After Lounge n' Sip, I went to the hospital to turn my badges in and get my paycheck. I got stuck talking to Liam, who by the way once finding out I lost my job, asked me for my number. Of course I didn't give him anything. That particular conversation lasted for about 3 minutes. Then, I came back home and called Mom. I almost told her about my situation, but thank god I paid enough attention to keep that secret. Her being quite a talker, she kept me on the phone longer than I wanted.

Geez–Finally I get all these phone calls; it's just when I get busy with things people start trying to get a hold of me. Actually people, I intended to spend the rest of the day looking for a job! But they can't know this happened. No one can–Not right now anyway. I did manage to look around a little bit... but then I got a headache.

Here I am now, standing up from my pc with my cell-phone in my hand and Nick's card too. I check the clock and see it's 4pm. Well, he'll need time to get here. I need to call him now. So I start dialing his number. It takes a few seconds before he answers.

His voice is deeper on the phone. It makes my belly suddenly clench.
"Nick? It's Ivy." I swallow down some of my jumpiness.

"Hello there... You are ready to go now?" He sounds like he's smiling. I do just like him and say, "Yeah."

"Alright, I will be there between 5 and 5:15."
"Ok, see you then,"
"See you." He hangs up.

Again, I feel jumpy as I look at my phone. I better take a bath right now! But first I need a snack. I hope I don't drop any chips in the tub!
Well I do...

Just a few minutes later, I come out, and wow...I really needed that bath! Now, I have a little catching up to do. I grab my journal and look at it. I really haven't kept up like I usually do. "...Sometimes life is so stressful you can't do everything in your daily routine." I sigh, "But, I will write in you now."

Journal entry date – October 3, Friday

Ok...last time I wrote in you was on the 1st. I think I'm getting lazy. A lot has happened since then, actually. It seems whenever I lose track, something major happens in between then and when I write again. The big things this time are: I lost my job, Gina and I are getting closer (she let me stay at her place last night because I was so stressed about losing my job) and I'm building a relationship with this Nicolai Francis guy. There's definitely something strange about him. I say that because every time I go to the coffee shop, he's there. I'm not sure if that's coincidence or not. He's a businessman and lives on an island; surely he wouldn't be there as often. But then again, that's where everybody goes. It's a meeting place. No...I need to say that not once in any of those times have I seen anybody sitting with him. He's always alone – reading that old journal of his, which is an item he holds extremely close. Could I ever understand this guy? Should I just give it time and then try to understand? Maybe I should do that – give it time.

Well anyway, tonight I'm going back to his castle! I'm super excited! So very excited! I've wanted this so badly, you know. He's picking me up at 5. I bet his car is top-of-the-line expensive! We'll see!

Ok, I just looked at the clock; it's 4:45, and I've noticed I've been writing for a while already. I have to throw some dressy clothes on. I'll write more when I can!

I pick out a 'black at the bottom and white at the top' cocktail dress. It has a false diamond on each side of the halter straps. For a minute, I look at it and try to decide if it's good enough.

"It'll have to be... It's the best looking dress I have for an occasion like this." I lay it on the bed, check my hair in the mirror and brush it out. I put the dress on and fix my hair and face in the bathroom. My hair looks just right; put up in a bun with little bits of hair dangling on the sides of my head. I have long diamond earrings and my makeup is not too much, but I still use dark red lipstick and some light-brown eye-shadow. I think I look pretty good.

Suddenly, I hear a knock at my door. I look over my shoulder and walk out of my room, go through the kitchen and then peek through the peephole and see Nicolai with his hands behind his back. Seeing him makes me suddenly bite my lip. Black suit, red tie, black silk undershirt and a red handkerchief. I nearly lose my breath. How gorgeous he is... So dark and mysterious!

I open the door. His eyes flash a bit as he looks me up and down, trying to make it a brief examination though to be gentlemanly.

"Miss Summers...you look absolutely beautiful." He grins at me. I blush, "Thank you..." He bows his head and then slowly moves his hands away from the back of him, presenting a blood-red rose and a box of dark chocolates. I place my hand just below my neck, stunned. "Yes, of course...you're welcome," he laughs quietly. Still stunned, I take them and look back up into his eyes, "How perfect..." I didn't expect this!

