“Nicholas,” he says. “It’s really nice to meet you.” Nicholas smiles hoping to make Tom feel comfortable. Tom lets out a weird high pitch noise as Ben pinches him.

“I think he’s just tired,” Ben says. “I’ll let him get some rest.” Ben says pulling Tom away from the situation as Nicholas looks uncomfortable.

“Did I do something?” he asks.

“No,” Ann answers calmly. “He’s a performer, must be practicing animal noises or something.”

“I’m no expert. At least I don’t think I am but I’m sure no animal sounds like that,” Nicholas looks at Ann who was trying to cover up for Tom.

“Don’t worry about it, he acts weird sometimes,” Ann says brushing it off. “I better clean that up.” Ann notices the broken bottle in the hallway realizing Tom must have dropped it having seen Nicholas.

“Let me help,” Nicholas says not thinking too much of the weird man.

No way,” Ann replies. “I don’t want you hurting yourself again. Just stay put.” Nicholas sighs feeling useless, unable to help.

“What on earth was that?” Tom says finally composing himself while sitting in the guest bedroom. “Nicholas? Why is he here? And what was with his hair? And why is his head bandaged like that? Why was he pretending to meet me for the first time?” Though Tom finally manged to get a few words out, his desperation hinders Ben from getting a word out. “Did you call the cops? Please tell me you called the cops? Or are you waiting for Oscar to return from his honeymoon for him to?”

“Would you just listen,” Ben says sternly beginning to lose his patience with his hysterical friend. Ben gives Tom a drink as he now calms down, now ready to listen.

“What is going on?” Tom asks concerned noticing his friend’s annoyance with the situation. “Ben?” Ben sighs and explains the whole story, as Tom begins to understand why Ben would allow that man in his house. Ben explains that he plans on keeping a close eye on Nick but Tom is worried about something else.

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“How is Ann handling all of this?” Tom asks as he tries to reads Ben’s expression.

“Fine,” Ben says. “She doesn’t think this guy is Nicholas but as always she is the first to volunteer to help.”

“Ok,” Tom says. “Maybe he isn’t.”

“Maybe he is,” Ben sighs as Tom understands why he would think that.

“If you’re planning on trying something, I’ll be more than happy to help,” Tom says as Ben smiles.

“You’re so confident I’ll do something stupid, aren’t you.”

“If you are, might as well get some results,” Tom replies as the men let out a laugh.

Soon Ann calls them for dinner and Tom meets Nicholas yet again, this time more composed.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Tom. Really sorry about earlier,” Tom says as he now greets Nicholas warmly.

“Nice to meet you too, is everything ok?” Nicholas asks.

“Everything is fine now. I just didn’t expect someone like you to open the door, that’s all,” Tom replies.

“Someone like me?” Nick asks curious about his words as Ben and Ann stare at Tom awaiting his response.

“Usually, Ben and Ann are alone here. I was expecting one of them, when you suddenly opened the door, I guess I was a little too startled,” Tom lies calmly.

“I understand,” Nick says. “Sorry to startle you.” The well-mannered and polite Nick still leaves Tom uncomfortable and with a lot of questions. The rest of the evening goes casually with Nicholas enjoying the food and all having an unusual yet casual conversation. Introducing themselves and what they do to Nicholas, he is left amazed with the talent he’s surrounded by.

After dinner, Ben goes to leave Tom in his car, this was an excuse to talk to him and hear what he thinks. Meanwhile, Nick decides to help Ann with the dishes, not taking no for an answer.

“What do you think,” Ben says as they leave the apartment.

“I’m not sure,” Tom says and then pauses for a moment. “He doesn’t seem like Nicholas at all.” Tom remarks.

“He could just be faking you know,” Ben says. “Truth is I can’t really tell with such conversations.”

“So now what?”

“We have to do something, a trap perhaps,” Ben says as Tom looks at him nervously.

“Not now, he clearly has a lot of healing to do. Maybe in sometime, we can try to see what he knows,” Tom says as Ben nods. Tom is secretly thankful that his friend is thinking before he acts.

Though impatient Ben knows this might take time, if he is facing the brilliant manipulator like Nicholas, he has to beat him at his own game. Ben mentally prepares for what is to come as he puts on a smile. He returns to the apartment and talks to Nicholas without a care in the world.