Chapter 40: The third degree.
Meanwhile.
Charlie's POV:
With a twist of the key Charlie turned off her car and slumped back in the seat with a tired but relieved sigh as she looked over at the empty space in the dimly lit garage where Humphrey's mustang had sat the last few days. 'I swear I'm going to kill him,' she thought to herself, doing her best to stay angry even as the wry smile toyed her lips. The truth was she was relieved that he was back since she really hadn't enjoyed the empty house after having gotten used to his company. That being the case he was still going to get one hell of a lecture.
As she walked through the garage and into the house proper Charlie was absorbed in her thoughts on how to make Humphrey suffer for his disappearing act and didn't notice that anything was wrong until she made it halfway through the living room and almost walked into the coffee table.
"Huh?" she muttered to herself, coming back to reality and looking around the well lit room. 'Why are the lights on?' The thought popped into her head followed by a slight sense of panic right on it's heels. There shouldn't be anyone else here and yet several lights were turned on and Charlie got the feeling that she very much wasn't alone.
"H-hello? Humphrey?" she called out, hoping that somehow it was just him. She'd lived alone for some years now and had all but forgotten the anxieties that had plagued her in the beginning after years without incident but now they returned as she waited to hear any sort of reply. She didn't have to wait long as after a second of silence she heard footfalls from the upper floor, moving towards and then descending the stairs as her heart leapt into her throat.
"Humphrey huh? Is that who you've rented my room to?" The snide voice preceded the young man's arrival into Charlie's sight and for a long moment she could only stare in silence and surprise at her son as she laid eyes on him for the first time in nearly two years.
"Matthew..." she muttered softly, her voice trailing off as he smiled in a way that conveyed no affection whatsoever.
"Or is it some new fuckbuddy?"
Humphrey's POV:
Kate's question pulled me from my day dreaming and I walked over, smiling as I leaned on the fence next to her and slowly raised my hand to the mare on the other side. She gave me a sniff before deciding that I must've been alright as she turned her attention away in an unconcerned manner and I gently patted her.
"To be honest I love almost all animals. I was just... never mind." I said in answer to Kate's question, my voice trailing off a moment before I dismissed the matter. Luckily Kate didn't seem to notice as she let out a sigh, looking relieved that Topaz and I could get along. The real reason I'd hesitated was because I'd thought that she and Topaz together looked so cute but I couldn't bring myself to say the words.
We stayed out there for a while and I watch Kate ride around on Topaz for a bit before the sun sank below the mountains and it started getting a bit too dark to continue. There was still an hour or so before dinner so we decided to go and do some homework since neither of us really wanted to watch television, joking on the way back to the house about whether or not that made us 'nerds'. Ultimately we figured it probably did but neither of us particularly cared all that much either way.
It took us about an hour to get the homework for our various classes done and as if on cue, Silas chose that moment to knock on the door, informing us that since Kate's parents had arrived home dinner would be served momentarily.
Eve's POV:
Eve and Winston stopped chatting and both looked up as Humphrey and Kate entered the dining room, Eve noting the smiles on their faces and how they had been chatting away a moment ago, appearing closer than ever. It made her wonder whether or not anything had happened between them yet as greetings were exchanged around the table and Humphrey thanked her and Winston for having him for dinner. When Winston had told her that Kate had invited Humphrey over for dinner she'd had the sense that he wasn't telling her everything but had chosen not to ask, getting the feeling that it would be made clear soon enough.
"Lily's not joining us?" Humphrey asked, looking around as though expecting to find an answer written on the walls as they took their seats and Silas began serving the first course. It was a light coloured soup, sprinkled with herbs and containing a curled slice of onion as a garnish, the understated yet superb plating making Eve raise an eyebrow as she suspected Silas might've gone all out tonight when he heard Humphrey would be there.
After dinner.
Everyone sat back contently as Silas cleared away the dessert dishes, looking somewhat pleased with himself. Everyone, particularly Humphrey, had showered him with praise for the meal and Eve could tell she'd been right about him going the whole hog so to speak. Not that the praise was misplaced or overstated however, with every aspect of the meal being close to perfect.
"So how've you been? I feel like it's been a while." Humphrey asked Winston as Silas served the two of them coffee as Kate excused herself for a moment. Winston chuckled and leaned forwards after taking a sip of the coffee and Eve listened in, somehow sensing the answers to her earlier question were close at hand.
