Man of Mystery

by L. B. Wilde

  She tries to change the subject of the depressing situation by asking her about the new class schedule and if she is ready to go back to work tomorrow. Answering her politely but she is not in a talkative mood. She understands and asks if she can do anything else for her. Giving her a warm smile, Brandy shakes her head as tears start to pool in her eyes again.

  There is a knock on the door and her heart skips a beat, maybe it is Nathan and this is all a sad mistake but when Tif answers its Mikey and Pete. Mikey instantly runs over to her hugging her so hard then holding her shoulders, looking into her face as she can see he has been crying too. “Oh my sweet girl, we will get through this together ok?” his heart felt compassion opens up a fresh stream of tears down her cheeks then Pete comes over joining in the hug.

  “Thank you both, I’m going to be ok, I just need time to think. I just can’t believe he would do this to me.”

  “None of us ever expected this either, but we are here for you Brandy.” Mikey says with his sad eyes.

  “Mikey and I are going to go out for few things and Pete is going to stay with you while we are gone.” Tiffany says

  “That’s not necessary, I’ll be ok.” She softly says

  “No, I insist.” Pete says firmly

  “We will be back shortly, just relax for a little while.” Tiffany grabs Mikey and leads him out the door.

  “Come on Brandy,” leading her to sit on the couch “I would like to talk to you and this is more comfortable.”

  Once we are seated he looks her in the face with a firm but sad look. “I need to ask you a couple of things and if you can’t or don’t want to talk about it just tell me so.”

  “OK” she sighs

  “When you talked to Nathan last did he even mention this women to you or give you any inclination that he was with anyone else?” getting right to the heart of things

  “No” she says swallowing hard trying to contain herself.

  “I am aware you had a Skype conversation with him last night so you were able to see his face. Did you discuss anything that he seemed to shy away from?” he presses on

  “I’m not sure what this is leading too Pete, we just finally discusses his family being extremely rich, nothing about being with or getting engaged to someone else.” starting to get angry and she shouldn’t be angry with Pete. He didn’t cause this pain.

  “It’s ok, but let me put it another way, when he spoke to you did he keep his eyes on you or did you notice his eyes going in another direction? Maybe even turning his head away when he talked about a certain topic?” looking at her intently.

  “You know come to think of it he did shake his head slightly and turn away when he said he had a meeting with his father. He didn’t seem pleased about it for some reason. That was it. Everything else he told me he looked straight at me just as if I was there.” She exclaims still not understanding what this is leading into.

  Pete taps a finger on his lips. Thinking before he speaks next. “I’m a pretty good reader of signs that something is amiss and from what you are telling me, he seems to be possibly at odds with his father or whatever the meeting was about. I can’t say what it is but something just tells me there is more to this than I can fathom.”

  “Do you think that there is hope?” she pleads but then shakes her head “No, right now I feel like the other women in his life and I’m not going to be someone’s mistress. That is not the kind of person I am.”

  “You are absolutely right about that you will never be someone’s mistress! We, as your friends, would never let you be put through that kind torture. It’s ok we will get through this together.” He pats her hands and clicks on the TV with comedy central on. “This will be good for you to help you forget for now. Laughter is the best medicine.” he snuggles up to her on the couch resting her head on his shoulder.

  Mikey and Tiffany are back within an hour and they have brought back some prepared items for lunch and dinner. The food smells good and she tries a few bites as they all encourage her to eat something.

  Mikey tells her about the crazy lady they saw who couldn’t figure out forward from reverse while she was in the parking lot and put her car on top of a parked car. He showed them pictures of her car on top of the car and then he caught the surprised expression of the women’s car she just trashed. It was funny since no one got hurt. We all laugh about it as Mikey elaborates the story more so. He would be great at hosting a comedy show with the way he can make situations even funnier than most people.

  We stay in playing video sports game and when we are all exhausted we decide to relax to play a board game. They are keeping up the good spirits for her which she appreciates every minute with them. None of them even mention anything about Nathan which helps right now.

  We all work on getting dinner together and the boys head home afterwards since they both have to work in the morning. They constantly remind her that if she needs anything to call and they will be here. Hugging them both telling them how much she appreciates all they have done as they go home.

  Turning to Tiffany, giving her a hug too she eventually pulls away looking into her the face. “I did get the best medicine for tonight.” She pulls out a box of Brandy’s favorite chocolates and a movie comedy on DVD we have been dying to see.

  “Thanks Tif, you are the best.” smiling warmly at her and we settle in to eat the chocolates and watch a movie. She made it through the first day and that is only because her friends helped her. She is not sure how the rest of the upcoming days will follow.

