Chapter 18

Andreas parked the car in front of his mother’s house, the familiar sight calming him slightly. He glanced over at Sylvia, who was adjusting her little nurse’s hat, looking both confident and relaxed. “Just a quick stop,” Andreas said, offering a smile. “Mom begged me to come by when I told her about tonight.” Sylvia chuckled. “Of course she did. Can’t wait to see her again.”

The door opened before they could knock. Andreas’ mom stood there, wearing an old Zorro hat and cape, but no mask, her face lighting up as soon as she saw them. “Andreas! And Sylvia, it’s so nice to see you again!” She hugged Sylvia warmly, then gave her son an affectionate swat on the arm. “Look at you, Mr. Mob Boss,” she teased, eyeing his suit. “The next consigliere of the Corleone family, no doubt.”

Sylvia grinned, nudging Andreas playfully. “Told you, you’ve got the look down.” Andreas, caught a little off guard by the teasing, gave her a sheepish smile. His mom slipped away into the pantry and returned with a small bag of candy. “Here, some of the good candy. Carlos thinks he’s clever hiding it, but I keep it stocked for special occasions,” she said with a wink.

As they headed back to the car, Andreas shook his head, still smiling. “Mom, I’m in my 30s,” he called over his shoulder, half-laughing. His mom waved them off, grinning. “Doesn’t matter! You’ll always be my baby,” she replied before disappearing back inside.

The bell above the door jingled as Andreas and Sylvia stepped into Carlos’ dispensary. The familiar scent hit Andreas immediately, and Sylvia glanced around, clearly amused. “You weren’t kidding when you said Carlos had his own place,” she said, taking in the laid-back atmosphere.

Carlos, lounging behind the counter, looked up and broke into a wide grin. “Yo! Look at you two, all dressed up. You guys make me feel underdressed for a night at the shop.” He stepped around the counter, gesturing to the back. “Come on, you gotta meet the stars of the show. Ben! Littlefoot! Come say hi!”

Sylvia’s laughter bubbled up as soon as she saw Ben, the white duck, waddling toward them. “Oh my God, you weren’t kidding!” she exclaimed, watching as the duck proudly marched around the store. “A duck and an iguana? This place is like something out of a cartoon.”

Carlos chuckled, pointing to the large tank in the back where Littlefoot, the iguana, lay basking under the heat lamp. “That’s Littlefoot, the true king of the shop. He and Ben are best buddies.” Sylvia grinned, still in awe of the scene. “This reminds me of my cat, Jason Meowmoa. He’d probably love this place.”

Carlos laughed. “Jason Meowmoa? Now that’s a name. You should bring him by sometime. We could start an animal crew.”

Sylvia shook her head, still grinning as Ben waddled over to the counter, quacking softly. “I think she’s the one running this place,” she joked, glancing at the duck. Carlos shrugged, playing along. “Ben’s the real boss. I just work here.”

Andreas leaned casually against the counter, watching the interaction with a smirk. “Told you this place was something else.” Sylvia glanced at him, her eyes shining with amusement. “It definitely is. I don’t know if I can top meeting a duck and an iguana on a first date.”

Carlos laughed, stepping back behind the counter. “You guys heading out? Big plans for the night, I bet.”

Andreas shrugged, glancing over at Sylvia with a playful smile. “Nothing too extravagant, just a Halloween party and maybe some ice cream. Gotta keep things simple, right?” Sylvia rolled her eyes, still smiling. “Simple, huh? Is that what we’re calling it?”

Carlos chuckled, waving them off as they headed for the door. “Well, you two have fun. And remember, you ever need to escape the real world, Ben and Littlefoot are always here.”

As they drove away from Carlos’ shop, the city streets lit up with Halloween decorations, casting a warm glow against the evening sky. Andreas kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the console between them. “I told you Carlos’ place was... unique,” he said, glancing over at Sylvia, who was still smiling from their visit.

“It’s definitely not what I expected,” she replied, adjusting her nurse’s hat again. “But it was fun. Ben might be my favorite part of the night so far.”

Andreas laughed softly. “Yeah, she’s a princess. Carlos treats her like royalty.” He turned onto a quieter street, where small shops lined the sidewalk, their windows full of colorful displays. “Alright, ice cream stop coming up. You ready?”

They continued walking down the street until Sylvia suddenly stopped in front of one of the store windows, her eyes widening in surprise. “Wait... is that a Danny DeVito Wolverine plushie?” The plush figure had a bald head, short legs, and tiny claws—perfectly capturing DeVito’s portrayal.

