Chrysalis (Dangerous Secrets)

by Francis, Rose

  Evelyn looked so proud of the room, that Nicholas humored his mother by looking interested in it. It had litter boxes, toys and several comfortable-looking options for the cat to sleep on. A water fountain sat in the corner opposite the litter boxes, where, Evelyn explained, the cat could drink filtered, running water. Next to it was a feeder. A portrait of Glacier hung on the wall.

  She told them she had bought Glacier after Allison left for college four months prior.

  Nicholas knew the tour was over when they headed to the third floor, after all, it was where all their bedrooms were located.

  As Evelyn left she said:

  “Nothing to worry about dears—your rooms are still pretty much as you left them.”

  Nicholas was a little worried about the “pretty much” and braced himself when he opened the door to his room.

  The first things he noticed were his traveling bags in front of the king-sized bed, sitting in the middle of the room. He looked around, then breathed a sigh of relief. His room did in fact look about the same as he had left it, only cleaner. The walls were the same shade of light blue and stilled beamed with his old posters: a Scarface poster with Al Pacino lounging in a chair, and posters of a beautiful actress and a Brazilian model whose names he had forgotten. He smiled to himself.

  He looked around the room again, scrutinizing each object: his bed, made up with plain blue sheets and a blue patterned comforter and topped with matching pillows and throw pillows, his new flat-screen 3D television with his old ‘toys’ near it—gaming systems and games, his Blue Ray collection, and his entertainment system and old CD library.

  He went over to his mini-fridge and opened it. It looked like it had been restocked recently with water and a few of his favorite things, among them: Godiva Belgium Dark Chocolate Ice Cream.

  He walked over to his closet, opened the double folding doors, and smiled.

  He had forgotten about all the clothes and shoes he had, and now, they were all neatly arranged by style and color.

  Nicholas walked back over to his bags and started to unpack, unsure why he even bothered to bring anything back with him; everything he needed was there—almost.

  When he finished unpacking and had stored the suitcases away, he took a shower, preparing himself for a long, relaxing night ahead. He threw on a pair of boxers and snuggled up under his sheets, grabbing the remote, ready to begin his leisurely vacation.

  He was flipping through the channels when Evelyn poked her head in.

  “Nicholas dear, the Hansfords are coming for dinner tonight. Do join us at eight.”

  Nicholas looked at her, then at the clock at his bedside: 5:43.

  He still had some time to catch a few shows.

  He nodded at her, then continued flipping through the channels.

  An hour and a half later he was dressed in a white dress shirt and black slacks, yet standing in his closet looking around, rethinking his clothing choices.

  He heard a knock on his door.

  Yeah?” he called out.

  He heard the door open then a girl’s voice say:

  “Nicholas?”

  Nicholas dashed out of his closet as he recognized the voice, all other clothing options forgotten.

  His sister cupped her hand over her mouth when she saw him.

  “Oh my god—Nicholas!” she said, taking in his outfit.

  Nicholas tried to reconcile his strongest impression of her—a kid with long, blond pigtails and bright blue eyes—with the pretty young woman standing in front of him.

  “Allison!” He grabbed her in a hug. “It’s so great to see you! Been a hell of while; you’ve made this trip worth taking.”

  She smiled at him.

  “So how’s it going bro? Can’t believe you’re actually dressing up!”

  “Neither can I,” he said, scowling at his pants then heading back to his closet. He threw on a pair of jeans instead, then re-presented himself.

  “A compromise,” he said, grinning.

  Allison held up three fingers in the okay sign.

  “Looks great!” she said. Then she sat at the foot of his bed.

  “You know, I don’t even know what her rush is to get us all together tonight. She must be playing matchmaker.”

  “What do you mean?” Nicholas asked.

  The thought had not crossed his mind.

  “The Hansfords, if I recall correctly, have two daughters. I could be wrong though. But if it’s not that, I guess she figured she’d better catch us all right away because once we’re settled, we’ll be on our own missions; she might not have us all together again until Christmas.”