  When she makes it to bed it hits her hard again. Seeing her comfy Teddy Bear and think of him but she wants to tear the head off. Where is this anger coming from? Her necklace is sitting on the dresser she touches it remembering him so passionately. Even though she is exhausted from the day her heart hurts so bad as she clutches her pillow crying again. It doesn’t seem possible that this has happened but it has, feeling alone in the world when she once felt so loved. She knows her friends love her but it is different. She has never felt loved by a man like Nathan, these are feelings she has never experienced before

  How could he forget our time together like it never really happened? Our summer together then the car accident saying he loves her. Why oh why would he do this? He didn’t have to take her heart and drag it around like it meant nothing. Her hurt feelings making her mind spin because there is no rhyme or reason for his actions. Did she do something to cause this and thinks no she didn’t. Why did he hurt her, he could have let her go a long time ago, he never had to tell her he loved her but he did.

  Crying herself to sleep with restless dreams to follow. When she get ups, to her surprise Tiffany is up before her again making coffee acting chipper. Deep down she knows Tif is doing this to help her through this which she really appreciates the effort she is putting forward to make life better. Soaking in the shower not caring if she is late for her first day back to work finally coming out; she has a cup of coffee ready for her. Smiling meekly at her as she frowns at her knowing she is faking her mood.

  “I need to help you look somewhat normal for your first day back. The bags under your eyes do nothing for you” and she hands her a wash cloth with ice to help reduce the swelling. She places it on her eyes as she sips the coffee. Tiffany has already gotten an outfit out for her to change into and she does change after another coffee with Tiffany’s version of toast and eggs for breakfast. She is really trying so hard to help her which she can’t thank her enough for the effort. She just shoos her into her room to get changed saying she would do the same for her which she is right about, Brandy has done it and would do it again in different ways.

  Helping her cover up the puffy eyes with makeup, “Do you want me to take you to work today?” smiling at her kindness but shakes her head no.

  “I’ll be fine just go about your day and I’ll call or tm you later. This will be good for me to keep my mind occupied.” With a another weak smile

  “OK, but if you need me you call me any time.” She
states firmly

  “I will, I promise.” Giving her a warm hug

  Climbing in her new car that Nathan gave her she sighs again, she isn’t her lud and life has changed dramatically. She now has a car that Nathan bought for her and he is gone just like her lud. How ironic as she stifles a sniffle. Picking up her cell and noticing she has missed several calls and tm for the first time in a day.

  Almost all the calls are from him and the tms but she can’t bear to look or listen to them right now. It will hurt too much and she needs to think about getting to work. Thinking she will be about a half hour late looking to see the last call she received was from Mr. Bradshaw himself. He is looking forward to seeing her but wants her to know if she is running late it is not a problem since it will be the first day back after the accident. He sounds a little worried like she might have had another accident making her chuckle a little at that. This accident has nothing to do with driving to work.

  Once she arrives only about 15min late enveloped by everyone happy to see her. The warm hugs from fellow workers make her feel alive not as dead inside as last night. A Mr. Bradshaw step out of his office, staying professional as always gives her a warm handshake telling her how pleased he is to see her. Expressing she needs to take her time to adjust back into the routine. He states if she needs to take more time to adjust it is ok. It is so wonderful to think that everyone was so concerned about her seeing in their faces how much they really cared about her. It brings tears to her eyes making her truly grateful for the warm welcome. She needed this today so she dives into fixing what the temp has obviously disorganized when she was gone. It is great to be able to divert her mind onto a task and not think of Nathan. Coming back to work right now is the best medicine since she has other things to think about.

  The day flies by so before she knows it she is heading home. Suddenly feeling alone again she sighs being extra vigilant about all the traffic signals watching for anyone who would even think about running a red light. This was another good day she guesses since it kept her mind occupied. When she gets home there is note from Tif saying she had to go out for little bit but she will be home soon. If she needs anything Mikey is home or call and she will be home promptly. Appreciating her concern but Brandy knows she has her life too. She has been awesome she needs her time too.

  She decides to open up a bottle of wine to relax as she nibbles on leftovers for dinner. Without really thinking she looks at her phone scrolling through all the missed messages.

  They are all from him sent yesterday.

  9am Brandy, I’m so sorry we need to talk

  10am Please call me or tm me that you got this

  12pm Why haven’t you called me or tm me, you need to know what is going on and I’m so sorry

  3pm This isn’t the end, please believe me

  6pm You have to talk to me! I really need you to hear me out.

  7pm I’m desperate Brandy, please call me

  Nathan cannot believe his father has put him in this position. He never wanted or expected him to do such an outrageous thing. He is dumbfounded as he pulls his escape expressing he needs to get out for some fresh air to clear his thoughts. He takes the Mercedes as he drives away making his decision of where he is heading next and it isn’t home to his family’s estate!

  These are just the tms; she hasn’t even listened to the voice mails. Starting to cry what can he say that will change what has happened? Strangely the tms ended she hasn’t received any tms from him today. She doesn’t want to listen to the voice mails since already having tears streaking down her face. She doesn’t think she can handle anymore right now.

