The Woods

Chapter One

I truly dislike long car rides. I would say hate, but it's really hard to hate a car ride with my father. He's so pleasant and eager for conversation. "This is when I get to relax and enjoy the ride," or so he tells me. He likes the first breeze of summer where he can open up the top of his precious Jaguar. On the other side, there's me, who just wants to get past the sixth sentence of my page of The Catcher in the Rye without feeling like I'm about to vomit from the bumpy roads, but he's all like "Oh look! It's nature!"

I don't really know how I am his daughter.

It's the first day of my summer break, and quite possibly my father's first since college. He took the whole summer off just to spend time with me. Well, that and the free stay at The Woods Luxury Resort.

Dad is a firm consultant, which essentially means that he tells other companies what they're doing wrong and why their business sucks. He mainly works with international companies, so more often than not I'm left at home with our nanny while he's in China or something. So, one of dad's clients had all of these hotels over seas that weren't doing all that well. Dad swooped on in(meaning he was all over Europe for months) trying to fix staffing, advertising and technical problems. This client ended up flourishing and offered dad an entire summer at his resort free of charge.

And I'm definitely not complaining. I've looked it up; it has everything.

"Sagie, I think we're just about here."

I glance up from my book. Sure enough, we're pulling through a pair of iron gates opening up to a luscious golf course with a decorative stone slab saying "The Woods."

Steadily growing closer as we drive down the road is a beautiful white colonial resort. It's about five stories high, with a porch wrapping around the front. There's a large fountain in the middle of the circular driveway, where the valet attendant is waiting for us.

"Mr. and Ms. Greenway, Mr. Woods has eagerly been awaiting your arrival."

He opens my door and the first stretch of my legs since this morning feels amazing. The valet looks eagerly at our car, then says "Mr. Woods has instructed me to put your Jaguar in his private garage, Mr. Greenway. It will be well taken care of. Your bags will be placed in your room."

Dad hands him a crisp bill, then places his hand on my back. "Come on, Sagie, let's have you meet the wonderful man that gave me my first free summer since I was a teen."

The lobby is detailed to perfection. Smooth marble tile, rich mahogany and a navy blue set the room. Grey couches surround a fireplace that passes through the ceiling. We're instantly greeted by a woman in a navy jumper, monogrammed with the initials AB.

"My name is Anmarie, I'm the head manager of The Woods. I'll direct you around the resort and if you have any issues, come to me right away."

She turns on her heels, leading us down a a long hallway, occasionally saying things like, "this is the billiards room," or "we child daycare just through this door." My head is spinning slightly. Are we just supposed to remember which door is which? There aren't any labels on these.

"Of course," Anmarie continues, "these are the staff entrances, so with the exception of Mr. Woods's study, you won't likely be down this hallway very often."

At the end of the hallway, there are two large wooden doors with brass handles. A golden plaque reads the name, "Vincent Woods." Anmarie knocks quietly, then ushers us in.

A slightly round man is sitting behind an excessively large desk. His hair is greying, but his beard is still a deep auburn, loaded with curls. His grey eyes are filled with excitement at the sight of my dad. A picture of the resort from an ariel view is on the wall behind him.