Man of Mystery (33 page)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter
24

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

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

“What time is it?” she asks her.

“It’s 10am, I got in about 2am and you were sleeping in your bed.  Is everything ok?” she asks looking at her with concern, “You’re not sick or anything?” as she touches her forehead.

“No I was talking to Nathan at 4am and I couldn’t fall back to sleep.  Let’s make some coffee and we can talk.” She nods back at her.  “Good idea”

Brandy makes the coffee then goes to wash up a little to wake up.  She knows the best person to talk to will be her.  We sit down at the table as she tells Tiffany about her conversation with Nathan also how Sylvia came in looking for him.  She just remembered that she needs to tm him about her Skype information so he can call her later which she does right away so she will hopefully hear from him later.

Tiffany acknowledges her fear but reassures her that he probably had a busy night and like he said earlier, a lot of people showed up for the funeral.  She is probably a family friend of sorts since their family’s does business together.  Her reassurance does make her feel better knowing she shouldn’t be jealous. Realizing this is the first time she has ever been truly jealous so it’s kind of a new feeling.  Not like she hasn’t seen a lot of women stare at him on a regular basis, but when he was with her he totally ignored them.  She doesn’t know why she is suddenly feeling so insecure.

We decide to do the dreaded grocery shopping today.  Tiffany promises to make it more fun but she seriously can’t see how.  She promises we will be back in time for her call from Nathan.  She does make it fun by stopping at a couple of different markets to pick up specialty items we haven’t had in awhile.  We plan a really nice meal for the night with just the two of us and our favorite movie just came out on DVD so we pick that up to.

We had some laughs today as we unload all our groceries and put everything away.  It is only 2pm but she pulls out a bottle of wine.  “You need a drink to relax before you hear from him.  It will lighten the mood, hey you never know you too might be the first to have Skype sex!” she teases her making her laugh.  She turns on the lap top, logging on so when he calls she will be ready while she preps some things for dinner.  Tiffany tells her she is heading out for a little while but will be back for dinner.  Waving goodbye she puts on some music trying not to pay attention to the time.  Sipping on her wine thinking Tiffany is right, it lightens her mood as she dances around the kitchen making short work of a delicious dinner for two.