Chapter 12

I am extremely sorry for not updating sooner! Life caught up with me, and boy has it decided to be busy. Again, thank you for all my wonderfully loyal readers. I appreciate it more than you know!

Delancey Brothers' P.O.V

"Are you sure you have the right, kid?" Morris Delancey asked the boy in front of him.

"Yeah. For shoah," the figure answered.

"Good. Looks like little Miss Kate is going to be in for quite a surprise tonight," Oscar said mischievously, a wicked smile forming on his face.

"Yes. And then we will be richer than you could ever imagine. The ransom for her just shot up to a thousand dollars," Morris informed them.

"They're getting desperate," the figure inferred.

"More fun for us," Morris concluded, a sinister smile forming on his lips that matched the one of his brothers.

Kate's P.O.V.

The week flew by in a haze, filled with lots of rest in efforts to recover from my illness. Overall, things had pretty much returned to normal between the boys and me. Although, the boys did bring me a beautiful bouquet of carnations to make me feel better, nothing to extravagant, but you know what they say: sometimes less is more.

Yesterday, I had finally gained enough strength to go to the market just around the corner. Currently it's Saturday morning, and the lodging house was just beginning to stir. They always woke up later on the weekends since the city tended to sleep in on their days off. That is, if you considered 5 a.m. as late.

"Wake up boys! Get your keesters up and ready to sell papes!" Kloppman's voice boomed over the moans and groans of newly awaken boys.

I had already been up for the past half hour, listening to the relaxing sounds of the rhythmic snoring coming from the boys. My thoughts had floated to the date I had with Cryptic tonight. I was glad I had felt better before then, but I couldn't ignore the feeling of nervousness bubbling up in my stomach. Sarah and I were going to Medda's tonight so I could get ready for my evening out with Cryptic. Somehow, they managed to find out where he was taking me, but refused to let me in on the secret.

"C'mon Kate, you'se don't want to sleep the day away," Jack cooed, in attempts to rouse me from my perfectly comfy spot.

"I'm awake," I muttered.

"Sure ya are. Tell ya what, you'se can stay here but the minute I come back from the bathroom, you better be up," he compromised.

"M'kay"

Ten minutes later, my conscience finally won the battle and I swung my legs over the side of the bed. I walked over to the window, and swung open the shutters while I waited for the bathroom to clear out. A burst of cool, winter air welcomed my warm body, heated from the thick bed covers. I gazed out to see a beautiful sunrise to mark the start of a new day.

After lunch, Sarah and I headed towards Medda's theatre. We had been able to get much closer over the past week I had known her, with being able to have some bonding time while I was alone at the lodging home during the day.

"Aren't you excited?" Sarah asked enthusiastically.

"I guess. I'm just a little apprehensive about it all," I told her.

"Honey, everyone gets nervous before a date. You'll have fun tonight, I'm sure of it," She reassured.

"Yeah," I replied, my anxiety getting the best of me.

"C'mon," Sarah said, gesturing towards the entrance of the theatre, "Medda's probably waiting for us inside."

Three hours later, and after a variety of different kinds makeup had been painted onto my face, I looked like a completely different person. And thanks to the costume designers at the theatre, I had a new outfit to match. The high-waisted skirt, pale blue, was simple yet elegant at the same time, falling more naturally over my hips. A bow gathered the material around my waist and tied in the back, along with an A-line silhouette that flared just above the knee. A white corset gave me an hourglass figure, paired with a pale blue jacket to match the skirt.

My hair was held loosely into a bun, with my makeup adding a more natural look.

"You look amazing, Kate," Sarah commented, putting the finishing touches of blush on my face.

"Be careful, if she looks any more stunning we might have a problem on our hands," Medda added playfully, causing laughter to ring throughout the room.

"What time to do have to leave, so we can get back to the lodging house on time for Cryptic to pick me up?" I asked.

"Oh, I must have forgotten to mention it earlier," Sarah informed me, "We told Cryptic to just to pick you up at the theatre so you won't go and get your dress dirty in the city streets before your date."

I nodded taking in the information. At least this way I would get to bypass that sure-to-be-awkward-moment between the boys and me when Cryptic would have picked me up. Speaking of which, he should be here any minute now. Medda and Sarah both shared excited glances as it neared closer to the time he was supposed to pick me up.

Until then, we just had mindless conversations to pass the time. The mood faltered, though, as it got to ten minutes after he was supposed to have picked me up.

"Maybe he is just running a little late," Sarah assured me.

"Well, he sure makes a great first impression," Medda added, her voice dripping with sarcasm

I fiddled with my thumbs trying to distract myself from thinking of worst case scenarios. When my attempts became unsuccessful, I made my way to the piano and started to play a few chords divert my attention to the task at hand.

Time ticked away slowly, and ten minutes late eventually grew to fifty minutes late. After waiting for nearly two hours, Medda finally suggested that I should go home before it gets to dark outside. Sarah had already left over a half an hour ago.

"I'm really sorry, sweetie," Medda soothed, hugging me tightly, "he obviously isn't worth it if he is willing to stand up the kindest girl in New York,"

"Thanks," I told her, and quickly rubbed away the tears that had just started falling down my cheeks.

"Beautiful girls like you shouldn't cry. And after all, you don't want to ruin your makeup," she added.

"Does it even matter now? It's not like I am going anywhere" I told her.

"You don't want to go out there looking like a clown, do you?"

"No, I guess not," I responded, a small laugh escaping from my lips.

"Alright, come by tomorrow. I want to see you again!" Medda added, as I waved goodbye.

The walk back to the lodging house went by rather quickly. Soon, I had reached the front door and quietly opened it, only to see a few of the guys look at me with faces filled with confusion.

"I thought you'd be out later," Race commented.

"Umhm," I mumbled, quickly making my way towards the staircase.

"What's wrong?" Mush questioned, lightly grabbing my arm.

"He didn't show up," I said, whimpering.

"Come here," He said and wrapped his arms around me, "Anyone who misses an opportunity to spend a night with you'se is a fool," he said reassuringly.

"Spoken like a true poet," Blink told him.

"Hey, I have my moments," he defended.

"Now, how about we make use of the night while it's still young, and me and the other guys can take the beautiful girl standing in front of us to a dance hall," Race suggested. He was met with agreement, and before I knew it I was guided back to the door and in the direction of the nearest dance hall.

I could hear the muffled sound of a jazzy tune from a half a block away from the building. I couldn't help but twirl at the toe-tapping music.

Inside, the hall was even more alive with energy, but not as crazy as some of the dance halls around town. Couples of all ages could be seen jiving on the dance floor, and soon enough I found myself making my way onto it, as well. I was slow dancing with Specs when I felt someone tap my shoulder, only to recognize the person instantly.

"Do you mind if I take her for a dance or two?" The one and only Daze asked. I immediately ran up to him and hugged him. The boy who I never thought I would see again, the one who had saved me in the alley, was standing right in front of me.

"Of course!" I told him.

I enjoyed dancing with him, but let me tell you after a while you start to get a little tired.

"How about I order you a root beer?" he asked.

"Sure," I quipped.

"Just sit down at this table and I'll be back in a second," he informed me.

Only a minute or so later, he arrived with a mug filled to the brim with the fizzing goodness. I drank about a quarter of it within two minutes. I know, not exactly lady-like. All of the sudden my eyes lost focus, my ears clogged up, and my head swam with dizziness. Before I realized what was happening, I blacked out.

I know, I left it on a cliffie! Hope you enjoy it and expect a plot twist in the next chapter! Remember to review, review, review!