Andreas leaned in, grinning. “Yep. Looks like they got him down to the last detail.”Sylvia laughed, shaking her head. “That’s hilarious... and kind of perfect, honestly.”

They continued on to the cozy little ice cream parlor, the kind with old-fashioned signs and colorful flavors displayed through the glass counter. Andreas held the door open for Sylvia as they stepped inside, the cool air carrying the sweet smell of waffle cones.

Sylvia peered into the display, her eyes lighting up as she scanned the selection. “Ooh, they have pistachio!” she said, clearly excited. Andreas smirked, leaning over to look as well. “Go for it. I’m keeping it simple with vanilla.”

Sylvia raised an eyebrow. “Vanilla? On Halloween night? I thought you’d go for something bold like chocolate fudge or pumpkin spice.”

Andreas shrugged, handing over a bill for both their orders. “I’m a man of simple tastes.”

With cones in hand, they stepped back outside, the cool night air mixing with the sweetness of the ice cream. They wandered slowly down the street, taking their time to enjoy the quiet evening. Sylvia took a lick of her pistachio ice cream, glancing over at Andreas. “You know, this night has been full of surprises. From meeting your mom to Carlos’ duck... I wasn’t expecting that.”

Andreas laughed, taking a bite of his vanilla cone. “Yeah, I guess I threw you into the deep end right off the bat.”

Sylvia smiled, shaking her head. “I’m not complaining. It’s been fun.” She paused, looking up at the string lights overhead. “It’s nice to just slow down for a bit, you know? No stress, no rush.”

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They pulled up to the club, music already thumping through the walls as the neon sign flickered in the night. Andreas parked, and Sylvia straightened her nurse’s hat before stepping out of the car. “This place looks lively,” she said with a grin, eyeing the crowd at the entrance.

Andreas led the way through the doors, the energy inside hitting them immediately. The room was filled with people in all kinds of costumes, from classic horror villains to outlandish pop culture references. “Welcome to the party,” Andreas said, raising his voice over the music. “This is Tommy and Keigee’s place. They throw the best Halloween parties in town.”

Sylvia’s eyes widened as she spotted Tommy and Keigee across the room, dressed in their elaborate couples’ costumes—Keigee as a large grey fox, and Tommy as an armadillo. “Okay, that’s amazing,” she laughed. “You didn’t tell me we’d be hanging out with a fox and an armadillo tonight.”

Tommy spotted them first, his face breaking into a wide grin as he waved them over. “Andreas! And who is this stunning woman?” He gave Sylvia an approving once-over, his energy bubbling over. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing someone fabulous!”

Sylvia smiled, a little taken aback by his enthusiasm. “Hi, I’m Sylvia. It’s nice to meet you.”Tommy grinned. “Oh, honey, you’re going to fit right in. I’m Tommy, and this”—he gestured to the towering figure beside him in a grey fox costume—“is my other half, Keigee.”

Keigee gave a friendly wave. “Welcome! You two made it just in time—the real fun’s about to start.”

Andreas chuckled, slipping an arm around Sylvia’s waist. “Let’s grab some drinks and check out the party.” They made their way over to the refreshment table, where punch and sparkling water were laid out, perfectly fitting the vibe.

They wandered over to the refreshment table, where a colorful array of drinks waited—punch, sparkling water, and other non-alcoholic options. Andreas poured two glasses of sparkling water and handed one to Sylvia. “Here’s to a sober night of Halloween fun,” he said with a grin.

Sylvia raised her glass, smiling. “To new experiences and surprises.” They clinked their glasses lightly before sipping, the music and laughter of the party providing a lively backdrop.

As they stepped back from the table, Tommy reappeared, dancing his way through the crowd with Keigee close behind. “Alright, you two, don’t just stand there! The dance floor is calling!” Tommy winked and gave Andreas a playful shove toward the middle of the room. “Show her what you got, Mr. Mob Boss!”

Andreas shook his head, laughing as Tommy pushed him toward the center of the dance floor. “Alright, alright,” he muttered, giving in to the energy of the party. He turned to Sylvia, offering his hand. “You up for it?”

Sylvia raised an eyebrow, but her smile gave her away. “You think you can keep up with me?” She took his hand, and together they stepped into the crowd, the music pulsing around them. Andreas wasn’t the world’s best dancer, but he moved with a relaxed confidence, and soon the two of them were caught up in the fun.

As they danced, Tommy and Keigee cheered from the sidelines, encouraging them with exaggerated dance moves of their own. Sylvia laughed, her face lit up by the flashing lights. She twirled closer to Andreas, the two of them moving in sync despite the playful atmosphere around them.

