Welcome to Hemlock Cove, North Vancouver, Canada. Located in Queen Charlotte Strait, on the Central Coast of British Columbia, Hemlock Cove has a population of 4875 people and it prides itself on being a close-knit community, with large pedestrian-friendly spaces, large places of gathering and a variety of things to do.
Hemlock Cove is not your ordinary small town.

There are five-star restaurants, there are hiking tours and amazing small shops, there are great places to spend times, big festivities bring the community closer. Summers are slow, lazy, hazy and full of night-time swimming parties, autumns come creeping in with long, soft get-togethers and bake sales, apple picking and strolling in the red hues of Cove parks. Winter turns it into a wonderland, smelling of cinnamon, cloves, mulled wine and decadent chocolate cakes which make everyone huddle around fireplaces and hold on tightly to the ones closest to them while enjoying first snows and warm cocoa, visit neighbours during holidays and sneak a kiss under the mistletoe. Hemlock Cove then awakens with springtime, people showing off their gorgeous gardens full of colourful flowers in many garden parties, indulging in Pavlovas with wild strawberries and soft served icecreams, basking in the sun during the day and wrapping in their soft cardigans and jeans jackets when the sun hides.

Rains come easy, the sun comes easy too and living in Hemlock Cove might as well be heaven we all wish for ourselves.

Firstly, let me start by welcoming you back! Without further delay, Chapter III is open!

READ THIS FIRST, please

Basic rules apply here. 
The contest is one round long, lasting for 120 hours.
This contest will continue with a series of one or two round contests whenever there's a timeslot available until the storyline is wrapped.
You can use edited/non-edited images, but you can also choose to show your outfit through sth like URSTYLE, or skip it entirely.

The Prodigal Son: Chapter III
Chapter III will play out between March 2nd and March 10th.
For this round, please include the following:
Name
Interests
Outfit (optional, but if you want, show me what you wore to whatever you'd like to show me, I guess?)
Story (read below)

Spring is in the air, people are heading out to enjoy those warm moments of the sun in the parks or at the pier, despite that feeling of chills you can easily get in the shades of the parks. As per tradition, the prizes from the raffle at the Mardi Gras party would have been announced during the first week of the month. Check what your prizes are!

March 8th festivities

On International Women's Day, the Cove is traditionally going to be giving red carnations to women and girls, (courtesy of Sarah, your mayor).
Radio is playing female artists.
Cinema is showing a very cool female lead & female director movie selection.
The Eatery is giving complimentary dessert to women (triple chocolate mousse or apple tart tatin).
Other restaurants (Harbour & Amelie Pastry Shop) are also giving out desserts.
Mateo has made a showcase of female authors for the day too.
Cake by the Ocean will offer a free 'Womango and Pineapple Mojito' to every female customer (one per person).
Elementary school is celebrating with some plays set up in the part about famous women.
Some companies have given the women a day off, too.

The bomb event of the month will take place on March 8, International Woman's Day, which is a very beloved holiday in the Cove (given their long tradition of female leaders), so the word will spread like wildfire. What happens?

The well-known publication will publish an article about Noah Fitzgerald airing quite a few of the Fitzgerald secrets into the public. To recap, let's list those things in the spoiler below, and let me tell you that by the time the round closes there will be no public responses from neither Noah nor The Institute regarding the allegations.

Noah Fitzgerald, expose?

My silly idea is to put things in the type of snippets from an article, in case you wanna have your person read it, or address them.

(...)" and while things might seem innocent enough to an outside observer, it must come to everyone's attention the latest investor of The Institute Fitzgerald holds so tightly is none other than Alejandro Agos, often overlooked actor of the infamous data leak affair of 2000, one of the alleged culprits responsible for numerous personal information getting out in various social media."(...)

(...)"once the latest and potentially most lucrative project was made public, there was a moment when everyone made sense of this sudden interest Agos had in a small-town business. To make things simple, Fitzgerald and Anwar have started working on a very advanced form of AI which has already been appropriated for use in communication, data and intelligence."(...)

(...)"One-dimensional observation could make things be quite benevolent, and on the other look and observing the players of this game individually, you might encounter some worrisome thoughts. After all, technology on its own is only as dangerous as the people yielding it."(...)

(...)"Even Anwar is not with without a speck of filth in his otherwise good resume, with his latest job coming to an abrupt end after his affair with a student coming to light."(...)

(...)"Noah Jethro Fitzgerald, seemingly from a well-respected family seems like a workaholic with a few sociopathic traits and no regard for many things outside the Institute, especially family. After the death of his parents, with some unsolved circumstance behind it, Fitzgerald family is said to have another offspring, an illegitimate son whose existence has not been such a secret after all, since the sources are confirming the deceased patriarch of the family has been aware of the boy since the indiscretion. Not only that, but one of the legitimate Fitzgerald brothers has been aware of the existence of one Renon Blake for years."(...)

(...)"Outside the closest family, Fitzgerald has recently been made aware of another member of the Fitzgerald legacy, and that is his own child he fathered with none other than Sara Sofia Rojas, heir to the Rojas Inc, defence contractor company."(...)

(...)"most likely the worst out of everything seems to be the fact those are not the worst things, since over seven years ago, Fitzgerald seemed to have gotten an 18-year old local pregnant, before paying for the abortion and allowing the girl to stay at their family residence in Vancouver."(...)

(...)"Another thing that ties all the members of the family tightly together is the fact all three of them seem to be, in one way or another, tied with some groups of working in the grey (or worse) area."(...)

Needless to say, this will make a splash - more about everything in personal plots!

Chapter III closes on Friday, March 26th, evening hours Forum Time.

Also, I'm using this opportunity to say my intention is to open the last two chapters as one contest.

Last edited by Zaralee (21/03/2021 at 15:03)

Fitzgerald family
Fitzgerald brothers might be the staple of the town - one of the oldest families blessed with handsome offspring. All three men are quite self-accomplished, and quite aware of their advantages in life. Noah started his own business, while both his brothers are focused on getting their lives into the stages the would like them to be. The Institute is considered an attempt to restore the glory of their family. That might not be going as good as everyone planned, given this little twist that just moved into town: an illegitimate brother born out of an affair, with a wish to get to know his long-lost family.

Noah

Name: Noah Jethro Fitzgerald
FC: Boyd Holbrok
Age: 36
Resident of Hemlock Cove: his entire life, with some breaks.
Occupation / Work Place: founder and head researcher of the Institute for Technology, specializes both in robotics and biology
Key personality traits: Shy. Perfectionist. Introverted. Innovative. Intelligent. Honest, unfiltered, at times. Analytical. Silent. Brooding. Kind. Caring. Realist. Composed. Focused. Distances work from personal matters. Highly efficient. Strict, but fair boss. Result-oriented. Ambitious. Comes off as arrogant. Means well. Not the best bedside manners. Stressed out very often. Workaholic. Visionary. 
Relationships to consider:
Pete & Ben, brothers. 
Sofia, ex-girlfriend. 
Dina, his closest friend in the Cove,
Mateo & Shapur, friends. 
Theo & Khairiah, colleagues.

Beauty and brains, Noah seems to have it all except some charm to make these good looks work better for him. He’s a visionary & the next great mind of the generation, he’s dedicated and works for some greater good only he understands, finding all the motivation necessary inside himself. Noah has put most of his life on hold in the past two decades – since he turned 16 and had an early enrollment into Grace Conservatory – now his business has kicked off and he’s trying to get his personal affairs in order, too. Still, his biggest project is his job and those closest to Noah will have to kick him out of his work frenzy at times and is used to eating at odd hours, getting up early and not seeing him for a while if he’s in the middle of a breakthrough. Noah keeps to himself, he’s a private person who has little friends, but he values those he has. He’s extremely open-minded and the slightest sign of judgment is a deal-breaker for him. Once you get past the layers of the genius, you’ll find a caring, kind person with great amounts of compassion and a well-brought-up man capable of loving immensely.

Ben

Name: Benjamin (Ben) Johnatan Fitzgerald
FC: Andreas Ericksen
Age: 28
Resident of Hemlock Cove: his entire life, with some breaks.
Occupation / Work Place: working as the vet assistant at the Veterinarians office, he’s thinking of going back to university to get his degree to become one himself.
Key personality traits: Smart, kind. Outgoing, until a point when he turns introverted for a while. Philanthropist. Loyal, honest. Idealistic, sometimes too much. Indecisive. Avoids conflict at all cost. Finicky. Superficial. Resentful, sometimes rash. Jumps to conclusions. Hesitant. Forgetful. Impatient. Passive at times. Insecure about things, even when there’s no reason. Goes from enthusiastic to pessimistic too easily. Willing to help anyone. Caring. Dispersive, unfocused.
Relationships to consider:
Noah & Pete, brothers. 
Poppy & Dina, friends.
Alma, ex-girlfriend, they are on good terms.

Ben is the town’s favourite eye-candy. Good guy with great looks, kind personality and boyfriend goals to many, many ladies in the town. He’s a well-educated heir with a spotless history – clean as a whistle and nice to look at. He’s truly the guy you’d take home to meet your parents, and at the same time a man you’d love to stay in bed during the day. He’s a good cook, good friend, good lover and a good catch – which is why he’s used to getting advances from all sides and politely turning them down. He’s not violent, he’s goofy when around those he trusts and he’s humorous by nature. He’s quite selfless, often putting everyone else first which led him to miss out on some finer things in life. He gets overwhelmed at times, with the attention, people and work, so he’s known to go camping alone (or with one of his brothers) for a week at a time, simply enjoying the solitude of the forest. Ben’s the type to relax with a beer or two, he’s not the partying kind, but he won’t say no to any kind of get-together – he actually enjoys all the town traditions and activities. 

Pete

Name: Peter (Pete) Julian Fitzgerald
FC: Simon Porte Jacquemus
Age: 26
Resident of Hemlock Cove: his entire life, with some breaks.
Occupation / Work Place: currently working at the daycare centre, using the experience for the doctorate on children development he's writing
Key personality traits: Patient. Storyteller. Eloquent. Smart, funny. Adaptable, creative. Good taste in basically everything. Influencer, very persuasive. Charming, nerdy. Playful, playfully flirtatious. Gentle, kind. Moody. Likes to get attention from close people. Procrastinator. Easily distracted. Optimist, hardcore kind. Loveable, loving. Warm. Seductive, secretly. Tease. Insensitive when dealing with those he does not care about. Condescending, subtly. 
Relationships to consider:
Meredith, favourite ski & tennis partner.
Shapur, friend.

Pete might not seem like the most persuasive, but out of the three brothers, he’s got the most skills which take to make people do your bidding. He’s charming in a very warm way, he’s not revealing of his intentions until you figure them out yourself and he’s got so much confidence it almost seems too good to be real. But it’s not. He’s aware of his good chances in life, he’s doing his best to actually utilize all the opportunities he’s been given and doesn’t take any for granted. Pete has a permanent goal of bettering himself – he’s quick to jump on learning new things and quicker to try and excel at them. He’s an intelligent man, able to keep a good conversation at most places, comfortable in many situations. He has a positive outlook on life, he’s huge on trying to make right by everyone – he is honest, or he does his best, but he tries to do no harm first. He gets along nicely with most of the people but mainly because he doesn’t want to bring friction to the table – signs of drama exhaust him, so he rather stays in the grey area, claiming the place to himself.

Renon

Name: Renon Blake Fitzgerald
FC: Gus Kenworthy 
Age: 26
Resident of Hemlock Cove: newcomer.
Occupation / Work Place: NASA researcher (robotics).
Key personality traits: Perfectionist. Extroverted. Observant. Intelligent. Honest. Kind. Optimistic. Forgiving. Passionate. Ambitious. Extremely charming & good with people. People pleaser. Procrastinator. Witty. 
Relationships to consider:
Noah,  Ben & Pete, fraternal half-brothers.
Charlotte, maternal half-sister.

Had you not known the history of his (very) short relationship with the family, you would have recognized him as a Fitzgerald immediately. He'd fit right into the family and he's close to age to Pete which only makes the situation a bit more painful for everyone. Renon came into the Cove swiftly,  with his mind and arms open towards the new family, but his welcome was not the best. He is trying to take time to settle in, but there is no love for him in a town that raised his brothers. He is handling everything like a champ, but there have been some rumours coming from those who took time to talk to him and his step-sister about their soon departure - the cold shoulder seems to be too cold for them. Those same people paint him as a kind, intelligent boy with a silver tongue and optimistic outlook that might just be the reason why he managed to stick around for this long. His history, however, is a foggy space occupied around him, like a dark cloud following him around the town he seems to be prepared to call his own.

Anwar family
Anwar family might be the most complex – despite not living all under the same roof, the four members still think they are family, in blood way or another. Shapur and Navid, oldest and youngest of the gorgeous Anwar brothers live together in their family home although both actually spend the most time at their workplaces. Lan is stationed in an apartment in the centre of the town, and Poppy, his ex-wife and somehow friend, lives in the small studio above her bar. Four of them get along well and Poppy turned into a permanent fixture in the family (which should give no worries to anyone).

Shapur

Name: Shapur Anwar
Shapur is the personification of the cliché hot college professor (without actually being one right now) who is always a success amongst the student population. 
FC: Alexander Karim
Age: 42
Resident of Hemlock Cove: until he turned 18, he returned a year ago to start working at his dream job
Occupation / Work Place: head researcher in experimental robotics & AI at IFT
Key personality traits: Independent. Curious. Traveller. Workaholic. Innovative. Charming. Successful. Eloquent. Good at compartmentalizing. Believes in radical steps, also in enjoying life. Humorous, playful when around friends. Kind, but outspoken and opinionated. Outgoing, social. Passionate. Professional. Eloquent, good at explaining things. Fair, just, never plays favourites. Impatient, short-tempered. Gets angry when experiments don’t work out. 
Relationships to consider:
Lan & Navid, brothers. 
Poppy, a former sister-in-law, friend. 
Peter, a close friend. 

Shapur is the personification of the cliché hot college professor without actually being one right now – he used to teach robotics at MIT, Cambridge and NUS – and he has always been a success amongst the student population. He’s charming, he’d seen the world and he’s quite handsome too, which never seems to be too much. Shapur is an intelligent man who sometimes forgets others might not be as blessed, so he likes to joke he keeps his inner genius tamed. He’s able to talk about many things, but the second you genuinely show interest in his work is when he’ll come to life in another light. He’s outgoing and social, but he can get quite ruthless when it comes to working – nothing personal since he believes those two should not mix. He likes to spend his time, money, mind in his own terms and at his own pace, he’s an absolute advocate of this – individual approach on everything for everyone. He’s the silent type when it comes to accolades – he’ll accept his awards silently, he won’t advertise his charity work and he’s not into dropping names either. His return to Hemlock Cove was an unexpected one, but Noah offered the position to him first and it was a chance he couldn’t miss with so much freedom he could not imagine.

Kavasilas family
Kavasilas siblings built a reputation for themselves in Hemlock Cove – they’re both quite outspoken, popular and very social. They’re quite different but their sibling dynamic is the best kind – amazing when together, know their boundaries.

Nick

Name: Nikolaos (Nick) Kavasilas
FC: Nico Tortorella
Age: 30
Resident of Hemlock Cove: his entire life, with some breaks.
Occupation / Work Place: Chief Fire Department of Hemlock Cove
Key personality traits: Fun-loving, outgoing, friendly. Entertainer, loves the spotlight. Fearless, selfless. Adrenaline junkie. Smartass at times, extremely charming, a bit of a player. Kind at heart, softie at times too, compassionate. Scared of being lonely, also scared of losing control. Dreamer, believer. Organized at work, messy at home. Dismissive, often brash when dealing with official matters. Jealous.
Relationships to consider:
Dina, twin sister. 
Alma, a close friend.
Meredith, ex-girlfriend.
Theo, occasional fling,

Son of second-generation Greek immigrants, Nick grew up with much of his legacy really present. He loves Greek food, he loves ouzo, he speaks Greek just like English. Showman since birth, he loves the spotlight, he knows he’s handsome and acts accordingly. He’s been more than outgoing during his youth and his active lifestyle makes it impossible for him not to be this popular man in the town. There’s a certain charm to him, an attraction that seems to reel women into his path and he’s really not good with avoiding temptation. Nick is, still, a good guy – he won’t cheat (although he does not think of flirting as cheating, you need to know this) – but he can easily get jealous, even if he’ll go to lengths to deny it. He’s quick to make decisions, he’s very active and there’s no boring day with him, even if he is a fan of occasional staying in with a good movie. He’s protective type – he’ll always back up his friends, he has the need to protect girls he’s around and especially his sister. Nick holds no grudges, even if he does remember things and tries to learn from his mistakes – most of the time. The important thing is that he tries and doesn’t give up easily.

Novak family
The Spanish-Croatian family who made their place in Hemlock Cove 34 years ago - both siblings still share their family house, each taking a floor and sharing a kitchen. The siblings are close, well-loved as their parents were.

Mateo

Name: José Mateo Novak Martinez
You might think he's an open book, but little people know the real Mateo - hopefully, someday he lets someone in.
FC: Alfonso Herrera
Age: 37
Resident of Hemlock Cove: 34 years.
Occupation / Work Place: owns, runs, works at a book store called „What The Book?“ and a garage, officially.
Key personality traits: Outgoing. Hardworking. Loyal. Intelligent. Passionate reader, secret writer (poetry, mostly). Caring person. Compassionate. Moody. Keeps his troubles to himself. Protective person, especially of his sister. Humorous, when relaxed, with a dry-ish sense of humour. Cannot hold back when upset or angry, he’s quite passionate in general.
Relationships to consider:
Zora, younger sister. 
Meredith, a close friend. 
Went to high school with Noah. 
Often works on projects with Melody.
Poppy, occasional fling.

