x. I'll Wait For You

"I like you."

The words hit Sinead like a bullet. Hamilton Holt, the person responsible for almost ruining her and her brothers' life had just confessed to her.

Normally, if that would've happened, the old Sinead, who was thirsty for revenge, would have blackmailed Hamilton into doing everything for her.

But she had changed. She didn't want to do anything to lead anybody on, even if it was Hamilton for that matter.

"Sorry. I…I like someone else."

She hadn't lied. She…did harbor strong feelings for someone else. The dejected look in Hamilton's face as he walked away made Sinead feel as guilty as hell, but his confession had given her confidence.

If Hamilton can admit his feelings, then I should be able to too.

And that is why Sinead was currently standing outside the door of Jonah's penthouse apartment, her fists clenched and sweating. She was finally going to do it.

"Hello, Sinead." A cheery voice called out to her, as her handsome cousin opened the door. "What brings you here?"

"Hi, Jonah." Sinead said, trying her best to sound normal. "Can I come in?" Jonah gave Sinead a curios look, but gave her space to come in. She nodded in thanks, and stepped inside. She looked around in awe, her eyes widening at all the trophies set in the room. She could see the swimming pool outside through the sliding glass doors, and also smiled at the number of famous paintings hanging on the walls. Jonah was a Janus, after all. The only thing Sinead found odd was a pile of paper which lay there in a corner.

"That's all fan mail," Jonah said, noticing Sinead's expression. "I haven't gone through all those yet, that's why they are outside."

"You read every letter you get?" Sinead raised an eyebrow. "That seems like an awful lot."

"I read and reply to ever fan letter or e-mail I get." Jonah said, handing Sinead a Dr. Pepper from the mini bar. Sinead's eyes widened.

"No way." She said, taking a small sip of her drink. "That is so cool."

"You gotta do it for the fans, yo." Jonah said, flashing her his signature smile. "Anyway, what did you want to tell me?" Sinead clutched her skirt nervously, ignoring the massive beads of sweat dripping down her face. She closed her eyes, her heart pounding against her rib cage.

"I like you, Jonah!" She shouted. "I've liked you ever since I met you!"

An awkward silence enveloped the room. Sinead's eyes were still screwed shut, as she braced herself for Jonah's response. After a while, since she heard no response, Sinead slowly opened her eyes.

"OK," Jonah said. "Then, let's go out."

Sinead was taken aback. Did this mean that Jonah liked her too…? Well, he hadn't really said it to her face, but if he had agreed to go out with her, it meant that he liked her back, right?

"Fine." Sinead smiled. "Thank you."

"So…shall we go on a date, then?" Jonah asked. Sinead nodded, currently at a loss for words. Jonah picked up the cordless lying on the coffee table and dialed a number.

"Robert, send for a cab. I'll be at the lobby in five."

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Jonah and Sinead were sitting in a cab, on their way to the best restaurant in town.

This is all happening so fast, Sinead thought happily. I had no idea Jonah liked me too.

Even though Sinead had filled her minds with thoughts like those, she couldn't help but feel a bit of uncertainty.

"Sinead, we're here." Jonah said, placing his hand on her shoulder. She broke out from her train of thought on his touch. Both of them got out of the car, and were about to step into the restaurant, when they got bombarded by a small group of girls.

"Oh. My. God!" One of the girls announced in a cheery voice. "It's Jonah Wizard!" Sinead covered her ears as the group squealed loudly, and pulled out their iPhones. "Can we take a picture with you?" A girl asked Jonah timidly.

"Sure." The girl smiled and leaned toward Jonah, and quickly took a photo. The other girls started asking for autographs, and Sinead was beginning to feel even more awkward.

"Hey, Jonah?" She whispered to him silently. "I'm going to go and grab a seat, OK? Come inside when you're done." Jonah nodded at the girl, and returned back to the photo and autograph session.

I can believe this, Sinead thought, peering outside the restaurant window, scowling at the attention Jonah was getting. This is supposed to be our first date.

"May I take your order?" A cheery voice broke through Sinead's thoughts. She looked over to her waiter, and gasped.