"Here, come in," I tell him to follow me into the kitchen. I didn't want him to see how I live, but evidently, I couldn't avoid it.

He stands in the doorway, watching me as I place the chocolates in the fridge and then put the rose in a throated vase filled with warm water.

"You keep it nice here. I like the décor."
I turn to him in a slight bit of shock, not sure if he means what he says or just compliments me to be nice. "Thanks," I lightly giggle.
"Of course."

I rub my neck gently, smiling, "Compared to where you live though, this is nothing."
His head gently falls to one side, humored yet again, then he walks up to me and quietly says, "But that place is not mine." I stare up at him speechlessly. He sees my sweater behind me hanging on a chair. He picks it up and hands it to me. "It is cool outside; you may need this."
"Oh," I take it, "of course... Thanks." I place it over my arm as he gazes at me.
"Is there anything else you would like to bring along in case you decide to stay the night?" he asks. "Oh, well I'm not sure..." I say, "I didn't consider you asking me this."
He makes a matter-of-fact face, "It really isn't safe to cross the sound at night, but Leonardo will do it if you wish." That's a good point.

"Let me grab a few things in a bag and I'll let you know my decision later." I smile a bit. He does the same back, "As you wish." He waits for me by the front door as I pack an overnight bag. I don't bring my phone this time. It'd be pointless.

When I come out, he opens the door and places his hand on the small of my back, leads me out and shuts my door, making sure it locks. All the way from my door down to the first floor, he holds my hand. My inner self can't stop smiling like an idiot.

Once we're outside, he guides me in the direction of–what looks like–a red Aston Martin. I immediately get the idea that's his vehicle, and I gasp out, "This is your car? Wow!" I was right in that journal entry!

He opens my door, saying in a humored way, "Get in Miss Summers–Allow me to spoil you." I watch him wink at me as he shuts the door, then he walks around, gets in and looks at me with a handsome smile. I stare at him in amazement. Geez his world is drastically different from mine. He lifts my chin slightly with his finger, "Trust me, you will have a wonderful time." He starts the car. I'm sure I will!
Oh my! What an amazing purr this engine has...

Gently, he backs out of the parking space and then we cruise our way out of the complex. I look in the side-mirror as we go and I think to myself 'we're leaving a shithole for a piece of heaven...YES!'

During our drive, he continues to glance at me every now and then. It's kind of funny to me. But I'm also wondering what he's thinking. He continues to clear his throat too. It's like he's about to say something but stops himself by doing that. The last time he does it, he asks me, "Does my driving make you...nervous?"
I look at him, "Not quite."
He smiles with a shake of his head, "Not quite?"
I form a sort of questioning expression, "It's very smooth. I thought you'd have a lead foot."
"Hm," he looks out the windshield with the same smile, "Not quite." he glimpses at me knowingly, "What fun would it be to ride slow all the time when you have speed at your fingertips?" That is so true... If I had this car, I'd drive it like that too.

As I think this, he notices my contemplative features and then he gets this wild look in his eyes. I realize it and quickly grab the armrest, "Nick, no." He begins to laugh like a madman and floors the car. "NICK!" I scream. He keeps going; his laughter and his crazy driving.

We arrive at a place I am now familiar with–Esmeralda's boathouse and cabin.

As we pull into the driveway I see Leonardo and Esmeralda standing in front of the garage. Nick stops the car just up the drive and gets out. He tells me to wait in the car because he wants to talk to Leonardo. He walks a little ways to them, and after a little conversation, I see him hand his phone and keys to Esmeralda. I don't understand why he did that, but it doesn't concern me much. He comes back to me in an all-business way and opens the door, saying, "Alright... Leonardo is going to take us to the island." he offers his arm to me. I take it, he shuts the door, and we start walking behind Leonardo. I glance back at Esmeralda, "What's she gonna do with your car?"
"Park it in its proper place."
"Oh...ok." Wherever that is. I wouldn't think she'd park it in her garage... Or maybe–maybe his car is the one that had the cover over it...?