Mateo has always been a hot-blooded person, and you can easily say it runs in the family. His parents, Spanish girl and Croatian boy met when they were barely 18 and got married after the second they could. Mateo was born 9 months later and in three years, the entire little family was in Hemlock Cove looking for their little place in the sun. He was raised in a loving family, surprised by his much younger sister and then his father passed away in an accident driving home from a toad. The devastated family managed to move on, but their mother couldn’t bring herself to live in the same place after and soon moved back to Bilbao. Mateo and Zora were left, each taking one bit of their family work – Mateo naturally went for the book store – since he was a boy, his mother groomed him to love books and it all feels very natural to him now. He’s the type that does all the work and rarely complains. He’s an entrepreneur by chance and he knows it very well. Bookstore business isn’t going amazing, but it provides enough and he would feel guilty if he closed it. Mateo might seem like an easy sail, but under the collected façade, he is a passionate individual with a fiery spirit underneath.

xx

Alejandro

Name: Alejandro Agos
FC: Bruno Gagliasso
Age: 40
Resident of Hemlock Cove: newcomer.
Occupation / Work Place: angel investor, CEO at Agos VC.
Key personality traits: Intuitive. Intelligent. Calculated. Optimistic, yet always sceptical. Restless. Huge flirt, to go along with his charismatic personality. Hedonist, loves to enjoy everything life has to offer. Curious, inquisitive. Simultaneously can make you feel like you know a lot about him while telling you nothing. Huge art lover. Contagiously enthusiastic when he likes something. Direct when needed. Slave to his habits.
Relationships to consider:
Rowan, co-worker, friend. 
Noah, someone he admires.

New, mysterious inventor seems to be here for a reason & with only one thing on his mind: The Hemlock Cove Institute for Technology. Alejandro has only been in the Cove for a week,  but he still managed to capture the attention of everyone around him - charming, restless and a huge flirt, with his looks, it's really hard to miss. Even harder to keep away, according to some gossip that have been circulating. Well, luckily for him, rumours are a waste of time he does not waste his time thinking about. He's quite clear on his goal and has made a space for him in the town. He runs each morning, he has breakfast at the Eatery, shops locally and makes sure to "breathe in" the Cove energy before he moves out. When he's not spending time with Noah, he is remotely conducting his work across the world, hiking in the Quarry Rock, or simply enjoying this mood he did not know he would like this much.

Rivera family
Alma is a very self-sufficient woman who’s used to living on her own in a nicely spaced house – secretly, she does like living in the small town – and the surprise visit from her step-brother might turn out well, or it might turn out for the worst, there’s no way of knowing what’s going to happen once they share a roof again after all these years.

Seb

Name: Sebastian Alvaro Rivera
FC: Manny Montana
Age: 32
Resident of Hemlock Cove: newcomer, but also returnee.
Occupation / Work Place: Music professor/instructor, currently unemployed. 
Key personality traits: Laid back. Humorous, funny, good company to keep. Highly adaptable. Approachable. Curious, inquisitive. Asks a lot, tells very little. Abrasive. Nosy. Know-it-all. Smug, at times. Charming, charismatic. Well-informed, observant. Private. Sticks out for himself and loved ones. Brave. Fast learner. Adventurer. Eloquent. Well-read. Tons of idle knowledge. Handy, likes to thinker. 
Relationships to consider:
Alma, step-sister. 

Despite knowing Seb for a long time, you might not know a lot about him. For instance, you are not likely to know his mother remarried after his father died and her husband had another child, his step-sister Alma. He’s a good guy, normally in a good mood and sometimes seems to be stuck in his own mind, miles away – if you bump into him and he manages to walk by without a word, don’t be upset – his head is up in the clouds. He’s easily approached and nice conversation companion, he knows a lot of things about a lot of things and tends to turn on his charm after a drink or two. He’s curious, a good listener and probably will ask a lot about you without being rude. He adores picking up new things and it means new locations are in the package too. Music is a part of his life since he can remember, he’s good at playing and composing equally. Seb is currently between jobs, rumour has it he is about to apply for a new job at Grace Conservatory and seeking to spend some time resting before it.

Jara family
Max, the only member of the Jara family lives at the small apartment not far from The Eatery. He's been in Hemlock Cove for two years now and he's been enjoying it so far.

Max

Name: Maximiliano (Max) Roberto Jara Pozo
FC: Miguel
Age: 30
Resident of Hemlock Cove: from age of 12 to age of 17, and in his second turn for two years now.
Occupation / Work Place: Chef & owner of The Eatery.
Key personality traits: Creative. Outgoing. Friendly. Passionate. Flirty. Seductive. Talkative. Good-humoured. Perfectionist. Loves to learn, experiment too. Curious. Self-indulgent. Quick thinking, sometimes jumps to conclusions. Warm, people open up to him easily. Professional at work. Compassionate. Loud, cheerful. Good listener. Tends to be jealous. Bunces back easily. Independent. Intense. Open-minded. Loyal. Understanding, but judgmental. Influential.
Relationships to consider:
Zora, closest friend. 
Maddison, a close friend.
Friends or on friendly terms with mostly everyone.

Max is up to his neck in cooking, singing and overall living the good life. He’s a totally uninhibited man, he lives doing what he loves, he tries to do no harm and give out positive to gain positive back. On most days, you’ll find him with a smile, song or a tune he hums or sings, some hip-swinging around the kitchen of the Eatery and doing his best to get through another day where everything is good. He believes in balance, but he also believes there can not be too many songs, laughter, friendly faces of good plates. He’s the type to get you to try new things – dancing, singing, food – without you even noticing he did it, his influential streak is quite subtle like that. He’s a young, self-fulfilled man whose dreams are done and he’s living his intended life hoping someone amazing will soon come along to share it with him – only, he’s neither worried nor looking, believing things will happen when they need to happen as with everything in life. Max can easily remind you of a warm summer day, a sultry song with dancing rhythm or a hot night out on a beach – he’s more of an experience than anything else.

Snippet/Impressions

Alma: DONE

Nick cannot say he's surprised about what happened between the two of you after the party, but he can say he feels like he should have started the conversation about it sooner - leaning into the excuses of double shifts he's been doing and this all sounds like a shitty excuse to address something he feels should be addressed. Looking back, he would have preferred a little bit less alcohol in both of them, and then again, he's jumping to conclusions when he should be talking. They have a shift coming up, so he's quite sure of what has to happen.

Nick is going to talk to Alma about what happened, properly, beyond any communication they had before. He'll be quite honest and open about it, but more curious to see how she sees this turn of events.

Renon is going to approach you, worried about what exactly you have heard during the Mardi Gras party, and the entire conversation you'll be able to sense his reluctance to even talk to you. He won't be too confrontational, nor aggressive, but he might come off a bit like he's covering tracks and smoothing you over. He won't get into much detail, only pointing out there is a little bit more to everything that it feels, and that he didn't come to the Cove to ruin everything for everyone (which might feel a bit odd, so should Alma be weirded out with this bit, he'll abandon the topic, and leave soon after.

Ben feels like, despite their breakup, there's still that unspoken trust between them he has no doubts about - Alma holds a special place in his heart and it's nothing he's making trying to hide. His mind might be a bit clouded, but she seems to be upfront about that, calling him out on things, which he might not like but knows it's not without a reason.

He'd definitely talk to you about what is happening, and depending on how much you share about your connection to Renon & Charlotte, he will be more inclined to speak about what really took place between them and the one thing that made him more certain he is right about their shitty intentions.

Max will definitely seek your company, for drinks or any type of interaction. His mood is quite good, as per usual, but there's that lovely spring in his step that comes with, well, the spring. He will not take no for an answer of her stopping by the Eatery on the 8th, he'll treat her to lunch and ask why she did not appear on Valentine's Day.

Seb is going to make an attempt of getting closer to you, spending some quality time together and you can, if you wish, figure out he's trying to figure out if he should go back to work since the intensity of his life only a few months before seemed to have gotten the most of him and his exhaustion was hard, which is why he returned to the Cove.

Raffle: Alma won a romantic Paris experience in Vancouver, which consists of tickets for Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain in a small, cosy theatre, and is followed by a dinner in a French bistro called Le Petit Nid.

Khairiah: DONE

Pete was not looking for a relationship right now, not in the middle of this mess: Renon was a constant part of their life and perhaps if his brothers knew there is no other way but to accept him, things could be easier. The time is just not right. Yet, Khai made him reconsider things so easily, it almost felt effortless, which is what you want to go for, right? Maybe the time is never right. He will avoid thinking about it for a little bit more, considering he doesn't even know where she stands and believes it's far too early to ask such a thing considering they only started to hang out.

You'll stumble onto Pete on March 7th, he'll be buying some new hiking boots in the centre, and should you two chat, he will most surely tell you he's going to go hiking the following morning, on the Quarry Rock Trail, and he'd like for you to come with. If you go, you'll come back to the Cove and only then find out about the article. Should you address it with Pete, let me know.

Ben didn't miss out on the new thing happening - his focus was elsewhere, but Pete was his brother and he noticed he was spending time with a girl - after a long time - and he thinks it might be what his brother needed at this point in his life. It might not have been obvious to Pete, but Khai did like his brother, maybe she wasn't aware of it, but he could sense these things easily. He will, however, be easier on her with teasing her about it, letting things take their course.

Ben will stumble onto you during the afternoon of March 3rd, good mood, and he'll notice you in the line of the coffee shop before him, buying your coffee too, striking up a friendly chat.

Seb cannot say he did not enjoy the girl, he could relate to the fact she did not always feel comfortable in the company of new people - he did, but he had to move past that at most times for work. He will be friendly and chatty whenever he meets you, perhaps you could share a cup of coffee if you're at some cafe at the same time.

Given the breach of information that took place, the fact you've stumbled onto some things too, you'll be asked for a chat with Noah on March 10th. You will be asked, quite upfront if you have any idea about the article, or have noticed anyone looking around, asking questions, etc. You could share the information you have about the reports with Noah, or you can go to Shapur. Let me know to get more information.

Raffle winning: Khai won a day at the Adventure Park Sea to Sky, north of the Cove, and she can choose to either go Parasailing & Paragliding or opt-out for a Zip-lining tour. She gets to bring one other person along, and it should happen before the 8th.

Feel free to interact/bump into people outside the times I stated too.

Poppy: DONE

Mateo is happy you two have made things good again, he's enjoying the time with you no matter what and there's a part of him that wonders if you're feeling the same. Relationships have not been easy for him, ever, but there's something that he believes to be effortless when it comes to the two of you together. He'll initiate hanging out more and more, with subtle changes each time, going from friendly to obviously something else happening.

Should he see you around Alejandro, he would get the idea he might have jumped to the conclusion here, but he would try not to react in a bad way, simply trying to step aside to see what you do next, give you some space. Whatever happens, Mateo really cares about you. Regarding his own issues, now that you know the entire truth, he'll be more up and front about everything, still trying not to bother you with too much complaint.

Alejandro is not used to small towns, and he is certainly not used to dating one person, but the idea of both seems quite good now. Perhaps it was something about the routine he had in the Cove, combined with the fact Poppy was fun and easy-going, she made things seem easy - he liked that quite a lot about her.

Alejandro will seek you out since he'll be around the Cove in March. He'll be in a good mood, flirty and everything is game, basically. He'll be interested in spending a bit more time with Poppy, despite this feeling of occasional disinterest he noticed in you. His mood might change and he'll go to hiding, sort of, after the article comes out on the 8th, but he will not send you away should you come knocking.

Shapur might admit to being a little protective over Poppy, and it only feels natural since she's been a part of the family for a long time and he will probably think of her as a family for the rest of their lives, so the idea of her moving on with someone, seriously, it made him happy: Poppy deserved to be happy if someone was aware of that, it was definitely her.

Shapur is going to back away from his questions about Alejandro, only noticing the happiness in her, being supportive in his own way. He'll be in a good mood before the 8th, and avoiding everyone and anyone after the article drops. Of course, he'll be open to seeing her, but you'll have to make the first move while he's in the hiding, sort to speak. He'll be open about the affair, and explain what happen, also disclosing who it was, should you ask.

Raffle: Poppy won a very cute cooking class, which aims to teach how to make a three-course (easy) dinner for couples, so you get to choose someone to come with - hopefully before the messy 8th.

Zora: DONE

Max feels Zora got even closer to him lately, and it might rely on her willingness to be patient there, because he can sometimes feel like he pushes himself too much into her time, perhaps without wanting to do so. He can't deny he noticed her out and about with Seb, and while he might not be able to place the man, he trusted Zora's feeling about people and still...something rubbed him the wrong way about that. He couldn't figure out why, their relationship never relayed on exclusivity and he's not the type to hog people from everyone, yet he felt slightly more protective of her time lately.

He'll be in his regular mood, might be a bit more inquisitive about Seb - he won't hand in many reasons, but will make a couple of questions that might seem like something he would not normally do, including some kind of interest into her relationship status. Despite being quite well with reading people normally, he will not be able to pick up on things at this short time, so if your intention is moving forward towards something romantic, even a little hint would help.

Seb finds himself thinking of Zora more often than not, falling back on the conversation they had, her words echoing in his mind. I don't know what to make of you - it seemed simple enough, perhaps a younger Seb would appreciate it as a compliment, and this older, weather-beaten one believes he should not be a mystery if he'd like to get to know her better. She should be able to get to know him better too, he believes. He should make an effort to be more open, let his true self show. If only he knew who that was.

He'll be around town most times with a short visit to Vancouver before the 8th, and after that, he'll be back to the Cove. He'll maintain your communication throughout, and ask you out again for sure.

Ben finds himself sitting at the deck of their family lodge quite often lately, bundled up and rolling a drink in his hand, staring into the vast wilderness while considering his current reality. It's a small trick he picked up from a girl he dated back in college shortly, but she made an impact, that's for sure. He had a type of person he liked having around, he realized, thinking of Zora and their chat in the car as he tossed back the drink. No bullshit policy is the way to go. Back when they were dating, he found the idea of staying friends - properly - to be a non-existing one: relationship should end on a very passionate, dramatic note. Friends to lovers is a firm yes, while the road back was not an option. He is reconsidering the idea now, wondering if it's too late.

He'll make sure to stop by the shop before the 8th, and take you out for lunch or coffee, or whatever you seem to be in the mood. He'll probably revisit what went on between the two of you, hinting to his idea of interrupting what has happened far too soon.

Noah is going to approach you regarding the expose, very discretely, without anyone around to notice you - he'll be quite worried about the entire ordeal, but will make sure you know there is no way your name will ever come out.

Mateo is going to be in a shitty mood for the majority of the time, but you could still notice his mood going up from time to time, usually after there's a message coming through on his phone. You could talk to him about it, or you could skip it altogether. Let me know for more information.

Raffle: Zora won a fine-dining experience at the Harbour, right there at the Cove, which is the fanciest restaurant there. It can be at any time during the round and she can ask one person to come with.

Last edited by Zaralee (22/03/2021 at 08:59)

Form

Name: Zora Maria Novak Martinez
Age: 25
Occupation: The unassuming mechanic
Interests: Ben, Max and Seb

4th Into the woods

The bell chimed as Zora pushed open the door to the bookshop, the sound filled the much too quiet space. The place was empty, it often was when she dropped by but then it was still early and she guessed more came in after work hours – honestly she didn’t know.

“Mateo?” She called just as she came out from the stacks.

“Oh, it’s only you,” he said looking up from some papers he had his nose down.

“That’s a mighty welcome,” she snorted. He muttered something she couldn’t make out. “Well, I’m off hiking, like I’ve said, I just came to drop off a set off keys. Mr. Antonoff is picking up his Golf this afternoon and he’s convinced someone will steal it if I leave the key the usual way so I’d said he could pick it up here.” She got a key out of her pocket and held it out.

“You couldn’t have asked first?” There was a slight snap to his voice.

It wasn’t any arrangement they hadn’t done before. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think you were too busy to hand out a key,” she said dryly.

“And what if I need to head out and close up? I can’t keep waiting around for your customers.”

“Well I’m sorry I assumed,” she snapped back. She had been looking forward to her day off and didn’t want to get into this now. She held her hands up in defeat and started back out.

Mateo sighed. “It’s fine just leave it.”

With adding to the conversation, she dropped the key on the counter and turned to leave.

“Wait, which trail are you taking?” She turned and he actually looked at her, which felt like the first in a while, there was always something distracting – thoughts or phone or papers.

She mentioned which trailed she had planned to take.

“Your phone’s charged and all?”

“Yes,” she rolled her eyes but smiled, perhaps mistaking the worry on his face having solely to do with her. “I’ll be back before dinner.”

Last step before hitting the woods was a stop for coffee at the Eatery.

“Zora!” Seb was steering his unhurried steps towards her across the street.

She greeted him with a smile and stopped so he could catch up. She had been busy the last weeks and hadn’t seen much of him – or anyone for that matter (Max had complained she had been very dull, to which she would retort he wasn’t much better). But the little she had seen him had made her think she had perhaps jumped to conclusion to quickly, or she didn’t know. He was nice and had been so from the beginning, there wasn’t any question about that, but what ever had set her on edge was fading she thought she was starting to make out more than a frame of a person.

“How are you?” She asked as he’d come up.

“Oh, you know I shouldn’t complain. But I don’t want to keep you, where you headed?”

“Eatery, first and foremost. You’d care to walk?”

“Sure,” he said, “so how are you doing?” 

“Oh, just managed the avoid get my head bitten off.” He gave her a raised eyebrows kind of look. She laughed. “Never mind, I’m good. I finally managed a bit of time off, which is a nice change. I’m taking the opportunity to go hiking, hopefully I’ll see some signs of spring awakening.”

The conversation spun around hiking for a bit. She suggested he could come with if he wanted to.

“Anther time perhaps, I’m going off for a few days.”

“Oh, where are you going?”

“Only Vancouver.”