"H-Hamilton?" She managed to struggle out. "You work here?"

"Y-yeah." Hamilton answered awkwardly. "I'm saving up for college." He looked around the restaurant, puzzled. "You came alone?"

"Um, no. Jonah's with me. He met some fans outside, so..." Hamilton's bright smile was replaced with a frown, but he immediately changed back.

"Oh." He said, letting it sink in. His best friend was the one Sinead liked. "So...what will you have?"

"I'll have the medium size mushroom ravioli with white sauce." Sinead again looked outside the window. "Could you wait for a while? Jonah still has to order."

"Jonah will have the aubergine chicken," Hamilton commented, collecting Sinead's menu.

"Aubergine chicken?" Sinead laughed. "That doesn't sound like him."

"Trust me. He comes here thrice a week, and that's the only thing he orders." Hamilton looked toward the kitchen of the restaurant. "Anyway, I need to go now. Can't be seeing chit chatting with the customers, now can I?" He waved to Sinead, and walked away from the table.

"Hey, Sinead." Jonah said, finally coming in. "You wait long?"

"Nah." Sinead smiled at her date. "Hamilton kept me company."

"Oh. You found out he works here, eh?" Jonah asked, settling down on his seat. "Whew, those girls sure wanted to remember their meeting with Jonah Wizard." Sinead shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Why didn't you just tell them you were on a date?" Her irritated tone was quite clear, and she made no effort to hide it.

"I'm sorry, Sinead." Jonah said, his cheerful tone, too exchanged with a serious one. "I cannot ignore any of my fans, however important the situation might be."

"What do you mean? During the Clue Hunt...you never even cared what happened to your fans."

"I've changed." Jonah said. "I don't want to be like my mother. All she ever cared for was the serum. And all I ever cared about was pleasing her."

"Your orders," Hamilton interrupted the two. He set their dishes on the table and then went to attend another table.

"The reason I entered show business was to please my mother. All I wanted was her to feel proud of me. And because of this, I ignored everything else. My father, the people who helped me get this far, and my fans. To me, they were all steps to reach the goal I wanted the most." Jonah took a small bite of his chicken dish. "But once I realized my mother's motives, it hurt me. I was devastated to realize she had used me." Sinead could see Jonah slowly tearing up.

"Jonah, you don't have to continue-"

"But, I didn't have the right to feel sorry. All these people who had stood by me...I had betrayed them too. That is why, Sinead, I want to make it up to them. I want to thank them. I want to apologize to them for my previous attitude."

Sinead smiled at Jonah. "I understand. I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Jonah said. "This isn't your decision, it's mine. And I can't let it affect you. That is why...let's go out again. On a makeup date. I'll wear a disguise, and we can go anywhere you want."

Sinead raised the ravioli to her lips and chewed. "There's a garage band that plays down at the cafe. They are actually pretty decent...let's go see them tomorrow."

"Sure. I'll pick you up at eight, near that ice cream shop down the road." Sinead nodded, and the rest of the meal was continued in silence. What the two didn't know was that there was a third figure watching them from the kitchen.

Hamilton Holt still loved Sinead. And it killed him to see her with his best friend.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Jonah said, seeing off Sinead at her front door. He turned to go back to his car, when Sinead caught his sleeve.

"Wait." Her tone was adamant. "I want to ask you something."

"Huh?"

"Do you...like me? I told you that I did, but what about you?"

"I...I like you too." Sinead smiled at Jonah.

"That's all I wanted to hear. Good night, Jonah."

"Good night, Sinead."

The next day rolled by relatively fast. As soon as she returned from work, Sinead emptied her entire closet.

After trying on about thirty different outfits, Sinead was ready to give up.

"This is hopeless!" Sinead announced, collapsing on her bed. "I have nothing to wear!"

Now, usually, Sinead wasn't the type to fuss over on what to wear. But, something inside her was telling her something good was going to happen today. And she wanted to be ready for it.

I guess it's useless, Sinead thought, picking up all the dresses strewed upon her bedroom floor. Just when she had picked up a rather funny looking yellow sundress, Sinead gasped.

