Page 136 of Don't Make Me Beg
We step inside as fog plumes around our feet, and it takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. A soft piano melody plays overhead, and I glance around to find the space completely transformed.
All the family photos that usually adorn the foyer have been replaced with gaudy gold-framed black and white portraits that look to be hundreds of years old. Long white pillar candles seemto be floating from the ceiling, and cobwebs span over the light fixtures, making the house look like it’s been abandoned.
“Is that the guests of honor?” Mrs. Kingsley shrieks before running over to us. She’s, of course, dressed as Morticia, with long black hair that hangs down her back and her fitted black dress that hugs her hips and flares at the bottom.
“Why, yes, Cara Mia, it is,” Mr. Kingsley says before placing a kiss on the back of his wife’s hand. The look he gives her is nothing short of intense, and it’s easy to see where Luka gets his charm. These boys don’t know how lucky they were to grow up with a father so obviously obsessed with their mother.
I feel my cheeks heat just watching them. With the obsession these two have for each other, I can’t think of a better couple’s costume.
“This is incredible, Mrs. Kingsley,” I say, gesturing to the realistic decorations around the room.
She gives me a slight smile, then waves me off, and now I really know she’s in character. “Oh, honey, I’ve been dying to throw a Halloween party for years. I’m just glad you two finally gave me a good reason to go all out,” she says in her best Morticia impersonation.
A server dressed as Cousin It walks past carrying a tray of drinks, and Mr. Kingsley snags two champagne flutes, handing us each a drink. “Enjoy the party. And remember what I said about talking to the ghosts.” He winks, then they both disappear behind a cloud of fog.
“Damn. I knew they’d go all out, but…what just happened?” I look to Luka, who, rather than answering me, just links an arm in mine.
“Come on. We should probably make our rounds.”
He leads me inside the dark living room that's been completely transformed into a mix between a haunted banquet room and an abandoned mansion.
Round tables draped in black tablecloths and adorned with black pillar candles line the perimeter of the room, with the middle space preserved as a dance floor.
There’s a live band set up on a stage on the far wall playing Halloween classics as an unlikely grouping of characters dances in the center.
I do a double-take when my eyes catch on a tall man dressed as Shrek as he twirls someone in a brown furry horse-like costume. “Is that… Leo dressed as Shrek?”
Luka bursts out laughing as he spots them. “Yep. My brother Shrek and his ride or die sidekick, Donkey.” He shakes his head. “That’s hilarious as fuck and actually quite fitting.”
He gives them a wave, and as soon as they see us, they make their way over.
“Oh my God, I can’t believe I’m finally meeting you!” Ivy squeals, pulling me into her furry arms as soon as she sees me.
When we break apart, I look between them and back at Luka. And the genuine smile on his face has my heart bursting. He places a hand on the small of my back in that calming, present way of his, like he’s trying to nip my anxiety in the bud before I overthink too much.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you, too,” I say, leaning a little closer to Luka.
“I can’t believe you made it,” Luka says after breaking his hug from Leo. “I know you’re already planning on coming in for Thanksgiving, so I wouldn’t have blamed you if you didn’t want to make an extra trip.”
“Are you kidding?” Leo pats Luka on the shoulder as Ivy snuggles into his side. “How could we miss your wedding reception?” He looks down at Ivy, who’s somehow managed to look hot as hell in her Donkey costume, and they share a heated look before he finally says, “We’re actually going to surprise mom and dad tomorrow and let them know we’restaying through Christmas.” He nudges Ivy, who’s beaming with excitement. “Ivy’s program is allowing her to take a little vacation time while she studies for a few certifications. And I’m the boss, so I can do what I want.”
Ivy spins to face me and grabs my hands, letting out an excited shriek. “Which means, we’re going to be best friends! I can’t wait to have sleepovers, and you can teach me how to paint…” Her eyes go wide, and she looks at Leo over her shoulder. “Maybe we can even go camping together like we did last summer!” She whips her head back to me, and her voice turns serious. “Do you like drinking games? I bet you’ll be amazing at telling ghost stories?—”
Leo’s hand covers her mouth as he pulls her away. “Okay, why don’t we give the Frankenstiens a little time to make their rounds before we start filling up their calendars?” he says with a chuckle, then he pulls his hand away with a sigh as he wipes his palm on his pants. “Such a fucking brat.”
Ivy licks her lips, staring back at him with a smirk on her face. “What? What’d I do?” She asks, her voice feigning innocence.
Leo just shakes his head, muffling something under his breath as he pulls her away.
“Okay, I think I love her,” I say as we watch them make their way over to Jett, who’s decked out in all black, wearing a Scream mask as he stands over the food table, ordering servers to refill drinks and plates of food.
“I knew you would. Ivy’s a good time and she’s as genuine as they come,” Luka agrees, as we watch their exchange. Leo goes in for a hug, which Jett tries to deflect, but then Ivy hits him with an unexpected hug around his midsection, and he seems to let his guard down.
There’s a tap on my shoulder, and I turn around, expecting to come face to face with another unlikely monster or character, but instead, I’m met with my mother’s stern expression.
She stands there awkwardly in a soft grey pencil skirt, modest heels, and a silk blouse, her perfect posture somehow more rigid than I remember, making her look more like a mannequin than a human. She looks over the small, half-moon golden glasses set on her nose. “Sorry, it took me longer than expected to identify you amidst the gregarious cast of characters.” She blows out an annoyed huff and looks around. “Not to mention this dim lighting. I don’t know how anyone’s managed to see where they’re going in here.” She waves a plume of fog from in front of her face dramatically. “I can’t imagine going through so much…effort…for one’s home to appear abandoned…” She plasters on a fake smile and shrugs. “But I guess I’m no fun?—”
“What are you doing here, Mama?” I cut off her pitiful attempt at a backhanded compliment.