“And you coming back?”

“In a few days,” he chuckled, “you think I wouldn’t?”

They had arrived outside the Eatery.

“I don’t know,” she laughed a bit awkward, “I guess I never thought you were here to stay for long.”

“Now why would you think that?”

Zora shrugged, perhaps she shouldn’t have confessed to it but now she was put on the spot. “You can’t deny you’ve been sorta drifting about.”

It was his time to shrug, be he smiled too. “You’ve never needed to take a bit of time for yourself? A respite to … regain your footing.”

“Of course, I going hiking today, aren’t I? But it usually a day, perhaps two,” she bit her lips then released it, “not months.”

“Are you telling me to get my life together?” He laughed.

“No! Of course not,” she really had put her foot in it, though he didn’t seem to mind. “The only thing I’m saying is I would be at my wits end after months.” She laughed and shook her head. “And who knows, it might just be me that’s the workaholic. Are you coming in?” She gestured at the Eatery.

“No, I need to get going, but it was nice to run into you before I leave.”

“Perhaps, I’ll see you when you get back?”

“Sure, we’ll keep in touch.”

They said their goodbyes and Zora headed into the Eatery, to get her coffee and greet Max with a smile.
TBC

6th Summer lovin'

8th Ants and angst

9th Crashing waves

10th A Harbour in the storm

The rest of Zora's story will come when I have the time, don't you fret

Last edited by tricole (27/03/2021 at 21:23)

Poppy Anwar // 34 // Bar Owner and Manager of Cake by the Ocean
Interests: Alejandro, Mateo and Shapur

Poppy's Background Information

Name: Poppy Anwar

Face claim: Hayley Williams (with blue hair)

Age: 34

Resident of Hemlock Cove: over a decade. Poppy was brought to Hemlock Cove by love, and it was her new-found love of the town that made her stay even after her divorce.

Occupation: bar owner and manager of Cake by the Ocean, as well as a bartender.

Personality Traits: creative, supportive, energetic, extroverted, stubborn, cunning, impatient, picky.

Well Established Relationships: Shapur Anwar (former brother-in-law and good friend); Mateo Martinez (friend and occasional fling); Maddison Smollet (employee); Max Pozo (friend).

Interests: Alejandro Agos; Shapur Anwar; Mateo Martinez.

Chapter 1

1. A Christmas party like no other

The Fitzgerald Christmas parties are always one of the highlights of the year for Poppy. It's the time when people come together, all issues forgotten, to laugh and share a good time. And the lodge's decorations seem to get more and more extravagant each year, never failing to make Poppy gasp and stare in awe upon arrival.

"You look great." Mateo calls out, striding towards her with a smile on his face and two drinks in his hands. "I definitely would."
"You already have. And definitely will again." Poppy responds, taking one of the drinks from her friend. One sip and half of the drink is gone. "Cheers. I really needed this."
"Bad day?" Mateo asks, slight concern on his face.
"Nahh not bad, just busy. I wanted to close early but apparently the whole Cove wanted a drink before coming here."
"Ahh you see, you don't have that issue if you own a book shop."
"Yeah, but do you even know what a customer is?" Poppy smirks, as Mateo places his hand on his chest and pretends to look hurt.
"Ouch."
"Come on, you know I'm only messing dude." She tries to hide her smile, but Mateo's deliberate pout only makes her laugh more. "Come on, let's get you some food. I heard there's pigs in blankets." Poppy lets out one final laugh as Mateo's face lights up, before putting her hands on his back and pushing him towards the center of the party.

They've only been making their way through the excited crowd for mere minutes before a familiar voice called Poppy's name.
"Shaps!" Poppy squeals, hugging her ex brother in law tightly. Well, Poppy still saw him as her brother in law, but the ex-part was technically true.
"How are you? It feels like it's been a while."
"That's because it has, you're always so busy with your experiments." she replies, pulling away.
"I know I know, I'm sorry." he responds, shaking his head. He then notices Mateo still standing nearby, and nods in his direction. Mateo raises his arm and waves back, then puts both his hands on Poppy's shoulders.
"I'll see you in a little bit. Don't forget about you owe me those pigs in blankets." He leans in closer and whispers directly into Poppy's ear. "And maybe if you're lucky, I'll give you my pig in a blanket later."
"That was awful, maybe work on your lines whilst you're gone." she laughs, waving goodbye as he leaves.

"What was that about?" Shapur asks once Mateo is out of sight.
"I think someone is just excited about the hors d’oeuvres." Poppy remarks. She wasn't sure if Shapur knew about her friendship with Mateo but if he didn't, know certainly wasn't the time to share. "Come, your glass is empty. Let's get you another drink.

It takes the duo over 5 minutes to make their way to the bar, despite it being only on the other side of the room. With Poppy owning the only bar in Cove she was well known amongst the residents, and dare she say it even well liked.

Finally, with drinks in their hand once more the two friends find a sofa to perch on. "So how's business?" Shapur asks. They'd already talked about the latest films, the renovation of the local park and of course Lan - and now it seems the conversation has turned to work.
"Ahh you know, same old same old. Christmas is always a busy time of year. A lot of work do's and stuff. But I'm still loving it. Even came up with a new seasonal cocktail the other day. The Sleighbellini it's called."
"Ooh interesting. Is it by any chance a variant of a bellini?"
"Wow, so clever." Poppy responds sarcastically. "Yeah, but it tastes like gingerbread instead of peach."
"Gingerbread, really? That's so cool, how did you manage that?"
Poppy reclines further into the sofa, arms crossed and looking smug. "A magician never reveals their tricks Shaps!"
"Hmm. I guess I'll just have to stop by and try it myself."
"Imma hold you to that!"
"I finish early on Monday, I'll swing by after."
"You better had do now dude."

They talk for a little while longer Noah comes over and says something quietly to Shapur. "I'll be back in a few minutes Pops." he says, standing up.
"Grab us another drink on your way back." She slurps the last bit of her current drink up as she watches the two men walk off. They clearly want to talk privately, but Poppy can clearly still see them talking - though they're definitely too far away to be able to hear what they're saying. Poppy squints, trying to lip read. Something about a salad, no, a talent? It's no use, but whatever they're talking about it looks heated.

* * * * *

"Wow you abandon me for like 15 minutes and then don't even bring me a drink. Talk about rude!" Poppy was clearly joking, but the look on Shapur's face causes her to change her being. "So, what was all that about?"
"What was what about?" Shapur replies, appearing blank.
"You and Noah just then?"
"I don't know what you mean." he says bluntly, pulling at a loose thread on his shirt.
"I mean it looked pretty intense..."
"Look, it was just business. Don't worry about it."
"Are you sure? It really didn't look like-"
"Poppy,  it's fine."

Silence now lingers in the air, unusual for the pair as nothing usually goes unsaid.

A moment later and Shapur stands. "I'm gonna go say hi to a few people. I'll see you in a bit Poppy."
"Oh okay, see ya." but before she even finishes her sentence he's already gone.

* * * * *

Poppy is warm, no, boiling. She'd spent the past hour dancing, drinking and chatting - though Shapur's strange behaviour had constantly lingered in the back of her mind. Now sweat beads roll down her back as she makes her way to the door. She'd spotted the snow when she'd been talking to Max and decided to head out, despite Max protesting it would be too cold.

"Heyyy!" Poppy cried out as she stepped onto the balcony. "Alex right?" The shadowed figure turns around, placing a phone back into his pocket.
"Alejandro, but close enough."
"Oopsie, sorry!" she leans against the railing, facing towards him.
"Don't worry about it. If it makes you feel any better, I recognise you but I really don't remember your name either."
"Poppy. Nice to meet you properly." she extends a hand towards him, which he takes almost instantly.
"Pleasure is all mine, Poppy. So what is it you do?"
"I own Cake by the Ocean."
"Ohhh that's where I recognise you from."
"I mean, I am there pretty much all the time so it probably is." Poppy laughs, before shivering.
"Oh you're cold? Want my jacket?" This causes Poppy to splutter.
"Oh no, I'm really not one of those women. But I'll take a sip of your beer though."
Alejandro shakes his head, but extends his beer towards her.
"Booze keeps ya warm." she says, taking a sip. "So what is it you do?"
"Ahh, let's not talk work on a night like tonight."
"I mean, you asked me first but sure, whatever." She takes another sip of beer.

"Snow sure is pretty isn't  it."
"Not as pretty as you." Alejandro replies, a confident smile on his face.
"Wow, that's so smooth. Does that work on all the girls?"
"Are you this sarcastic with everyone?"
"Hey, I can't help if this is how my childhood trauma chose to manifest itself."
"Ahh interesting, mine is more my inability to sit still."

Before the conversation can evolve any further, a tune blasts into the night sky. It's not the beats of the party though, but rather Alejandro's ringtone.
"Oh I'm sorry, do you mind if I take this?"
"No it's cool, I'll see you around Alex."

As he watches the captivating blue-haired girl saunter off, Alejandro can't help but wonder if she made a joke, or if she was genuinely too drunk to remember his name.

* * * * *

"What do you mean, we can't leave?" Poppy shouts, trying to make herself heard above the music. This is the complete opposite of Shapur, who's shouting because he's annoyed.
"Do I really need to spell it out for you Poppy? We're snowed in. Trapped. Can't leave."
"Sheesh dude, what's wrong with you tonight?"
"Nothing, I- I'm fine."
"Right, well there's nothing we can do. So let's just grab another drink and go enjoy the rest of the night.

And that's certainly what she did.

* * * * *

The first time Poppy woke up on Christmas morning was to Mateo tripping over and he tried to put his jeans on.

"Can you keep it down please?" her head was banging and her throat as dry as the Sahara, and every inch of her body cried out for more sleep.
"Sorry, I didn't want to turn the light on and disturb you."
"Urghh" is all she could muster in response, as she rolled over and pulled the duvet back around her.

This is now the second time she's woken up, the small beam of light peeking through the curtains enough to blind her poor eyes. As the pain in her head returns once more as do the memories of the night before. The games, the many many many drinks and of course, the sex.

Poppy takes her time getting ready, thanks her hosts for their hospitality and phones a taxi, ready to spend Christmas how she always has since her divorce - alone.

2. One sociable Boxing Day

"If I'd have known you were coming, I'd have maybe put a bit more effort into my appearance."
"No no no, it's completely fine, I did come over unannounced."

Poppy had been quite surprised she'd opened her door to find Shapur standing there. Sure, it's a Saturday and they usually do something together on Saturdays, but it's also Boxing Day and they'd not arranged to do anything. And Shapur was always ones for making plans.

"So what brings you over here?" Poppy asks, opening a bottle of wine.
"Oh what, so I can't just come see you whenever?" Poppy shoots him a knowing look, urging him to continue. "Okay okay, I felt bad about how things went last night?"
"It's cool I- I'm just confused. I thought you and Noah were mates?"
"Yeah we are, we're good friends. He's just missing out on a great business opportunity for being, well, stupid."
"Well that's a bit harsh." Poppy mutters, handing Shapur a drink and sitting down beside him. She tucks her legs up onto the sofa and rests her arm on the sofa, her usual position when she has guests over. Throughout this, Shapur remains quiet. "Come on Shaps, we tell each other everything."
"Look, all I'll say is there's a reason Alejandro is in town-"
"Alejandro?"
"-and the project we're walking on is at a turning point."
"And that's what Noah is missing out on?"
"Sure." Sensing he's said too much, Shapur's body relaxes back into the sofa and his tone softens. "So tell me more about Cake by the Ocean hey, how's it going?"

They talk for a while, but Poppy can't forget about what Shapur had told her. What project could they possibly be working on? What had Noah done? She can't shake the feeling that Alejandro somehow holds the key to all of this.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Shapur rises suddenly and moves towards his coat. Fumbling in his pocket for a moment, he pulls out a small wrapped Christmas present.
"Shaps! We agreed we weren't going to do gifts this year." Poppy's  face reddens.
"I know, but I saw this and couldn't help but think of you. I can always take it back if it's such an issue?
"No gimme gimme gimme!" Poppy squeals, practically jumping up and down in her seat. A lot of people would take their time opening the box, which has been wrapped so neatly, but her impatient nature means Poppy rips the paper off. And inside the box lies the most beautiful, crystal watch.

"Shaps, you really shouldn't have! It's stunning!"
"Well like I said I can always ta-"
"Don't you dare. Omg thank you thank you thank you." Poppy shouts, throwing her arms around him. "Come down tonight, you can have a free Sleighbellini. Although that definitely isn't equivalent to what this must have cost. All drinks on the house tonight."
Shapur chuckles. "I can't tonight, but I'll definitely redeem that offer another time."

* * * * *



"Nice watch." Mateo comments, finger stretched towards, you guessed it, Poppy's watch.
"Thanks, a Christmas present."
"Ooh someone's loved." he jokes, adding a wink.
"Aww I'm sorry, are you jealous that I've got a sparkly watch?"
"Oh yeahh, completely."
"Sorry to interrupt, but can I get you guys a drink?"

The duo look up to find Maddison standing in front of them. Poppy can't help but smile, glad to see one of her favourite employees.
"I'll take a whiskey sour please Madds, Mat?"
"Make that two please. Charge it to my tab Maddy."
"Don't be daft dude, it's on the house." Maddison nods with a smile and makes her way to the bar. "Thanks Maddison!" Poppy calls out.

The drinks arrive a few moments later and Poppy and Mateo both raise their glasses simultaneously. Poppy is the first to speak.
"Soo do you wanna talk about whatever you were banging on about last night?"
"Huh?" Mateo looks up from his drink, clearly confused.
"You said you needed to talk to me about something, but it couldn't be said at the party." She turns and glares at a customer - Ben - who is beginning to get rather rowdy, before turning her attention back to Mateo.
"Ohh yeah that." realisation sets in on his face. His voice quietens slightly. "Yeah, we can't really talk about that here either."
"Yo, what kinda dodgy thing- ohhhhhh." Realisation then slaps her in the face. "Yeah okay, Monday alright then?"
"Yeah, come to the shop."

Conversation flowed easily after that. They chatted until half an hour before close, when Mateo decided it would be best for him to go. Poppy, only living upstairs, stayed put wanting to keep an eye on her bar for the rest of the night. Especially with how Ben was acting. Maddison had handled the situation well though, recognising that he was far too drunk, cutting him off and insisting he only drinks water from there on out. She was a good girl, and definitely not fazed by drunken customers. Suppose it just comes with the job.

"Are you sure you don't mind dropping him off, Madds? I'd take him myself but you know as well as I do I've had a few."
"Honestly Poppy, it'll be okay. I'll take him home and then go home myself." Maddison insists.
"Okay, well message me as soon as you get in please. And call me if you need anything okay."

Maddison nods and bids Poppy goodnight, and Poppy takes herself up to bed.

3. Is this the end of an era?

As she lies in bed in the early hours of the morning, Poppy cannot help replay the past afternoon's events in her head.

She'd spent her time at Mateo's bookstore. Poppy had known going there that it wasn't for sex - Mateo had made it very clear that doing stuff there was off the table as it was his family's business. Poppy had never pushed him any further on that - she completely understood. She doesn't want people fucking in her bar - though sadly this does happen occasionally.

The afternoon had been much, much worse than them just not having sex. Mateo had told her that he didn't think they'd be able to carry on what they had. How as much as he wanted to, other people meant it may no longer be possible. That it would take a lot of planning and effort if they wanted to carry on.

There had been shouting and vicious words thrown about by both sides. Thinking back, Poppy knows she could have handled it all better. She should have approached it more level-headedly, trying to find solutions to their issues rather than creating more of them.

As she wraps the duvet tighter around her, Poppy silently vows to discuss the matter further with Mateo once emotions have calmed down.

If their arrangement was to stop, what would it mean for their relationship? Would they blame each other? Would the sex stop? Would they still be friends?

No.

This couldn't be the end.

4. A full tummy and a better mind

"Didn't know you run."

Poppy's neck snaps up to find herself being greeted by Alejandro. She stands up fully, abandoning her stretch against the lamppost.
"Oh hey! Yeah, I try go a couple times a week, gotta be able to burn those calories off somehow!"
"I run too, just surprised we've not bumped into each other before."
"Oh yeah, looks like you've been for a run!" Poppy jokes, noticing his jeans and shirt. Alejandro laughs.
"I went out earlier this morning. I'm actually on my way to breakfast. Care to join?" Poppy usually had a protein shake if she'd been for a run, but this morning her stomach had been particularly vocal and she knows a shake just won't cut it.
"Sure, if you can cope with the smell of dried sweat."

* * * * *

"You know, it can be tough. But it's certainly a lot more interesting being your own boss. And no day is the same."
"Yeah, but how is it financially?"
"Erm, it's okay I guess?"
"So you have more than enough money to get by?"
"Ermm. I guess." His questions are making her slightly uncomfortable. Alejandro apparently picks up on this.
"Ahh sorry, I'm just interested in the idea of starting a business."
"No it's cool." she replies, brushing aside her weird feelings.
"Listen, I need to get going. Can I at least walk you back to yours on my way to the next meeting?"
"Oh no, it's okay. I'm gonna stay here and talk to Max for a bit."

As Alejandro gets up, Poppy can't help but remember what Shapur had said about this man.

Chapter 2

5. Foggy forgiveness

It felt weird being on Mateo's doorstep after so long. In truth, the two of them hadn't really spoken since their argument a few months back. Sure, they'd seen each other around the cove, but all that had arisen was an awkward hello, silence, and an even more awkward goodbye.

Poppy had been furious at Mateo for what he'd suggested when they'd last spoken properly, but as the months passed the anger had fizzled out and replaced with longing. Not just for a fuck buddy, but for her friend. She was too stubborn to admit it though, and thought Mateo would be too.

Which is why she was surprised when he text her asking to meet for food at his place. Questions bounced around her mind - were they going to talk about what happened? Move on and pretend it never happened?

