Man of Mystery

by L. B. Wilde

  “Anytime sweetie, it’s the least I can do for my best friends.” Smiling back as he sits at the counter, handing him a plate of pancakes. He closes his eyes as he takes in the rich smell handing him some berry syrup. He thanks her again as he pours it over them digging in. Having made some for herself she joins him. Between mouthfuls he asks about her good mood. Telling him she spoke with Nathan this morning and he can’t wait to come ‘home’ emphasizing the fact that he means this home.

  “That’s great to here! So it sounds like he would rather be here with you than back in his true homeland. I’m truly impressed. So does that mean he is making this his permanent home?” he asks she suddenly realizes she never thought of that.

  “He didn’t say but we didn’t talk to long. He sounded exhausted but I will have to ask that question tactfully I guess.” frowning slightly trying to figure out how to broach that topic.

  “Well, I’m sure you will have a lot of things to talk to him about once he comes ‘home’ and you have some time to think about it. I’m really happy for you Brandy; he seems to be really good to you and not as extravagant as the internet news makes him out to be. Sometimes you need to take what is written on the internet with a grain of salt if you know what I mean. Just because it is on the internet doesn’t mean it’s all true.” He points out. Checking his watch he shakes his head. Giving her a kiss on the cheek he takes his last mouthful of food and chews as slow as he can, trying to savor the taste. “Sorry I have to go, I wish I can hang out here all day but I’ll have to leave that to Mikey and Tiffany. I have to get to work.”

  “No problem, which will be me next Monday and let’s do Chinese tonight. It’s been a while since we did my favorite take out together ok?”

  It’s a deal, my treat, see you around 6pm and be good.” and he heads out the door.

  Sipping her coffee since Tiffany and Mikey are obviously not up yet. It’s only 8:15 and she would love to call Nathan but he needs to get some rest. Deciding she really needs to see what the time is there so she grabs the computer to check out the time scale to figure it out. She wants to call him tonight at his time when she would think that the wake will be done and he has more time to talk after he has had some rest. Ok, they are 17 hours ahead of use so she figures out the math, she was right it was like 8pm when he called. So if she wants to call him at the same time tonight she would need to call him at 4am. No biggy she is off until Monday so she will go to bed early and set her alarm.

  Deciding since she is still alone she might do some more research like who is this Sylvia Holton person. Doing her Google search seeing that she has a lot more info than what she ever wanted to really know pops onto the screen. It seems to Brandy that she doesn’t hide her fame like Nathans family does. She seems to be at every big event all over the world and dressed to the hilt. She is so glamorous in almost all of the pictures she almost feel sick like she is snooping into a famous movie star. Sylvia is absolutely beautiful with such grace and style she can never compare herself to. Her size is perfect being 5’8” with a figure anyone would die to have. She has beautiful breast length blonde hair, full lips and emerald eyes. She is so stunning; she can see why any man in their right mind would love to have her under their arm. Only wearing the most expensive and exquisite outfits it is amazing. She stops looking at her pictures because it just makes her feel homily compared to her deciding to just read some articles about her and her family in comparison to Nathans.

  Of course her family is well to do, although they are only millionaires in comparison to Nathans family, having to laugh at that since she only knows so much. She can’t ever imagine having that much money in her lifetime and then what she would ever do with it! The father and brother are her only living family since her mother died many years ago. There family business seems to be in the hotel industry and they own several large hotels mostly in Australia. They have branched out but according to the records listed they are struggling because of poor management. It sounds like dad hasn’t been able to get all his ducks in a row when he went into the rest of Europe in his developments. There is talk about another larger company coming in to make the large chain work but it is only in the negotiation stage. It doesn’t mention which company but that’s normal until deals are made when it comes to companies.

  She stops reading for a little while still trying to understand why on earth Nathan is here when he has so much at home. Seriously, if he is a billionaire or should she say his family is, why would he do his own business venture? Maybe to them this is like a college adventure to see if he has what it takes to be successful. She really has so many questions for him but since he isn’t here I can’t get the answers. She decides to write some down just in case she forgets as she pulls out a pen and paper hearing a sound behind her.

  “Do I smell blueberry pancakes?” as Tiffany comes out of her room rubbing her eyes

  “Yes you do and I’m ready to make you a batch, how many would you like?” watching her loving with her yawning face.

  “Oh, these are the kind of mornings I miss the most, do you really have to go back to work? I could live with having breakfast ready every morning.” she stretches out her arms working out the night kinks.

  “Do you think we should wake Mikey now so he can have some before he has to go to work? Pete has already eaten and left. Oh by the way we are doing Chinese tonight and Pete is treating.” she tells her.

  She grabs her phone to tm Mikey telling him get his butt up for breakfast while she is getting a cup of coffee. Making a batch for her to eat when tm Mikey saying he is up and will be over in 5 so she starts up a batch for him.

