The Great Novak

Chapter One

Chapter One

My mother died when I was just a baby and so I had always know the importance of family and although there was lack of communication between me and my father, there was an unspoken understanding that we were still family and we would still stand together should anything threaten us.

I had never really gotten on much with my father. He was one to run things in a strict, military style. I was expected to join the family business like my older brother, Dean, but instead I had chosen my own path. Much to my father's displeasure, I had taken interest in being a lawyer. In fact I'd even made it all the way to Stanford but things simply just weren't working out anymore.  I had decided to move to a small cottage in West Egg, just outside of New York. Being a lawyer bought me much joy but it bought me little money and if I wanted to live then I would have to sacrifice. Wall Street was booming and through some old contacts I had managed to find myself a place among business men.

The cottage I had also found was situated among green trees and a beach next to an extravagant building that belong to the one and only Novak. Few people had ever actually met him, myself included, and there was no confirmed story as to how he had acquired his large wealth. This allowed people to talk. Everybody in New York new about the mysterious but supposedly handsome Castiel Novak but I guarantee each and everyone of them new a story different from the rest.

As well as moving in the hopes of wealth, I had moved to such a place due to its proximity to my dear brother. Just across the bay in front of my quaint cottage, was the grand Winchester mansion. There lived my brother, his wife Charlie and their young daughter Jo. They were an unconventional family to say the least and they were almost the subjects of as many rumours as Novak but they held themselves above everyone. It was know that Dean Winchester and his family were not to be talked badly of. And I mean who could talk badly of them really? Dean was a champion of many good sports and his beautiful wife a model for top brands and magazines. They were what people might call a trophy family. Or so it seemed.

The day after my arrival, my older brother and his wife had invited me round for dinner.  I had shown up the next day and was escorted into one of the many pallors the lavish mansion had to offer. Inside I found my brother, Charlie, and an unknown woman. The three were sat talking although Dean seemed slightly disinterested. I coughed lightly and Dean glanced up. Once my presence was made know, the three were on their feet to great me.

No words were spoken as Dean pulled me into a hug and it was Charlie who broke the silence.
"Sammy, this is my closest friend Jess Moore," she informed as she gestured to the tall, blonde and very beautiful woman on her left. "She's a very famous writer. Shush tho because she uses a Pseudonym."
"Sam Winchester. Dean's younger brother," I said before bringing Jess' delicate hand to my lips. She blushed as they touched and I smiled at her as I gently offered her her hand back. Her hand coiled into her chest, her cheeks were still  tinted a delicate pink and a ghost of a smile graced her face.

Dean seemed to notice the obvious attraction between me and Jess. I'm sure Charlie did to but she didn't take it upon herself to display a huge grin on her face. Charlie merely allowed the the corners of her lips to rise slightly as she looked knowingly at us and subtlety elbowed her husband. The couple and their actions only fuelled Jess and mine's embarrassment causing Jess' fading blush to return and my eyes to squeeze shut as my lips drew into a thin line. Dean's grin grew.
'Now now Dean don't be a pain,' said Charlie. 'I'm sure you have lots to catch up on with Sammy so why don't you go enjoy one of those new Cuban cigars you got the other day?'
Dean had no time to reply as Charlie ushered him towards the door that was being opened by a one of the men that worked there. I followed him out of the room and into the hallway. 

A few doors down, Dean stopped and turned to look at me with a sheepish smile. He opened the door and allowed me to enter room. Inside the room, glass doors lined the walls from the marble floor to the top of the tall ceiling. As I took a step inside the white, light and open room, the doors were opened chorally from outside by a collection of black men dressed in suits. As the doors opened, the white drapes blew in the wind and the black men exited the balcony. After collecting an ornate box from a white cupboard, Dean took a seat on the white sofa and placed the box on the table. Mesmerised by the blue sky and the fluttering drapes, I didn't notice Dean approach me. He held out a lit cigar in one hand while inhaling from his own in the other. I took it and brought it to my mouth as I watched him breath out the smoke from the corner of my eye.
'God I need this.'
A raised eyebrow was my response.
'Charlie met this woman at a photoshoot and now she won't shut up about the uprising  of the black population.'
I merely scoffed because this was just the sort of behaviour I would expect from Charlie. She was an elaborate soul and definitely one to say or do anything to keep a good reputation.
'And this bothers you because?'
'Well I just think the black population is trying and maybe change wouldn't be bad.' Dean didn't meet my questioning gaze as he replied.
'Cut the crap Dean. What's really wrong?'
He inhaled.
'I think she's having an affair," he admitted as he exhaled.
I was not shocked by the truth and I don't think Dean was shocked by my lack of reaction. If he was, he didn't show it.