Was it just a booty call?

"Hey."

Had Poppy knocked on the door, or had Mateo been watching out for her from the window? Either way, she now found herself looking up at the man.

"Hi."

He stepped aside. "Come in."

The smell of paella instantly filled Poppy's nostrils; it was on the few dishes Mateo could actually cook well.

She'd been to the house enough times to find her own way to the kitchen.

"Wine?"
"Yeah, please."

She'd need something to help get rid of the awkwardness.

"Where's Zora?"
"Oh, she went out for the night."
"Oh. okay."

Silence.

"So how are things with you."
"Mmhmm" Poppy murmured, gulping her wine. "Yeah, I'm alright. Business is busy, what with Valentine's and the carnival coming up. Yourself?"
"Yeah, I'm good. The shop has been, well, quiet. But that’s nothing new."

More silence.

Poppy was the first to break it.

"You really hurt me you know."
"And you really hurt me!"

Silence. Again.

"I've been wanting to get back into it, you know."
"Hm"
"I do. I've been trying to find a new supplier ever since-"
"Don't bother." Mateo looked taken aback by her response.
"I'm trying to admit I may have made a mistake here. I didn't put enough effort into-"
"Yeah well don't bother. I found someone."
"A supplier?"
"Yep. I've been dealing this whole time."
"Who is it?"

Poppy couldn't help but smile as she filled Mateo in on her business successes. Things felt normal.

As stubborn and quick-tempered the duo were, they also had a calming effect on each other and could quickly forget their woes and move on with their lives.

Which is exactly what happened that evening. They soon realised how silly their disagreement - misunderstanding - had been. Time was spent eating, drinking and catching up. There was no sex though - one had too much to drink and so the other put them to bed.

6. Putting a pin in it

A tap on Poppy's ankles caught her off guard, causing the ladder to wobble quite significantly. She panicked, but a pair of strong hands quickly gripped the ladder and steadied it. Once she was sure she was safe, Poppy looked down and was met with Shapur staring up at her.

"Shaps!" She pulled the earphones from her ears. "You tryna kill me?"
"Sorry Pops, didn't think you'd have your headphones in when you've got a huge surround system in place."
"More personal this way." She said, finally allowing herself to smile as she hopped down beside him. "You're really getting better at this stopping by business aren't you!" Poppy teased.
"Hey, I said I'd back more of an effort! Glad I did, it looks good in here."

Poppy was usually quite modest when it came to her creative projects, but even she admitted her Valentine's decorating look extra good this year. The bar was decked in red, pink and white from floor to ceiling. Streamers hung proudly, waiting to attack tall customers, whilst the scattered hearts sparkled when they caught the light. It really did look pretty.

Which was weird, cos Poppy hated Valentine's Day.

It was far too soppy for her. All those hearts and teddies were too much for her. If you love someone, you shouldn't have to have a special day just to show them.

"Well you know, gotta give the people what they want."
"Indeed." Shapur took a seat at the bar, indicating for Poppy to join him. She obliged, a wave of nausea suddenly hitting her as she crossed the room.

Poppy was very much still feeling the consequences of the night before.

"I was thinking of watching the parade tomorrow night if you're up for it?"
"Aww are you asking me on a date?" She batted her eyelids seductively.
"Poppy." Shapur shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "You know I'd never do that."
"Dude I'm messing. It'd be super weird. But anyway, as much as I'd love to the next couple of days are some of the busiest days of the year. I can't really leave the bar."
"You have other bar staff you know."
"Oh yeah, you really except me to get people like Maddy to work Valentine's Day?"
"You need time off too you know."
"It's my bar. I can't necessarily afford that luxury."
"Well what about the 16th?"
"The 16th? You mean party night? Are you tripping?!"
"Pops, you have to come."
"We'll see."

"Oh you'll be there." Shapur said knowingly, helping himself to a whiskey.

"Maybe." Though they both knew that charm and persistence would turn the hesitance into a yes.

7. Too busy for love

Valentine's Day was hands down one of the worst days to work in the bar. The night started busy but manageable, with apparently half of the cove wanting to share a drink or two with their loved one. But as time whizzed on the romance quickly left and was replaced with rowdy singletons who wanted to drown their loneliness away. And that was where things always got hectic.

"Pretty busy huh."

"It's calmed down a bit now." Poppy called out, slotting another bottle of vodka into the pourer with one hand as she threw the old one into the bin with her other. She made the shot, she always did.

"Well, it is getting on a bit now."

"What can I get you?" Poppy asked, surprised when she saw Alejandro leaning against the bar. She tried to recall the last time she'd seen him but failed, for over the past couple of months he'd spent more time out of town than in it. Still, that hadn't stopped Shaps' words randomly resurfacing to the front of her brain every now and then.

"Just a rum and coke, please."

"So where's the lucky girl then?" Poppy asked, shovelling ice into a glass.
"Who said there was one?"
"You're here alone?" That was also surprising to Poppy. Whilst she wasn't sure if she entirely trusted Alejandro, even she would admit that he was enough eye candy. She thought girls would be queuing up to be with him.

"I don't really have time for a relationship."

Figured.

"Just need to grab some more coke from the fridge downstairs. Back in two ticks."

* * * * *

When she returned upstairs Poppy found Alejandro perched at the bar, examining the specials menu.

"Here ya go!"
"An Easy Bangria? Not very romantic, but very creative."
She shrugged. "If someone wants something romantic go for The Love Potion. Not everyone's in a committed relationship, you should know that."

Poppy wasn't sure if she was joking or taking a cheap shot at the man. Either way, Alejandro laughed at her remark.

"You're right about that."
"Course I am, I know my customers."
"Perk of running your own business I guess."

Yet again, Alejandro had steered the conversation towards her business.

"You're very serious about business aren't you?"
"I'm just very business orientated, that's all."
"Yeah, I can tell."
"I have other sides to me too you know."
"Yeah, sure you do."
"I do! Grab a drink with me tomorrow and I'll show you."

Poppy was stunned. "Did you just ask me out?"
"No. I'm just trying to show you you can trust me."

Could he read her mind? Shapur was usually a good judge of character, and if he had issues with Alejandro then Poppy was certainly cautious of him. That being said, no matter how many times Poppy begged him for information Shapur would not elaborate or provide an explanation. Perhaps if she met up with Alejandro she could find some answers for herself.

The bar could surely cope without her for a couple of hours.

"You're in luck. I'm free tomorrow."
"Great. They do drinks at the Eatery right? Give you a break from here."
"Sure."

He was staring at her intently with piercing eyes, almost as though he was looking into her soul. Poppy felt uncomfortable, but she couldn't allow her eyes to pull away.

"Hey. Can I get some service please?”

Poppy snapped out of her trance. "Sure, what can I get you?

8. Curiosity and charm

"I have to admit, it does look pretty sick in here!"
"Yep, I think we're done." Shapur murmured.
"You think I'm done you mean."

When the last customer had left Poppy had made a quick bowl of noodles before lugging the carnival decorations up from the basement. It had been 4am once she'd finally started decorating it  was now 8am - but with a busy few days up ahead this was the only time Poppy had to get the bar ready for the festival. She'd not even felt tired really, unlike Shapur who had swung buy to help for a bit but was now slumped in one of the booths.

"Come on sleepy head, you can get going now." Poppy said, tapping Shapur's knee. His response was a groan.
"Dude, you wanna just sleep here?"
Shapur murmured once more. "Not really, believe it or not these seats aren't the comfiest to sleep on."
"I have a couch upstairs."
Shapur shrugged, still lying down. "Get me a coffee and I'll be on my way."
"Yes sir."

* * * * *

When she returned to the table a few moments later Shapur had finally sat up, though he looked really rough. He uttered a thanks as Poppy placed a black coffee beside him.

"Any plans for the rest of the day?"
"Sleep." Shapur attempted to joke. "You?"
"Same to be honest. Though I'm also meeting Alejandro later."
"Alejandro?" Poppy's last statement awoke the man 10 times more than the sip of coffee had. "Why?"
"Why not?" Poppy shrugged.
"Oh." Shapur looked down, causing Poppy to sigh and ask why. "I asked you if you wanted to go to the parade the other night and you said you were too busy. Seem to have found time to go out with him though."
"Come on Shaps don't be like that. A. I really was busy the night you wanted to go and B. every time I ask you about Alejandro and the project you completely shut down. I need answers okay."
"Or you could just not meddle in matters that don't concern you."
"Shaps!"
"I'm too tired to argue okay. Goodnight Pops." he arose suddenly and made his way to the door, stopping before heading out: "Just, be careful okay." And with that he left, leaving Poppy once more pondering about Alejandro.

After a few moments alone with her thoughts Poppy also got up and headed to her apartment. There was still a lot that needed to be done, like tidying up and making posters advertising the Piñata Colada.

But for now, sleep.

* * * * *

Poppy awoke 10 hours later feeling very well rested indeed. The tranquillity suddenly subsided though when she looked at her phone and saw a number of messages.

Alejandro wrote

Still on for tonight? Meet you at the eatery at 7

Shapur wrote

Sorry about this morning, I was really tired x

Alejandro wrote

Change of plan, wrap up warm!

Meeting at 7? It was half 6! Sugar honey iced tea!

Poppy threw herself out of bed, now aware she had about 15 minutes to make herself look somewhat presentable. She chucked on a pair of jeans and the first top she saw, deciding only a few moments later she didn't like it. Too late to change now though, a scarf would have to cover it up.

What are we doing? Poppy thought as she brushed her teeth. Alejandro had originally said about getting a drink together, what exactly was he planning.

What am I doing? Poppy also thought, aware she was almost excited. Was it to see Alejandro? No.

It was to finally time to see what was going on with Shapur.

* * * * *



"You look good." Alejandro commented, as he strolled towards her.
"Not good to be late on a date you know." she said, though she found herself blushing at his remark.
"I know, I'm sorry. I got caught up at work."
"Surprise surprise."
"Right, no more talk of work-"
"You started it-"
"Come on." he said, tightly gripping her hand and pulling her along the street.

"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
"Quite mysterious aren't you."
"How so?"
"Don't know where we're going. Don't know why you're in town. Don't know much about you- the ice sculptures?"

They stopped before the ice exhibit, a small queue of people outside waiting to admire people's creative talents.

"Why here?"
"I like art. There you go, now you know something about me."

The ice sculptures didn't really mean too much to Poppy, to her it was just a solid block of ice which vaguely resembled a lion or whatever. However, she was surprised by Alejandro.

He was like a completely different person.

It was as though his hard business exterior had melted away to reveal a witty, charismatic individual. She spent an hour and a half following him around the exhibit, listening intently as he enthusiastically explained the process of ice sculpting and what each creator must have been feeling as they created their piece. It was incredible.

He was incredible.

Once they'd seen all of the sculptures the duo grabbed hot chocolate and cookies from the shack outside, where the two talked about everything from their favourite meals to the last concert they went to.

She may not have found out any information about why Alejandro was in town, but she certainly had a wonderful night.

And for the first time since she'd met him, Poppy could look at Alejandro without Shapur's words of warning surfacing.

9. Someone else for the night

As predicted, Poppy attended the costume party. She originally felt a little uneasy about leaving her bar on one of the busiest nights of the year, but she was no longer Poppy who owned a bar. That night, she was Poppy the sexy flapper girl.

"Find your answers last night?" Shapur asks, offering the blue-haired girl a drink.
"No thanks. I'm not drinking tonight."
"You? Not drinking?"
"You're making me sound like an alky."
"I mean, I have wondered that."
"Hey!"
"So go on, why aren't you drinking?"
"Well let's just say this pipe isn't just part of the costume."
"Gotcha." Shapur allowed himself to smile for a second before becoming serious again. "So did you find your answers last night?"
"No, not really. I did have a nice time though." Now it was Poppy who was smiling, though she didn't necessarily realise she was doing it.

Shapur wore concern across his face. "You don't like him do you?"

She shrugs. "Early days. Now come on, let's go dance."

* * * * *

Time had slowed for Poppy, who's mind was beginning to feel the effect of her pipe. Illusions kept dancing before her and having been lost in the chaos of her own thoughts Shapur was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, Poppy now stood before a figure wearing half a mask. The mask began to melt and drip over the figure's whole body, consuming him until he was nothing but silky white plastic.

"Awesome."

"Poppy, are you okay?"

The plastic began to retreat to only half the man's face once more.

"Hey Alejandro. I'm okay, are you?"
"You sure? You look kind of out of it."
"I'm okay, are you?"
"Yeah I'm good thanks. I had a really good time last night..."

Poppy was aware the man was still talking but she wasn't really listening. She was too busy watching Mateo. He'd been standing in the corner, checking his watch. Whatever time he was waiting for came, and Mateo left the room.

"Can we continue this convo later? I gotta go." She left without waiting for Alejandro to respond.

Keeping a distance, she stumbled after Mateo. She found him outside, talking to someone Poppy didn't recognise. An exchange happens: Mateo gave the man a package and in return received a large envelope.

"Are you dealing without me?" Poppy shouted, stepping towards the two men. The unknown man became startled and quickly made a beeline back towards the party.

"No, Poppy. Of course I'm not."
"The is." the raven perched on his shoulder chortled.
"Hm."
"Poppy, I swear I'm not!"

His mood become broken as he perched on a low wall.

"Business really hasn't good. Even our little deal isn't helping. I'm- I'm having to sell counterfeit books just to try save the shop."
"Are things really that bad?" The raven nodded but Poppy ignored him.
"Yep."
"Let me help, I've got some savings-"
"No Poppy, I appreciate it but I can't take your money."
"But I want to help!"
"No. It's okay, I'll figure something out."
"Well, if it makes you feel any better I'm so high I probs won't even remember this was real in the morning." Poppy said, looking once more at the raven.

She was being completely serious, but Mateo laughed. It was always nice seeing him laugh.

10. $6 please (02/03)

“Feels like it’s been a while.”
“I swear I literally saw you at the beginning of the week?” Poppy shouted across the bar as she wiped up the rather large amount of beer a customer had just spilt everywhere. It was a Saturday night, and busier than usual for some reason.
“Yeah, a couple of days. That’s a while for us.”

Poppy tossed the rag into the pile of other dirty rags that had accumulated on the floor and spun around to finally give Mateo her full attention.
“Yeah, I suppose it is.” She smiled, “What can I get you.”
“Hmm, I quite like the look of you.”
“Mat!” Poppy squealed, stretching across the bar and tapping his shoulder. “A sensible answer? Come on, I’m busy.”
“Just a beer please Pops. Usual.”

She couldn’t help but smile as she turned away to fetch Mateo’s order. She was glad he’d finally fully opened up about his financial issues, it meant he completely trusted her and Poppy valued that a lot. Over the past month she’d tried to help him as best she could, though that had involved more being there are emotional support as Mateo had refused to accept money from her. It was weird, somehow this had brought them closer together…

A loud shout stopped Poppy’s thoughts.

She scanned the room to spot where the outburst had come from. A large man was swaying beside the bar, shouting inappropriate slur towards a group of women sat in the far corner. It was the same man who’d dropped 2 bottles of beer only moments ago.

“Right. I think it’s time you left now pal.”

“But IIIII haven’t done anything wrrrrrrong.”
“I warned you before and you’re still causing trouble.” She stood before the man, straight-back and legs far apart. She’d dealt with enough difficult customers to know how to present herself.
“Commmme onnn, I’mm just here forrrra drrrrrink.”
“You were here for a drink. Now you’re on your way.”
The man was becoming more and more agitated, and was cursing left right and centre. Poppy allowed him to rant for a moment, before threatening to phone the police.

“You stupid bi-“ the man raised his arm but someone else grabbed it before it could strike Poppy.

“Like Miss Anwar said. Time to go.”

The drunked eyed Mateo up and down then backed off, clearly deciding that whilst he was fine hitting Poppy he was not willing to pick a fight with the strong Spanish-Croatian. Mateo glared at him as he left, but once he was out the door he turned back to Poppy.

“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I can handle myself though you know.”
“I know. I just didn’t want you to get hurt.”

Poppy broke eye contact and looked at the floor, feeling her cheeks burn slightly. “I- erm- I never got you your beer.”

She grabbed a glass and began filling it, watching Mateo as he retook his seat at the bar.

“That’ll be $6.”
“Huh?” Mateo spat some of his sip back into the glass. “I just saved you!”
“Woah woah woah. I didn’t need saving, you just jumped in!”
“Sure.”
“$6 please.”
“Hmm. How about I treat you to a picnic tomorrow instead? Weather’s meant to be good.”
“Woww, are you seriously trying to pay for you drinks with a date?”
He shifted in his seat uncomfortably. “It-it’s not a date.”
“Dude I know. You’ve always said no dating.”
He shifted uncomfortably again.
“So are you serious?” Poppy asked.
“I mean, I do really like you and I would like to-“
“Yeahhh I meant about the picnic.”
“Oh, yeah of course.”
“Sick, it’s a date then.” She winked, then walked off to serve another customer.

11. Daisies and donuts (03/03)

“You really do know how to put a good picnic together.” Poppy commented, sliding a daisy through the stem of another.
“Well I certainly think you got more than $6 out of it.”

She certainly had. There’d been sandwiches, fruit, donuts, crisps as well as a selection of both Spanish and Croatian cuisine – enough for the two of them to eat until they were full and then snack on whilst they’d been sitting in the park over the past couple of hours.

“Yeah you’re definitely welcome to more drinks if this is how I’m going to get paid.”

The small daisy chain looked pathetic, so she threw it onto the ground beside her.

“Here.” Mateo – book in hand – raised his arm, indicating for Poppy to come lean into him. She did one better than that though, and instead sprawled across him. His grip tightened around her and he resumed reading his book.