Under the dress, lay another one. It had been lost among the mess, which was probably why Sinead hadn't seen it before.

This is perfect. Sinead smiled at her reflection once she had put on the garment. It was a cream lace dress, which ended just a bit above her knees. Slipping on her coat, Sinead walked out her door. She looked up at the sky and smiled.

After a five minute walk, Sinead finally arrived at the fixed meeting place. She was a few minutes early, so she decided to go and wait in the store.

I wonder how Jonah's going to disguise himself, Sinead wondered. Lately, most of her thoughts included Jonah in them. Sinead smiled to herself. She had always despised those kind of teens who could do nothing without their boyfriends. Sure, she had liked Jonah since forever too, but she had always expected herself to remain the same, even if she were to enter into a relationship with him.

I guess everyone becomes a fool when in love.

Sinead took a big spoonful of her vanilla ice cream. He should have been here by now. It's almost eight thirty. The concert's going to start in a few.

Sinead slipped out her phone from her pocket, and dialed up Jonah's number. A few rings later, she set the phone down. A feeling of dread filled Sinead.

"Miss...we're going to be closing soon. You've been sitting over here for almost two hours," An employee said, shaking Sinead. She had fallen into a deep slumber, waiting for Jonah.

It's ten thirty...I'm going to his apartment. Sinead picked up her purse and made it to the front door. Swinging it open, she burst out the door, failing to see the patron who was about the enter. The glass door knocked the person's face.

"I'm sorry!" Sinead gasped, bending down to help the person. "H-Hamilton? You again?"

"I was just going to pick up a late night snack for friends back at home. And you? What are you doing out here so late? It's not very safe in this area this time." His voice was urgent, yet concerned. Sinead awkwardly got up, and Hamilton following suit.

"I had a date."

"At this time?!"

"It was scheduled for eight." A tear rolled down Sinead's cheek, which she immediately wiped off. "I'm going to go now..."

"Hold on." Hamilton said. "I'll drop you to your destination. I brought my car."

Sinead and Hamilton were soon driving through the city, on their way to Jonah's house.

"He didn't even call you?" Hamilton asked. "I hope nothing bad's happened." Sinead nodded nervously, currently at a loss for words. "Why don't you try to call him?"

Sinead unlocked her phone, and was surprised to see a message notification.

I guess somebody sent it while I was sleeping.

She clicked the button, and was surprised to find out that the message had been sent by Jonah.

Hey, Sinead. I'm sorry, I won't be able to make it today. Dad arranged a concert in Chicago without telling me. I can't cancel it, since a lot of people are going to be showing up.

I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you, I swear.

He had canceled their date.

Through a text message.

Another tear rolled down Sinead's cheek. It had been for a unselfish reason, but...

His like was different.

Her like had been one along the lines of 'love'. His like had purely meant he saw her as a friend.

I guess celebrities really do belong to their fans.

Jonah was done. He was done trying to devote his entire time to one person. From now on, what was his, was his fans.

"Hamilton. Stop the car."

"What?"

"Do it."

The man did as he was told, and pulled over at the side of the street. Sinead held up the message for him to see.

"What?! How could he do that?! I know his image his important, but..."

"It's not for his image." Sinead stated. "It's not."

"Are you OK, though?" Hamilton asked, concern lining his voice. Sinead turned to him, and stared into his deep blue eyes.

"Hamilton, do you really like me?"

"I think I love you."

"You know that I don't look at you in that way, right?"

"Yes."

"So if I asked you out, would you agree to it. Knowing my true feelings?" Hamilton jerked up, and gave Sinead a surprised look.

"I would say yes. Knowing that you don't feel anything toward me." Sinead took Hamilton's hand in her own.

"So...can you wait? Can you wait for me to fall in love with you?"

Hamilton smiled at Sinead, with a smile that was warm and filled with love.

"Yes, Sinead. I'll wait for you. I'll turn your no into a yes."

"Thank you." Sinead settled into Hamilton's arms.

I'll wait for you, Sinead.

-Ghost