  Nicholas shrugged, not sure what to say, in fact, not caring why Evelyn insisted they all meet for dinner that night; he missed good old Marla’s cooking and was looking forward to it.

  “Anyway,” Allison said. “I better get ready. Send my apologies for being late.”

  She got up from the bed and headed to the door, but before leaving, turned back to him, pointing.

  “We’ll talk later though—I want to know what’s been going on. Be down in twenty,” she said as she left.

  ***

  All Nicholas could think as he sat at the dinner table was that Allison was right: Amber and Lily Hansford clearly had their eyes on him and his brother, and his mother and the elder Hansfords clearly had been encouraging it.

  They were all sitting at the dining room table—Evelyn at one end with Eliza Hansford on her left, Senator Harold Hansford on her right. Edward was next to the senator, Nicholas, next to his brother. Opposite Nicholas was Amber, a stunning beauty with almond-shaped green eyes and cinnamon-colored hair. She looked absolutely nothing like her sister, but resembled her mother, while Lily, a cute blond with dark eyes, sitting opposite Edward, resembled their father. Allison came down a few minutes late and sat down next to Nicholas. The chair opposite Allison was empty, and so was the other end of the table, where his father would have been.

  “I’m so glad you’re finally able to meet my sons!” Evelyn said, after everyone had been introduced to each other. “Edward’s graduating next year—he’s majoring in...what was it honey?”

  “Economics and Accounting,” Edward replied.

  “Right. Then he’s going right off to um...”

  “Wharton. Just found out I got in actually—interning at Dhalton Industries for the past few summers probably helped. As well as being a Dhalton.” Soft laughter rolled through the room. “I’m getting my MBA in preparation for moving up in Dhalton Industries as fast as humanly possible,” Edward finished, smiling at the Hansfords.

  Nicholas was once again impressed by the way Edward was able to handle Evelyn—with admirable patience. He almost thought he caught a glimpse of genuine pride on Evelyn’s face when talking about and listening to Edward.

  “Right! Oh, Edward’s so smart—he’s doing wonderfully! I just know he’ll be great. And Nicholas is...”

  Her face seemed to lose some of its light when she looked in his direction. He pushed down the feelings that had started to rise in him and tried to be as charming as Eddie. He wasn’t sure if he pulled it off, but he attempted a smile and affected a casual manner.

  “I’m majoring in Management,” he finished for Evelyn. “I don’t quite know where I’ll go from there but somehow, I think I’ll be just fine.” He grinned at everyone then. The girls appeared to appreciate the joke. Even Senator Hansford cracked a smile.

  “Yes, your father’s paved quite a path for you all,” he said. “Where is John anyway?”

  Evelyn didn’t miss a beat.

  “Oh, he planned to be here on time but this thing came up and well, you know how it goes. He sends his apologies. He’ll try to make it later but...” She trailed off, shrugging, her plastic smile making its appearance. “I’m afraid it’s just poor old me for company this evening—and my wonderful boys of course. And my darling daughter—Allison honey, how’d your first term go?”

  “Well, I haven’t quite decided wh
at to major in yet mom.”

  “I thought you were interested in Communication dear?”

  Allison looked down. She looked embarrassed.

  “Oh, don’t be shy sweetheart.” Evelyn addressed the table: “She wants to be a journalist.” Allison looked up again, her eyes shining as she smiled at Evelyn. Her mother beamed back at her.

  “She has written a few articles for her school paper, I have copies upstairs. She’s a really good writer! Oh I’m so proud of you sweetheart.”

  Evelyn looked lovingly at her daughter.

  Allison seemed embarrassed again, but this time, there was a happy quality to it.

  Evelyn finally looked away from her daughter and turned to Eliza Hansford.

  “So how are your girls doing?” she asked, inviting her to boast about her own children.

