“Damn. I’m hearing you, and I have a hard time believing it.”
“It explains why Amanda’s reluctant to be with you.”
Nathan thought for a few seconds.
“Can’t they do something about this man, Hilbert? If he wants to force Amanda to be with him, he has to be stopped.”
“I talked with my brother about that. He told me to advise Amanda to hire an investigator.”
“That’s a good way to deal with this. Have you gotten in touch with this investigator?”
“Not yet. I wanted you and Amanda to know.”
“Okay. How do we reach this person?”
“My brother gave me a business card,” Marissa said, showing it on the screen. “Patrick Hayden. He resides here in New York, but I’m sure he’ll be willing to fly to Ithaca. Private eyes have no jurisdiction, unlike the police.”
Nathan read the business card.
“I’ll get in touch with him so that he can visit Amanda and help her out.”
“Thank you for telling me this, Marissa.”
Marissa nodded.
“By the way, I can help you with Amanda. I know where she’s going to be this Halloween, and I have a plan for you to recover her. Jonathan is going there, and he told me about it.”
“Great. What do I need to do?”
Marissa began telling Nathan her plan.
Halloween fell on a Thursday that year, which meant that Amanda had to fly from Ithaca shortly after classes were over. Kellan was taking her this time. They both had their costumes in luggage. He was dressing like a U.S. Navy SEAL. Amanda wondered how he would look dressed like that. Probably he’d turn female heads.
Once they arrived in New York, Amanda and Kellan checked into Brad’s suite. It was 5pm when they arrived, so they had a few hours to get ready.
“You’d think I’m used to jet lag,” Amanda said. “It’s tiresome to be back in New York for the second time in less than a week.”
“I don’t blame you.”
“Maybe we can drop in on Hilbert. I’m sure he won’t mind it if we show up in our costumes.”
“Ha. Maybe not. I bet he won’t stop staring at me. You know, getting intimidated by the uniform.”
“That’d be fun. I’d love to teach him a lesson.”
Amanda spent ten minutes taking a shower. She needed some waking-up that didn’t involve coffee.
When Amanda emerged from the bathroom, dressed in the blue costume (sans the hat), she walked to the living room. There, she saw that Judith and Emmy were waiting for her.
“Friends,” Amanda said, smiling.
“Kellan let us in,” Emmy told her, walking forward and hugging. “I must say, there’s something about men in uniform, don’t you agree?”
Amanda agreed with a nod, chuckling. She then noticed that her friends were already in their costumes.
“You look pretty, Emmy,” Amanda said.
Emmy was dressed like some sort of sightseer. She was wearing a gothic-style dress with some stars and moons in it, and lots of jewelry on her fingers, ears, and neck. Her hair was subtly dyed purple. All she needed to complete the look was a crystal ball.
“Meet Madame Emmy,” she announced, doing a curt bow. Amanda laughed.
“And you? A cheerleader,” she said, looking at Judith. The latter nodded, wearing a generic cheerleader outfit.
“You look stunning,” Judith said to Amanda. “That’s a Harry Potter costume, right?”
“Yes. I have the hat back there, I just need to comb my hair into a ponytail.”
“You know, if magic existed, I would bet you are a Veela. The way you mesmerize men.”
Amanda laughed.
Little over an hour later, Kellan drove Amanda and her friends to the house in the Bronx were the haunted house was taking place. They had never been in that city, so they stopped talking once they drove through it, looking out the windows.
“Barton lives here, right?” Amanda asked Kellan.
“Yes. A friend of his owns the haunted house. That’s the guy who’s organizing the whole thing.”
Once they got near the house, Kellan found parking a half block away. He opened the door for Amanda and her friends, and then they walked to the house. It was 7:30 now, so the sunset was visible in the horizon.
“There are a few kids in costumes around already,” said Emmy, looking around.
“To them, it’s never too early,” Judith said.
When they reached the house, Barton walked up to greet them. He was wearing football attire, complete with a helmet.
“Hey, Kellan,” Barton said, shaking hands with him. “You’re right on time. The house’s ready.”
“I can see that. Kids are starting to come in droves.”
“They started coming twenty minutes ago.”
Kellan nodded. Barton then looked at Judith. She greeted him. Amanda looked at Kellan.
“They coordinated,” she whispered, and he nodded.
Barton later led Kellan and his group inside the house, entering through a cleared-out garage. The inside was dark, and lightly decorated with Halloween paraphernalia.
“What’s the haunted house about?” Kellan asked.
“It’s nothing too scary, if that’s what you’re afraid of,” Barton joked, making Kellan chuckle. “There are only a few frights, just a handful of people in costumes pretending to be decorations or to just not be there. Some of those people will also hand candies to the kids.”
“Nice,” Emmy said. “I wish I were still a kid so I could have some candy.”
“No one said you couldn’t have any,” Judith told her.
“I’m okay. I can buy my own.”
Amanda looked at Barton.
“Jonathan said he was going to come. Is he here?”
“Yes, he arrived ten minutes before you. He’s with a very attractive lady somewhere around.”
Barton looked around, and then looked at them again.
