Double Down Demons (A Ghost Adventures/Zak Bagans Story)

Chapter 22: Date done good

I'm so glad that I didn't skimp on my packing and had a few outfits for night or day and of course the lockdowns, but it still took me awhile to deliberate over what to wear. It was our first date after all! I decided on what looks like a very cute and kind of girly sweetheart cut tea dress with puffy under skirt but on closer inspection the black, white and red floral print actually consists of skulls and roses. I accessorise it with a delicate black leather and silver cuff bracelet and a multi tiered chain choker necklace. I wear my hair down with my natural waves allowing the purple highlights to shine through. After carefully applying my make up, I slick my lips with a dark red stain and slip on a pair of cute but edgy studded ballet flats. As an afterthought I pick up the rose that Zak had given to me and carefully pin it in my hair. A spritz of my favourite musky perfume and I'm good to go. I smooth down my dress just as there is knock at the door. I snatch up my clutch bag and swing open the door.

And there he is. Hair perfect of course, dressed in baggy dark grey dress pants, a long sleeved black dress shirt, plain but for a small cross motif embroidered on the pocket. His ever present cross ring on his index finger and chunky leather watch on his left hand. To me he looked absolutely stunning with such an intense look on his face making his eyes a deep pool that I could feel myself drowning in.

"Wow!" We both exclaim at exactly the same time.

"You look incredible." Zak bends down to kiss me on my cheek at the edge of my mouth. As I am susceptible to do in Zak's company I find myself blushing.

"Thank you, so do you."

He held out his hand and I entwine my fingers with his as we leave the hotel. I spot Billy and Aaron at the bar as we walk by, I try to withhold a giggle as Aaron gives me two thumbs up and a massive grin.

"Its a beautiful night and the restaurant isn't far so I thought we'd walk if that's ok? Zak asks me, it sounds perfect and I tell him so.

We walk along the seafront in a comfortable silence, stopping occasionally to point out something of interest or to snatch a kiss. We eventually arrive at the restaurant which overlooks the marina, and are seated in the courtyard at a candlelit table in a secluded corner surrounded by fairy lights with a perfect view over the water. It i sthe epitome of a romantic dinner for two.

"You've done good Bagans! This is amazing!" I exclaim taking it all in. "Thank you so much for bringing me here."

"Its my pleasure sweetie," Zak smiles while stroking the back of my hand with his thumb. We order drinks and our food, seafood being the order of the day, yummy! We chat easily throughout the evening.

"So if you could have been absolutely anything what would you be?" Zak asks me, getting down to the nitty gritty.

"What? Now or childhood dream or fantasy creature? If yes, that would be a dragon by the way, but do you mean as a job?" I check and Zak nods.

"Well as a kid I always wanted to be a zookeeper." I laughed.

"Awwww that's cute! And how cool would it be to get to work with all those awesome animals?!"

"I know right!" I agree. 'Then as a teenager I really wanted to sing, I didn't want fame or anything I just really liked singing, I also spent a lot of time writing terrible poetry and song lyrics." I cringe at the memory, " The world is lucky that I can't write music!" Zak's shoulders shake with laughter and I give him a playful swat.

"Then for many years I kind of lost my way which really sucked as I went to university having no direction which is how I ended up working in bars and eventually for the local government office. A million miles away from my childhood dreams huh?' I laugh. "Life was very ordinary for a few years which is why I took the opportunity to escape too the wonderful world of Aus." I joke.