  Eliza first looked at the beauty with the brown hair on the verge of red. “Well, Amber’s into politics, heaven knows where she got that from.” Eliza smiled at her own joke. Then her hand gestured in the blonde’s direction. “Lily’s pre-med,” she said. “She wants to be an anesthesiologist.” Eliza smiled at her girls, an encouraging smile, as if she wanted them to say something.

  Lily piped up first:

  “Actually, I haven’t decided between anesthesiologist and OB/GYN yet.” Her brown eyes sparkled. “But I have decided I’d like to go to Yale’s School of Medicine to find out.”

  She smiled, then took a drink of water as she nudged Amber.

  “As for me,” Amber said, “I’m interested in politics but I’m actually majoring in Psychology. I like to find out what makes people tick.”

  Nicholas felt like she was looking at him despite her eyes remaining on Evelyn.

  Lily laughed.

  The dinner ended with the Hansfords inviting his family over to their house sometime in the near future. Nicholas watched Lily slip Edward her number, leaving him vulnerable to Amber.

  She snuck up on him, challenging him to a tennis match.

  “I heard you’re quite the player,” she said.

  Nicholas agreed without really planning to take her up on it.

  The Hansfords left, appearing quite satisfied with the evening’s events.

  As Nicholas and Eddie headed upstairs, Nicholas contemplated voicing what was on his mind. He didn’t want to say it, but he needed to know he was not alone. By the time Nicholas reached his room and Eddie was about to go past him to his own, Nicholas found the words.

  “Don’t you hate how she’s always gushing about Allison?” he said. “You’d swear we’re like, her nephews or stepchildren something.” He tried to say it in a way that didn’t betray the degree to which it bothered him. “And she kind of gushed about you too,” he couldn’t stop himself from adding.

  Eddie scoffed. “Barely. And only because of my accomplishments and kick-ass potential. But yeah, no matter what Allison had decided to do, she probably would have been all about it.” He put on a high falsetto voice: “’Mom, I want to be a prostitute!’” He lowered his falsetto a little: “’Well dear, you’re going to be the best darnedest prostitute out there! I’ll get you the best physical trainer, get you nice and flexible, and oh! I’ll contact this old slut friend of mine to give you some tips...’”

  Nicholas laughed.

  “Yeah, exactly. Doesn’t that bug you a little? I mean, they’re girls and everything, but it just sucks sometimes to be invisible to her, right?”

  Eddie was silent for a few seconds, and for a moment, Nicholas felt he would give in.

  “Yeah, I know what you mean,” Eddie said. “I’m cool with it though. See ya.”

  Eddie entered his room quickly.

  CHAPTER NINE

  The knock pierced Nicholas’s consciousness and he groggily looked in the direction of his clock.

  9:47 a.m. glared at him in large, red digits.

  “Yeah,” Nicholas tried to shout through his drowsiness.

  “Phone for you!” came Eddie’s muffled reply.

  Nicholas cursed softly.

  “Okay,” he said, reaching over and grabbing the handset.

  “Hello?”

  A perky voice greeted him.

  “Hi Nicholas! Hope I didn’t wake you.”

  Nicholas felt himself waking up. The voice was lively, yet unfamiliar.

  “Hold a sec—I’m waiting for everyone to hang up,” he said, sitting up.

  The sound of two disconnections followed. Nicholas tested the phone.

  “Okay we’re good. Who is this?”

  “Amber, silly! Remember I said I’d call today? See when you want to play a game of tennis?”

  Nicholas didn’t really remember what she had told him or vice versa.

  “Oh yeah!” he said. “Um, maybe we can do it...”

  “Today? Yeah I think today would work. What time will you be up for it? Is three okay?”

  Nicholas tried to hide his groan. It didn’t seem he had a choice.

  “Yeah, sure. Come over for three.”

  “Fantastic! See you then!”

  Nicholas rolled himself out of bed, cursing his morning weakness, then washed his face and went down for breakfast.

  ***

  Amber showed up at two forty-five, dressed in a short white skirt and white sports top that showed off her slim, shapely, yet athletic frame. Her top showed off her flat stomach, abdominal muscles and all, as well as her perky breasts, while her skirt showed off her sculpted legs. Her body was evenly tanned, her smile ready for a Colgate commercial, her cat eyes sparkling with excitement. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she had a gym bag on her shoulder.