“There’s food here if you are hungry. The second floor of the house is devoted to a Halloween party for grown-ups. That means there’s alcohol involved.”
“We’re okay. Right?” Kellan asked, looking at the girls. They nodded.
“A Halloween party for grown-ups?” Judith asked in a whisper to Amanda.
“I guess it’s just a get-together. Let’s go see.”
Kellan heard the exchange. He told Baton that they were going up.
“Do go if you want. I’m staying here with my friend. We’re giving out candy to kid passersby who don’t want to walk into the haunted house.”
“Let’s go,” Kellan said, accompanying Amanda and her friends to the second floor. It was accessed through an exterior staircase on the back of the house. There was no one in the backyard, but there were a few decorations.
Once inside, they saw that the second floor was also dark, though not as much as the haunted house below. Two large rooms had been cleared out to make space for tables spread along the space. A bunch of people in costumes sat, presumably friends and acquaintances of Barton and Kellan. There was a long table at the back with food and drinks.
“There’s Jonathan,” Amanda said, walking towards him. He was standing near a table, talking to Marissa.
“Hi, Jonathan.”
Jonathan turned and saw Amanda. When she looked at him, she almost flinched. He was usually very handsome, but tonight he was quite frightful.
“Oh, my God. Is that really you?”
“Yes.”
“Wow.”
Jonathan had dressed like a vampire, very pale and with blood-red lips and pointed fangs. He wore dark, artfully ragged clothing, unlike the aristocratic-esque red-and-black coat preferred by Dracula.
“It’s something, huh?” he asked.
“Definitely,” said Amanda.
“Nice wand.”
Amanda laughed softly, and then she looked at the woman behind him. It was Marissa.
“Nice to see you, Amanda,” she said.
&nb
sp; “Same. You look great, too.”
Marissa appeared to have dressed like a vampire hunter. The whole effect on her looked…hot.
“Care for a drink?” Marissa asked.
“Okay.”
“We’ll be right back,” she told Jonathan, who stayed behind to chat with Kellan. The latter didn’t take an eye off Amanda as she followed Marissa to the long table.
“There’s only wine here.”
“That’s okay.”
Marissa and Amanda each grabbed a wine glass, filling them with one of the bottles on the table. Amanda put her wand inside the jacket of her costume so it wouldn’t be in the way. Then they clinked glasses and took a sip.
“How have you been doing?” Marissa asked.
“Great. Thanks. You?”
“Pretty ecstatic.”
Marissa glanced towards Jonathan, and Amanda followed her gaze.
“Are you two together?” she asked with a smile.
“Together, together, as in dating, no. We’re just in the getting-to-know-each-other stage.”
“You guys would look great together.”
“We would. He’s darned handsome.”
Amanda refilled her glass. Marissa’s glass was still less than half full. They continued talking.
“Are any of your friends here?” Amanda asked.
“A couple. Jonathan invited me. I hope you don’t mind that I brought friends, too.”
“Not at all. This isn’t my party. Anyone would be welcome if it was or not.”
“You’re cool.”
Nathan was sitting at the corner of a table with one of Marissa’s friends. He was watching her talking with Amanda. The latter hadn’t spotted him. He hoped she wouldn’t recognize him, at least not yet. Nathan was dressed as if he were attending a masked ball. He wore a white linen shirt under a black blazer with matching trousers and loafers. Most of his face was concealed under a gold Mardi Gras-style mask.
Marissa’s plan was to get enough alcohol into Amanda to loosen her up, but not so much that she wouldn’t remember anything in the morning. Nathan wasn’t after taking advantage of her. He just wanted Amanda to be in a more…lenient state of mind.
A few minutes later, Marissa subtly nodded towards Nathan. He took the cue and stood up.
Amanda was now looking around, wondering if she would recognize any of the guests. Nathan walked towards her.
When Nathan approached Amanda from the back, he spoke softly.
“Hi, beautiful.”
Amanda turned around, her gaze stopping on Nathan. She didn’t seem to recognize him, and smiled.
“Hi. Do I know you?”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
Amanda leaned a little closer. Nathan looked around, trying to hide his nerves. Hopefully, her vision was impaired enough due to the alcohol to recognize him in the dim lighting.
“Brad?” she asked.
“I’m whoever you like tonight,” Nathan said. “Though I want to be your knight in shining armor.”
“You’re confident.”
“That’s my middle name, gorgeous lady.”
Nathan took Amanda’s hand and kissed the top of it. He then led her to the second room, where it was a little darker and there were less people. He took her towards a corner.
“I would love to know more about you.”
“Funny. I could say the same to you,” Amanda said.
Nathan couldn’t resist caressing the side of Amanda’s face. She closed her eyes at the touch.
“You’re impossibly beautiful.”
Amanda giggled.
“So everyone says.”
“I’m serious. You’re the finest lady in this place.”
Nathan took a surreptitious look around. No one was looking at them, not even Kellan.
“Who are you?”
“Let’s just say I’m someone hoping to sweep you off your feet.”
Amanda blushed. Nathan couldn’t help raising his hand and caressing her cheek.
“You’re single, right?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure I want to change that.”
