Chapter Eight - Part Three

“What’s your point?” he said, but even so he looked away in the tell-tale manner of someone that had information worth hiding.

“You told him to forget what he saw, and it was like he literally did forget. That’s not weird to you?”

“Naomi, I haven’t found anything weird in a very long time.” he replied. “I am weirdness – and I like it. And that’s all you need to know. For now.”

And with another one of his dark, elusive smiles, he returned his sights to the hotel, leaving me with even more questions than I’d had before.

But then again, knowing Tidus, that had probably been the plan all along.

*  *  *

The Penthouse of the Waldorf Towers was a visual feast for the eyes, and nothing short but magnificent. The beautiful grand foyer was the first room to great your eyes, followed by a lovely, formal, dining room seated for twelve, a business-like, but not-ungraceful living room, a full-sized kitchen larger than many of the rooms I’d grown up in, and two bedrooms that each had their own four-fixture bathroom made of sparkling marble.

As I investigated each of the rooms, I felt the beauty of the Penthouse move within me. The windows were all floor-to-ceiling – each capturing its own version of the perfect Manhattan view. The plush furniture, elegant paintings and stylish mirrors along the walls were perfect for lending the suite a natural 1930’s atmosphere. Immediately I liked it, although I remained intimidated by the grandeur of the Waldorf. It reminded me that where I currently stood was a far different locale than where I’d been a year before. But even though this was meant as a good thing, somehow I didn’t think I’d ever be able to get used to it.

Our bags were already stacked and waiting for us in the living room (by a mini bar that wasn’t quite as mini as it sounded), but I bypassed them and headed straight to the window. New York lights twinkled all across the dark city, and the streets were abuzz with the flowing traffic of night. The points and turrets of skyscrapers studded my line of vision, and with pleasant surprise I managed to pick out famous landmarks such as the Rockefeller Center, Central Park and even the spiked rooftops of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

I stood, transfixed, before the glass, long enough for Tidus to prepare two scotch and sodas at the bar. Silently, he took his place beside me, giving me a slight nudge as he offered me one.

Gratefully, I accepted and took my first sip. The smooth sting of the liquor revived me, and I felt the familiar warmth that keeps you seduced to drink.

“This is really beautiful.” I said, tapping the cold glass of my drink. The ice had it sweating already.

“Hmm?” he answered, invested in his drink.

“The view?” I reiterated. “Manhattan is amazing. It’s like… a painting that’s come to life.”

“Well, I remember a time back when the city wasn’t so glamorous.” he said, looking up with an expression so close to familiarity that it bordered on insipidness. “I remember when it used to be all smog and dirty buildings and despair. Actually, I kinda miss it.”

“And what were you like in the old New York?” I asked, grinning at him above the rim of my glass.

“Well, I didn’t have my humanity, if that’s what you’re getting at. But to be honest, I was still no worse than most Humans. After all, it was desperate times for Vampire and Man – there was no work, no money, and all the Humans tasted like ash.”

“So, have you ever killed someone?” I blurted out, suddenly recalling the fact that he actually drank blood when I wasn’t around. And though straightaway I regretted the question, it was already out and too late to take back.

“That’s a rather inane question to be asking a Vampire.” Tidus said, with a grin of his own. “Don’t you think?”

For several long seconds, we stared at one another.

“Will you ever be able to give me a straight answer about anything?” I said finally, unable to keep my frustration from showing.

“No, because you’re cute when you’re angry. And besides, I wouldn’t wanna take away from the fun you’d miss from discovering things on your own.”

“Maybe,” I replied, looking at him carefully. “Or you just don’t want me to find out too much about your past, because you think it’ll change how I look at you.”

“And what do you see when you look at me?” his smile said that he only asked the question out of jest, but his eyes told me something different.

“I see… potential.” I said, looking him right in his lovely, hateful eyes. “And I also see a Vampire with a lot more Humanity in him than he shows.”

For a moment, I thought he might actually smile, until his face unexpectedly crumbled. And all at once, it was as if the weight of the world had been handed to him, and he had nothing else to do but place it all on his own shoulders.

But then, out of nowhere, Tidus whipped me around in unthinkable speed. And seconds before our glasses smashed against the ground, I was pressed to the wall, beneath his solid weight. I stared back at him, breathing fast. This should have been his chance to strike. But of course, when he grabbed me, there had been no death in his grip. Only desperation.

