"Why are we going to the skate park again?" Hercules, with a mild hangover, asked Tarzan as he packed his gear in a bag.
Tarzan rolled his eyes.
"I told some fans of mine that I'd skate with them tonight."
"You have fans?"
"Believe it or not, yes I do. Now get your ass up and let's go to Powerline."
Hercules couldn't find the effort to pull himself up off Tarzan's couch. So Tarzan yanked him up.
"You're not the only muscle man around here. Let's go."
Moaning and groaning, but complying, Hercules shuffled behind Tarzan out the door of his Walt Street Flats Apartments. Hercules walked down the small flight of stairs while Tarzan locked the door. As Hercules reached the bottom, he saw two people strolling happily by on the sidewalk, laughing and holding hands. It was Meg and Sinbad.
Meg's violet eyes were lit up. She had what seemed like a permanent smile on her face. Her cheeks were flush with color. She looked nothing like the girl he'd seen yesterday at the photo studio. His heart sunk. He regretted every decision he'd ever made concerning Meg. Slowly he opened the front door to Tarzan's building and watched Sinbad escort Meg into his building next door. It was really over between them now.
"If you're gonna be sulking over that Meg chick again, you can just go on home right now, dude. I'm not going to relive last night again. Or this morning for that matter."
Hercules shook his head back to the present.
"No. No. I'm fine. Let's get to Powerline. I'm ready to shred."
Tarzan rolled his eyes at Herc's attempt to use skater slang, and crossed the street to make his way to Powerline. Hercules followed, forcing all thoughts of Meg out of his mind.
Hercules was the last thing on Meg's mind anyway.
It seemed like slow long hours passed with the five minutes it took for them to walk from the Shipman warehouse where Sinbad kept his office to Sinbad's apartment. She was suddenly craving to me alone with him. It had only been a couple of days since their night together but it had been long enough for Meg's curiosity to grow.
Sinbad felt the same way about her. They reached the front door of his apartment. He could feel her jitters as he hurriedly opened the front door and ushered her inside. He closed the door behind them and was just about to offer her a drink when she pinned him against the door and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her tiny frame, pressing into his. He was taken off guard but went along with it anyway. He was just as eager as she was.
He smiled against her lips and chuckled a bit.
"Well. There's a way to ease into it," he whispered in between kisses.
She lowly laughed and deepened the kiss.
He put his hands on her face and deepened the kiss.
"Meg, you don't have to do this. I am very much intrigued by you and if you're only doing this to keep me interested -."
She put her finger on his mouth.
"I like you, Sinbad. And I want to see where this goes."
Sinbad smiled and kissed her again with more passion.
"Tell you what, why don't you make yourself comfortable and I'll put an order in at Pridelands and we'll stay in. How does that sound?"
Meg smiled and nodded eagerly. She was finally happy after such a long time of being unhappy.
Next door at Pridelands, Will and Jack were treating Anya to her first casual meal since she'd returned to Fantasia.
"How do you like it?" Will asked.
Anya's eyes were beaming.
"Well, Will. Let me tell you. After nothing but fancy dinners, it's nice to finally dine normally!"
"With the commoners?" Jack added, winking.
Will kicked him under the table.
"I don't think I deserved that."
Anya smiled.
"No, Will. He's right. I mean I know I just found out that I'm basically Fantasia royalty or whatever but that's not me. I'd much rather be slumming it at Walt Street Flats with you too then be stuck in a big old cavernous mansion with a mysterious long lost brother."
Said long lost brother was busy at said old cavernous mansion attending to some personal matters.
"Thank you, Adam for the dinner last night. I appreciate your support during my campaign."
Adam smiled.
"You know I'd do anything for you, Charles."
"So I will see you front row at my rally on Saturday?"
"Absolutely. You have my full support. And the support of Beastman Investments."
Charles Charming nodded and put his hand on Adam's shoulder.
"You're a good man, Adam Beastman."
Adam leaned in closer.
"Is that all I am, Charles?"
Charles backed away and sighed deeply.
"Adam, we've been through this. If we were to reveal the status of our relationship now, it would endanger my campaign. And could you imagine the amount of curiosity that would go into your family secrets?"
"It isn't fair, Charles. If you hadn't announced your candidacy, we could go public. Why do you have to follow in your uncle's footsteps?"
Charles put his hand on Adam's cheek.
"Adam, my uncle has done nothing to stop people like Sparrow and Turner from turning Fantasia into an underground criminal enterprise. And enterprise that affects investments like yours. Don't you want to be rid of them?"
"Yes, but – "
Charles leaned in closer and kissed Adam softly on the lips.
"Then let this go," Charles whispered.
Before Charles could back away, Adam pulled him closer for to deepen the moment. He wrapped his arms around Charles' waist and held him closely. Charles backed away out of Adam's embrace.
"Is that letting it go?"
Adam chuckled in spite of it all.
"One more night, Charles. One more night is all I'm asking for."
Charles hesitated. Before he'd announced his mayoral run, he wouldn't be second guessing himself. But there was too much at stake. And he needed to be careful. But his feelings for Adam were so strong. He hadn't been with him since before Anya was brought into Adam's home. Although logic dictated against it, Charles gave in and ran into Adam's arms.
"One night, Adam."
They kissed passionately before drifting off to Adam's room for the rest of the night.
Sometime later, Will walked Anya home after their casual dining experience at the Pridelands. Both Anya and Will were dreading the night to end, but for different reasons. As they reached the front door, they each delayed their goodbyes.
"Thank you for dinner, Will. I had a great time."
"Whenever you want a simple burger and fries, you can count on me to treat you."
Anya smiled as she slowly brought her key to the front door.
"I wish I didn't have to go inside."
"I understand. You are welcome to sleep on our couch again. If you'd like."
"I'm afraid my grandmother may think I've gone missing again."
Will laughed.
"Well my door is always open for you, Anya."
This was it. His opportune moment. The moment he'd been waiting for since he was a young boy. He brought his lips to hers only her reaction was not what he'd expected.
"Will, what are you doing?"
He felt like a fool.
"Anya, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
"Why did you?"
Will sighed.
"Anya, I've had a crush on you since I can remember. And it just felt like it was the right moment. I apologize."
"Will, I have so little people I can trust right now. I don't want to add you to the list."
Before he could reply, she quickly opened the door and slammed it behind her.
What was wrong with her? Will was attractive. He could easily get any girl he wanted in Fantasia and he wants her. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't thought about it. He cared deeply for her and she definitely felt something spark when he'd kissed her. But so many things in her life were changing and she needed his friendship and support the most. Although she wanted to run after him and explain her reaction, she decided she'd wait until daylight to make it right.
As she walked to her room, thinking about Will, she was distracted by noises coming from Adam's room – across the hall from hers. His door was slightly cracked. But then she saw it open – not wanting her brother to see her she ducked behind her door. She heard two distinct male voices. Curiosity got the best of her and she peaked out to see who Adam was with. She was shocked to discover Adam, half dressed, bidding goodnight to none other than Charles Charming – future Mayor of Fantasia. Charles looked disheveled. His hair a mess and he was desperately trying to button his white top as he held his shoes in his arms.
"That was a little less than one whole night, Charles."
Charles grinned and kissed Adam on the lips.
"Well, I must be getting back home before Father sends out a search party."
"I'll see you Saturday, then. At the rally."
"Goodnight, Adam."
And with that Charles walked down the dim hallway toward the front door and Anya watched as Adam's gaze lingered after Charles wantonly before he shut his door.
Anya couldn't believe what she'd seen.
Her long lost brother was having an affair with Charles Charming – the tough on crime, conservative mayoral candidate for Fantasia.