Chapter Fifty

Andrew and May June were in a Halloween party hosted by Andrew's business partner Goodman Harris.

Goodman was a flamboyant man with a sense of humor. He loved throwing parties, and his Halloween parties were the most extravagant of all. This year, the theme was "Fairy Tales Gone Bad." Guests were encouraged to dress as their favorite fairy tale characters, with a dark twist.

Bella, Andrew's secretary was dressed as a Cinderella gone bad kind of goth vibe look.

Her dress was a torn and tattered version of the classic blue ballgown, and she had smudged black makeup around her eyes. She was chatting with May June, who was dressed as Snow White, but with blood-red lips and nails, and dark circles under her eyes.

As they talked, Goodman made his way over to them, dressed as an evil version of the Mad Hatter. He had a crazed look in his eyes, and his costume was covered in stains and rips.

"Ladies". He greeted. " Now where's my friend don't tell me he ran away before the party even started.

He chuckled at himself.

" He hasn't run away yet. " May chuckled back. " He's just having some problems with his costume. He's actually with his designer right now fixing it. " 

While May thought this was funny, Bella who knew Goodman didn't really like this joke. " My boss doesn't run away from anything. " She seethed.

Goodman burst out laughing. " Oh, my dear Bella, I was only joking. You know I'm not one to run from anything, especially not a good party!" He patted her shoulder, trying to ease the tension.

"Yeah, right." Bella said, not really believing him. She had worked for Goodman for years, and she knew he was not above running away from things, especially when they got too challenging. But she kept her thoughts to herself, not wanting to cause a scene.

"Uhem". Goodman tried to focus on May instead of his old employee that seemed to hate him now. " You said designer? So Andrew is putting us all to shame huh? He brings designers with him to parties now? "

May couldn't help but laugh. "It's not like that. His designer is just his friend, Sam. They've known each other for a long time. Sam is actually a fashion designer, so Andrew figured he'd be the best person to help him with his costume. I think he's just a bit nervous about the party."

"Aww, he's nervous?" Goodman said, his eyes lighting up with mischief. "I guess that means we'll have to make sure he has a good time then, don't we?"

"That we must". May agreed smiling at Goodman. 

While Bella still hadn't warmed up to Goodman. " Why are you hanging around us? Shouldn't you be with your other guests?"

Goodman put on an innocent expression. " Oh, but my dear Bella, you two are my favorite guests. Why would I leave you for anyone else?" He winked at her, and she rolled her eyes.

"Because maybe we don't want to spend the night with you." She shot back, but she couldn't help but smile a little.

"Ouch." Goodman put a hand to his heart, as if he was wounded. "That hurts, coming from you. But I'll take my chances."

The room stood still the minute Andrew walked in. He was looking handsome in his costume. He was wearing a gone bad beast costume mixed with prince Charming.

It was a mix of dark colors with a hint of gold. The dark pants and jacket were ripped in places, and he had a dark red shirt underneath. He was wearing a gold-colored mask, and his hair was messy and unkempt. He had a dangerous look in his eyes, but a gentle smile on his face.

"Wow." May June couldn't help but stare. "You look amazing."

Andrew gave her a shy smile. "Thank you. I was a bit worried I'd look ridiculous, but I'm glad you like it."

"I don't just like it, I love it! You look so handsome. " 

Andrew blushed. " You're gonna make me want to leave this party early honey. "

May June laughed. "Now that would be a shame. After all the work that went into this party. You have to stay, at least for a little while."

"Alright, I'll stay for a little while." Andrew said, still blushing. "But only because you asked me to."

"Aww, you're so sweet." May June said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Now, let's go mingle."

"Lead the way." Andrew offered her his arm, and she took it, feeling a flutter in her stomach.

Goodman caught up with them. " Hey!" This is my party you know! " He giggled. " You can't leave the host!"

May June laughed. "You're right! We wouldn't dream of abandoning you." She said with a wink. "Besides, we wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun. I hear there's going to be dancing later."

"Dancing?" Andrew raised an eyebrow. "What kind of dancing?"

"The best kind, of course." Goodman said with a mischievous grin. "The kind that makes you forget your troubles and just enjoy the moment."

"I like the sound of that." May June said. "Let's get this party started!"