  It took Nicholas a moment to realize he was staring at her.

  “Hi Nicholas!” She waved at him as he came down the stairs. “Ready for a beat down?”

  It turned out she wasn’t kidding. Amber won the match easily.

  As Nicholas stood by, catching his breath then gulping down his bottle of water, Amber patted him on the back.

  “Great game! I’m going to get freshened up in one of your guest bathrooms.”

  She pointed to her bag. “I brought a change of clothes so I can shower before we eat. So, are we eating here or are you going to take me out? Yeah, I guess out would be better.”

  She skipped off.

  Nicholas shook his head, amused.

  Once she had showered and dressed, Amber met him in the family room watching television. He had also showered and changed in preparation for their lunch date.

  When he saw her, he turned the television off and grabbed his keys.

  He had decided on an Italian restaurant since, surprisingly, she did not give any input on where they should go.

  Once they had arrived at the restaurant and got their orders, Nicholas sat absent-mindedly poking at his linguini while Amber eagerly chatted away, having finished her Antipasto salad. She was mainly talking about herself, and once in a while asked a question about him which he answered briefly, not really interested in sharing.

  Listening to her was somewhat entertaining, but his mind kept drifting back to Sydney.

  He was at a crossroads.

  He knew Amber was putty in his hands and even though she seemed like she would play hard to get for a while, he knew she could be in his bed in no time. She clearly had no intention of just jumping his bones though, she was on a mission—she wanted to be Mrs. Amber Dhalton.

  Why shouldn’t he take advantage of it? She was beautiful and his for the taking. Besides, maybe they could actually go somewhere, be a good couple. Who knew? Perhaps this was where he was supposed to go—perhaps she was ‘the one’ after all.

  Nicholas laughed to himself and luckily for him, it was an appropriate response to whatever Amber had just said. He looked directly at her, newly interested. She looked delighted by his increased interest, but all he was thinking about was going along for the ride.

  He already thought staying away from Sydney was best; he might as well take up a distraction.

  W
hen they were done with lunch, he made another date with her for the next day.

  She kissed him on the cheek before taking off.

  Nicholas went to bed that night, happy he would be moving on with his life, that he had a way to get Sydney off his mind and possibly, keep her out of his world—a world lacking in the warmth and love she deserved.

  He drifted off to sleep.

  A few hours later, Nicholas was tossing and turning as his dream held him in a vice-like grip.

  “No, no, no,” Nicholas mumbled in his sleep. “Leave her alone. No...Sydney!” he called out in distress.

  ***

  Nod didn’t realize until the moment he saw his two friends pull the girl from the backseat of the car, bound, gagged, and blindfolded, that this was no joke. He stood dumbfounded at the cabin door, holding it open as they came toward him with the girl between them, protests muffled. He stood there even after they stumbled past him and laid her on the Persian rug sprawled in front of the crimson leather couch.

  Then panic shot through him, making him tear his eyes from the trio to scan the woods for witnesses. He caught only shards of red and orange filtering through the surrounding trees as the sun commenced its descent. He blocked out the fading light by closing the door and locking it, while trying to ignore the feeling that he was locking himself in a cage of hungry tigers.

  When he turned back toward the trio, he saw that Blynken was kneeling next to the girl, one hand holding her bound hands against her abdomen, the other stroking the uncovered parts of her face. Wynken got up and moved to a chair, draping his leg over its shiny arm. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

  Nod looked at the girl.

  “You sure she can’t see right?” he asked, staring warily at the blindfold, terrified she would be able to identify him, but even more terrified of his promise.

  “Just get on with it man, you’re the last to go,” Blynken said, dismissing his hesitancy, his eyes not moving from the girl’s face as he knelt by her side. His voice sounded almost weary.

  “I just don’t know about this,” Nod said. “What if...”