Amidst her celebrations, the staff came and threw us out for disturbing other people. We laughed it off and walked away from the arcade.
"So, you have won 110 points multiplied by 100. 11,000 Dollars is our budget. Where do you want to shop first?"
"Really. I thought it was joke."
"You don't believe me."
"No, and don't waste your parent's money like this."
"You don't have worry about that. I am the one taking you out, right? So, spending money is natural."
"But 11,000 dollars is too much."
"So, we are not going shopping."
"No, but spending 11,000 dollars of your parent's money is too much."
"Fine, let's go someplace else first before we go shopping."
"Where?"
"Just follow me."
They both went down to the first floor and then walked towards a book store.
"What are we doing here?"
"You like reading books, right?"
"Of course."
"Then follow me, I will show you a book." He said as he entered the store.
"Sir, do you want help in finding the book?" the salesman asked
"No." I replied as I walked towards a section and picked a book.
"Here, read this book. You will like it." I said as I gave her the hunger games Part 1
She took the book from me, looking confused and asked
"I have already read it."
"Oh, have you?"
"Did you like it?"
"Yes. I also have read the author's Game of thrones also. But why did you bring me here?"
"Who is the author?"
"Nicholas walker." She said still confused and looked at nick who was smiling. A moment later, she screamed and jumped in joy as I hushed her to calm down
"You are Nicholas walker, Nick. Oh fuck, it's awesome."
"Okay, calm down. It's just two books."
Seeing the commotion, the owner of the book store came out to us and asked to maintain decorum or to go out as to not disturb other customers.
"We are sorry." I said to the owner who is a man in late 40s.
Then as we were about to go out, he called out to me
"Hey son, have we seen anywhere before."
"No."
"Can you tell me your name?"
"It's Nicholas walker."
The owner stupefied, blinked his eyes for few moments and looked at the hunger games book in his hand. Then his eyes slowly brightened with a smile on his face.
"Hi, Mr. walker, it's nice to meet you. I am James, your avid reader. Could you give me your autograph?"
"Okay." I said as I motioned him for his book.
I signed his both the books and asked
"How did you identify me? There is not much news about me on the internet."
"I came to your reading in New York."
"Oh, thank you. But Mr. James I prefer being low key."
"It's okay, Mr. walker. I won't say a word."
"Thanks, and please call me Nick."
"Okay. Nick, can I ask for a favour?"
"What is it?"
"Can you conduct a reading session here?"
"Well, I don't mind but contact the publishing house for preparing the date." I said giving him the card of Paul.
After we got out of the store, I turned to her and asked her
"Now, can we go shopping?"
"But…"
"There is no Buts… let's go shopping."
Then we both went to shop from store to store splurging all 11000 dollars. By the time we finished shopping, both my hands were full with shopping bags and time had already become 3 pm.
Seeing that it was becoming late, I promptly led her to the Jeep and drove towards the lake. As we were going to the lake, we had to go through the beacon hills reserve. It was a fun off-road ride until we passed Hale's family house.
As we reached the house, she became alerted as she looked at the house. Seeing this, I asked
"What's the matter? Not a fan of horror house in middle of the forest."
"Do you know what happened here?"
"Of course. This is the hale family house. 6 years before the house was burned. Official report is electrical malfunction but sheriff station believes it to be arson. 8 persons died in that fire except for Derek Hale who was at the school when this happened."
"How do you know?"
"Well, my father is a police officer. So, it's natural we know about the layout of the place where we live."
"Hmm, okay. Let's go. I don't like this place much."
He drove the jeep away from the burned house towards the lake. After parking the jeep, he led her to his boat. Elizabeth surprised to see the boat asked
"Nick, is the really yours?"
"Of course. Your boyfriend is rich." Nick said with a smug smile.
"When did you become my boyfriend?" Beth asked curiously with a mischievous tone.
Nick, embarrassed scratched his head and then his face lit up as he asked
"Will you be my boyfriend? Sorry, girlfriend."
Beth laughed and said "Well, I will allow you to be my girlfriend but albeit probationary. So, you better bring you're A-game."
"Of course, at your service." Nick said
They both walked side by side towards the boat laughing and talking. After entering the boat, nick pulled up the anchor and then started the boat. He drove the boat to the centre of the lake, stopped the boat and dropped the anchor.
