had decided that.

In spite of the age difference, which went unnoticed, they had many things in common. While Grey was serious, phlegmatic and introverted, Norel was cheerful and loved life and art; but both of them enjoyed good music. They were made for each other. They had lived a dream childhood, surrounded by much love and care. And that brought them together even more.

Norel, among other things, would say to Grey:

I believe you and I used to be old lovers, perhaps even in hiding. I feel that I love you deeply… Sometimes I ask myself, who of our ancestors lived what we feel?

I only know that if we would have gotten marry then, we would be the parents of many children, added Grey.

"We wouldn’t have an automobile; we would have a bus full of passengers!, replied Norel, laughing at the thought.

Everything was beautiful, but the time came to say goodbye and Norel took Grey to the airport.

Upon returning home, Norel felt emptiness. Grey called her several times, because he also missed what they had lived.

Norel, don’t be sad. God willing, we will soon be back together. We have plans to accomplish, and remember that nothing is going to come between us.

Norel awaited and wondered how many days until she could see him again. She felt that life far away from Grey had no charm. He made her laugh when he told her a thousand and one stories. They continuously communicated through the internet. And at night, they would spend hours on the phone before going to bed. She depended on him emotionally, and more so, that he constantly was worried about her, wanting to know about her day and everything about her. Both, across the distance, worried about each other.

The mental power, that Grey had over Norel surpassed the limits of reality. Practically, her will was in his hands. Norel went to the extremes of telling him:

If something would happen to you, Grey, I couldn’t resist it. I would retire to live in a convent until the day that God would want to take me.

The love that he had awakened, and what Grey showed her was the consequence of that strange and possessive feeling so sincere on Norel’s behalf.

CHAPTER 2

V

ERY STRANGE THINGS

happened. Every single day, just before dawn, Norel would wake up at the exact same time that Grey was getting up. She felt something odd and inexplicable. In her mind, she was clear about the telepathic influence Grey had on her. On one occasion, Grey told her:

Norel, would you be scared if one night, while I am away, I would sit next to you to contemplate you while you sleep?

Yes, Grey, of course it would scare me! But, why are you telling me this? Have you ever done it?"

Grey’s answer was:

Go back to sleep ‘telepathic’. We will talk about that another time. For now, keep on sleeping. I will call you later.

The days passed placidly. More and more, the relationship was getting more interesting and solid. Norel only thought about when she would see him again.

The days without Grey did not have any appeal. He had become her world. She felt happy, complete, and she gave thanks to God for having them cross paths.

In this way, one morning, Grey called her to give her the news that they were going to spend her birthday together.

Norel, I have come up with an idea. I would love for us to go to the carnival, it is ‘Mardi Grass’. People say it is very interesting. We would do something different.

Grey, I love the idea, but we would have to wear a custom.

Of course, Norel. You can start thinking about your custom. When I thought of the idea, I even thought on mine. What amuses me is that nobody can recognize us because of the eye mask. By the way, I bought a beautiful eye mask in Venice, perfect for this occasion. More than an eye mask, it is a complete mask.

Grey, this is a wonderful gift! What day are you planning on coming? I am going to count the days, the hours, to see you again. I miss you so much. Thank you, my love, for making me so happy!

Don’t tell me what your custom will be, we will both surprise each other. Do you agree that we give it a little bit of mystery and that we meet in the carnival?

Look, let’s talk about this later, but I love the idea, is like spicing up life. Now, going back to your trip, when do you plan to come?

Maybe two days before your birthday, Norel.

Grey, I think I will not sleep because of the excitement.

Norel, you must take it easy. You are too passionate. Remember what I always tell you, ‘Everything has its moment in life and a reason’.

So the days went by. Norel felt like a dance of butterflies in her stomach. She had lost her appetite. She was only interested in thinking about the moment of the next encounter.

Norel was preparing herself doing her long walks, her way of doing daily exercise. She wanted to look better than ever. She also attended, without fail, to her yoga lessons, the ones that Grey had recommended. He was aware of the schedule and the address…

She knew that the second encounter was going to be more important than the first one. Seeing each other again strengthen even more the relationship. She was happy and anxious to seeing him again.

The awaited day had finally come. Norel had gone to a lot of effort in her appearance. Her hairstyle made her look like a mannequin in a shop window. She wore a two-piece suit close-fitted to her body, elegant like always. Grey looked at her saying:

You are more beautiful than ever! Let me tell you that my trip was very tiresome. I think it is better to make stops, at least you walk a little.

He kissed her, and embraced, they got into the car heading to Norel’s house. This, as usual, was decorated with white and yellow roses. Grey held her hand giving her a gold ring with the date of their first encounter and her initials. Norel, don’t take it off. That way we will always be together. I have also brought you the black and white pictures that you ask me. Where do you plan on putting them?

On my vanity table, Grey, next to mine, between my crystal vases and my favorite perfumes.

In Norel’s bedroom, beautifully decorated, she had her vanity table dressed with lace and silk. On the center of it, she placed two silver frames with the pictures of both of them.

You know, Norel? When I enter your room, I see everything so perfect, that I feel sorry to lie on your bed."

Norel hugged at length to him saying:

"Grey, this bedspread was my grandmother’s. I have kept it like a treasure. It was embroidered in Germany, and it was a