"Well it's funny you should ask that, I've had a rather bizarre few days and I couldn't say if it was good or bad." Winston said, making Eve scoff a little. She'd been woken the previous day at some ungodly hour by someone phoning Winston with bad news, which she knew not from overhearing but from the mood he'd been in afterwards. Winston noticed her reaction and smiled a bit.
"Alright, I will say that it has been a bit stressful." He amended, giving her a look like he was asking if he could continue now to which she nodded with a smile.
"I won't bore you with all the details but, long story short, there was a disaster at work that would've cost me dearly had someone else not pulled a minor miracle out of their hat to save me." Winston continued and Eve couldn't help but roll her eyes, although she made sure it was when he wasn't looking. He'd always had this habit of speaking in a roundabout way when talking about important things and Eve knew that he'd make an excellent politician.
Kate's POV:
Kate looked around in surprise at the suspenseful, almost tense atmosphere as she walked back into the dining room. Her mother looked as though she was waiting to hear something she already knew, Humphrey looked like he was possibly trying to ignore something very obvious and Winston looked as though he knew everything and was deliberately holding the others in suspense.
"What's going on?" Kate asked as she resumed her seat next to Humphrey. She got no answer for a moment and looked around the table, beginning with her mother who just shook her head. She shifted her gaze on to Humphrey who shrugged with something of a knowing smile, forcing Kate to turn her attention to her father who returned it.
"I was just about to express my gratitude to Humphrey here who, almost singlehandedly, pulled off a minor miracle and saved me a great deal of embarrassment and money." He said eventually, turning back to Humphrey who looked nervous as he shook his head.
"It wasn't all that, I just moved. I wasn't really thinking." He replied, trying to downplay the compliment. A moment later it all clicked into place in Kate's mind and she let out an 'oh' of understanding as she realised where Humphrey had been yesterday, why he'd been so tired and why her father had suddenly invited him over.
"There's no need to be humble, I've spoken personally to your boss, Gregory and Ivan so I know what happened. If it was all that, it would've taken three business days and ten men to get the truck to the gallery, not twenty seven hours. And that's ignoring the art itself. So thank you." Winston continued, sounding completely sincere.
"Well... I was happy to help." Humphrey said with a grin, shrugging a little. His manner reminded her of the first day they'd met and she couldn't help but let out a giggle as she smiled at him. 'Always so modest.' She thought to herself as something else struck her and she spoke up.
"So that's where you were. Why didn't you tell me you were doing a job for dad?" She asked him, remembering the way he'd described what had happened at lunch earlier. He must've known more or less who he was working for and it's not like the fact that the gallery was her father's was a secret, it'd been all over the news.
"I'd been told to keep it quiet." Humphrey said, giving her an apologetic smile which faded after a moment as he opened his mouth to continue before stopping abruptly, making Kate tilt her head slightly in confusion.
"There's one other thing I want to talk to you about Humphrey." Winston said after a moment, all three of them turning his way once more.
Humphrey's POV:
Saturday evening, 6:05pm.
'Nothing...' I thought to myself as I checked my phone for probably the fifteenth time that evening. 'I hope she's not in trouble.' I mused further before putting the phone away and returning my attention to the man who was waiting with me.
"Do I look okay?" I asked Silas, more than a little nervous. I was currently standing with him in the entrance hall of Kate's house, waiting for her to finish getting ready to go. He turned to me, giving me a scrutinizing once over, checking my attire before nodding his approval with a slight grin at my obvious discomfort.
Flashback, Tuesday evening.
I looked at Winston in surprise as he finished voicing his proposal, at something of a loss for words.
"Plus I'm sure Kate would enjoy having someone her age there to keep her company." Winston continued when I didn't respond, gesturing to the girl beside me who grabbed my arm, yanking me towards her a bit as she looked at me with a huge smile.
"Oh my god yes, you have to come." Kate said happily, her grin fading marginally as she saw the look on my face.
"I mean, thank you. But... Are you sure you want me there? This gala is a big deal right? I'm not really well versed in these kinds of events." I said slowly, a little worried they'd be offended by my lackluster response but to my surprise they all just laughed, Winston waving his hand to dismiss my concern.
"Of course I'm sure. It wouldn't even be happening without you." He said and Eve nodded in agreement, giving me a smile that was supportive in a motherly way.
