The warm afternoon sun splayed through the front windshield as you wound through the winding beach roads. The early warmth of summer was steadily winning the struggle with the last crisp elements of spring and the heat had yet to brown out the greenery as you drove.
An exit flashed by and soon disappeared in the rearview, perhaps the corner of your mouth twisting into a grin. That exit was for the commoners, the tourists and local bums who serviced the over priced traps and hotels. That exit was not for you. Another fifteen minutes up the road and the appearance of 'Welcome' sign, salmon coloured brick security wall and gated entrance unconsciously made you relax in your seat.
You were here, finally, after years of cutthroat business, long nights that started on Friday and blurred into Monday morning, failed relationships and endless paperwork, you were here. The guard at gate paid little attention to your car as it pulled up - it was a perfect fit for the gated community - and it's not until you roll down the tinted windows that the guard's ears perk up and walks outside of his little glass cubicle.
You try to hide your disdain as the Shepherd walks purposely towards your window, satisfied the beast at least knew how to dress smartly in a sports coat instead of some tacky uniform. For the community to have hired one of them over a human guard as well suggested the Dog-man knew what he was doing.
"Mr Shinz, I presume?" The Shepherd bends down at the window to smile at you, crisp and polite, "I'm sorry to inconvenience you sir, but I will require proof and proof and identity and residency before I allow you inside. I hope you understand."
You notice the bulge of large frame automatic in a shoulder holster under his jacket, unsure how you feel about 'them' being armed as you hand over the required paperwork. He takes it and promptly returns to the guard house, through the glass you see his fingers clacking away at a keyboard and he soon returns, handing over your documents and a gate pass.
"I've organised an orientation session for you tomorrow, sir," He nods as you shift into gear and the gates swing open, "When you are settled in, call me with your preferred time. I'm Baxter, head of security, sir"
As you drive through you roll your shoulders and shrug, mulling over the Shepherd, satisfied he knew his place and knew not to tell 'you' when to meet him. Weaving through the streets, the cloying and annoying sounds of suburbia grate on you as you pass the 'commoners' on this uncommon community, but they are soon left in the rear view as well, these place is not for you either.
You wind up the long curving roads on the hill, overlooking the overs, the higher you go the further spaced out the properties are, the higher and thicker the fences and hedges are, until you reach the top. Only two properties sit here, both with a little trail down the other side to a private area on an already private beach. This was your place.
It was not overly large or grandiose, it was elegant of a size you could comfortably fill by yourself without feeling alone. Space to entertain, but not suggest to your guests that they should stay over, space for to sit calmly, and watch. It had had taken ten years to get this place, patiently waiting for it to come on the market. You remembered the shock when you had initially lost it, another company buying it out from underneath you before you had finalised the deal. You had sworn, cursed, frightened and threatened every stupid animal on your staff as you plotted revenge for this unforgivable slight. You changed the company's direction, competed, harassed and stole clients until that Company took notice. You wanted them ruined, backrupt, their name forgotten and quickly replaced by a new up and comer on the Fortune 500, it was with shock you read the letter from them seeking to buy your company.
You still remember the glee you had to hide while negotiating the deal. You had them where you wanted them, not only did you get your price - more than enough to retire on ten times over - you got the house as well. Pulling into the drive way you sighed with relief, the many miles of the drive starting to catch up with you... and that's when you saw the only problem.
She was pacing back and forth by the front door, looking worried with a phone pushed up to her ear. The live in help. You would have preferred to choose your own staff, but she was contracted, live in, for another six months. That thought of having to pay even a single sent to her kind due to breaching a contract or worse getting tied up in court was repugnant, but it was only six months. Then she was out on her furry ass.
You checked your phone, thinking maybe had the audacity to call you for being late, but your phone showed no missed calls. So who was she calling?
House plan