Part 6:  by lornein

Note: I have been a writing maniac for the past few days. Therefore, I will complete the story soon. However, I will not post new chapters until I get reviews. I want to know if you like what I am writing. Thanks!

New York City. 

"Wow Michael I didn't know that you meant a mansion when you said your parents' place." Shalimar was amazed at the size of Michael's house. Sure Michael Prescott was a rich man but this was unexpected, even to Shalimar.

"I know honey but isn't it cool, we get the place all to ourselves to do what ever we want." Michael winked at Shalimar and pulled her into his arms. He instantly felt her stiffen, so he let her go.

"I am sorry Michael but I am not ready yet. Even if we eventually are engaged I still want to take my own time. I did tell you before."

"I know Shalimar. And it is alright. I just want to be married to you, that's all. If we are then I promise you that you won't regret it." Michael tried to use his most confident tone.

"Okay we are here to have fun right? Let's have fun." Shalimar tried to act cheerful to Michael.

****************************

 Three days later.

It was 8 pm. Michael breathed a deep sigh standing on his big balcony facing the city. He felt that he was getting nowhere with Shalimar. For the past few days Shalimar had been unnaturally cheerful. She roamed the city with him and went to parties thrown by his friends but never once did she breathe a word about their potential engagement. Tonight they were going to another one and ironically, it was also to celebrate someone's engagement, apparently they were a new couple that had moved in the upper class neighborhood. They had been recently engaged and wanted to throw a party to celebrate that engagement as well as housewarming. It would be a big affair, and Shalimar had happily agreed to join him there. As an important socialite, an invitation had come Michael's way. Michael was cut off from his thoughts from a voice calling him.

"I am ready Michael. Let's go." Shalimar said with a smile.

She looked beautiful as usual with a pretty evening gown and shining jewellery, noted Michael.

"So you have any idea whose engagement we are attending?" Shalimar asked Michael. She wanted to know where she was going.

"I don't really know them but they are a good looking couple I am told. And they are very much in love. Unlike some of us, Michael gave Shalimar a look.

"Don't start with me now Michael. This is not the time." Shalimar turned to face the driving Michael with his eyes on the road.

"It never is. Is it?"

They stopped when they reached their destination. "Wow these New York mansions just start to get bigger by the day." Shalimar commented.

"Shall we?" Michael offered Shalimar his hand. She took it and they went in.

Shalimar was amazed at the number of people at the party. It was as if she was visiting Cinderella's ball. She really wanted to meet the hosts.

"Shalimar you want me to bring you a drink?" Michael smiled at her.

"Yes please". So Michael went off to fetch her drink. Shalimar wanted to explore the party to meet the hosts but decided to wait for Michael. Very soon he returned with her drink.

"Hey Michael did you get any info on our hosts?" Shalimar asked.

"Yeah I just met him." Michael was amazed at Shalimar's sudden interest.

"His name's Nicholas Halloran. Interesting man he was. He just moved here with his fiancée Jessica Carter. They are going to be married in a month." Michael told Shalimar all the information that he gathered.

 Suddenly everyone's attention was captured with a clink of a fork on fine crystal.

"May I propose a toast to my very good friends Nicholas Halloran and Jessica Carter, soon to be Jessica Halloran, came a man's voice whom Shalimar identified as Sean Dolan from a party of two days ago.

But the man beside him!! Shalimar's head began to spin. She opened her mouth in horror when that man took up the microphone.

"Hello to everyone who do not know who I am. I am Nicholas Halloran. Very proud to be here with my future wife and the love of my life Jessica. I hope you all enjoy the party" he said putting an arm around the striking brunette who stood by his side.

But that man he wasn't Nicholas Halloran, how could he be when he was the carbon copy of Brennan Muwlray, the love of her life, thought Shalimar. With this thought, she could not help herself and fainted.