  All that she can think of was why? Why didn’t he tell her about his family, why did he not tell her about this other girl, why did he lead her on? The real question is why he told her he loved her and then leave her for someone else. Why did he say she was his soul mate and promise her he would come home, our home just to never be here again? Tears stream down again as she sobs. Pouring another glass of wine which she knows she shouldn’t do but needing something to comfort her emotions drowning her sorrows.

  There is a knock on her door; she figures it is probably Mikey coming to check on her trying to dry her eyes not wanting to show she has lost control of her emotions. Walking to the door without even looking to see who it is she opens it.

  There before her is Nathan. She is beyond shocked stumbling back with her hand on her chest like her heart will burst out. He looks as awful as she feels like he hasn’t slept either. Her mouth drops open as her tears flow down her checks again trying to comprehend this new reality. It can’t be!

  He steps into the apartment tired and worn, he must have traveled for the past 24 hours just to get here. His eyes are pleading even through his weariness as he looks at her.

  “I promised I would be back, please forgive me Brandy, I love you and only you.” He exclaims looking at her straight into her blurry eyes feeling more than seeing his sincerity through her broken heart.

  She tears up “But I thought you left me, for someone else, this isn’t right, how can this be?” trying to understand what is happening feeling completely overwhelmed.

  “No Brandy, I left to come back to you. You are what I want forever, not what they want. Please forgive me for putting you through this, but I am here now and forever!” he takes her hand in his pleadingly looking at her hoping she will accept.

  She takes her hand away from him staring into his eyes. The sincerity of his words sinks deep into her soul. Without another thought she runs into his arms, holding him as close as she can, sobbing into his shoulder as he cries into hers. He is here! He kept his promise, this is her man, her love, her soul there is no words that can ever express or ever be said. Her Nathan has come home.

  Prologue to Mystery Revealed

  Sylvia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Nathan left her for a peasant?! What has happened to his manners? Damn she knew he was wound tight when he returned but seriously he needed a good slap on the head. Not that she would do it, it wouldn’t look good in the public’s eye but obviously he has lost his family sense.

  Money makes the world go around not stupid little people who mean nothing. Well she obviously didn’t expect this from him but she will make him see he was wrong. She didn’t love the man since love is nothing but a spoken word to appease people, but she wanted his influential family to make her life complete. He was just a pawn to what she had planned for her future but he was the key element in those plans.

  Well she will fix this like she always has in the past. Her beauty and power go a long way when it comes to things of this nature and she knows just how to deal with it. First off she will need to make sure her stupid father doesn’t screw up which is simple for her to do. She has manipulated him all these years a tear or two and he will be eating out of her palm.

  The next steps will take more planning but hell she is good at this game. She will have Nathan eating out of her palm begging for forgiveness before he knows it.

  Oh yes, this will work as she smirks to herself she is the best at this game. She decides to get the ball rolling in the right direction as she heads to the study to visit her father. Pinching her cheeks slightly to redden them and pinching herself to cause fake tears. She strolls into the study with tissue in hand.

  “Oh father, I heard Nathan has left!” acting out her surprise with a sniffle.

  Her compassionate father drops everything and rushes to her side. Anger is in his eyes seeing his daughter being emotionally hurt. He hugs her close as she whimpers into his shoulder.

  “My dear I will not let these people hurt you, I am so sorry! How dare they do something so disrespectful to our friendship and business relationship for so many years! I am getting Brent on the phone right now and dealing with him personally about how inappropriate it is to embarrass our family this way. His name will be raked through the coals before I am done with him for hurting my beautiful daughter. You never deserved such embarrassment. They will ru
e the day they did such devastation to our family values!” He expresses with such hostility making Sylvia gleam inside even more. She has the upper hand.

  “Oh father,” Sylvia stifles a sniffle “I don’t want you to ruin a friendship over me. I’m a grown women, I can handle this. Nathan was just under a lot of pressure and he got scared. He will come around. Don’t make it bad daddy, I can fix this. I know he truly loves me but is just confused over his uncle’s death.” Sylvia gives her dad a starry eyed performance which is simple to melt his heart to comply with his only daughter.

  She gives him fake smile, “Let me talk to Mr. and Mrs. Porche. I am sure they are still upset themselves about Nathan leaving. It’s ok, let me fix. I think it will work out fine and I don’t want to see you get upset.”

  “Are you sure dear? You look so upset?” trying to be the strong father for his most adoring daughter.

  “Oh father you are the best but it is time for me to take care of you. I’ll be ok, you’ll see.” She plays him on.

  “OK, sweetie, anything for you. If your mother was her she would never have let this happen!” he states firmly. It’s his usual statement which Sylvia politely endures.

  “Well dad that’s why I am here, even though we both miss mom dearly you both have made me the strong person I am today. Go, get some rest, I will talk to the Porches tomorrow.” She hugs him stiffly and directs him towards his room.

  Sylvia knows her father is so easy to manipulate but now the game plan starts.