Leonardo guides us down to the boat, we climb aboard and he starts the engine, then we're headed for the island. The air is becoming brisk as the daylight fades from the sound. I feel Nick take my hand in his and say while keeping his eyes on the forest and castle ahead, "Calm down." I curiously stare at him. He looks at me, "You're jittery." Yes...yes I am... But I can't help it.

He kisses my hand, "You'll be alright." I watch him. He turns back with a soft smile. I follow his actions. We're almost there. It's a bit strange how he knows I'm jittery. I usually hide that very well...

When we reach the island, he helps me out, salutes Leonardo with two fingers and escorts me to the castle. We approach the big front doors and he uses the doorknocker. Sooner than I expected, a door opens. There's Walter. I'm actually quite happy to see him.

"Mr. Francis. Miss Summers." He bows, stepping aside for us. Nick takes me inside the foyer as Walter shuts the door, then politely takes my sweater. "Thanks Walter." I say.
"My pleasure madam."

I then walk beyond the foyer and see the fireplace where Gina and I stood. I remember studying the paintings mounted on the walls, admiring the shiny marble floor the firelight illuminated and the large set of stairs in front of me–and I remember...all hold such strange memories. I hold my arms, taking all this in. Nick comes up behind me, "Ivy, would you like to see the antiquities room?" Whoa...I bet that would be amazing! I turn to him and look up into his eyes, "That would be wonderful," He offers his arm. Gently, I take it and we start walking down the right corridor. I find myself unable to breathe yet again as I look around us at the arched mahogany-brown ceiling and walls with finely carved squares. Along both walls, there are paintings of mountains, sunrises over creeks, rivers and many other scenic landscapes. The doors are dark-brown with very fancy Romanian designs.

He notices my silence and starts chuckling right away.
I look at him, "What? Mr. Vladoiu knows how to live."
"Yes...yes he does. Many people have said he spoils himself as if he were a King." He says. Oh, those people know what they're talking about for sure!

This brings me to the question, which I can't believe I have yet to ask. "How old is Dmitri?" We walk up to a door, and as he takes the knob, he says, "In his 80's." My jaw drops. "Shouldn't he retire soon?"

He smirks, "It's on his bucket list to work until he dies or cannot do it any longer." I stare at him, then start to laugh while he opens the door, then I peer inside and see a large amazing room with many different things–All look very old. There are ancient Greek sculptures in tall cases, a couple suits of armor that seem like they're from the crusades–which are also encased–some pieces of furniture that most likely date back to the 1600's and there are a few things from the 1800's. "Oh...my..." He only smiles at me. "Come come," he takes my hand and leads me farther inside, "Let me show you something." I watch his face, a gradual grin curling up at a corner of my lips.

We stop at a heavy shelf that has a few colorful vases and plates, and he tells me, "This is traditional Romanian dishware...from 1880." he pauses, then says while turning back to me, "You know...the other day when I was playing the piano at the hospital, I noticed an old man pushing an old woman in a wheelchair...it was so nice to see. Sometimes you feel as if you could never grow old. Most people never imagine themselves elderly."
"...Why would anyone want to be old?" I quietly ask. He takes a deep breath, "Because with age, comes much more beauty." I tilt my head a little.

"Come–let me show you more." He waves his hand toward a case that has a Grecian-like statue of a man with no arms, looking right. As soon as we walk up to it, he starts explaining about it; "This was in a French museum in the early 1900's. The building burnt down and this statue was recovered, though in the tragedy, his arms were destroyed by debris falling on them. His head was almost smashed too. Mr. Vladoiu's father purchased it in 1928 while in France and here it remains to this day in that case." Staring at it in amazement, I murmur, "Wow...that's extraordinary..." I look at him, "How old do you think it is?"
"Mmm... Roughly 3 thousand years old." He points to the bottom of it. I see a golden plaque with some information about its age and where it came from. Greece 900 BC...
"Oh!" I say, making him laugh.

"I have something else I would like to show you, but it's not in here. It's in a different room." At that, I give him a look of curiosity. He tilts his head toward the door with a strange smile. I don't know how to react to it other than return it with my own innocent, wondering one.