Poppy had been thrilled when Mateo had suggested Panorama Park, it was one of her favourite places in the cove. It was the liveliest of all of the parks, something was always going on which made it an ideal place to go people watching – a hobby she liked to partake in.

But not today. Instead, Poppy found herself looking up at the clouds.

“Do you ever wish you could fly? Like, just take off and go somewhere else?”
Mateo sighed, but didn’t stop reading. “I’ve never really thought about it.”
“So where would you go?”
"I'm quite happy with what I've got here." he said without missing a beat. His eyes met hers.
"Okay well if you had to go somewhere, where'd you go?"

He sighed once more and paused, clearly thinking about his answer.
“Probably Europe. Try find some family, you know. Where would you go?”
“Brazil.”
“Brazil? How comes?”
“It just seems like fun.”

Mateo added nothing further to the conversation and Poppy was too relaxed to think of things to say for the sake of it. So she allowed her eyes to close and thought about how much she enjoyed Mateo’s company. And just as she drifted off to sleep, Poppy could have sworn she felt a light kiss upon her forehead.

12. Smooth running (04/03)

“I win!” Poppy called, coming to a halt in front of The Eatery. She looked back at Alejandro, who was a short distance behind her.
“Not fair, I’d have beaten you if I hadn’t tri-“
“If you hadn’t been such a klutz? Sure.”
“I would!”
“I guess that’s better than you just saying you were being a gentleman and let me win.”
“Well there is that too.”
“Ha!”

After their trip to see the ice sculptures, Poppy and Alejandro had been spending rather a lot of time together. Originally just some time here and there, but Alejandro’s frequent trips to Cake by the Ocean had quickly grown into regularly watching films at the movies, eating out and early morning runs. Although she’d been resistant to him at first, Poppy was enjoying learning more about the man and was beginning to trust him even.

“Look, I have something to ask you. You’re more than welcome to say no, like there’s no expectations or anything…”

Why was she wittering on so much? Poppy never usually had any trouble getting her words out, and she’d certainly been known to make the first move before. But for some reason, whenever Poppy looked at Alejandro she reverted back to a 16-year-old kid.

“Go on.”

“So remember the charity raffle?”
“Yeah.”
“Well I won a cooking class, you get taught 3 courses. I think it’s for couples and I know we’re not technically a couple but I was- well I was wondering if-“
“Poppy, are you asking me to come with you?”
“Yeah I- I think so.”

She finally looked up at Alejandro, who was wearing a large smile upon his face.

“I’d love to.”
“Awesome!”

Alejandro leaned forward and planted a kiss on Poppy’s cheek, causing her to blush slightly.

"Sorry, I don't know what came over me."
"No, it's cool."

It felt weird, but she hadn't not liked it.

Little did she know that Mateo was watching from across the street, and a tiny piece of his heart had just broken.

13. Unknowing (05/03)

TBA

Planned to have sex with M, Poppy backs out. Asks about Alejandro, says she doesn't know where it's going. Mateo goes quiet.

14. A change in heart (06/03)

TBA

Out shopping, bumps into Shapur. Grabs a coffee with him, also talk about Alejandro. Supports her now.

15. Multiple levels of hotness (07/03)

TBA

What did they do once they got back to his? Some things are best left unspoken – but let’s say that the raspberry molten cake had certainly worked its magic.

Cooking class with Alejandro. Make tarts, spicy crab pasta and raspberry molten cake. Accidentally add too much spice to the pasta, Alejandro doesn't like it.

16. Growing plant (08/03)

TBA

1. Stops by bookshop to look at the showcase.
2. Working.

17. Crumpled flower (09/03)

TBA

1. Reads expose early hours of the morning.
2. Confronts Shapur (also early hours). Disgusted in him. Such an age difference - 19 years.
3. Drinks whiskey and falls asleep on the kitchen floor.
4. Wakes up around 2pm, missed calls from Shapur and a text from Mateo asking if she's okay. Texts back she's fine. Finds letter from dad asking if she'd like to meet up. Decides she needs answers from Alejandro.
5. Goes to A's, in a bad mood. Keeps asking why he's here and says she can't trust him. Storms out. Alejandro follows, but realises she won't talk to him and heads back.
6. Feels let down and betrayed by everyone. Decides to walk Baden Powell Trail alone and unprepared. Injuries her leg.
7. Finishes walk early hours of the morning. Mateo sat outside the bar, worried since she's not been answering her phone (A also messaged him to check in on her. May have Mateo come find her instead. "Why can't I trust any guys?" "You can trust me."

INCOMPLETE
Thanks to schoggettchen for the beautiful character banner! Also, work has been very hectic this week and I've literally had no time to write. I'll chip away at it before chapter 4 though!

Last edited by Fashion-Chic (28/03/2021 at 23:07)

Name: Alma Rivera
Interests: Nick, Renon, Seb

STORY - DONE

2nd - And the Prize is...DONE

✳️✳️✳️NICK✳️✳️✳️

“Well look at you Mrs. Fancy-pants... Paris in Vancouver...”

I jumped, spinning nervously while clutching my raffle prize tightly in one fist. Immediately, my heart began to race, not just from the startle, but because he loomed there, grinning his lop-sided grin, his shoulder balanced against the door frame as he stared back at me. And I couldn’t think of a single thing to say. I’m pretty sure I opened my mouth... then shut it, then tried again. To no avail. Then he was stepping over the threshold, crowding the suddenly too-tiny office with his overly large presence. I could literally hear the seconds ticking away in my far too empty brain as he moved in what seemed like some sort of Matrix-like intensity. Slow... deliberate. It was all in my mind of course, but still.  He shut the door behind him. Shutting out the rowdiness of the rest of the crew setting down to meal a short distance away. Shutting us in, alone. For the first time in two weeks.

My stomach flipped. And I hated that it did. I was acting like some silly twit. But I couldn’t seem to help myself. I laughed awkwardly, lifted the envelope, and waved it dismissively...

“Yeah, silly right...”

Then I jerked into motion, turning to randomly straighten the papers I had strewn across the desktop, daily logs getting jumbled together with inventory requests and EMS reports. I knew it, even as I did it... that I was making more work for myself.

“Why is it silly? Sounds charming...”

Forgetting, momentarily, I peeped over at him with a smug look of skepticism... “You... romcoms? Since when...?”

“Hey... judgy... I can go for the mushy stuff sometimes... I like movies... I like to laugh... I like to eat...”

I snorted then chuckled as I chopped the gathered papers on the desk... ‘yeah... you should go then...”

“Is that an invitation?”

That even in those few seconds I managed to forget was literally some sort of miracle. I froze and my heart began chasing itself in a roar through my chest. I dared not look, but it was impossible to miss him shifting positions, even from the corner of my eye.

“We are going to have to talk about it sooner or later...”

I continued avoiding looking directly at him, choosing instead to move the neatly stacked chaos from my hands to the task bin at the end of the desk.

“Yeah, sure... later works for me... meals ready, plus I have this work to get through before shift ends...”

I suppose it was something sort of progression that I didn’t ask him what ‘it’ he was talking about. But I tried to sound as lighthearted and unconcerned as possible, yet I knew I failed. I felt like I had been walking on eggshells for the last two weeks. And it wasn't only because of Nick. But at that moment, he was the only part of it that seemed to fixate in my mind. Still, I tossed him some half-effort sultry grin that typically worked on guys and turned as if I meant to leave the office, and him and this inevitable conversation.

“It’s already later...” He challenged. “I’m sure your boss won’t chop your head off for taking a few moments to handle a personal matter.”

His tone was clearly questioning. Maybe a little impatient, or as uneasy as I was feeling. There was no way to tell, except maybe talk to him about it. And God knew I had been doing everything in my power to avoid doing just that. I dragged in a ragged breath before biting the inside of my cheek against the insistent churning in my belly. I honestly did not wish to hear his regrets. It was exactly why I had avoided having this conversation in the first place. But he was right of course. And I knew I was being a little punk. There really wasn’t much I was afraid of but talking to my boss and best friend about how I drunkenly invited and thoroughly enjoyed every inch of him in my bed was definitely high on the list.

It was totally out of character, not the drinking of course... or the sex after drinking, but the repeated rounds of sex one night after drinking with my boss and then fearing confronting it, that most definitely was. But... I wasn’t exactly sure what to do in this circumstance. It had been two weeks... two long weeks of confusing days and sleepless nights. And when sleep did eventually come, my dreams were full of disturbingly vivid carnal images that left me waking panting and sweaty. Not that the visions didn’t assail me in broad daylight. My tongue felt like lead every time I had considered discussing with him since it happened.

“Or is it your hope that we just pretend it never happened, just sweep it under the rug and never bring it up... ever?”

Was there hope in his tone? I gritted my teeth and glared at him.

“But it did happen!” I exclaimed in a testy tone, annoyed at his suggestion for some reason. “How can you just forget all about it?”

How could he really? After I’ve done nothing but think about it constantly for two damn weeks. Like even right at that moment. Looking at him instantly brought the memories back and I simply could not get the image of him, bare-chested and in the throes of passion out of my mind. Thinking about what he did to me, what I did to him... it was utter insanity, of the kind I hadn’t felt in years. But then I noticed what suspiciously looked like utter smugness across his face and my eyes narrowed even tighter.

He was quick to respond though, in the most casual manner possible... he leaned back against the deceptively cleared disk and crossed his arms over his chest.

“If I had forgotten I wouldn’t have trapped you in here with me to have this discussion...”

I scoffed, glancing towards the door then back to him. “I’m not trapped...”

“oh... you are. Mentally. You’re stubborn... and you’re arrogant. And you’re too much of both to avoid a direct challenge... ergo, me, here... now.”

I rolled my eyes. But I knew I felt rooted in the spot I stood in. As if I simply could not just take those few last steps and escape. And the fact that he knew it, had used it to his advantage proved just how far over the deep end I had gone with this one.

“You don’t scare me, Nick...” I said stubbornly, perhaps more so to convince myself of that fact than anything else.

“Good. I’m not trying to scare you”

“What are you trying to do then?”

“Talk... understand. Not have you shy away from me like some frightened alley cat every time I walk into a room.”

“I don’t...”

He didn’t even bother to argue with me. He waited. And, probably as he expected, the silence gnawed at my patience.

“Okay... fine... you’re right, we need to talk about it” I huffed out and strolled back towards him. But only to grip the chair and roll it purposefully several feet away before taking a seat. He continued to stand.

“Thought you’d see things my way...”

“Don’t get cocky yet... I still might take option number two and stride right out of here...”

“No, you won't.”

He was actually chuckling, as anything was normal about any of this. I rolled my eyes and even started to nibble on a hangnail that I knew I should leave alone but... nerves. Seconds later I shook my head and dropped it onto my lap. Only to start nibbling on my lip instead. Finally, I released another pent-up breath and blurted out...

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re... sorry?”

What the hell was wrong with me. I couldn’t even look at him. I knew that I hated being forced to admit out loud what a colossal mess I made of things between us. I sighed and almost looked up at him. I didn’t get above his knees.

“For hovering around you all night, making you keep doing shots with me... and the dancing and the flirting and the... seducing...”

“For... making me?”

“Oh my gaw....” I jumped up and did a quick pace in the cramped office, obviously agitated. “Seriously... how are you so utterly calm about all of this? I have literally been a wreck since it happened and you’re just standing here as if we are discussing how much rain we might have next week.”

“And... you’re a wreck because you regret... ‘seducing’ me?” If I wasn’t so wrapped up in my own heightened emotional state I might have picked up on his mocking tone. Instead, I stopped dead in my tracks and glanced back at him, my eyes widening in shock.

“Noo... because you must...”

“Oooh, I must?” he ironically exclaimed. “How’s that exactly?”

I huffed again, waving a hand around dismissively at his humoring me but then proceeded to give him my very well thought out, logical reasons that this would certainly be a bad situation from his point of view...

“Well, to start with, I work for you... and there’s... well the optics of that. Not that I think you would give me any special considerations or anything, but other people might. And well... then there’s your little thingamajig with Theo that you’ve never hidden from me... I mean, I know you two aren’t exclusive or anything but still... it’s a thing. And then... well... I mean, we are friends... and how will you feel about talking to me about the stuff you do if we are screwing each other like you might not feel comfortable having the friendship we’ve had with someone you’re banging. And then... I don’t know there are so many other things. Like, how I obviously like to drink... and I fucking curse... a fucking lot. And I am stubborn and arrogant, you’ve already pointed those out today... there are so many reasons...”

Deflated, I turned and flopped back into the chair. But spilling my thoughts left me far less anxious than before and I was finally able to look at him with far less hesitation.

“I see...” he said after a few moments of just looking at me. “You’ve given this a lot of thought... and rolled out quite a list of sureties...”

I laughed wryly while nodding, certain he could not dispute my logic. Nothing I said was a lie. Then I blurted... “It’s literally all I’ve been thinking about.”

Which wasn't exactly the truth, but when it came to thinking about the other thing it always led to what happened between us. If I hadn't been so agitated about what happened just before the party, perhaps I might not have drunk so much and I might not have made the pass and I might not have... Nick's body flashed in my mind and I trembled slightly.

“I might suggest...” he hesitated, looking at me for encouragement. My heart felt like a piece of lead as I nodded again, my mind already racing trying to figure out what I had forgotten to add to the list. “I’d suggest, next time... you should ask me what I think before you go making up assumptions for your little pro and con list about my feelings...”

I admit, of all the things I braced myself to hear, that had not been one of them. And my mind reeled at it. Assuredly, I felt a bit defensive... at first. I mean, I knew Nick. We were as close as two friends could be, I supposed. He certainly was closer to me than anyone else in the world. Not, mind you, that I had ever made any huge effort to be particularly close to anyone in general. But Nick, I had known him for 6 years. Had been in some really heavy situations with him, life-threatening shit, over the years. I knew what he liked, I could tell when he was being playful when he was ill when he was in a bad mood... I could close my eyes and picture him clear as day. And I crafted my thoughts about our intimacy based on what I thought his objections would be. Because... I assumed there would be objections. I bit my lip again as my stomach started to twist again.

“Okay... perhaps I can admit that I maybe should have done that.” I earned myself a nod. “Very well... what are your thoughts then?”

He didn’t move, just continued to sit there for several more moments staring at me. I assumed he was thinking about how to let me down gently.

“I think...” he finally started as he rose, and I chastised myself inwardly for the breath I released at the silence finally being broken. But my relief was short-lived. “that I will accept your invitation to dinner and a movie.”

“What?” Certainly, I was dumbfounded.

“I accept... is there a reservation or do you need to call and set it up yourself?”

“I... it said either the 5th or the 12th...” I was so confused.

“Great, take the 5th, you shouldn’t be needed at your job that night.”

“Nick...” he had already walked across the room as he spoke, his fingers wrapped around the doorknob. I stood, “Nick...”

“I’ll pick you up around twoish so we can make the drive down, unless the reservation calls for something different let me know... I'll make the other arrangements...”

“Nick!” He was blatantly ignoring me. He did look back though at that last call. But definitely not with any sort of intention of addressing whatever pressing questions I might have. His eyes were dancing with mischief.

“And Alma... wear something seductive...”

"Nick! What other arrangements?!" But he just walked out.

3rd - Ignorance Can Be Bliss... DONE

✳️✳️✳️SEB✳️✳️✳️

“Ohh shit!” I squealed and took a moment to gather my wits before hissing, “you scared the shit out of me!”

It was hard to take his murmured “Sorry” seriously with his eyes crinkled and lips twitching with amusement and a spoon sitting between said lips.

“I didn’t realize you’d be here,” I mumbled irritably turning to toss my keys into a dish beside the door then stacked my purse on top of it.

“Yeah, can sometimes happen when you live somewhere.”

“Well tripping over your goddamn gym bag when I get home tired from shift does give a very physical reminder” I chided as I barely missed toppling over said bag a few steps away from the entrance.

“Okay... well, seems like someone has had their happiness challenged today.”

I was definitely frowning when I turned and watched him spoon another mouthful of the yogurt he clutched in the other fist. He appeared to be dressed either on his way out or just returning from the gym, which would explain the bag smack dab in the middle of the floor. Considering the snacking, I’d go with the latter.

“Sorry...” I finally signed and walked over to the kitchen island and uncapped a water bottle. “It’s been a bit of a weird shift...”

“Hey, listen... if this is a problem, I mean I know you were okay with this set up when I first got to town, but it’s been a few months, I get it if you want back your privacy...”

“What? No. Seb, really, no. I love having you here and with my over-night shifts and your... well your whatever it is that you do, we barely see each other as is. It’s just been, weird.... well, in the last couple weeks really.”

It seemed like he had to consider my response, judge it perhaps, for credibility... honesty. Or maybe it was all in my head. Overthinking seemed to be my full-time dedication in the last weeks. Eventually, he moved on instead of dwelling on the topic.

“Weird hmm? By your mood, I’d venture it’s been kinda taxing.”

“Just, strange, well, I don’t know, maybe... yeah” I released another breath and shook my head. “Making a lot of sense here I’m sure haha...”

“Well, I doubt you need me to tell you you’re not... anything you want to talk about?”

He moved, turned his back on me, and started rinsing out the container while I considered his offer. How easy would it be to just unleash everything on him, all of it? Even the parts from before the last weeks. The parts that could very well be coming back to bite me firmly in the ass. I rubbed my fingers over my eyes, hard, then brushed my fingers into my hair and yanked out the scrunchy and letting the locks fall free before sipping from my water again. It wasn’t what I wanted. The drink, not the unburdening. I’d love to do the second. But I couldn’t. Not now. Not with Seb. I couldn’t even imagine how to begin telling him that tale. He would never look at me the same way again. He was much better off blissfully ignorant.

He turned back, the question still ripe in his gaze, and I offered a rather lopsided smile. A mixture of practiced jollity and casualness.

“It’s just... work stuff...” It wasn’t a complete lie at least. “I’d bore you to tears...”

