The Quinn War (2015)

Chapter Nine: Love and Murder!

Kerys woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through her bedroom curtains. She stretched, feeling the excitement and nervousness of the day ahead. Today was her big date with Edgars Romanovich, and she wanted everything to be perfect.

She spent the morning tidying her small apartment, making sure everything was in its place. The anticipation of the evening made her restless, and she found herself checking her phone frequently, ensuring she hadn’t missed any messages from Edgars.

Around mid-afternoon, there was a knock at the door. Kerys’s heart skipped a beat as she went to open it. Edgars stood there, looking sharp in a tailored suit, his dark hair neatly styled.

“Kerys, you look beautiful,” he said with a warm smile.

“Thank you, Ed,” she replied, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. “Come in.”

Edgars stepped inside, handing her a bottle of wine. “I thought we could start with a glass of this.”

Kerys led him to the living room, where they sat on the couch. She poured the wine, and they clinked glasses, the tension easing as they began to chat.

After a few sips, Edgars asked, “How would you feel about going out for dinner? There’s a place I’ve been wanting to try.”

Kerys felt a sense of relief. “I’d love that. Where are we going?”

“It’s called the Skylight Bar. I think you’ll like it,” Edgars replied.

The Skylight Bar was an elegant restaurant with stunning views of the city skyline. They were shown to a table by the window, the twinkling lights of the city creating a romantic ambiance. Edgars pulled out Kerys’s chair for her, a perfect gentleman in every way.

They ordered drinks, and the conversation flowed easily. Edgars was charming and attentive, asking Kerys about her interests and sharing stories from his own life. They laughed and bonded over shared experiences, the evening feeling more like a fairytale than reality.

As their food arrived, Kerys felt a sense of comfort and security she hadn’t felt in a long time. Edgars was making her forget about the turmoil of her past, at least for a while.

Midway through their meal, Kerys noticed Ricky Johnston approaching their table, Phyllis and Tayla, Cameron’s sister, not far behind. Ricky’s presence made her tense, but she forced a smile as he greeted her.

“Kerys, good to see you,” Ricky said, his tone neutral.

“Hi, Ricky,” Kerys replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Edgars stood up, extending his hand. “You must be Ricky Johnston. I’m Edgars Romanovich.”

Ricky shook his hand firmly. “Pleasure to meet you, Edgars. I’ve heard about the Romanovich family.”

They chatted briefly, Edgars sharing a bit about his past and Ricky listening with interest. There was a mutual respect between them, and Ricky eventually handed Edgars his business card. “If you’re staying in town and need work, give me a call.”

“Thank you, Ricky. I appreciate that,” Edgars said, pocketing the card.

As Ricky rejoined his group, Kerys felt a wave of awkwardness wash over her. “Ed, can we go out for a drink somewhere else? And, um, can I invite a friend?”

Edgars raised an eyebrow, clearly finding the request a bit rude, but he nodded. “Sure, Kerys. Let’s finish up here and we’ll go.”

After settling the bill, they left the Skylight Bar and headed to a nearby pub. Kerys texted Cameron, inviting him to join them. She felt guilty for the abrupt change of plans but hoped Edgars would understand.