Behind The Mask

Chapter 31

Anouk’s POV

2 weeks later

I smirk looking at my ring and I look sideways, watching Michael playing Monopoly with Manny and mother. I’m in jail for the next two rounds, because I just suck at board games.

“Nooki, you’re back in the game next round!”

“Yeah, yeah…I know…”

“Awww, c’mon, show a little enthusiasm!”

“Mike, I’m not good at this type of games.”

“You will soon.”

Gah! He just adores board games. It was the only kind of fun his family afforded when he was little. It’s hard to imagine Michael as a kid in a poor family. He showed me photos of their house in Gary and I cringed – it’s no larger than our garage. To think of 2 parents and 9 children cramming in there….

“Nooki….it’s your turn already!” whines Michael.

“Yeah, coming!”

“She’s always stalling” mumbles Manny and Michael high-fives him.

“Guys!” I say, rolling my eyes.

“Quit stalling and roll the dice already…”

“Mother!”

“Anouk, roll the damned dice already! I ain’t got all day…”

“Oh really, mom? What are you doing?”

“This is none of your business…daughter.”

I snicker and wink at Michael. These last two weeks we’ve been quite fascinated to see Wayne and my mother reacting when they’re together in the same place. Wayne’s got it bad for mom. And mom’s got it bad for Wayne. It’s a little weird to think my mother dating Michael’s chief of security, but I root for Wayne. He is a good man and he will hopefully make mother forget about the mess in her life. She’s still young and she has a long life ahead of her. I want her to be happy. I want to wipe my father’s memory from our lives.

Of course that I lose the game. And just as predictably, Michael wins.

“And who’s the king of the board games?” he asks, smirking in my face.

“A very modest guy, who never brags and dangles his cheap triumphs in people’s faces” I rebuke him.

“Nooki, c’mon! I want a kiss!”

“Demanding…aren’t we?”

However, I grant him his wish. How could I not? I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him deeply. I just can’t keep away from him. He makes my life complete.

“Nooki…I have to tell you something…I’ll have to return home soon….And I’d like you to come with me. I want to show you my home, Neverland. I need to be with you. I can’t bear the idea of an ocean and a continent between us.”

It’s not a hard decision this time. The season is over, anyway. This hotel is officially closed down till next summer.

“Of course I’m coming. You’re not going back in enemy camp without proper supervision!”

“Nooki, don’t worry about Lisa anymore. I cut her off from my life completely. I changed my phone number, I told all my staff that I don’t want her to know where I am and what I’m doing…She won’t be bullying you anymore.”

I cackle with laughter.

“Bully? That stupid little bitch is no match for me on a lazy day!”