"Thank you so much for all your hard work. Everything went splendidly," Esmee said to the caterer as she handed him the check.
The caterer turned and went to oversee the last of the carts being loaded into the box truck, and Esmee turned and continued through the parking lot. Mychl was leaning against the gray M37 with his collar undone and his tuxedo jacket draped over his arm. Esmee giggled at the sight, and thought that this scene would be a great advertisement for Infiniti. Mychl smiled as she approached and extended his arm. Esmee slipped her hand around his elbow, and he escorted her around the back of the car. He opened the passenger side door and took Esmee's hand, allowing her to ease into the seat. Mychl closed the door and walked around to take his place in the driver's seat. He pushed the ignition button; the console came to life along with the engine. Mychl began driving into the night.
"I don't know why you insist on personally handing out the checks. I am sure Samantha is capable of making sure all the vendors get paid. She has been your assistant for over a year now." Mychl said.
Esmee let her hand rest on Mychl's knee as she responded,"Oh, Sam is fully capable. I just like to thank everyone personally. They do so well at all my benefits."
'Well, I had many very positive conversations tonight. I am expecting more than one D.O.U.S.'s in the final numbers," Mychl quipped.
Esmee smiled at their little inside joke and responded, "Donations of Unusual Size? I am not even sure those exist in this economy. You know everyone talks big when they have had their fill of food, drink, and dancing."
They continued down the road in silence. The radio was not even turned on. Esmee appreciated the contradiction the quiet provided to all the introductions, conversations, and white noise from earlier. She was gazing out her window watching the street lights flicker by when she realized ... they missed their exit. Esmee looked inquisitively over at Mychl and suddenly she understood. Mychl did not return her gaze, but rather kept his eyes on the road ahead. He did have a certain expression on his face. This expression was not a common mannerism of Mychl's, but it was familiar to Esmee. Mychl had a plan.
The weariness of the day was replaced by an excitement inside of Esmee. She remembered fondly the stormy night when her silence was demanded. What would this night hold for them? The answer was hiding. It wasn't to be found in the spread of light from the cars headlamps just yet. No..... They were in pursuit of it. The question was simply what were they chasing?
No more than ten minutes later they arrived at their destination. It looked to be some sort of industrial complex. As was expected for this time of night, it was empty and desolate. The warehouse that Mychl had parked in front of was clean and new, and still it seemed abandoned as it had no markings or signage. Without a single word, Mychl turned the car off, exited, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door for Esmee. Taking her hand they walked to the only door of the warehouse and stopped. From behind his back, Mychl produced a skinny black stick. On the end of the stick was a black masquerade mask. The mask had shiny black embroidery and black pearls all over it. It looked as if it had been made to match Esmee's evening dress. What was peculiar about the mask was that it had no openings for the eyes. It was some kind of intricate blindfold. Mychl offered the mask to Esmee. Her curiosity was building as she took the stick in her hand, and lifted the mask over her eyes. She heard the door open and he guided her inside.