In Search of Fantasia

The year is 1940. A time where everything and everyone was in the swing of things. It was around that time that the great, granddaughter of Count Andre Spade was coming into her own in society.

A well-educated lady with the desire to take up the challenge of a forgotten quest. The search for the rare Fantasia Flower.

There were two troublesome issues that stood in her way. The first problem was that no banker would back such an expedition that was led by a woman. The second was truly the more irritating of the two. She did not know where the flower could be.

She studied the notes he left behind and there was a name that stood out. Sir Joseph Hooker a well-known botanist of his time. Unfortunately he had passed on as well. A ray of hope did appear.

Sir Hooker has a grandson that followed in his footsteps. Vivian Spade set pen to paper and wrote a letter to Mr. Darrius Hooker requesting his help in searching for the Fantasia flower. Within the letter she did imply that she would rake his name through the mud if he did not take her plight seriously.

After writing and sealing the letter, she could not help but tap herself on the shoulder. She estimated it would take two weeks to reach the United Kingdom from the US.

She did not believe in being unprepared for excursions. This was no different.

It had been ten days since the letter was sent off and no response insight. Vivian decided to go to the club to take her mind off the delay. She decided to wear her red dress that is flared at the bottom. The bodice was in a heart shape and lined with black satin. She took a good look at herself in her floor length mirror and decided that her cherry colored lipstick was the perfect matched.

Gertrude her maid informed her that she had a male guest waiting for her in the parlor.

She was not expecting a visitor, so it should not take her but a few moments to toss him out.

Vivian proceeded to the parlor and there stood a man wearing a dark blue suit with his hair slick back, causing the light from the chandelier to bounce off its shine. He did not even noticed that she entered the room. Which was hard to believe from the clicking sound her heels made on the wooden floor

“Excuse me, sorry to pull you from the view of the garden. But how may I help you?”

He turned around and she felt her breath caught in her lungs from the view. The man that stood before her was a dream. A well-built dream. He smiled showing off a set of pearly whites.

“You must be Vivian Spade. I am Darrius Hooker you sent for me.” He held out his hand to properly greet her by shaking hands.

“Well hello Mr. Hooker. Thank you so much for coming and helping me on my plight.”

She placed her hand in his and she could not help but noticed that he held on to it a bit longer than was necessary.

“My dear Miss Spade, I did not come here to say I will take up your plight. I came here to see who had the gall to threaten me.”

Vivian took back her hand and stood in a stance that came when she had to defend her actions.

“I needed your help, and I was desperate enough to say those things in the letter.”

Darrius walked over to the love seat and sat down, crossing his left leg over the other.

“I am here now. Why did you choose me to help you? There are loads of gents out there right now that would trip over themselves to help a beauty such as yourself. Why me?”

Vivian was rocked a little by the compliment, but she still had to stand her ground.

“I am more than just a beauty, as you can tell by the letter that you received. I chose you because I came across your grandfather’s name in my grandfather’s notes. Sir Hooker was willing to help my grandfather to search for the illusive flower. So I figure you want to tie up loose ends.”

Darrius did not say a word for a few moments as he kept his eyes on her.

“Are you not going to say something?”

“So you would slander my name so you could get what you want. I should leave this very moment, but lucky for you, I do not have any plans at the moment. I will take you to find the flower, for rights of discovery.”

Her heart stopped in her chest. ‘He could not be serious?’

“You want sole rights?”

“Yes.”

“It was nice meeting you. See you way out and mind the door, it’s a bit harsh on one’s backside. If it so happens to connect.”

He stood up laughing at her remarks, which angered her even further.

“Miss. Spade, I will do it for fifty percent of the rights. You drive a hard bargain.”

Vivian temper wain slightly, but she still had to keep an eye on Mr. Hooker.

“I believe this is going to be a costly voyage. You are aware of this?”

“Yes, I am perfectly aware. I will be heading to the bank first thing in the morning. It’s just that….”

“It’s just what?” He waited for an answer, which seemed she was debating whether he should be privy to.

“It’s just that I may have to use your name to be granted the money.”

“So my ship, my services, and my name. Anything else? Like a ring, perhaps?” He said with a smile that was doing odd things to her midsection.

“That is all.”

“Well, I hope to hear from you by noon. I will be at the Astoria hotel, room 408.” Darrius turned and proceeded to leave.

Vivian was going to call out something pleasant, but thought against it. He would probably take it the wrong way or the right way, which would lead to something she was not sure she was ready for.