"I agree. Plus if Kate manages to get through them without offending anyone then you'll be fine." She said with a grin, Kate glaring at her for a moment over the dig before looking back at me, smiling and nodding. Still hesitant I did one more lap of the table, seeing the three of them looking at me with expressions that all told me to say yes. 'Well I guess I don't have a choice.' I thought to myself, figuring that if I did embarrass them then I'd just have to apologize and come what may.
"Alright then, if you're sure then I'd be happy to accept." I said after a moment, nodding my thanks to Winston.
End flashback.
Kate's POV:
Kate stood in the walk-in robe of her room, looking at herself in the mirror as she checked that everything was correct for perhaps the millionth time that afternoon. She'd spent almost all afternoon getting ready for the gala and she was seriously nervous, wondering if she looked okay and what Humphrey would think when he saw her. She'd heard him arrive a few minutes ago, the distinctive grumble of his car's engine alerting her to the fact and she knew he was waiting but she couldn't help but fret.
"You've got a hair out of place." Lily said from Kate's room, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Kate turned and glared at her annoying sister who just rolled her eyes at her. She'd helped Kate get ready which she appreciated but right now she seriously wasn't helping as Kate turned back to the mirror, checking her hair just in case. Everything was as perfect as she could get it and she took a deep breath to calm herself a little, smiling as she picked up her jacket and bag and left the wardrobe.
"Jeez relax, Humphrey will want to fuck you for sure." Lily said, immediately ruining Kate's calm as she blushed hard, rounding on her raunchy sister with another glare. As usual Lily wasn't attending the gala and since Humphrey's invitation it had rapidly changed from another boring party she forced herself to attend for her father to something more akin to a date.
"Lily!" She snapped at her, holding the glare for a moment before turning and leaving the room with an 'urgh' of annoyance.
"Go get 'em tiger." Lily called out as she walked from the room but Kate ignored her, trying to calm herself once more as she headed towards the front door.
Humphrey's POV:
Silas and I looked up as we heard Kate round the corner and begin making her way down the stairs, the scene before me stealing away my voice as I stared at her. 'Wow...' Was all I could think as I took her in. I always thought Kate was pretty but she'd gone all out for the gala and she looked absolutely stunning, her hair done up in a fancy bun and braid combo that looked seriously complicated. She was wearing some minimalist makeup which she normally didn't as well as some red lipstick, taking her face from pretty to breathtaking. The backless blue cocktail dress she'd chosen reached her mid-thigh and somehow flowed but was tight at the same time, showing off her body in all the right ways. Completing the outfit was some heeled low cut black boots that matched the bag and thin black jacket she was carrying.
"Hey Humphrey, sorry to keep you." She said with a smile as she saw me and made her way down the stairs.
"I- uhh... You." I stumbled over my words for a moment before clearing my throat so that I could talk coherently, finally managing to get out a full sentence, "You look amazing."
"Don't I always?" Kate shot back with a giggle as she walked over, raising an eyebrow at me for a moment before letting me off the hook with a smile. "Thanks Humphrey."
Now that she was closer I noticed that she was wearing a small pair of silver earring that contrasted with her hair nicely as well as a matching silver necklace. The perfume she'd chosen was also really nice and I felt myself blush a little as I caught myself staring at her once more.
"Ready to go?" I asked her with a grin, more saying it for something to say since I was still feeling a little star stuck. Kate nodded and we bid Silas goodbye, heading out of the house and over to my car which was waiting outside. I quickened my step a little as we got there, opening Kate's door for her and holding out a hand to help her get in since I figured that on an occasion like this a little extra courtesy wouldn't go astray.
"Such a gentleman." Kate said with a giggle as she accepted my hand and got into the car. I closed the door and walked around to the driver's side, getting in and starting the engine. Kate and I both smiled at the sound and I was beginning to get the impression she liked the car almost as much as I did.
"You treat all your ladies like this?" She asked me after a moment in a joking tone, making me roll my eyes at her as I got onto the main street of the housing estate. It was a long, more or less straight road and at this time of the evening there was next to no traffic so I floored the accelerator, pinning Kate and I to our seats as the engine happily roared in response and Kate screamed. I let off again after a moment as I noticed the needle pass 60 and let the car coast the remaining distance to the main entrance.
"Sure, for the most part." I said, giving her a wink as she scowled at me.