****************

It had been fifteen minutes that Nicholas was watching the blonde by Prescott's side. She was staring at him like she had seen a ghost. Not that he minded, because she was the most beautiful and exquisite creature that he had ever seen. Nicholas kicked himself inwardly. He was not a playboy anymore. He was in love with Jessica. That's when it happened, she fainted.

*****************

Everyone at the party was immediately at Shalimar's side. Michael told everyone that he was a doctor and would take care of things. But Michael noticed Nicholas Halloran and his fiancée coming towards them.

"What happened to her?" Nicholas asked. He was obviously worried.

"Come on Nick. Her fiancée will take care of her. We've got the rest of the party to think about." Jessica Carter's voice was impatient.

"Yes please go Mr. Halloran. I'll take care of her." Michael said.

"Please feel free to use the house. Why don't you take her up to my bedroom. You can check up on her better."

"Thank you" said Michael and retreated with Shalimar to Nicholas Halloran's room. Michael was wondering hard why Shalimar had fainted.

The same question was on Nicholas's mind. But he also had another question. Why was she staring at him? He didn't even know her name.

Behind closed doors Michael tried out his telempathic abilities to reach Shalimar. He felt that she was unconscious. So he decided to keep an eye on her. After a couple of hours Nicholas entered the room. He saw her lying on the bed and him sitting on the couch.

"Hey Prescott" Nicholas said. "How is she?"

"She is still unconscious." Michael said.

"What happened to her? Got any idea?" Nicholas asked.

"I don't know. But I am worried."

"Well I insist that she be not moved from here. I could keep an eye on her and you can check on her in the morning. Don't worry she will be safe here." Nicholas suggested.

Michael considered Nicholas Halloran's suggestion. It seemed good to him. He knew Shalimar would be safe. Besides if anything went wrong then her feral abilities would kick in. So he agreed. Michael left for the night wondering what had happened.

**************** 

Shalimar woke up to unfamiliar surroundings. As soon as she woke up a thousand thoughts ran through her mind. Brennan was alive, he was here, he was marrying another woman .Shalimar gave a scream.

Suddenly lights were on. Shalimar was greeted with Brennan's face once more. She felt tears welling up in her eyes.

"Hey are you alright?" he said.

"You..you are alive. Oh thank god you are alive." Shalimar said

"Yes I am. And you are too. And you are conscious again" he said.

Shalimar jumped off the bed and put her arms around his neck. He seemed to resist but she did not mind.

Nicholas Halloran was finding it difficult to not stare into the woman's eyes. She had the most beautiful eyes that he had ever seen. In fact she had the most adorable everything he had ever seen. But he was engaged. He could not just have a fling with her, he could not betray Jessica this way. So he tried to resist her. She was apparently happy that he was alive for some reason.

"Hey what's your name?" Nicholas asked her.

That's when It struck her. Brennan did not remember her. How could he not??

Hoping that he was only joking with her Shalimar said, "Why Brennan Muwlray, don't you remember me? I am seductress Shalimar Fox, exclusively born for your pleasure only" Shalimar playfully said.

His eyes went wide at this but he didn't remove his hands from her waist.

Nicholas could not believe what he just heard. He stared hard into her chocolate eyes.

To try one last time Shalimar said, "Maybe this will help you remember" and captured him in a dwell of tongues as they used to engage in.

Nicholas wrapped his arms harder against her. He wanted to forget everything at this moment. Then it struck him. She was mistaking him as someone else. Quickly he broke their intimate physical contact and stepped away from her.

"Miss Fox I don't know who you are mistaking me with. But I am an engaged man and unlike most others I will not succumb to your seductions, you nymph. Now go back to bed. I'll see you in the morning when you have a clear head. And please remember, my name is Nicholas Halloran not Brennan Muwlray as you were calling me. Goodnight." He closed the door behind him.

Shalimar was shocked. She sat on the oversized bed. Taking her face between her hands, she started to cry.

Okay there you have it. More is coming your way, but please review. Thanks!!!