Authors Note: Firstly, Wow! Can't believe I've reached 100 chapters!
Second, I apologize yet again for the long gap between updating. I now have the story fully up to date on Wattpad, all that's left is to both the revised chapters here and on Archive, but that's more background work.
Anyway, I'll let you get to the update, enjoy!
Chapter 100: Eyeliner?!
Three days later...
It was finally time!
Tonight - in just a couple of hours - the two hour episode of "Ghost Adventures: Transylvania" would be airing to kick off Season 10. Not to mention it was the debut of me being a part of the crew.
I was beyond excited, but also extremely nervous. How would the fans react to me? Would they like me? Would I automatically be hated because I wasn't Nick Groff? Would I be considered a good investigator? Would it feel like I fit in with the team?
Throughout the day, I had been getting tweets from fans like it was the end of the world. Most of them were very supportive – excited to "meet" me, excited to see a female investigator, and what type of evidence I would get. There were a few negative tweets too, but I did my best to ignore them. It didn't help that the guys all kept promoting the new episode, and also promoted me at the same time – especially Zak – but their support and enthusiasm was greatly appreciated.
All I could do was hope that I lived up to the high standards that is the "Ghost Adventures" Crew, and I hoped I lived up to the expectations from the fans.
Roughly 8:00pm...
I had been at Zak's place most of the day, mainly helping him decorate the place for tonight – although he had some Halloween decorations up already, since it is his favourite Holiday of the year. His place ended up decorated from top to bottom, it was like a real life haunted house.
We also had set up drinks and glasses on the island counter in his kitchen, everything from water, soda, beer and wine. I also put out some finger foods - knowing the others would be arriving soon. Zak used a remote to turn on his stereo system - which started blasting music throughout most of the house - before he headed up to his room to change into his costume.
Once I was sure everything was set up, I headed upstairs as well and went into the guest room, where I had stored my costume earlier so Zak wouldn't see it. Despite his many pleas, I had refused to tell him what I had decided on for my costume, as I wanted it to be a surprise.
Since Zak had stuck to his idea of a vampire Jack the Ripper, I decided I would dress up as one of his "victims". I had done my research on Jack the Ripper and the 1880's fashion style of women in those times – which consisted mainly of floor length, corset dresses. Knowing I would be more comfortable in a full length skirt as opposed to something modern, I had purchased a Victorian, gothic, black satin maxi skirt with black lace trim, over layered black mesh. I also had purchased a red taffeta corset, adorned with a neckline of black crepe flowers. The hip area was also adorned by smaller bouquets. To complete the costume, I purchased a pair of Victorian, black, short heeled boots. They had lace on either side, which showcased some skin. I had then contacted Jennifer and was able to get my hands on a realistic looking "vampire bite" prosthetic piece for my neck, but nothing too gory – mainly just two holes, and I had made some fake blood earlier to apply as well.
After changing into the corset (my boobs, yikes!) and skirt, I plugged in my curling iron, having decided to give my hair some waves before I would pull some of it up into a Victorian style, and spread out my makeup to get ready to put on – bare minimum as usual. I would put on the vampire bite prosthetic and fake blood at the very end.
Just as I was about to start on my hair, I heard a yell from down the hall.
"Ali!?" Zak called from his room.
I chuckled as I opened the guest room door.
"Yes?!" I called back.
"I need help with my makeup!" Zak called, and I couldn't help but laugh.
Sigh. I bet he planned this in order to see my costume.
But wait a minute...we're alone...and I'm wearing a corset that's pushing up my boobs...
"Coming!" I called back, grabbing a hoodie I had been wearing that day and pulled it on over the corset and zipped it up. I also made sure my curling iron was in a safe position before I walked out of the guest room and down to Zak's room.
I stopped dead in my tracks almost as soon as I entered the room.
He's really wearing a suit!
Zak was standing in front of a floor length mirror, wearing a white, button up shirt; a black vest; black suit pants; and a silk, red scarf – which, strangely enough - matched my corset. I also noticed he had a Victorian, black, caped trench coat on the bed, as well as a black top hat.
"Hey doll," Zak said, raising an eyebrow as he took in my attire.
"Hi," I said shyly, causing him to chuckle, as I walked toward him.
"Are you ever going to get over your shyness?" Zak asked, smiling at me.
"When hell freezes over," I replied, chuckling now myself.
Zak laughed.
"So, I see your dressed as..." Zak said, looking thoughtful.
"I'm not finished yet," I replied, sticking my tongue out at him.
"Damn it," Zak replied, laughing, causing me to laugh too.
"Yeah, yeah. Do you have any actual makeup you want done? Or was this just a ruse to try to see my costume early?" I asked, causing Zak to laugh again.
He turned to a small table nearby and picked up a tube of black Halloween makeup and handed it to me.
"I want some of this around my eyes," Zak said. "I should probably put these in first though, right?" Zak asked, picking up a small container.
I saw they were red contact lenses.
Oh boy.
"Yeah, probably," I replied. "Is this all you have for the makeup?" I added, looking at the tube.
"Yeah, why?" Zak asked, as he opened the container with the eye contacts.
I jokingly sighed in annoyance.
"You need more than this!" I said, setting the makeup back on the table. "I'll be back," I added, before leaving the room.
"'Need more'? Like what?!" Zak called.
I just laughed as I walked back to the guest room.
Men.
I came back to Zak's room a few minutes later, carrying some black eye liner, some makeup sponges, some moisturizer, a small bottle of baby powder, a small feather brush, and some Kleenex.
Zak's eyes – now red via the contacts – widened when he saw me.
