Machia Veil Timeline

Meanwhile, Nate finished dinner with Castar, Ellis and another seven patrons in the Mirror restaurant.

“I’m not feeling well,” he slurred. “I’ll come later.”

“Oh! What’s the matter, my dear?” asked Castar.

“Just tired,” he pretended to stumble.

“Oh! Watch out, old chap!” said Rounsifell, one of Castar’s regulars.

He needed an excuse to plan his escape. It exhausted him to play drunk when he wasn’t. He continued to explore the different parts of Club 7. They left him alone. Thinking they drugged him. Joining the group later allowed him to map the different areas of the club.

When I’m out, I will go to Bell. Even if I have to wait and fight the paps. I will find Mum.

He had discovered a maze of spiral stairways the night before, but hadn’t worked them out yet. Was the front entrance the only way out?

As Nate predicted, Ellis led him back to the Dance Room. A circle had formed around the stage. Another scene members won’t stop talking about! he thought.

Today, he was determined to explore the south stairway. He took Unique Bergland by the arm and feigned a wish to take her in that direction.

“More, more!” The crowd shouted.

Nate glanced at the stage. Then continued his act of being drugged.

Unique followed Nate to his targeted area when he pretended to slump. The stairs led three floors down. Unique kissed his neck and he scanned for an exit.

Nate staged a collapse.

“Nate!” said Unique.

She rushed to get help, and Nate explored further.

When Unique and Tipper returned, he was awake again and struggling to stand up. The girls led him back to the Dance Room.

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Always the Dance Room, I’m tired of the Dance Room!

Cheers reverberated throughout the Dance Room. It excited them for a long while. What is it? Then, a lively tapping rhythm filled the room. Nate closed his eyes and basked in the sounds. It reminded him of Kenya. The music moved him to get up and head to the dance floor.

Nate’s jaw dropped.

Kenya!

The strumming of the guitars and the fast-paced tapping of her shoes filled the stage.

Nate took a step back.

The stage was alive. Kenya’s raven hair was loose and swayed through her hypnotic moves. Then she fixed her eyes on the ground, ending her choreography in a grand shower of steps.

Then she awoke, like from a trance, and smiled, albeit a little crimson. She bowed and smiled. The room went silent, then erupted.

“Brava! Brava!”

Nate moved closer to Kenya, taking her hand in his with a gentle squeeze. She moved away. Then recognised him. Her face lit up, and she staggered, her hand still in his.

“Nate? What in the world?”

“You know each other? Who is this magic girl?” asked a guest.

They hugged and time stood still.

Then the cheers returned.

Kenya smiled and thanked all the comments, then gazed back at Nate. “Where have you been?”

“It’s a long story. It’s so great to see you,” he said, transfixed.

In that moment, the heat of Unique’s glare reminded him to act drugged.

“Nate? Are you okay?” asked Kenya.

“I’m fine,” he whispered in her ear. “Play along with me, long story.”

“Okay! Well, I’m still in, in shock you’re here!” said Kenya.

“I’m trying not to be. Who invited you?” asked Nate.

“Well, I wasn’t invited,” she blushed.

“Then how did you get in?”

She waited a moment, “through the kitchen, during an accident.”

Nate struggled to hear. “Through what?”

“Through the kitchen! During an accident!” she said.

Nate laughed. “Let’s sit over there.”

But Kenya held back. “You okay?”

Nate stumbled, then agreed.

“Madama Rossi, Meet Kenya Roman,” said Nate.

“My love, you’re enchanting, so breathtakingly wonderful,” she oozed.

Nate introduced her to more women, the Gueye sisters, Tipper. He avoided the men who approached them, and Kenya became restless.

“Nate, you don’t seem okay,” she said.

“What?” he said, in his drunken act.

“Yes. Let’s sit. Oh, which reminds me, I need to go to the ladies’ toilet,” said Kenya.

“No, don’t go!” he slurred.

“But I will be back in seconds. You sit down and I’ll be back,” she held on to him to stabilise him.

“I live here. I am sure I can convince Castar to let you stay.”

“Giocasta? Who is she?”

“No no, haha, Castar, he is the owner of Club 7.”

“Oh, is this what this place is called?”

“Haha, you’re too funny, you know that? Let me get you a drink. What do you want?” asked Nate.

“Nate, I’ll be back.” She slipped away into the crowd.

“Kenya!”

But Unique was quick to steer him towards a seat.

Nate searched the room for Kenya.

“What is it with this girl? You’re smitten!” she said.

“I’m not!” he coughed, pretending to lean his hand to his right and missing the cushion.