For the first time in a long while, Andreas let himself relax completely. The weight of his usual responsibilities faded away, and all that mattered was the music, the moment, and the woman in front of him.

As they moved through the crowd, the music suddenly shifted to something slower, more dramatic—a tango. Sylvia’s eyes lit up as she glanced at Andreas. “You know how to tango?” she asked, her tone half-teasing.

Andreas smirked, stepping closer. “You’re about to find out.” He held out his hand, and with a smooth motion, Sylvia took it. The playful energy between them shifted as they began to move in perfect sync, their steps sharp and precise.

The crowd around them faded as they lost themselves in the dance. Andreas led with confidence, guiding Sylvia through the turns and dips, while she matched his every move with grace and skill. For a moment, the party became their stage, and the two of them were completely in sync.

Tommy and Keigee, now watching from the sidelines, exchanged surprised glances. “Okay, they’re actually good,” Tommy whispered, grinning.

As the tango came to an end, Andreas dipped Sylvia low, holding her for a moment before pulling her back up with ease. They both stood there, breathless but smiling, as the crowd around them clapped and cheered. Sylvia laughed softly, her hand still resting in Andreas’. “Alright, I have to admit, you’ve got some moves.”

Andreas chuckled, brushing a stray hair from his forehead. “I could say the same about you.”

Before they could get pulled back into the crowd, Tommy rushed over, his face glowing with excitement. “That was incredible! You two stole the show.”

Sylvia smiled, feeling the rush of the dance starting to settle. “Thanks. But I think it’s time for us to call it a night.”

Tommy pouted dramatically. “Leaving already? You just brought the house down!”

Andreas glanced at Sylvia, nodding. “Yeah, it’s been a great night, but we’ve got one last stop before the night’s over.”

With a few final goodbyes and promises to meet again, Andreas and Sylvia made their way out of the club. The cool night air greeted them as they stepped outside, a quiet contrast to the vibrant energy inside. Sylvia adjusted her nurse’s hat, a soft smile on her lips. “That was... a lot of fun,” she said, glancing at Andreas. “I don’t usually do things like this.”

Andreas smiled as they walked toward the car. “Neither do I. It’s nice to change things up, though.” He opened the door for her, and once they were both inside, he started the engine, the quiet hum of the car filling the space between them.

They drove in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the city lights fading into the distance as they neared the coast. The moon hung low over the water, casting a silver glow across the waves. Andreas pulled the car into a small parking lot by the beach and turned off the engine. “Figured we could take a walk,” he said, glancing over at Sylvia.

She smiled, her eyes reflecting the moonlight. “Sounds perfect.” They stepped out of the car and made their way down to the sand, the soft sound of the waves accompanying their footsteps. Sylvia slipped off her shoes and let the cool water wash over her feet. “I’ve always loved the beach at night. It’s so peaceful.”

Andreas nodded, walking beside her, the sound of the ocean filling the gaps between their words. “Yeah, it’s like everything slows down out here.”

They continued walking, the water gently lapping at their feet as the cool breeze brushed against them. Sylvia paused for a moment, looking out at the vast ocean. “You know, nights like this make everything else feel... small. Like all the worries just fade away for a little bit.”

Andreas glanced at her, his expression softening. “I know what you mean. Out here, it’s easy to forget all the chaos.” He paused, then added, “It’s been a while since I’ve felt this calm.”

Sylvia turned to face him, her smile warm. “I’m glad we did this. It’s not often I get a night like this either.” She nudged him playfully. “You’re not so bad at planning dates.”

Andreas chuckled, looking down at the sand. “Well, I’ve had some help from a few colorful characters.”

They found a spot on the sand and sat down, letting the waves gently wash over their feet. The moon had risen higher in the sky, casting a silver glow over the ocean. Andreas leaned back on his hands, staring out at the water, his mind quieter than it had been in a long time. Sylvia sat beside him, her knees drawn up to her chest, the night air wrapping around them like a soft blanket.

Just as a comfortable silence settled between them, Sylvia’s phone buzzed, breaking the moment. She glanced down at the screen, her brow furrowing slightly. “Sorry,” she muttered, checking the notification. It wasn’t anything urgent, but it pulled her attention away from the peacefulness of the beach.

Andreas looked over, a soft smile on his face, masking the fact that he wasn’t sure how to navigate this quiet, intimate moment. He leaned back again, letting the waves and the distant city lights fill the space between them.

They sat letting the waves wash over their feet, watching the moon rise higher into the night.