"What in the hell are you going to do to me?" Zak joked, causing me to laugh.
"Prep your skin. Now sit on the bed," I said, setting my items down on the small table with the black makeup, and then pulled the table over toward the bed.
"Ooo, prep my skin and a 'sit on the bed' order, I like the sound of this," Zak teased, as he sat on the edge of the bed.
I laughed despite my face flushing.
"Shush!" I mumbled as I moved to stand in front of him, and pulled the table closer beside me.
Zak just smirked at me.
Trying not to smile, I picked up the round container of moisturizer and spun the lid a few times to take it off.
"You do know I'm not a woman, right?" Zak teased, noticing what I was opening.
I laughed as I lightly dipped the tips of my index and middle fingers into the moisturizer.
"This helps protect your skin, and will help the makeup apply better," I said. "How do you want the makeup?" I added.
"Well, I learned something new today," Zak said, and then began motioning with his hands to indicate where he wanted the makeup. "Around my eyes, and out to a point toward my temples sort of," Zak added.
"Alright," I replied, easily imagining the look he was going for.
I bent forward so I was face to face with him, and began gently applying the moisturizer around his eyes, but stopped when I saw the ear-to-ear smile on his face.
"What?" I asked.
"You're beautiful..." Zak said softly, smiling at me.
I couldn't stop the smile from forming on my face, despite my shyness.
"I am not...I have no makeup on," I replied softly.
"You don't need it," Zak said, leaning forward and gently kissing my forehead before he sat back and closed his eyes so I could put on the rest of the moisturizer.
My smile became even brighter, and I felt like my heart was going to burst.
I began applying the moisturizer once again, gently over his eye lids, and then out toward his temples. I then made sure the moisturizer was well rubbed in, and then wiped my fingers off with some Kleenex as I stood back up normally.
"Done. Just going to let it dry a bit," I said.
Zak opened his eyes and looked up at me.
"Did someone – and by someone I mean Cheryl - tell you any details of my costume?" I asked, lifting up a bit of the scarf that was hanging down over his chest. "This matches a part of my costume perfectly..." I explained.
Zak laughed and then shook his head.
"Nope, I have no idea, other than this so far," Zak replied, lightly tugging on my skirt.
I laughed quietly as I jokingly swatted his hand away, causing Zak to laugh.
"Hmm, weird, but nice, coincidence," I said.
"I agree," Zak replied, smiling.
I smiled in response before reaching up with one hand and I lightly touched his skin around his eyes to check if the moisturizer was dry. I figured it was best to give it a bit longer.
Zak must of sensed my decision, because he suddenly smirked at me.
"I know how we can pass the time," Zak said, grabbing me around the waist and pulling me down onto his lap.
I laughed in shock, but also felt my face turn beet red – because of our prior positions, I had ended up instinctively and automatically straddling Zak's lap, my hands resting on his shoulders.
"You should of dressed up as a strawberry for Halloween," Zak said softly, laughing quietly at my embarrassment as he wrapped his arms around me.
I jokingly rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, very funny," I said, sticking my tongue out at him.
Zak laughed before he leaned forward, and playfully "snapped" at my tongue with his teeth, but I managed to pull my tongue back into the safety of my mouth just in time.
"Hey!" I exclaimed, pretending to be mad, which caused Zak to laugh.
"Don't tease if you're not willing to play," Zak said softly, somewhat jokingly, once again causing my face to flush as he looked at me intently.
Damn...even with red eyes he's sexy...I thought.
Zak smirked at my embarrassment before he leaned up and gently kissed me, pulling me closer to him.
I returned the kiss just as gently – having become more confident as time had passed since we first kissed – as I moved my hands up to rest on the sides of his neck.
As usual, it didn't take long for our kiss to become more passionate, our mouths duelling each other's as my fingers entwined in his hair, and his hands ran over my back. I found myself pushing my body closer to his, and Zak eagerly accepted my boldness by resting a hand on my lower back, pulling me more tightly against him.
I don't know what it was, but whenever he kissed me, I seemed to lose all of my shyness, all of my insecurities, and all of my inhibitions. We had only been together a little over a week, and prior to that, I had never even kissed a guy, let alone acted like this with one. It was like I became possessed whenever Zak's lips were against mine.
Or like we're perfect for each other...
My thoughts were suddenly distracted when I felt Zak abruptly pull back from the kiss, leaving the both of us breathing hard.
"We better stop..." Zak said softly, and even with the coloured contacts in, I could see the look of desire in his eyes.
I nodded slightly as I carefully got up off him. I adjusted my skirt a bit as I stood up, and quietly took a deep breath. I heard Zak intake a deep breath too before he jokingly fluttered his eyelashes at me.
"What now dahling?" Zak asked, causing me to laugh.
I picked up my black, liquid eyeliner pen and took off the cap.
"What the fuck is that?!" Zak questioned, looking more scared than he would be if he were in a room full of demons.
I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"It's eyeliner. We trace it around the edges of our eyes," I explained.
Zak blinked at me.
"You want to put that pointy thing near my eye?" Zak asked, causing me to laugh again.
"It doesn't hurt," I said, leaning forward again. "Just relax," I added.
"I can't believe I'm letting you do this," Zak said, as he held still while I carefully started applying the eyeliner around his eyes. "You crazy little minx," Zak mumbled jokingly.
I had to pull the eyeliner away from his eyes as I burst out laughing.
"Making me laugh doesn't help!" I exclaimed.
Zak smiled at my amusement.
"Sorry, I'll behave," Zak said, sitting still again.
It took me another minute to compose myself before I could continue applying the eyeliner again.