Testing Vickie

Chapter Nine

Inside was a pale gold strappy dress with a matching mask. Attached to the mask was a note which read: ‘You’ll need this for later ;)’

Interesting.

I try the dress on and it hugs all my curves but it still loose enough to not be restricting. I put everything else on and in the reflection of the mirrors, admire what Nick has chosen. It all went so well together. I take a look at the mask. It’s a simple lacy masquerade mask with three gems like the earrings and necklace that would rest where the bridge of the nose would be. A plain black ribbon was attached to tie it back and hold it in place. I quickly put it in my bag and as soon as I fix my hair, the doorbell rings. I walk cautiously to the door, look through the peep hole and see a man dressed in a shirt, pants and blazer.

“Ms Bones, I am Dorian. I’m your driver for the night.” My heart sinks a little after realising that it wasn’t Nick. I open the door and Dorian simply says, “Come, the night awaits.”

Walking out into the cold night air, I wish Nick had given me a cardigan or jacket. Thankfully, Dorian directs me into a car I didn’t even know was there. Suddenly, my mind flashes with the thought of stranger danger. My heart rate goes a bit quicker. He then hands me a phone, the caller I.D showing Nicks phone number.

“Hello?”

“Hey honey. It’s ok. Dorian is not going to r**e you, kidnap you or kill you.”

“Oh, ahahah.” I give a nervous little laugh, hoping that Dorian didn’t hear that.

“Dorian is going to take you to the start.”

“The start?”

“You’ll see.” And with that, he was gone.

I hop into the car and remember the white dress. I wonder how Michael feels about me ditching it. As the thought entered my mind, that almighty white flash appears. Michael with it.

“Ugh it’s you. Again. What now?”

“You were wondering about the white dress. I am here to answer your wondering.” He almost sounds a little obnoxious.

“Wait, before the dress. What happens when you come in? Does time stop? Do other people see you?”

“No you’re just talking to air and other people are seeing you just as you are.” I look at him pissed.“Yes obviously yes. Time stops, no one else can see me. Each guardian is allocated a person to watch over as they complete their TEST. You don’t need the dress this evening, because this is part of your test. Tomorrow by 10am you must be wearing that dress again. Enjoy your night.” And with that he was gone. I really hate him.

“Ms Bones, are you ready?”

“Yes. I’ll be right there.”

We arrive at a small shop in front of a river and I see Nick standing outside with a grin on his face. He walks down the stairs and opens the door.

“My lady.”

“Thank you!” I beam up at him. He extends his hand and I take it and look at the charming old building. It’s an old Victorian building with warm light spilling from the curved windows. Nick leads me up the stairs into a cosy little dining room. We’re greeted by the maître d’ who leads us to our table.

“Welcome to Aspires Mr and Mrs Cera. Tonight, you will be having the chef’s specials prepared tonight by Chef Haywill. Can I offer you anything to drink?” She says.

“We’ll just have sparkling water, thank you.” Nick replies, his eyes on mine. Not once did he glance in the maître d’s direction. He could’ve at least looked at her while he was talking. I smile warmly and his eyes light up.

“I love you.” I whisper.

“I love you more.” He whispers back. I look around at the beautiful restaurant and find that the maître d’ is already busying herself with servicing another table. Everyone in the restaurant looks very fancy tonight. There’s no children in sight, only adults. We must be the youngest here. I guess someone has to be. “You look, stunning tonight in that dress.”

“Mmmm, I must agree with you on that. Whoever chose it has very good taste in clothing.”

“They really must. It really suits your body and your hair.” The maître d’ arrives with two steaming bowls of ravioli.

“Mushroom ravioli with sage and butter sauce.” She announces, placing a plate in front of Nick and one in front of me. I waft in the rich smell of the butter sauce and the fragrant mushroom ravioli.

“Whoever chose to eat here also has good taste in food from the smell of it.”

“Ahahah what about from the taste of it?” Nick asks. I take that as my cue to eat and in my mouth, flavours of not only mushroom but oregano and the rich butter coat my mouth.

“And from the taste of it.” I say confirming what I had already stated.

The rest of dinner was a blur after discussions of what was happening in the world. Well, more of Nick telling me of what was happening in this world. Kind of. We exit the restaurant after the main meal and enter the cool night air. I go back to wishing I had a jacket or cardigan of some kind. Nick looks at me and reads my mind.

“Oops, I forgot you’d be cold in that dress. My bad.” He takes off his jacket and hands it to me revealing the white shirt that was a little loose for his thin but sturdy frame. I gratefully accept his jacket, admiring his body. “Come on. We gotta get on here.”

Nick leads me to the river where a gondola is. It’s thin and streamline and there’s one paddle along the side. He rows us along the river under the cool moonlight and the warm streetlight. He’s so strong to be able to row that far for that long. We stop in front of another older shop and I see from the shop windows baine maries.

“We’re not-? Are we-?” I try to speak but my brain isn’t cooperating.

“Would you care for some ice-cream?”

“Uh, yes!” Nick stops the boat by the side of the river and climbs out. He extends his hand out to take mine and as I haul myself out of the boat (which isn’t easy with heels and a dress) I slightly fall into him.

“Hey, easy there.” He kisses my cheek and I blush a little. We enter the ice-cream shop and a sweet smell hits my nose as well as a chill down my spine. It’s colder in here than it is outside! Nick walks up to the counter and says to the boy at the counter: “Two large mint choc chips please.” I didn’t even need to say anything and he knows what to get me. Handing me my ice-cream he smiles. “Your favourite.”

I smile and take the first teeth numbing bite. The dairy of the ice-cream comes first followed by the refreshing mint and ending with the crunch of a few chocolate chips. Heaven in a cone. “mmm. This is so good.”

“I knew you’d like it. I’m glad I like it too. Except for the times when you have horrible pain and there’s no ice-cream in the freezer.” I chuckle at that. Sounds like me.

We walk out into the warming night air and leave the boat behind, instead we’re walking down the river and just after we finish our ice-creams (or well, I finish my ice-cream because Nick demolished his within 3 minutes of exiting the store) we are face to face with a grand, tall building with 4 pillars at its entrance. A banner hung from the first and last pillar saying: ‘Masquerade Ball – All Funds Raised to go to Charity’

“Is this why you gave me the mask?” I ask.

“Well duh, it’s a masquerade ball. May I have my jacket back now?” I pull a face showing my willing of him not to. “Don’t worry, as soon as we’re inside, you’ll be warm. I need to take something out of it anyway.”

When I got inside however, I was not warm.