He smiled and nodded, although, I had an odd sensation that he might have been a little disappointed in my response. I was getting entirely too paranoid. “I trust my little daredevil sister won’t tolerate boredom for too long, it’ll get better...”

Hell, boredom would be greatly appreciated at that moment. But I chuckled, latching on to anything that distracted attention.

“Please... I’ve not been your little daredevil in far too many years...”

“The day I start thinking of my roller-derby-inspired sister as anything other than totally insane will be a strange day indeed.”

I laughed. “Oh, my gracious! You remember that?”

He chuckled. “Pretty hard to forget with you and your friends gathering together, dressing in the most um... how to put this delicately?... such, um... flashy clothes then literally throwing each other into walls like utter fools.”

“Oh please, we were hawt...” I smirked, “and perhaps a bit crazy...”

“Umm-hmm... I swear I think my mom went about crazy trying to figure out what to do with her literally off-the-walls new daughter!”

I smirked again, “Oh shut it, your mom loves me like I’m her very own!”

“Perhaps.” But his expressive eyes proved how very much of a tease he was being. His little chuckle after confirmed it. When he turned to take hold of the fridge door I jumped up.

“You’re hungry? I can cook...” His exaggeratedly horrified face made me laugh. “Oh please! You’ve been clearing out my leftovers for months!”

He scoffed, “Saving you from food poisoning.”

I rolled my eyes, slapped his arm playfully, and shoved him out the way. “By giving it to yourself? You’re not that heroic!”

He chuckled as he moved back a few steps. “Well... if you’re insisting, those chorizo enchiladas last week weren’t haaaalf-bad...”

“Oh, you mean that container full of enchiladas I made for the guys at the station that disappeared before I could do it the following day... those enchiladas?”

“Didn’t want the guacamole to turn brown and have them feel utterly disgusted by your thoughtfulness...”

I laughed and shook my head but definitely started tugging out ingredients and got to work. While, laughingly, we continued to rattle off some of my more memorable antics as a teen. By the time I finished cooking and we sat to eat, I eventually was forced to admit, although with a very firm and direct disclaimer that said admission would never get out of that room...

“Perhaps I was a bit of a handful.”

“You think?”

“Enough about me!... What about you, Seb? I barely know anything you’ve been up to in the last years.”

He speared a bite and stuffed it in his mouth, delaying his response momentarily.

“Not much to tell really... work, life... work. And now I’m here.”

My lips twisted a little as I frowned considering his answer. Which wasn’t really much of an answer. But, I suppose that had always been Seb’s way. He was never much of a sharer, almost always belittling any contribution he made to whatever was going on around him. He was private and withdrawn... when he wasn’t putting on an exceedingly charming front. But knowing the underneath had never been easy for most people, even for members of his own family. Since the very beginning, I had always felt this drive to make him feel included, spur him to do things, anything... something more, even when it was so blatantly obvious that he was content in his own world.

“You’re okay though?”

He chuckled. I honestly was not sure how genuine it was. “I’m fine Alms... just, taking stock, seeing where pieces fit together.”

“And the job hunt?” I ventured... “Still considering taking up a position at the school?”

“It’s still on the table...” he muttered, exceptionally nonchalant. Then, before I could guess his intention, he poked the last bit of my enchilada and chomped it away in his mouth. I gasped, definitely outraged as I had every intention of finishing that, but he laughed, stood, and began gathering the dishes.

It was apparent that he’d decided that dinner was over.

“Have they offered the position and you’re just deciding if you want it? Or you’re still deciding if that’s where you want to apply? Do you want to stay in Hemlock Cove?”

He was rinsing dishes, again, but paused to glance at me.

“Are you sure you’re not trying to get me out of your hair...”

“No, of course not, you can stay here as long as you like... stay, move in permanently if you like. I am just... I’m curious. If you’re undecided and like need someone to bounce ideas off...”

He loaded the dishwasher before turning to face me fully. And he smiled. Tenderly.

“I’m good, Alms. Trust me, you don’t have to worry about me...”

“I’m not worried.” It was nowhere near the first time I had used those exact words on him over the years. The truth was, considering that he was the older sibling, I almost always was the one worried about him and not the other way around.

“Good!” he uttered with a smile. “there really is no need...”

“Okay,” I muttered, though he probably could tell it was a touch of mulishness to it. I nibbled on my lower lip.

“Listen... I had plans, so I’m going to be gone for a bit. But this was nice. We should do it more often.”

I frowned. “A bit... like hours... or like days?”

He just grinned, stepped closer, and wrapped me in a tight embrace. “Love you, sis...”

And with my echoed response he moved to leave. But not before grabbing up his gym bag at the entrance. And I couldn’t help but wonder why on earth he had just eaten a full meal before he headed to the gym.

5th - It's an Experience... DONE

✳️✳️✳️DRIVE DOWN✳️✳️✳️

“That’s a good starting effort, but if you expect to be successful tonight you might want to do something about that mulish expression on your face...”

I cut my eyes at him. “Successful at what?”

“Why seducing me of course... that outfit is at least a good start.”

“I’ve no intention of trying to seduce you tonight!” I hissed but also squirmed a little in the heated seat of his luxurious 4-wheeler. We had been driving for less than ten minutes and I had immediately turned to watch the road pass by out the window, still entirely too uncertain about this whole thing with Nick. Our talk had done nothing to alleviate any gnawing concern. But instead of dredging on and on about that particular topic, I found myself, instead, wondering how I had never considered the similarity between the man and his vehicle before. It beyond me, but it certainly seemed that I couldn't avoid doing anything else at this point. A heady combination of lavish ruggedness, power and beauty. Until he interrupted my ridiculously whimsical musings that is.

“Awe, but you claimed to be so exceptionally good at it.”

“I did no such thing...” I contradicted stubbornly.

“Ohh, I’m fairly sure you did. Said quite bluntly that you ‘made’ me do it... with your seductive wiles no doubt...”

I scoffed and glanced over, narrowing my gaze on the smirk he wore.

“You’re taunting me...”

“Maybe... a bit...”

And I was torn between laughing and grimacing. This whole thing was no laughing matter but... it was too. Like my life was becoming some sort of tragic comedy; old haunts and reckless decisions leading to a world of uncertainties. And I thought I had found my little hole in the world to find some drama-less stability. But eventually, you always reap what you sow.

Unexpectedly, Nick began switching lanes and pulled off the side of the road. Confused, I glanced around, thinking I would see a cop pulling us over or something. But no, when I looked back at him, he was twisted in his seat looking directly at me.

“You know... when I first saw you today, in this... I was certain it meant that you were curious where this was going. I mean, it hits several marks...” his eyes drifted down, leisurely and my nipples tightened. “But... if you honestly are having trouble imagining this, or simply cannot wrap your head around it... if you don’t want to hang with me tonight, we don’t have to. We can turn around. I can drop you back home. It’s still early enough, you can probably cancel the reservation and reschedule it to take someone else you are more interested in spending the evening with.”

Now, even though we had been friends for ages, I could not fathom how he could possibly know what his words would do to me. Brutal, direct, honest. He wasn’t going to just sit there all night accepting my bullshit and sour mood. Either I was in it or fuck it. He wasn’t about to waste hours of his time on someone that seemed completely adverse towards his attention. Which, honestly, I should have known about him. It’s no different than how I would have felt. And it was even more unfair because, in frank honesty, I knew deep down, I craved more of his time... my dreams were proof enough of that.

“You’re right. I’m here.” I responded after shifting my gaze across every inch of his face, “I want to be here. With you.”

There was a long pause while we just watched each other. For me, it was the moment where I came to terms with opening myself up to whatever this was that was happening between us. I had no clue what was going through his mind, but eventually, he nodded.

“Good...” he finally uttered, nodded again with a grin, and got us back on the road. “So, no more grumpy face?”

“As long as you don’t piss me off...”

“Ha!” he chuckled boisterously. “I’m not making that promise...”

“chicken...”

“Pfft, I’m a realist... besides, why on earth would I ever stop pushing your buttons, it’s way too much fun...”

I barely resisted the urge to let my worries about the past intrude again. But I was determined to be present. The rest, it would have to wait. Nick’s confrontation about my poor attitude had immensely lightened the mood and I wouldn’t do anything to ruin that now.

“You think you know me, but even the little voices in my head get confused sometimes...”

He laughed and peeped over at me before back to the road ahead. “I don’t know if it is scary or hysterical that I believe you!”


✳️✳️✳️VANCOUVER✳️✳️✳️

I laughed. And the ride continued with us just chatting, laughing, playfully flirting, barbing. Just me and Nick, being our usual selves and it was nice. We only stopped once for a bathroom break but still, thanks to some unexpectedly heavy traffic, made it to Vancouver thirty minutes late for our dinner reservations. Luckily the Maitre’d was able to fit us in for a slot after the movie.

In the meantime, we strolled along the waterfront before heading up to the entertainment district where the theater was located. Still early we ventured into a few shops, including an art gallery that I used to frequent when I visited years ago. Much to my surprise, the curator was the same person, an elegant 40’ish woman that I remembered quite firmly. And not necessarily for sentimental reasons. She was perfectly professional and courteous, and I was left with the impression that she did not recall me at all. Which was absolutely for the best. To my additional surprise... more like utter shock, Nick selected a piece of art that he determined to have. Money and contact information was exchanged but by then we were pushing for time to arrive for our showing.

And the showing... that movie. It was long. Maybe felt longer than it actually was to me. But there was no time for dawdling, we rushed back to the bistro just in time to make our reservations.

“...It was like toxic cotton candy...” I declared with a laugh, there was a warm baguette loaf sat between us while our waiter went off to collect the bottle of wine Nick ordered for service. “...a far too sugary sweet woman-child with a God-complex, determining that she must, yes indeed... she absolutely must take it upon herself to right the world and meddle into other people’s lives... because god-forbid she find one of her own... oh wait, that’s coming, maybe, perhaps... I mean... after like nine-billion hours she finally says something... just simply too unstable or unconfident enough to have one of her own...”

“That’s brutal... I thought it was cute and charming... sweet yes...”

I wrinkled my nose, “Really...! Seriously! Her empty-headed, falsely virginal immaturity was dressed up as innocence... all that lawlessness was difficult to swallow, and the mind games with the love interest... urgh... why build up so many obstacles purposefully?”

“Okay sure, she probably should have spoken to the guy...huh? How silly for her to avoid talking to the guy she liked all that time. I mean at one point she was just avoiding him altogether... surely no woman would do that in real life...”

I glared at him because his point was not lost on me. I reached for and broke off a piece of bread, dribbling a bit of garlic-parsley butter on top before stuffing it in my mouth. He laughed but also followed suit.  Some bruschetta appetizers arrived seconds later, which we both dug into. It had been hours since we left Hemlock Cove and this was the first thing we’ve really had to eat in all that time.

“What are your thoughts?”

“What do you mean? Right now...?” He laughed as he held a slice up to his mouth.

“About... it... what happened. About us having sex. You told me I was wrong not to ask before. But when I did, well... well I’m asking, again, now.”

I was perhaps overthinking again. Thanks to the movie. Thanks to his comment linking the similarities between the silly woman in the movie to my own actions. Not, mind you, that I thought I was anything like that Amelie... but, I could see a resemblance. At least about this particular subject.

“I think...” he bobbed his head lightly as if he were actually sorting his thoughts on the matter. “I think, that when it happens again, neither of us will have alcohol in our bodies to make excuses for why it happened...”

My pulse raced. When... not if. Just then the waiter returned, brandishing a dark bottle of wine. But before he could uncork, Nick interrupted him, apologized, and informed him that we had decided on water instead. Of course, he would still claim the bottle and insisted it get added to our tab, but... no... we would not be drinking it there... or tonight rather more specifically. Then he looked at me and I swear it felt like a dare to disagree with him.

“I’ll have Berg if you have it...”

“Certainly Madame... and for Monsieur?”

“Same, thank you.” He did not look away. I was going to be needing the waiter to grab that damn water straight from an iceberg to cool me off any minute now.

But then he ate his bruschetta and turned the conversation back to him delightfully debating with me the merits of the movie we had just seen. As if my brain wasn’t lewdly considering later instead of then.

And so, dinner progressed. And I worked extremely hard to not let my body dictate what my mind considered.



✳️✳️✳️RETURN HOME✳️✳️✳️

“Where are we going?”

“Seriously... you’re stumbling as if you’ve had five drinks” he laughed as I bumped into him, again.

“Whatever! It’s not really my fault that you’ve had me walking all over Vancouver for hours in high heels... you must think I’m superwoman...”

“We are not all over Vancouver, we are at the waterfront and the docks... and besides, you forget I’ve seen you drag 100kg body dummies impressively during training...”

“Which has absolutely nothing to do with delicate feet in high heels!”

He stopped dead in his tracks, which led me to pause and turn to face him, still fully confused about what the hell we were doing.

“You know, I’m not sure I have ever considered anything about you as being delicate before.”

And before I could say anything sarcastic or offensive about such a statement, I found myself being swept up off my feet, literally...

“What the hell! Put me down Nick!” I struggled and slapped at his arms but he just started strolling again as if there wasn’t a wiggling woman draped across his arms.

“It’s okay, I’m a big burly fireman, I will protect your dainty delicate little feet...”

“Oh, my Gawd... I’m going to fucking kill you, PUT ME DOWN!” That last bit was hissed through clenched teeth.

“Eh... Mister Kavasilas... Sir... is everything okay?”

I jerked my head around, frowning at the slender gentleman that stood ahead of us, and immediately started trying to double-check the hem of my dress after my bought of struggle.

“Yes Patton, the lady just twisted an ankle lightly on the walk over, not too much trouble I promise.”

I gritted my teeth and the gentleman squirmed as if he knew damn well Nick was lying through his teeth.

“Very well Sir. We’re gassed and ready for departure whenever you give the signal...”

“Excellent, we’re ready as soon as we’re on board then...”

Then Nick moved past the uniformed man to step onto the gangway leading to an impressive-looking yacht.

“Nick... what the hell?” It is little wonder that I completely forgot all about being carried on board when my mind couldn’t figure out what was going on. I clung to him, in all honesty. But seconds later he tugged my heels off and set me on a pristinely white deck. I could hear two muffled voices speaking a distance away and then the engine started to hum. I slapped his arm, “Nick what the hell have you done?”

“We’re going home...”

“On a boat?!”

“Well, obviously...”

It was only then that I bothered to actually look up at him, into his eyes and I must say, my response was instant. Every single wicked thought I had that night, yesterday... the day before, and every day since the moment I had first had him filled my mind. I gulped trying to think sensibly.

“But what about your car?”

“I’ve made arrangements, it will be waiting for us at the docks near home.”

He explained quite calmly while at the same time he began undoing his tie, snatching it off his neck and dropping it casually on the deck. I followed the fabric as it drifted down while my chest grew tighter, my breathing a bit more ragged.

“But... you can’t afford this...”

He laughed, “I didn’t buy the damn boat...”  he was undoing his buttons. Slowly.

“Yachts aren’t cheap to charter either!” Why the hell was I so worried about any of this when the man was stripping in front of me. My stomach churned and I trembled, I’m certain visibly.

“If it makes you feel better, a friend owed me a favor...”

“But... why?”

Needless to say, I found myself bracing as he advanced with his pants now undone and hanging loosely on his pelvis. Every inch of my body tingled wantonly in anticipation. Because, contrary to my initial confusion and my stupidly insistent questions, I was no fool. I licked my lips.

“Because... for one, I didn’t want to make that long drive back tonight...”

Understandable.

“And...?”

“And I don’t plan on letting you creep out silently in the middle of the night like you did the first time...”

“What makes you think I was going to do that?”

“Does it really matter now?’

My stomach dropped, my core vibrated, my nipples pinched. No inch of me was not affected by him. I started shaking my head.

“No... no, it really doesn’t.”

He grinned, darkly, sinfully, gleefully. Then he was touching me, and kissing me, and carrying me into the cabin where he took every last bit of my patience away stripping me bit by bit.

And just before we finally came together again, I realized, that my boss, and friend, and now lover, had seduced the fuck out of me.

8th - Face The Music... DONE'ish (unsure Max bit)

✳️✳️✳️MAX✳️✳️✳️

(unsure if this will come together or not. Alma is set to meet Max for lunch at The Eatery. They should just have a good friendly lunch, chat about random stuff. He will confront her about her missing out on the Valentine's Day event. Unsure what else they will talk about. Perhaps Seb, perhaps Nick... if this comes together we will see. If not, just imagine this lunch happens and when she leaves Renon bumps into her in the parking lot of The Eatery.)

✳️✳️✳️RENON✳️✳️✳️

“Alma...”

Tugging my keys from my purse, I turned, one way then the other, at the sound of my name. Almost instantly my blood ran cold. I could feel it wash over me, like icy cold fingertips tickling down my spine, across my limbs, and deep into my chest to give my racing heart a powerfully frigid jolt as I watched the youngest member of the Fitzgerald clan come trotting over in my direction. I found myself peeping around again, suspiciously, anxiously. Checking to see who else might be around. Making an effort to see if anyone would see us together.

“Hello.” I said cautiously.

“Hey... um, yeah, thanks for stopping.” He smiled hesitantly and did his own peripheral look around. “I know we haven’t really been introduced yet... but I was wondering if we could go somewhere and talk. If you have some free time?”

I lifted my hand and tossed it back, even making a pointing gesture as if to indicate that I was about to head out but then looking at him. I don’t know, something struck me. Perhaps it was his resemblance to Ben... or the way he kind of showed a hint of anxiety or maybe a little vulnerability. Looks I had seen once or twice on Ben's face to judge what they could be. Oh, it wasn’t obvious... not by any means. It was just a suspicion. I licked my lips and glanced around once more before nodding my head.

“Sure... want to grab a coffee at the Eatery?”