“What? Don’t like what I have to say?” I quietly replied, making no attempts to push him back. “Does the really truth scare you that much?”

“You think you have me figured out, don’t you, Naomi?” he said softly, releasing me to place his hands against the wall by my shoulders. “You actually believe that underneath this blank, uncaring, thoughtless mask, that I’m still a prince underneath –”

I rolled my eyes and turned my face away, but this failed to impress him. Instead, he reached forward with a single hand, and grabbed me by the neck, coaxing my face forward again.

“But the truth is…” he continued. “I have very little Human left in me. And as much as you like to tell yourself that I can become a gentleman… well… Most of the time, when I look at you… all I can think about is climbing in between those pretty legs just once before sucking you dry.”

He paused again, and I felt my insides twist and heave as the hurt that I felt from his punishing words manifested itself in the form of nausea. And the room swayed, but oddly his face was the only thing that remained in focus.

“So, tell me. Do I still look like boyfriend material to you?” he spat.

But obviously my reply was never meant to be given, because a moment later he was simply gone. And as I sank to the floor, with my hands tangled in my hair from anguish, a door slammed shut with a power that shook the walls.

*  *  *

A blue glow lit up the darkness of my bedroom as my phone trembled on the nightstand. I rolled over and reached out for it, sighing as I realized who it was.

“Ethan, it’s midnight.”

“I know. Why are you so upset?” Ethan asked, from the other end of the line. “I’ve been tossing and turning in bed for an hour.”

“I’m fine, really.” I said in a short tone. “And I’m sorry, I’ll be sure to get myself under control so that you can sleep, ok?”

“Don’t say that.” Ethan replied firmly. “Mimi, I didn’t call you to yell at you, I just wanted to make sure that you were ok. I’m your friend –”

“We are not friends, Ethan.” I said, with a level of viciousness that was far out of character. “Friends don’t do what you did to me. God, when will you understand that?”

“Wow. And just when I thought that we were starting to get past this…” he said in a quiet, wounded voice. “Look, Mimi, if I have to spend the rest of my life making this up to you, I will. Just tell me what you want me to do, please.”

“Ok. Then you can start, by leaving me alone.” I said, and pressed the end button. Then I set the phone down, and laid my head against the pillow again, feeling absolutely none of the satisfaction I had expected.

*  *  *

When I awoke the next morning, I showered leisurely and took my time getting dressed. I wasn’t ready yet to face Tidus. He could make me feel like a fool just by smiling, and I wasn’t entirely sure how much longer I could endure it. He had certainly proven that he didn’t need his fangs, or his strength and speed to show his cruelty. His words were weapon enough. I was no match for him.

Quietly, I stepped out of my bedroom, glancing up the short hall to the living room. I heard nothing at first, but as I closed the door shut behind me, there was the tinkling sound of a girl’s laughter. And as I neared the bar, suddenly Tidus was coming from down his own hallway, with his back to me as he led a girl by the hands and lips. Sighing rudely, I opened the bar’s fridge to find the juice. Then, selecting a glass, I poured myself some OJ and took a sip, staring fixedly ahead as I ignored the sounds of kissing behind me. But I had a straight shot from here to the foyer, so that didn’t mean I wasn’t inclined to peek…

“Really though, I’m sure you were good, but I honestly just can’t remember that part. And I swear I’ve never had that happen to me before – I only had one drink…” The girl spoke to him now, as Tidus led her to the door.

“Hey, don’t worry about it. Sometimes that just happens to fast girls who can’t hold their liquor.” Tidus replied, with a disrespectful smile the poor girl mistook for kind.

“Oh,” the girl said, with her smile faltering in attempted understanding – had that been an insult or just a funny joke? “Call me?”

“Mmm, not likely, doll.” he said, kissing her again before closing the door behind her. Bare-chested, with only a towel around his waist, he approached me from the foyer. I smelled the soap and cologne on his skin, and had to rip my eyes away from his slim, chiseled frame that was still wet from his own shower.

“I trust you slept well, Naomi.” Tidus said, walking up to me and speaking as if last night had never happened. “Well, I would ask if you want breakfast, but I’ve already had mine.”