  She does the same as she did for Pete answering the door with a hot cup of coffee to hand him. “Aaah, you are truly spoiling us boys since you are home. I already got a tm from Pete telling me to get up about 20 min ago proclaiming you make the best coffee and pancakes in the world. If I didn’t get up I would regret my day!’ he exclaims she giggles in return. It is so nice to be appreciated from her favorite fans.

  It is now almost 10am and Mikey has a short shift today from 12-5 so dinner will be a fun hanging out thing at 6pm. She plans on trying not to think of the stuff she read on the internet but after Mikey leaves she can’t help herself by talk to Tiffany about it. She never got a chance to write down any questions so talking to her might help her to ask the proper questions.

  “Tif, when you were still sleeping I looked up some other stuff on the internet. I checked out who this girl Sylvia Holton is and found some really interesting things on her.” trying to sound casual.

  “Really and obviously you have some concerns or you wouldn’t be asking me. Do you mind if I take a look at what you found out?” she asks to be polite. “Hey it’s the internet; you don’t need to ask me to look. It’s like an open book so help yourself and when you’re done can we talk?”

  “Of course silly, why don’t you go take a shower while I clean up the kitchen and see what you have been ‘investigating’.” She agrees going to take a long hot shower to relax the tension she suddenly feels about her relationship. She has never felt this way about it before there are so many things running through her head with all this new information.

  She comes out about 45 min later seeing Tiffany is scowling at what she is reading about Sylvia. Her eyebrows rise up and down as she reads. Finally she looks up at her simply saying, “She is obviously a sophisticated gold digger, spoiled girl who only comes from millions but wants to use her looks and her social status to get more. Did you notice they don’t even mention anything about her education? She seems to not have to deal with anything like that since life has been handed to her on a silver platter. She may be extremely gorgeous in all her photos but she really reminds me of a Paris Hilton but not with even half the money she has. At least Paris doesn’t need a big wig bachelor to fill her cup, it’s already done with her own families business. I can see that her parent’s money can run out if they don’t get support for their expanded adventure. I actually
tm Pete some info and he will let us know that info tonight.”

  Wow, she is stunned at how Tif summed her up in one complete package. She is good making her feel slightly naive. “So do you think she has here hooks on Nathan?” asking her bluntly

  She scowls a second and scans through several things, “I’m sure he is on her list of eligible men, but he isn’t the only one she is trying for. I think Nathan is smart enough to stay away from that kind of person.” She states.

  Feeling some relief but for some reason it still nags at her. If she can have anyone she desires per say why is her man on her list. “I’m not sure but something tells me he is at the top of her list. Call it a gut instinct.” She flatly tells Tiffany.

  When you talked to him last night did he even mention her?’ she asks.

  “No, it was a brief conversation since he was tired and he doesn’t know that I know about his life back at home. I’m not even sure I feel right telling him since the only way I found out about him or she was through the internet. I feel like I’ve been snooping or something, it’s kind of awkward.”

  She nods her head in agreement then her eyes light up. “I have an idea, get dressed we are going out.” She heads to the shower. They leave about 40 minutes later when Tiffany finally tells her where we are going since Brandy is driving. They go to Denny’s apartment to talk to him about Nathan. Feeling kind of weird about poking into his personal life but Tiffany insists that is the only way she can be sure of where their relationship is heading. She is right but the guilt is in her gut for prying.

  Denny knows we are coming since Tiffany informed him we know more information then what either of them has told us. He seems resolved in speaking about it but he knows how Nathans life has been in the past better than we do. He tells us what he does know about him with reluctance because obviously he doesn’t want to betray his best friend or hurt any of us.

  He explains to us that Nathan and he met when they were young at a sports camp. His parents felt that he needed to get more involved with other children who were not so well to do as themselves. He was very shy at first and Denny was the first to welcome him in keeping him involved in the activities. They became best buds after that and when the summer session was over they always kept in contact.

  Denny never knew how wealthy his family was at the time because he was just a kid who wanted to have fun and once Nathan opened up he was just like Denny, adventurous and curious. When they grew older he was made well aware of who he was but thought nothing of it. He was just a cool guy to hang with when he could and he never pressed on him his wealth or flaunted it in his face. Denny was just an ordinary kid growing up with a middle class family.

  They always had so many different ideas of what they would do in life and Nathan never mentioned about following in his parents footsteps but he wanted to do his own thing. He felt suffocated by that kind of society and when Denny mentioned about coming here to America Nathan jumped on the band wagon backing up his business. He knows that he didn’t have to do it but he knew that Nathan always felt he never fit into his family’s business but wanted to make a life for himself not under their shadow.

  Absorbing what he is telling her thinking even though her family didn’t make billions of dollars in their business she totally knew what he felt. Her heart reached out and felt the same compulsion that he did. We are not them but we are who we make ourselves to be. She actually felt better once they talked to Denny about learning of what Nathan has gone through because it is so similar to her life. She nudges Tiffany telling her to invite him over for dinner tonight which he can make it for a short time since he has to be at the bar by 9pm.