He quickly shook his head after peeping in that direction.

“Mind a walk in the park?”

I dumped my keys back in my bag and nodded, kind of letting him take the lead but stepping into pace beside him.

“I’m Renon by the way...”

I couldn’t help it, I smirked. Odd how easily it came through. “Yes, kinda hard not to know who you are at this point.”

He made a sound that seemed suspiciously like a snort but I didn’t glance over to check. At least not until after he responded.

“Yeah, the pesky interloping little brother... or imposter as some have deemed me.”

There was a moment of unguarded disappointment that crossed his face before he realized I was looking then he quickly shadowed it with an oh-so-familiar grin. Guarded. Charmingly so. Just like his brother, or brothers should I say? All of them reeked of this... whatever it was. Fitzgerald mojo.

“Ben will come around...”

“How did you...” He cut off his comment and looked at me strangely.

But it was no different than the look I should be giving me. I have no idea what made me say that. Honestly, I had no clue what Ben might do. It wasn’t as if he were being super open with me lately. Most times when I had seen him, he’d been almost in the bottom of whatever bottle of liquor he was drowning at the time. He didn’t seem to care for my concern one bit, despite his hesitant apology the last time we met. And I wanted to say it didn’t matter. He was just a guy I used to date once upon a time. Most people didn’t particularly have concerns for their exes. So, it shouldn’t matter, I shouldn’t hurt that he shuts me out. Yet, somehow, logic did not seem to meet up with feeling.

“Perhaps you meant Noah then... if so, I cannot make guesses on his temperament...”

He shook his head and the conversation lagged as we crossed over into Panorama Park. Children were all over, racing about and many adults were busy doing whatever it was that parents did with children young enough to go race around the park. Of course, there were teens and a few strolling couples that appeared to be doing the whole romance-love lap around the park's promenade. The celebration for Women’s day was as lively inside the park as it was elsewhere in the city.

“You don’t seem to be celebrating much...”

I couldn’t help but arch a brow as I glanced at him again.

“For women’s day, you mean?”

He returned my gaze, “well yeah, what else?”

What else indeed. This was so awkward. I returned to watching where I was going.

“I celebrate being a woman every day...” I heard him chuckle. Oddly, my lip twitched. I’m not sure how, or why, I felt a tiny bit less anxious beside him than I had worried over him in the last couple of weeks all on my own. I think I blamed it on that family mojo, though... in all honesty, the eldest brother, in my opinion, was lacking a bit of it. At least where I was concerned.

Then there was nothing but the muffled sounds of children screaming in play, birds chirping merrily, and the soft rustle of leaves wisping in the wind. Our footsteps crunched tiny bits of white rock shards beneath them as Renon led us down a lane of newly budded bushes. Evidence that winter was losing some of its icy hold on nature. Of course, the row of evergreens immediately behind those bushes kept the picturesque park full of greenery all year through. In a few short weeks, it could be possible to start seeing a few bulbs sprout from the ground if the weather held.

But alas, we weren’t quite done with winter yet, and a chilly breeze forced me to clutch my jacket a bit tighter across my chest as we turned down another, narrower path before passing under a vine-rich trellis and entering into a small arbor. A concrete swan was gazing back at us in the center of a softly rippling fountain, the water glistening from the sun peeking through a thin layer of puffy white clouds above.

We were surrounded by nature and our silence. Even the sounds of playing had grown so faint that it was easy to imagine that we were the only people, alone in the world at that moment. I did not rush to fill the void. He approached and initiated this meeting. If I had seen him first, I wondered if I would have simply stopped with all the fretting and approached him myself. I certainly was not normally the type that waited around for doom and gloom to attack. Perhaps, the fact that he had come to me first was why I was even here in the first place, why I agreed to come with him. Definitely not some silly idea that there was something magical about his family’s charm.

He ran his fingers through his hair, another trait I had seen Ben do numerous times in agitation. Though, if I were being honest, Renon favored the eldest brother most.

“I guess you’re wondering why I asked to speak with you...”

“The thought had crossed my mind.”

He nodded, glanced around... “Sit?”

I turned and shrugged lightly before stepping over to the bench he motioned a few steps away.

He stepped with me, his body towering a few inches above mine, reminding me clearly that he was not the kid that I remembered from years ago. Which, thinking on it now, made me shake my head at my own foolishness back then. He couldn’t be more than a year or two younger than me. Definitely not a kid. But that is what I remembered, how I was picturing him. Or had been.

“The weather is getting much better...”

If anyone knew one thing about me, they knew that patience wasn’t truly my strong suit. Sure, I had a rather even temperament when it came to work stuff, I suppose some part of my brain rationalized that work behavior had to differ from personal behavior. But outside of work... in my free time... I did not deal well with wasting a moment of it. This was likely another reason I had been such a mess in the last weeks, spending far too much time worrying when I should have been living my life.

“Surely the pleasantries about the weather could have been handled in the parking lot where you found me...”

He glanced at me, a little startled perhaps but then awkwardly laughed and nodded his head. There was definite reluctance to get on with whatever it was he wanted to say. The less reckless side of my brain was full-on supportive of avoiding whatever this conversation would be. Dreading the past, anxious about the future. I had thought myself safe in this town. Far away from the reaches of the city, from the life I once lived. How much of my history would Renon remember, or even know...?

But the more I thought about it, at that time where he fidgeted in his seat, I considered that his obvious reluctance had to be a somewhat okay sign. It wasn’t like he was acting like someone that held the power to destroy my little world-bubble. Not cocky, not snide or rude or smug. He did not at all look like someone that held my secrets as some cornered chess piece. At least, that was what I was beginning to think.

“About the other night...”

“Mardi Gras?” He didn’t glance at me, which was maybe a good thing. He didn’t see the look of utter confusion that flooded my face. He wanted to talk about that night? Not, like where we knew each other from?

“I’m not sure what you think was going on...” he hesitated and finally looked back towards me. And my mind was racing.

“An argument...” I finally said, the memory of it coming back to me slowly.

I had almost forgotten all about it. Once I had seen Charlotte and Renon together, exiting that dark alley... once the memory of who they were, what they represented in my world... I literally had thought of nothing else. Well... until I had done what I did with Nick that is. Then both things tormented me. But the actual reason I had gone to the alley... what motivated me to be there, had been the loud voices coming from it. I just quite simply had forgotten.

He laughed. More of an awkward chuckle. Or maybe that was just the way he laughed. “It wasn’t all that bad... was it?”

A question. Followed by him leaning back and giving quite the look of someone suddenly entirely too calm and casual. He was grinning, looking as charming as any of his other brothers might. He even crossed an ankle over one knee. It was such an abrupt change in demeanor from his uneasiness from just a moment before. Immediately, it made me incredibly suspicious. And usually, despite certain decisions lately, I tended to trust my instincts.

“Well...” I shifted, tilted my head just a touch, coyly, and gave him my best I’m-just-a-silly-girl look to play along to whatever maneuver he was currently up to. “surely you know since you’re the one that was having it...”

Something flashed in his eyes then his gaze shifted as if he were assessing me, honestly, for the very first time. Whether he was taking my demeanor at face value, or having a more accurate hunch, was anyone’s guess.

“But... you were there.”

I reached up and twirled a bit of my hair between two fingers, rolling my eyes slightly as if I were thinking really hard. “I mean, technically, yes... but like, not like you.”

“So,” He was still steadily watching me while I continued to twiddle with my hair in a rather brainless motion. “...you didn’t hear anything?”

“Well, you know it was so late... and like, really dark...”

“Of course, and why would anyone expect ears to function at night...”

“like, you totally get it!”

“oh, of course, ears are very tricky things. But, only at night”

“Exactly. I read somewhere that darkness can be deafening...”

“Strange, I read that was silence, but I will most certainly take your word on it. You are the one with the unique condition here...”

“Everyone has them...”

“Time-sensitive ears?”

How he was keeping a straight face I will never know. It was taking everything in me not to crack my composure with the idiocy coming out of my mouth. Time-sensitive ears indeed. I bit the inside of my cheek and had to wait a moment before I could continue.

“Unique conditions...”

“Is that right?” I nod with wide, excited eyes. “I’ve never found mine then...”

“I might be able to help you...” He arched a brow. I held out my palm, “Give me one hand...”

He continued to hold a skeptical expression but set one of his hands in mine. Slowly I brushed a single finger along the creases in his palm then flipped and traced the veins on the other side before nodding emphatically and releasing his hand.

“What?”

“I’m positive...” the fact that he looked so utterly curious was almost too much to bear. “Umm-hmm, I’m certain...”

“Yes...?”

“I would bet anything that you have different fingers on the other hand...”

He looked at me as if I was completely insane before he then lifted his other hand, spun it back and forth, and exclaimed in the most exaggeratingly shocked tone I had ever heard.

“Who knew having time-sensitive ears would lead to such intellect...”

“It’s a gift...”

“Indeed. How fortunate it is that I caught up to you in the daylight so we could have this conversation.”

“I know right. Wait... what were we talking about again?”

He smirked. “Arguments I do believe...”

“Rightt... arguments at night.”

“And bad night-ears...”

“I mean, you said it yourself, it’s a unique condition. Perhaps I am the only one that cannot hear arguments between two men and a woman in a dark alley at night...” I twisted my lips slightly and hummed for a moment. But inwardly I was utterly confused. The conversation I remembered sounded sinister. The sister cursing, vowing that whoever they'd been talking to shouldn't get soft now on these 'fuckers'. But somehow, in the short time I spent with Renon, I was beginning to believe that there was more here than the eye could see... or ears hear as it were.

“Perhaps it’s easier for you to tell me what it is that I didn’t hear... just to be clear.”

“Well,” He shifted, leaned forward, and rested his elbows on his knees now, “I will say... that if you could’ve heard anything... I am certain it would have just been a complete misunderstanding...”

“From you...” he only turned his head to look at me. “...or your sister?”

There was silence. The silliness from before all dried up. 

“Either... both. There’s just...” he paused, offered a wary smile, “it’s just a little more going on than it may appear.”

“I’m not sure... more... is a positive in this matter. But it would help if I understood, I suppose, what the matter was.” When he didn’t offer any further explanation, instead sat there shaking his head slightly I couldn’t help the next bit that spilled from my lips. “I can’t just sit back and watch Ben get hurt in whatever this is...”

He looked shocked when he turned back to me. “I’m not trying to hurt him, Alma.” He shook his head again and stood. “I just wanted you to know that... I don’t know. It’s not what you think it is...”

Wasn't that exactly what I just hoped might be behind this? But none of my questions were answered by his disclaimer. No real justification for me to believe in his assurances. And even if Ben wasn't a target, and his brothers were not in any danger. That didn't mean that everything was peachy-keen.

“And me?”

Again, his eyes shot to me, scanning my face. It seemed in that moment realizing that I remembered him. That I expected that he remembered me. His gaze softened, and I knew that he knew who I was. And I also remembered, clearly, that he was not the 'kid' I remembered him to be.

“I’m not here to ruin anything for anyone...”

“But you could...”

He shook his head. “You’re just going to have to trust me...”

I stood up as well, staring him directly in the eye, only inches apart. Nothing silly, ditzy, or playful in my manner now.

“I don’t know you. Not like that.”

Again, a stretch of silence passed between us. He was clearly weighing something as he looked me over.

“I suppose then that you should get to know me.”

And with that Renon Fitzgerald stepped out of the arbor and out of sight.

9th - Spill The Beans... DONE

✳️✳️✳️BEN✳️✳️✳️

“What’s this?!”

“I baked!” I stated, smiling broadly as I lifted then dropped a basket on top of the counter in front of an equally grinning Ben. But the rotter’s expression turned horrified at my brag.

“No thanks!”

“You love my baked goods...”

“Is that what I told you?... I was in love you can’t hold it against me.”

He missed the way my smile thinned as he began digging through the cookies and muffins that were stuffed inside. He even pulled one oatmeal raisin and took a big bite despite his callous words. The fact that I couldn’t decide which part of his statement hurt me the most made me the most irritable. Pressing my lips even tighter together I reached forward, snatched the half-eaten cookie from his fingers, stuffed it back in with the others, and grabbed it all.

“Alms... Alma!” the fucker was chuckling as he jogged around the counter and made to stop me before I could reach the door. Stubbornly, I clutched the basket handle in both fists and stared past his shoulder while he blocked me from exiting the lobby of the vet clinic where he worked.

“I was just joking...” He began bobbing his head trying to get into my line of vision and I stubbornly kept looking away. “Really! Don’t go... I do love your goodies... it’s just... well it’s kinda scary when you bake.”

That did make me look at him. Glaringly so. He waved his hands defensively, still grinning like a fucking loon.

“Don’t shoot! I swear, your food's delicious. It’s just... you used to only bake when you had something extremely difficult or unpleasant you had to deal with... so, don’t blame me for my PTSD!”

So, of course, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and my heart started racing. Because... literally, I did. Have something extremely difficult, and unpleasant I needed to deal with. I had things I needed to discuss with him. And he, apparently, knew my tricks. I wrinkled my nose and sighed. He grinned, feeling triumphant I suppose that he had gotten me to get past his rudeness. He took the basket and my hand and tugged me back to the reception area. There was only one desk chair, but Ben cleared a space on his desktop for me to hop on while he poured us both steaming mugs of cocoa. I supposed it was for clients that showed up to drop off their pets. Then he sat, pulled the basket over his lap, and started to rummage through it once more. At least one dog was barking behind a door a few steps away but otherwise, the clinic seemed to be quite empty.

“How did you end up here?” he asked between bites of finishing off the cookie he started moments before.

“I stopped past your family’s first... Pete told me you were here...”

He peeped up at me quickly and arched a brow, a blueberry muffin clutched in one hand.

“You were looking for me?”

I nodded. He frowned. His gaze shifted from me to the basket then back to me again.

“Well shit...” the hiss was followed by the muffin being dropped back into the basket.

“To be fair... I didn’t know I stress baked...”

He shook his head. “Well, you do!”

I wrinkled my nose. “You could have said something before... I would have changed the behavior...”

He laughed mockingly. “It was always a good warning sign! Always knew when I had to be on alert...”

My feet dangled above the floor, I crossed and began to swing them gently as he ran his fingers through his hair.

“Does this have something to do with that gossip rag?”

“Sort of, yes...”

The gossip rag, as he put it, had released a rather salacious expose on his elder brother, Noah. So many things had been said and I wasn’t exactly sure which of them to believe or not believe. It’s quite possible that every bit of it was true... but then maybe all of it was bullshit. It seemed to want to paint Noah and his business dealings as dirty or corrupt or both or more. But it didn’t just stop with business stuff. There was a lot of personal fodder for a small town such as this to chew over for weeks, maybe months depending on how greedy someone felt about tearing it apart bit by bit.

Thankfully, I was not connected to Noah, not really. So, for the most part, I was utterly meaningless to his little bought of drama. And honestly, there was no amount of love lost between Noah and me. I had always got the feeling that he never thought I was quite worthy of his or any of his family’s time. He was never rude per se. Just, indifferent. Dismissive. So... yeah, I could literally stand on the outside looking in and not have a care about any of it. Except that in the collateral damage Ben was a target. Or a potential one. And despite knowing that my concern for him was largely my own self-imposed burden to bear, and hardly of any consequence to him... I simply could not look the other way and stay clear of the potential tsunami.

“Okay... out with it then...” he muttered then added a bit more under his breath, “wish you’d added a bottle of something to this goodie basket...”

“I’m not really sure where to start...”

“It’s that big hmmm?” His brows were knitted together. “Did you sleep with Noah while we were dating?”

My eyes bulged. “What? You’re kidding right?”

“I don’t know, maybe... half-way... I’m trying to think what could be so horrible where you have a connection with my fucking brother. Did you sleep with him after we dated? Before?” His tone was terse, impatient.

“What?! No! I never slept with Noah, ew!”

“I don’t understand then, how are you connected to Noah or any of his drama?”

“I’m not connected to him... what kind of shitty person do you think I am that I would sleep with your brother?”

The fact that I should be discussing the actual reason I came but instead latching onto this topic proved how little I wanted to dig into the first. Noah was inconsequential. All of the drama surrounding him was as well. And perhaps my history was meaningless all around too. But, if it should come out and if Ben were linked to my past, I felt he deserved to be able to defend himself with the full knowledge of what took place.

“I don’t know... maybe you wouldn’t have meant for it to happen... maybe you both had a little too much to drink... didn’t realize what you were doing or who you were with... wrong place at the right time...”

“So now I’m just some boozy slut who will fuck anyone given enough alcohol in my system?”

An image of Nick flashed through my mind that I arrogantly shoved back with the thought that I purposefully targeted my attention on him. It had been reckless, my flirting more intense as the drinks layered and the night progressed, but it certainly had not been some black-out drunk sex.

“No... of course not. Just saying. It could have been an accident.”

“Oh yeah, like trip– oops, I fell on your willy, my fault! There’s no such fucking thing as an accidental bang.” There was no rational reason for me to be so angered by his comments. They weren’t true, so why the rage? Then an ugly, sinking feeling filled my gut and my eyes narrowed on him. “Is this projection Ben? Are you accidentally falling into girls all over town? Were you having these accidents while we were dating?”

“What?!... I...” but he stopped, sighed, and rubbed his eyes. “Why are we arguing about this?”

“I don’t know!” I bit out, still angry but also feeling ridiculous. Because really. Why were we arguing about it? Even if either of us were cheating, we hadn’t been dating in years. Hadn’t been ‘in-love’ for years. I sighed as well and shook my head, my tone dropping, leveling out. “I don’t know...”

“Maybe you should just tell me what your connection to all of this is so that I can stop imagining the worst possible scenarios...”