“In that case, I’m not afraid to take the challenge to change your mind.”
Nathan risked leaning forward and planting light kisses on the side of Amanda’s face. She seemed to be forgetting how to breathe.
“Do you believe in love at first sight?” he asked.
Amanda thought for a moment before answering, her eyes closed.
“It’s never happened to me, but I don’t see why it can’t be possible.”
“I like that answer.”
Amanda smiled, and Nathan ran a finger through the length of her bottom lip. Her mouth parted a fraction. Nathan couldn’t help himself. He closed the distance between them and kissed Amanda. He restrained himself a bit, keeping the kiss gentle. Nathan’s hands went under her blouse, touching the skin of her waist.
God. I can’t live without this woman anymore.
“You’re smoldering, Ms. Tilley,” Nathan said when he pulled apart, gasping slightly.
Amanda’s eyes widened.
“You know who I am?”
To answer, Nathan pulled off his mask. Amanda gasped when she realized who he was.
“Oh, my God. It’s you.”
Nathan nodded, looking content.
“I knew you still felt something for me.”
Amanda pushed Nathan in the chest. He quickly held to her wrists, pulling her to him.
“Give me a chance, Amanda. I love you.”
Amanda freed herself from his grasp. She started to walk away.
“Wait! I told you that Kayla and I aren’t together. I want only you!”
“Don’t follow me,” Amanda stopped to warn him, and then she continued towards the first room. She found Kellan and strode to him.
“Let’s go downstairs.”
Kellan nodded without asking her anything. Nathan saw them walk out down the stairs. He found Marissa and shot her a questioning glance. She shrugged.
Nathan was becoming tired with Amanda avoiding him. He was also worried about her safety now that he knew about the man who was after her.
Straight after classes, Nathan waited surreptitiously in the hallway where Amanda’s apartment was. Over the past several days, she’d kept avoiding to run into him anywhere. Nathan had relentlessly searched for Amanda at every place he knew her to frequent, to no avail. Even when he looked for Amanda at her apartment, she was never there. Nathan found that strange.
Thinking it was possible that Amanda had gotten there before him, Nathan walked up the stairs. He turned right on the corridor. Before he walked past a couple of doors, he heard a voice behind him.
“Nathan, you wait there.”
Nathan turned around. He saw Emmy catching up with him.
“Emmy. What are you doing?”
“No, what are you doing?” she asked. Nathan was shocked to hear anger in her voice.
“Looking for Amanda. I have to talk to her. This is urgent.”
“Why don’t you go talk to your girlfriend instead?”
“I don’t have one.”
“Oh, don’t try to fool me. You’re still with Kayla.”
“Emmy, I broke up with her days ago.”
“Liar. Please go, or I’ll have to kick you out.”
Nathan stared at Emmy as if she would suddenly snap to her senses and apologize for the prank.
“Emmy, I don’t know what you’re playing at, but this isn’t funny. I need to talk to—”
“You’re the one who’s playing games here,” said Emmy. “Please go and leave Amanda alone.”
“What’s all this about, Emmy? I thought you would like to see Amanda with me.”
“Well, not anymore, all right? I don’t want you to hurt Amanda more. Leave now.”
“It is all a misunderstanding.”
Emmy stood her ground, refusing to let Nathan pass. She was tiny enough that it was laughable.
“I’ll show you and Amanda
that you’re mistaken,” Nathan said, turning to walk away.
Moments later, Nathan knocked on Kayla’s apartment door. When she answered and looked at him, she felt as if someone had pushed all the air out of her.
“Nathan!” she said. “Uh…what brings you here?”
“May I enter? There’s something I really need to talk to you about.”
Kayla hesitated, and then she made an attempt at a smile.
“Yeah,” she said, letting Nathan in. Once inside, he looked around, taking a feel of the place.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thanks.”
Kayla and Nathan sat down on her living room. He was still admiring the décor.
“It’s a nice place.”
“I know. Beats the college dorms, right?”
“They got nothing on this.”
Kayla laughed warily.
“What did you want to talk about?”
“I want to ask you if there’s something you haven’t told me that I should know about.”
Kayla looked confused.
“I haven’t been hiding anything from you, Nathan. I don’t know what it is you want to know.”
“Did you do something to Amanda?”
“No. What is this about?”
Nathan’s expression turned serious.
“I’ve been trying to speak to Amanda for a week. It turns out she’s been avoiding me because she thinks I hurt her in some way. Did you have anything to do with it?”
Kayla thought about it, and then her eyebrows rose.
“You did something, didn’t you?”
“Now that I remember,” Kayla began, “I sent a note to Amanda the night we…met in the hotel.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Yeah, I sent Amanda a note…from you. She believed you summoned her there.”
Nathan looked thunderstruck.
“Why did you do this, Kayla? Now I know why Emmy was acting so weird. Amanda saw us.”
Kayla looked down at the floor as if she were a child someone was going to punish.
“I can’t believe you would do this,” Nathan said. “You made Amanda go to the hotel, knowing she would see us together and think the worst of me.”
“I’m sorry. In the heat of the moment, I forgot that I’d summoned Amanda there as well.”
Dream Date Page 26