Everyone drank too much now a days. It seemed that the more in tune we were with the world, the more we drank. No body did anything new. Nobody did anything different. No body did anything at all really. Wall Street was luring the young and ambitious. The buildings were taller, the parties were bigger and the alcohol was cheaper. So in the true style of our time, we drank. We drank until a uniformed man told us it the meal was ready and even then our drink moved with us the the outdoor dinning table.

The sky had turned black. The sun had sank into the depths of the water and instead of the normal deep blue map of stars that followed, the sky was black. It was rather unsettling; the fog, the blackness and the distant noise of the harsh waves crashing against the rocks. It felt like... Like a storm.

But I pushed my unease aside and continued making polite conversation throughout dinner. We talked about my old life, my new one and the one I hoped was coming. Surely enough, Charlie had even managed to bring up the topic of the black population tho it was short lived.

I don't know what time it was exactly when the phone rang. The white machine was brought out onto the porch where we were dinning and Charlie stood to answer. I don't remember what time it was when Charlie excused herself and walked off, deep in conversation with whomever was on the phone, I just remember the sound of Deans fork angrily clinking against his plate as he tried to hide his anger among the cherry pie he was eating.

Jess glanced at me, unsure as to what to do, and I reciprocated the look that settled on her face. The air became heavy with the obvious discomfort the remainders of the party were feeling.
"So, Sam, you said you we're staying at West Egg," Jess offered, trying to ease the tension.
"Um, well yes I am. You should come over sometime. I mean all of you! It would be awkward if it was just you. Not that I doubt your conversation skills," I began to ramble, desperately clutching at what was left of the evening as my awkward ness attempted to push me over the edge. "What I meant was, I don't really know anyone over there."
"I know some people over there," she smiled.
"Oh well I don't know a single person-"
"You must know Novak."
"Novak?" Dean demanded. "What Novak?"
"Well I think, yes he is. He is my neighbour. I seem to recall the people on the beach partying shouting his name."
"Yes, that will be him. He holds the most extravagant parties. One nearly every day I hear-"

" You think he'd have the decency to not call when we're having dinner!" Dean exclaimed as he abruptly stood. He tossed his napkin down and moved out of the room.

Jess and I sat. We sat until she rose and excused herself explaining that she had somewhere to be tomorrow and therefor she better be off. I stood with her and decided I too should probably leave.

As I got into my car, Jess came over to me.
"I heard you were engaged to someone over in West Egg," she said tucking a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear.
"It's libel. I'm too poor," I smiled.
"But I heard it from three people so it must be true!" Her eyes lit up as she spoke and her eyebrows rose, implying something. Something we both new.

We smiled and said pleasantries then I was on my way back to the lonely cottage hidden amongst the lavish mansions of the rich and famous.

When I returned, I put my car in the shed and strolled to the grass at the front of my property. I sat on my own and thought back on the night. Or I though I was alone.
As I stood up to retire to my bed for the day, I looked into the night and nestled in the fog I saw him. Or at least I think it was him.

Novak stood on the dock; his arm out stretched as if he were reaching for something. I decided I should call for him. Ms Moore had mentioned him at dinner and despite my better judgement I figured that would have to do as an introduction. Only I didn't call. I swear I saw him trembling as he reached out into the darkness. Involuntary, I glanced seaward. The only thing I could make out was a green light. Probably one on the end of another dock not dissimilar to the one he was standing on. I returned my gaze back to where Novak was stood but he was gone and I was, this time, truly alone.