I shook my head and almost laughed out loud at my own ridiculous musings. To literally be irate one minute for him assuming I might sleep with his brother to being offended that he would think his brother having sex with me was the worst possible scenario. When, God knew, having anything to do with Noah Fitzgerald would definitely be the worst possible scenario in my head as well. I just didn’t like thinking that I wasn’t good enough for someone, which I knew, deep down, he was not saying at all.

“It’s not really a connection to Noah, it’s my connection to you that’s potentially the concern. Depending on who is out for Noah’s blood brandishing his family secrets and connections as they are...”

He looked confused. “Go on...”

I wrung my hands together, looking down at them still trying to figure out the best way to say things. Finally, I took a deep breath and looked up.

“I met with your brother yesterday. Your youngest brother. Renon” His eyes flared, and the spark of denial looked to be on the tip of his tongue. I held a hand to stall whatever it was he would say. “He is your brother. Angry as that makes you, he is. There are just too many similarities. Buutt... that is not at all the point. I met with him because I knew him. From before. Before you, before Hemlock Cove...”

“What? How? How could you not tell me...?”

There was hurt in his tone and I racked my brain trying to think why. “Noo... I don’t mean I knew you had a brother. I, no I didn’t know he was a Fitzgerald. I barely knew him. Had seen him a few times, him and his sister. But I didn’t realize that I knew either of them until after they came here and in particular, I didn’t remember until the Mardi Gras party.”

He kept his mouth closed, waiting for me to continue while I gathered my thoughts again. I couldn’t look at him as I started the rest so my gaze shifted back to my twisting fingers and swinging legs.

“Before coming to the Cove, I wasn’t really in the most respectable line of work. Or the most respectable person in the world, at all really. I dated a guy that was a lot worse. We did things. Criminal things. It was a dark time in my life. For no real reason either. It wasn’t like I had bad parents or a bad life, but somehow I ended up in that situation... in a relationship with a bad dude and doing bad things. Perhaps for the thrill of it... To rebel?”

I shook my head at my immaturity and recklessness looking back on it now. But I finally looked back at Ben expecting shock and revulsion. What I found was calm. Not an ounce of disgust registered, and he didn’t look surprised at all. I squirmed and pressed my lips together feeling all types of uncomfortable.

“Did you hear me?”

He blinked, nodded. “Yes. What does this have to do with the expose?”

I wrinkled my nose. “Well... you are connected to me... and well... it’s how I know your brother and his sister. They kind of have the same connections that I do. The same background.”

“They were part of it?” Strange how he suddenly seemed upset, after all I said. Only upset because his brother was involved.

“I don’t know to what degree. I never had any involvement with either of them, they were just... there. Kids... younger than me, hanging around. Looking for a way to make some cash.”

“Scheming cons... both of them...”

“I don’t know much about either of them, but Renon doesn’t seem to be...” the glare he sent me made my back go ramrod straight. I gave him an equally hostile look, “He does not seem to be a bad sort and trust me... I know the type.”

“You just said you don’t know anything about them.”

“I also told you I spent some time with Renon yesterday. He reminds me too much of you....” quickly I corrected, “your family.”

“The sister has made it more than clear that she knows things, about me... things that would hurt my family if they get out... all but threatened to expose me if I don’t stop fucking with her brother’s mind for god sake as if he is the one being fucked with right now!”

I frowned again watching him. “What things? Does she know we dated?” I bit my lip again. “I guess it could hurt you if people knew we dated and found out about what I did... maybe they would lump you in with me? Suggest that you benefitted from it? But it was so long ago.”

I was more mumbling to myself, focused on my own past and not at all considering that Ben might actually have something of his own to hide.

“Is there more?”

I frowned at the interruption and glanced back up at him. He seemed to have gotten his outrage under some bit of control, more focused on my tale again.

“Unfortunately.” I sighed. Might as well come clean with it all. “At a point, I wanted out. But... it wasn’t the sort of thing you just get out of, or at least that was what I thought. And I didn’t want to run home to my parents, I had no idea what that crowd would do if they found out about them or me there or whatever. I didn’t really think things through all that much back in those days. Just acted. And so, I stole from them, or him rather. The boyfriend. It wasn’t like he would be able to report the theft to the police. But I stole. A LOT of money from him and I escaped. And ended up here. It was a lot different than what I had been up to. I didn’t plan to stay here at first. It was just some small town off the radar that he wouldn’t think to look for me. And then I met you.”

“So... what? I was your rebound from a bad breakup?”

Was that really all he was getting out of my horrible revelation? I felt I don’t know, deprived of his outrage. Shouldn’t he feel some sort of emotion over my past? I shook my head, laughed sarcastically, and jumped up off the desk. I paced a few steps, agitated.

“You were my savior Ben. You have no fucking idea... I was a 21-year-old, alone, on the run, terrified, jaded. What I knew of the adult world was wild and harsh and ugly. As far as I was concerned there were only criminals and marks. But then there was you, sweet... kind... gentle. You didn’t want anything from me, or for me to do something for you. You just enjoyed my company. You liked me just being me, you helped me find me again. You helped me care about things again because believe me before I met you... I didn’t care much about anything.”

I continued to pace, nibbling on my finger, then my lip, and back again. And I glanced at him and stopped dead in my tracks. I frowned, hard.

“Are you even hearing anything I am saying?”

“Yes, I’m listening to you...”

“You don’t seem upset... angry... disturbed... I was a criminal. Theft, blackmail, drugs... I was a bad person.”

“You were never a bad person... I’ve never thought so no matter what you did before coming here...”

I froze. Some odd sensation that something was obviously not right with this situation. He continued to just sit there, calm, thoughtful. But not surprised. Not angry. Not like he reacted to the possibility that Renon and his sister may be involved in said shadiness. He was acting as if he had come to terms with my involvement long ago.

“You knew...?”

It wasn’t really a question. Not really, despite it needing to be one. His eyes flashed and I knew I was right.

“You knew!”

“Not the whole time, no, not at first.”

I staggered back a step, two. My mind reeling.

“When... how?”

“After we were dating officially, for a while. It didn’t matter to me. I knew who you were... the real you, the person you were when we dated, who you are now.”

“How Ben?!” It was a demand.

My pulse was drumming in my ears. I had fretted so much about it in those early days. Worried about what he might think or do if he ever found out. Then worried about what others might think. I wasn’t supposed to stay. Just hideout for a while, until the coast was clear. Then I would find some other city, a big one, to get lost in, set up some cons.... continue doing what I knew how to do. But then there was Ben, sweet, gentle, kind. He made things feel, possible. I had thought I had been so clever, covering my tracks. And I spent any number of days, weeks, months, worrying that it would all come crashing down on me. But little by little, I began making friends. I got a job at the firehouse. I bought a cozy little house... I fell in love. Hemlock Cove became the place I made my roots. And as the years went on, and no one ever found out, I had gotten comfortable. Complacent. When all along, he knew.

He stood up, came over, and grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look up at him. It was only then I realized I was shaking.

“Alms, it doesn’t really matter now. It didn’t matter then when I found out. I loved you, none of it mattered.”

My heart lurched and tears welled up in my eyes. And I hated that sentimental ache. Hated hearing those words spill from his lips. Hated how emotional I was being over what was by now ancient history. He reached up and softly brushed a tear off my cheek.

“I admit... I had no idea how deeply you were affected by... us.”

I sniffled and shook my head and laughed lightly, “you fucking saved my life, Ben...”

His gaze shifted over my face while his hand remained cupped to my cheek. I almost leaned into it.

“Hey, we pulled this little guy...”

A bell rattled noisily even as the words started to fill the room. I was the first to look up and immediately my stomach flipped followed quickly by a surge of warmth that flooded my body. Excitement and longing rapidly followed. He stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes locking with mine then shifting to Ben who stood only inches away.

“Chief! Hey...” Ben turned abruptly, his voice obviously registering surprise before he stepped away and immediately zoned in on the squirming bundle Nick held in his arms. “What’s this...”

“Um...” he cleared his throat, looked down then back up, focusing on Ben who stood directly in front of him now tugging open the wiggling towel. “...yeah, we pulled this fella from a sewer drain on Main... figured someone here could take a look at him.”

I had wiped the tears from my eyes by then, stepping out from behind the counter, and smiled as Ben cooed over the filthy, sopping wet head poking up from Nick’s hold.

“Awe, hey cutie... yes... we can have a look...” Ben was all focused, lifting the creature... a kitten perhaps, but it was so mangy looking it could have just been some rat as far as I could tell. The soft meow he coerced out of it when he rubbed its belly confirmed the first. “We’ll get you all cleaned up and checked out big boy.”

Big was definitely an exaggeration. I chuckled and glanced towards Nick who did not smile in the least.

“Great, thanks, man. I gotta get back to the station but let me know if you need anything for it?”

Ben was already moving towards the counter carrying the purring cat, calling out a no problem which I didn’t witness because I was still watching Nick, waiting for him to glance at me, to flash his wickedly flirty grin, to speak...

But I got none of that. Well, not true. He did a quick glance at me. Very quick. Then he turned and left. The bell rattled noisily again and oddly I found myself looking up at it. What the hell was that?

“Alma... gonna get this guy to the back but we should... Alma?”

I spun around, a little confused, no, a lot confused.

“was saying I should get him back and checked out, seems no worse for wear.”

“I... yeah sure...” I was distracted but I nodded as I walked back to him and his new charge. The shabby beast was tiptoeing across the desktop, poking its paws at objects curiously while Ben typed something into the laptop. Clearly not too traumatized by its excursion in the sewers. I tugged my keys from my pocket. “I’ll get out of your hair so you can deal with that. You can just send the basket back when you’re done with it.”

“Maybe...” he paused, looked up, and sort of hesitated, which seemed odd. “we should get together again sometime soon, grab some drinks...”

“Oh... yeah, sure...” I hesitated too. “I’d like that.”

Suddenly a cup of pens splattered across the desk and Ben jumped to grab the kitten who almost fell from its rushed fright. He chuckled and I shook my head. Promised to see him soon and left. Almost immediately, my mind was racing on to other matters, but I would eventually think back on our conversation, much later that night.

THE LOOKS




CHAPTER THREE

Last edited by BambiFoxx (27/03/2021 at 00:05)

Name: Khairiah

Interests: Pete (RI), Ben, Seb

Outfits: Coffee Run

Story:

Coffee Runs

March 3rd

Early mornings were not always her favourite part of the day, but since it was a time that promised fresh air and well, scarce people milling about, it was one she quite liked.

It was in one of those mornings, where she was simply standing in line waiting for her turn to buy some coffee when she heard a familiar voice call out her name. She turned around to find Ben smiling at her, the early morning energy wafting off of him in happy waves. Compared to the last time she met him, this time he was in a good mood.

“It’s always nice to see a pretty face in the morning,” he greeted her with a flirty wink and she blushed.

“Thanks, it’s nice to see you too,” she managed to reply.

They exchanged other pleasantries until it was her turn to buy some coffee, but then Ben insisted on paying. She relented and let them pay, and once he made his order, they sat in one of the tables waiting for their coffees.

They chatted lightly about work and the upcoming festivities, and much to the surprise of Khairiah, with not a lot of effort on her part. Was it part of the Fitzgerald family to be so charismatic?

“You seem to be in a much better mood now,” she noted, and Ben’s relaxed smile stiffened momentarily.

He raised an eyebrow at her and she explained, “Well, the last time I saw you at the cafe, you looked a little upset.”

He sat back, a light smile on his face though his gaze seemed unfocus as if remembering. “It’s just, you know, family stuff.” At the alarmed expression on her face he quickly clarified. “No- no nothing really disastrous. Everyone is in a good place physically so no worries there. Your boy Pete is safe and sound.”

She blushed. “He’s not my boy. And I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He gave her a knowing smile but let it slide. “But yeah, in hindsight, I am feeling better now. Must be the company.” He winked at her again and this time she laughed. He really was such a flirt.

Her number was called, so she went to pick up her coffee. Before he left she turned to him with a smile.

“Well, it was nice to run into you here,” she told him. “I hope you have a good day.”

He smiled back warmly. “Likewise.I hope your day is good to you too.”

With that she turned and rushed towards her work and the endless amount of strange reports.

Articles Gonna Articulate

Everything seemed to be quite well with Pete lately. They had gone to the amusement park a few days before (because of some winnings from a raffle ticket) and she had brought along her neighbour's kid, Anna.

And just today they went hiking with just her and Pete. It started with her running into him buying a pair of hiking boots to an outright invitation. She was never one for hiking, but she couldn’t say no and now that had completed the hike she found herself enjoying it more than what she thought possible. Of Course present company may have been the reason as well...it didn’t hurt that Pete, ever the gentleman, offered his hand on more than one occasion when it became too steep up the hill. Being in his presence felt warm and comfortable, and she didn’t feel as drained as she usually would in the company of people. The day was great; warm, positive, bright and just…..happy.

Things, however, took a sour turn when she reached the Cove and heard news about the article.

Pete was dropping her off at her apartment, and the people milling about were whispering among themselves and staring pointedly at them.

“Do you think there is something on my face?” Khairiah turned to Pete, asking in a low tone, her eyebrows scrunched up in concern.

Pete grinned at her, trailing a finger by her cheek only to top midway to wipe off what she suspected was a smudge.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with you,” he assured her. “I have no idea why they would be…” His voice trailed off and she followed his gaze and found him staring at the newsstand, his expression pale.

The title of the words on the papers screamed out, “Noah Fitzegerald Expose! The Successful Fitzgerald and his Not So Successful Dirty Secrets!”

He immediately strode up towards the news stand and took a paper. Kkhairiah found herself following him numbly, taking note now of how all the people staring didn’t look very kind as they held a newspaper.

“I’m afraid I can’t take you all the way home, Khairiah,” she heard Pete apologize.

She met his gaze with a pleasant smile that obscured the concern and curiosity beneath. “Don’t worry I can take it from here.”

He nodded to her, but before he left he paused in front of her. He ran his finger through his hair in frustration. “This was not at all how I planned for today to go.”

Without thinking, she took his hand and squeezed it gently. “Hey, I had a good time today. Thanks for inviting me for the hike.”

He looked down at her hands in his and smiled, squeezing back in appreciation. “I’ll see you again?”

“Sure,” she shrugged. He took her hand and then kissed her knuckles lightly, his gaze intent on hers. “Until next time then.”

She nodded, blushing furiously and watched as he walked away into the car, disappearing off into the road.

Her mind and heartnreeling, she went towards the newspaper stand and bought the news.

It was only hours later when she tucked comfortable on her sofa did she read the article. Twice. Or maybe three times.

This was certainly….scandalous. An illegitimate child? Business owners of suspicious intentions. She was familiar with the work of Noah, but the mentions of the AI sent her mind reeling. The collection of all the personal information and database leaks by Alejandro years ago…… could it be somehow related to the odd reports she had been getting in her work?

One thing was for certain thought, Hemlock Cove had just found themselves a delicious scandal in the form of a famous Fitzgerald member. She could only hope that the other family members didn’t get targeted as well…..or have their dirty secrets (if any) aired out like this.

Meetings

The current news about Noah Fitzegerald, as expected was all anyone could talk about for the past few days. Khairiah was relieved that she was too busy with work to be bothered to be involved in the gossip.

Her colleagues on the other hand,  couldn’t stop speculating on what it meant that their CEO was involved with a person who was responsible for a data leak while building a highly sophisticated system collecting personal information. That and the scandals of him having illegitimate brother, child and torrid affair with a student.

When she got the notice that she was called for a meeting with Noah, her heart beat fast and her hands were clammy with sweat.

Noah Fitzgerald sat in his office, shadows of lack of sleep evident in his eyes and the only proof that he was inflicted by the articles. Other than that, he looked every bit meticulous and charming as the Noah Fitzegerald she knew.

“Please, have a seat,” he greeted her with a polite smile and indicated to the chair opposite him. She greeted him back and took a seat.

“I’m sure you must have heard of the articles that were spread around of late….” he started and she nervously glanced at her hands folded neatly on her laps.

“As you know, the AI system we are working with is in a precarious state. We cannot afford to have any leaks whatsoever,” his gaze was hard on her face despite the easy going polite smile. “Therefore I must ask you, in your line of work have you come across any suspicious activity or person/s in your vicinity?”

“I’m not entirely sure what you mean…” she told him.

“Have you encountered any people around here asking strange questions or any other suspicious activity….”

She thought about the strange reports. She thought about whether to tell him or Shapur her boss. But then, she decided that since Noah was the one involved it was only right that he should be aware of what was going on, since based on his interrogation he seems to have no clue what was happening.

She told him then about the strange reports with their inconsistent results and her discovery of activity within the database.

Noah’s expression turned hard throughout her rambling, but once she finished he nodded to her politely and thanked her for sharing the information.

It was hours later when she was back in her office that her boss, Shapur, dropped by asking her what the meeting with Noah was about.  She updated him on everything that she found.

“Hmmm,” Shapur mumbled, staring thoughtfully in the direction of Noah’s office. “It is apparent that someone has been using the system for something. Though for what exactly it is I can’t be quite sure…”

Abruptly he turned to her and grinned. “Good job Khairah. I would advise you to dig a little further and see what else has been accessed on it and then go from there.”

Surprised at this turn of events, Khairiah could only nod obediently until Shapur left. Then she sat at her desk, her head buried in her hands. She was quite curious as to what was happening, but there was a tiny part of her worried about what she would find and who would be involved.

Sorry, rushed but more or less done.

Status: Complete

Last edited by MissKiki (26/03/2021 at 16:14)

Hi! Two things.

1. reminder of this little link.
2. I’ve been granted an extension: contest closes on Saturday evening!

...without further delay, this is closed: as per usual, let me know when you finish if you haven't already

The next chapter is going to wrap the contest up and R5 is supposed to give you time for the epilogue.
Also, if this topic is still open later, please feel free to finish the stories here
(& I'll add some snippets)

Once again, thank you for showing up & staying here!