"Beth, do you know how to swim?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go for a swim."
Then they both got into swim wears and swam in the lake. After spending sometime in the lake, nick got back onto to the boat. He swiftly setup the grill and started roasting the meats. Beth, in mean time swam in the lake joyfully.
"Beth, let's eat something." Nick called her back.
"Okay, coming up." Beth replied as she swam back.
Beth got onto to the ship, pat herself dry with a towel and wrapped it around her navel and then sat down on the stool. Nick set up the table and sat on the stool opposite her.
Then they took her spoon and took and bite of the meat. She slowing grinded down the meat, savouring the taste. After gulping down the food, she saw nick looking at her, expectantly waiting for the review.
She laughed and said
"It is good, nick. Keep it up, you have a chance for becoming my girlfriend."
"Thanks, I will keep working hard." Nick said with a smile as he also started eating.
"So, Nick, how is beacon hills treating you till now." Beth asked taking another bite.
"Well, I like its quietness. In New York, it always felt like everyone was running. But here I feel grounded. Hills has its charms and I like it here better now more than ever." Nick said as he held his eyes firmly on her when he said the last piece with a distinct fondness evident in his eyes.
Beth also looked back, a distinct spark igniting between them which was broken by the sizzling sound from the grill as they both averted their gaze from each other. Nick, swiftly rotated the meat on the grill and sat back down to eat food again.
"So, how did you get into writing?"
"So, when I took a break year, I started taking some hobbies. I liked creating different characters, their stories. Rest became history."
"So, you are awfully nonchalant and arrogant about this. Don't let other great writers hear about this. They may chop you into pieces."
"Oh, so you care about me." Nick asked with his eyebrows raised.
"Ha, who cares about you? I just didn't want aunty to lose you because of your foolishness." Beth said as she looked away.
Nick seeing this smiled and continued to eat.
"Tell me about New York." Beth asked
"Last year, I was kidnapped and kept captive for three months."
"I am sorry for making you remember your past."
"It's okay. Mine and my family's life changed because of what happened. It also brought us here and I think life will be more fun here." Nick said smiling as he looked at the horizon. Beth calmed down, guilt was evident on her face but still when she looked at him, she felt calm and serene.
"Well, my family also experienced some unpleasant things after which we came here. So, I can feel how it helped, moving away."
"Oh, what happened?
"My parents past came crashing down on us which pushed us here."
"Oh, where they a retired spy?"
"No."
"Retired criminal/ mafia?"
"Nope."
"Run-away nobles/ aristocrats/ business moguls."
"No."
"Retired assassin."
"No. is cooking up stories this natural for you?" Beth laughed out loud and said.
"Well, I am a best seller author."
"Hmm…"
"I am sorry, you had to run away. But look at the bright side, you found me, a handsome and rich boyfriend because you ran away."
"Tsk. narcissist." She clicked her tongue and said with a smile.
They both looked at each other and smiled letting the pleasant atmosphere set in. As the atmosphere settled into silence, they looked at each other. A spark ignited in their hearts, as they both looked at each other's or rather each other's lips finding each other increasingly attractive. Nick realising it, slowly leaned in inch by inch until his lips touched her lips. A spark, electrified their bodies as they continued into deep passionate kiss unable to extricate themselves from the blissful feeling.
After a few moments of kiss, they both let go slowly as they gasped for breath while looking at each other. They both leaned back onto the boat savouring the feeling and also of beautiful sight of sun setting in silence.
OBERON HOME
Nick and Beth both stood in front of her house in silence.
"I had a good time, today." Beth said breaking the silence.
"me too." Nick replied going back to silence looking at each other.
"So, will you go out with again." Nick asked nervously.
"Of course." She said as she leaned to give him a peck on the cheek and went back in.
"Bye see you at school."
"Bye." Nick said as she walked back to his jeep.
He got in waved her and started the vehicle and went back to his house.
WALKER HOUSE
Nick parked the jeep and went into house. He saw his family setting up the dinner table and said
"Mom, put a plate for me too. I will come down after freshening up."
"okay, son. how was the date?"
"it was good." Nick said with a goofy smile as he walked up the stairs.
After freshening up, nick came down and sat down with them. After taking the food, his mom asked
"Tell me about the day?"
Little shy, but with a smile Nick started saying about his day. All of them excitedly joined in the conversation as they ate.