The Bed You Make

Chapter 13, continued

Stefan led Dara to the conservatory . It was a stunning piece of architecture on the southern corner of Wyndemere. Brightly lit and inviting, the conservatory almost seemed foreign in light of Wyndemere's dark, somber façade.

The housekeeper, Mrs. Landsbury, entered the conservatory right on their heels. She brought with her a carafe of tea and a small dish of almond cookies baked earlier that morning. “I am certain,” Mrs. Landsbury murmured, “that you will prefer these to the commercial cookies that stocked the pantry of your previous residence.”

Dara managed a smile. It was a thoughtful gesture on the housekeeper's part. Never mind that Stefan had invaded her privacy to obtain the information. “Thank you, Mrs. Landsbury. You're very kind.”

Stefan took a seat opposite Dara and waited. Everything about his body language indicated that he would not move until his unspoken questions were answered. “What? Couldn't your bodyguard make out my conversation with D.A. Schultz?” Dara asked sarcastically.

“Yuri made no attempt to eavesdrop,” Stefan replied. “He did, however, inform me of your distress at the conclusion of your meeting.”

“I wasn't distressed,” Dara hedged. “I was thrown off. I mean, I went to that meeting expecting some kind of intervention with Marcus and Mac and Alex. I wasn't expecting to be offered a job that I've thought about since I joined the District Attorney's staff.” She resigned herself to the fact that she would have to recount for Stefan the details of her earlier meeting. “Michael Schultz is retiring – effective immediately. He offered me the job,” Dara explained. She was pleased that no hint of her emotions colored her tone. “Of course I turned him down.”

Stefan nodded knowingly. “Becoming District Attorney of Port Charles was no doubt a step in the outline you have laid out for your life.”

Dara frowned. Her outline was a thing she carried about in her head. There was no way for Stefan to speak with such assurance about its existence.

“You are far too methodical,” Stefan continued, “to simply leave the progress of your future to chance.” He gave her a small nod of approval. “Such forethought is a trait I hold in great esteem.”

“Thank you.”

“May I see it?” Stefan asked.

Dara shrugged self-consciously. “It fell apart years ago. I used to carry it around in my wallet. Now it is all in my head.”

“And becoming District Attorney?”

“Was step number 15 of my twenty-step plan.” Dara's smile was rueful. “It wasn't set to happen for a few more years, though.”

Stefan's brow rose. “I am at a loss, then, to understand your distress at refusing the District Attorney's offer. You did not anticipate such an occurrence at this time, so…”

“While I am involved in this with you, someone else will be running the D.A.'s office,” Dara explained. “And I genuinely hope he or she does a good job for the people of this town. But if they do, my chances of convincing the voters to make a change at election time aren't very good.”

“Then you merely remove step 15 from the list and proceed.” Stefan waved off Dara's concerns. “Dara, you have at your hand the entire power and influence of the Cassadine empire. Put the steps into motion now that will result in the realization of your desires when this arrangement is complete.”

Dara shook her head at just how simple he made it sound. “Just like that?”

continued