  They head home deciding to change the topic. “So how are you and Denny doing?” she asks her since Brandy doesn’t want to be selfish already everyone it seems it too absorbed in her relationship to worry about their own. “We are fine, I have more experience in relationships then you do sweetie and we are taking it one step at a time, not saying you haven’t, but obviously he has never been secretive about his family who I will meet on the upcoming Holidays as he will meet mine.”

  All she can say is “Oh” because Nathan hasn’t even discussed that with her. We have been so busy getting to know each other, she hasn’t even thought of it. He has already met her parents because of the accident but she has never met his parents. Chalk that up to another thing she has to discuss with him.

  “You know Brandy, since he is away you should use Skype to talk to him and it is a little more personable.” looking at her like what are you talking about since she has never used it before. She glances over at her since she is driving, “Don’t worry, I’ll set you up and you can see him while you talk to him. It’s easier to see his expression when you tell him what you do know or anything else you want to discuss with him.”

  We get home and she shows her how Skype works on the laptop and it’s really cool that we can talk face to face. She explains that Nathan needs to set up a free account also on his laptop and we are all set. Telling her she plans on calling him later like 4am since it will be 8pm for him. She smirks glad it’s not her that has to wake up that early. The things we do for love.

  The boys come over for dinner and we have a nice time hanging out talking about how fast summer has gone by. The social night definitely lifts her spirits about all the new information she has found out about Nathan. Thinking about our wonderful summer we have had and all the things we did puts her at ease about him. Telling everyone she is going to bed early and they decide to head out for a couple of cocktails at Denny’s Den. Tif says she will see her in the morning so she does a little reading before bed.

  Her alarm goes off at 4am as she hits the snooze button. This is hard to wake up so early but she feels good when she thinks about having a chance to talk to Nathan; getting a glass of water as she dials his number. The phone rings a couple of times when she gets a pleasant “Hello Sweetheart, you’re up early.” He says softly.

  It feels good to hear his voice again; “Only for you” she replies back, “So how did everything go today?”

  “I guess as good as can be expected. My mum is still out of sorts but with family and friends around it has helped her coop with everything. How was your day?”

  “I am getting ready to go back to work on Monday and I had a nice day hanging with Tif. She showed me about Skype on the lap top so I have set up an account and we can talk as well as see each through the internet while you’re away.” She is excited about that part even though she hasn’t mentioned anything about her discussion with Denny yet.

  “That is excellent idea. Tm your Skype account and I will call you during the afternoon tomorrow say around 3pm and we can talk like we are together. I haven’t booked anything for coming back yet. My father needs to talk to me when this is all done. We will probably have time tomorrow.” Sounding slight annoyed

  “Is there something wrong? Or maybe he wants to ask you about the upcoming Holidays since it is the end of summer, they are just around the corner.” She asks trying to hint at what his thoughts are on those kinds of things.

  He laughs, “I seriously doubt that is what the conversation will be about. My father doesn’t do any of that planning that is something my mother takes care of. On a bright note I had a chance to see some people I haven’t seen in a long time. That is the funny thing about weddings and funerals; you seem to only see your extended family for those kinds of occasions.” He sighs.

  “I know that feeling; it is strange that family comes out of the wood work for those kinds of things. Sometimes we get so busy in our life that is the only time we have to see them. At least weddings are happier occasions.” Trying to lighten the topics of discussion changing the conversation over about how it will be strange going back to work also having to review her topics for the new semester that will be coming up. He listens and points out certain classes that will help her since they did some research over the summer together.

  Hearing someone in the back ground
exclaim “Oh there you are I have been looking all over for you Nathan.” It’s a female voice and it sounds young. She asks him if it is his mom looking for him. He clears his voice “No, just a family friend. I have to go, we have guests at the house and I’m sure they will be leaving soon. I have to be polite and say my goodbyes.”

  “OK” she says “Take care and I’ll be waiting for you Skype call tomorrow, I love you, stay safe.”

  “Ditto” he replies “Until tomorrow” and before he hangs up she hears him say “Hello Sylvia” then nothing. She hangs onto the phone wondering why just a ditto and why is Sylvia there?

  OK, the topics were kept light for tonight which helps with his current situation at home. He really does miss being able to talk to Brandy and then of course he steps out of the room for 5 minutes when Sylvia has to come snooping in. At least Brandy never snooped; he is really annoyed that Sylvia had to interrupt his conversation. On the bright note he can actually see her tomorrow on Skype. That is a brilliant idea and he looks forward to seeing her beautiful face.

  Chapter 24

  Her stomach turns sour at the thoughts of Sylvia looking for him. She has never met the women having no reason to think anything of their friendship before she saw information about their previous relationship. Brandy doesn’t know why she has this gut wrenching feeling for someone she doesn’t even know. She should just let it go for what he said, Sylvia is just a friend. Grabbing her beloved teddy he has given her hugging it wishing it was him. Trying to go back to sleep which is impossible so she decides to watch some TV to try change where her thoughts are heading.

  It’s only 4:30 in the morning as she lies on the couch watching an old movie in the hopes of falling back to sleep. Waking with a slight nudge from Tiffany, “Hey sleepy head what are you doing here?”