"Wait, wait. " Goodman said mysteriously. " This is a Halloween party after all. There's supposed to be some scary stories told. "

"Hey, I never said we were." Goodman said, putting his hands up in mock surrender. "I just thought it would be fun. Something to get us in the Halloween spirit."

"Okay, fine." May June said, relenting. "But only if you tell us a really good story."

"I promise I will." Goodman said, his eyes sparkling. "Now, let's all sit down and get comfortable."

They went the nearby couches. " I'll tell one!" May volunteered. 

"But I was gonna tell one!" Goodman argued. 

" Yours is probably boring". Bella confidently said.

"That's not fair!" Goodman protested. "You haven't even heard my story yet!"

"Alright, alright." May June said, raising her hands in a calming gesture. "We'll let Goodman tell his story first. But only if it's a good one."

"I promise it will be." Goodman said, sitting up straighter. "So, are you ready?"

"Hit us with your best shot." Andrew said, leaning back on the couch.

"Okay." Goodman cleared his throat, and began.

With his story that he hoped would dazzle them.

"Once upon a time, there was a man named Theodore. Theodore was a man who lived in a small town, far from any major cities. He lived alone in a small cottage, with only a cat to keep him company. But one night, while he was reading by the fire, he heard a knock at the door."

"This is sounding promising." Andrew said, intrigued by the story.

"Wait for it." Goodman said, his voice lowering. "Because when Theodore opened the door, there was no one there. But in the doorway, he saw a small white box."

"Ohh." May June clapped in an exciting tone.

"Inside the box was a note, written in a spidery handwriting. The note said: 'Open me at your own risk.' Theodore was curious, and against his better judgement, he opened the box. And inside the box was a small mirror."

"A mirror." Andrew leaned in. "That's pretty creepy."

"It's just getting started." Goodman said, a smile playing on his lips. "The mirror was very old, and the silvering on it was faded. But when Theodore looked into the mirror, he saw a reflection of himself. Only, it wasn't quite right."

"What do you mean? " Bella asked.

"The reflection in the mirror had dark, sunken eyes, and its mouth was twisted into a cruel smile. And the strangest thing of all was that the reflection was whispering something. But Theodore couldn't make out the words."

"That's definitely creepy." May June said, shivering. "What did he do?"

"Theodore was so terrified that he dropped the mirror." Goodman said. "But as the mirror hit the ground, it didn't break. Instead, the image in the mirror began to change. And now, it was showing a woman."

"What did the woman look like?" Andrew asked curious.

"The woman was pale and thin, and she was wearing a tattered wedding dress. The woman was crying, and her eyes were red and swollen. But what was most terrifying of all was that the woman's face was covered in blood. Theodore was so shocked that he couldn't move."

"I would be too." May June said, her voice hushed. "Did the woman say anything?"

"Yes, she did." Goodman said, his voice low and spooky. "The woman in the mirror spoke in a choked, raspy voice. And she said, 'You're next'."

"No!"

"And that's the end." Goodman said chuckling.

"That's it?" May June said, sounding disappointed. "That was so short!"

"Yeah, I wanted more." Andrew said. "I was just getting into it."

"Well, I do have one more story." Goodman said, a gleam in his eye. "But this one is even scarier."

"Yes!" May June said, grinning. "I'm ready."

"Me too." Andrew said, his eyes wide.

"Okay." Goodman said, leaning forward. "I'm going to tell you the story of the girl in the portrait."

"No!" Bella screamed. " It's my turn now!" She hit her chest, a proud smile on her face. "And it's way scarier than anything Goodman has to tell."

"Ooh, that's a big claim." May June said, raising an eyebrow. "You'd better deliver."

"Don't worry, I will." Bella said, her voice full of confidence. "But we should probably turn off the lights first."

"That's ominous." Andrew said, but he got up and flicked the switch . The other guests looked at him.

"Okay, everyone ready?" Bella asked, the lights off and the room bathed in darkness. "Do you guys want to sit in a circle?"

"That's so cliché." May June said, but she moved to the floor anyway, followed by Andrew and Goodman. They all sat cross-legged in a circle, the only light coming from the fireplace in the corner of the room.

"Perfect." Bella said, grinning. "Now, this is a true story."

"Ooh." Andrew said, his voice quiet. "That's even better."