🎃Bonus Chapter-Halloween

“You know I think the whole idea of Halloween is ridiculous right. Knocking on people's doors demanding sweets and in weird creepy masks too. NO thanks”

“It’s not about you though is it, Gen, it’s about O and she wanted to be princess spiderman and go trick or treating. Your just bitter because you don’t like scary things”.

“You know she has you wrapped around her finger right”.

It's been that way since the day she was born. For the last 3 years, he has given in to her every demand and now princess spider man is beyond accompanied by queen Elsa and mummy to go trick or treating.

“She does now, I could say no to her anytime I want”.

“Okay sure you can Elsa don’t forget to put your hair on”.

Winking at him I head to the front door to help O put on her shoes. The neighbourhood that we have moved to is amazing, it's got great schools and is walking distance to pretty much everything. The best part is it's only a twenty-minute drive to Greyson’s work.

A few moments later the three of them descended onto the street. All the kids were in amazing costumes and the houses were lit up. Even our own, I was sceptical at first Halloween in England is not celebrated like it is here, but O has been obsessed with it this year. Seeing the smile on her little face has all been worth it.

“I’m going to walk her up to the first house”.

Greyson kisses me lightly on the head and walks up the path to the front door Ophelia's hand firmly in his own.

Staring around I am in awe; people really go out and it's both confusing and sweet. A few parents walk past, and I smile and nod, although we live here Grey and I are so busy that it’s rare we get to take part in any kind of event.

Greyson always makes sure to send a gift of flowers to any event we have to miss. He said the *homeowners association is one we want to keep on the side* the fact that there even is a homeowner’s association is odd, back home if you own your home you own it.

Scanning my eyes across the street they stop on a tall figure; he has a mask on so I cannot see his face but something about him is making me uneasy. Trying not to focus on him I turn to see O running down the path with her sweets in her hand.

“Ophelia sweetie you need to put those in the bag, or it’ll melt”.

She does so instantly her smile is beaming as she watches the other kids walk past once more. Greyson follows behind her.

“Well, that was interesting “

He has a smirk on his face.

“Well lovely Mrs Kiln from the nursery just tried showing me her other Halloween outfit the one for her husband later on “

He bursts out laughing, his long white-blond wig slipping from his head. We carry on walking down the street O even plucks up the courage to knock on a few doors herself as long as queen Elsa is close behind.

I make sure to snap some pictures at every opportunity, I'll remind both of them of this in the future.

“O come and sit on daddy's knee and we’ll have a picture in front of the scary pumpkins”.

She runs up to him, her little feet carrying her as fast as they can before jumping into Greyson’s arms. Moments like this, the ones of complete and utter bliss are what we live for.

As we walk along, I see the same guy from before standing on the edge of the road wearing a mask looking my way but there are no children around him this time. Greyson and O are walking slightly ahead so I quicken my pace to catch up.

“Grey, did you see that?”

“See what?” He wrinkles his head with a little concern.

“The man on the corner staring at us, I saw him earlier too “I point in the direction only to see he is no longer there.

“It was probably just some guy waiting for his kids looking creepy, don’t worry about it “

I do as he says trying to ignore it, but I can’t help but get the feeling I’m being watched. At this point, I’m my own worst enemy.

As the sun began to go down, we went back to the house, making sure to stop off and pick up some hot chocolate from one of the families raising money for charity tonight.

While Greyson gets out his wallet I look around. The guy from before is there again, standing just staring at me.

I tug in his shirt to try and get him to turn around keeping my eyes fixed on the guy.

“Greyson that guys back”

“One second Gen”

The man across the road raises his hand to point at me, I panic and look away from him.

“Greyson, I think we need to go he is back, look”.

We both turn once more but he is no longer there.

“Gen are you, okay you’re being very jumpy”.

Am I okay, of course, bloody now there’s some weird guy in a mask staring at me and it seems as though I’m the only one that can see him as he stands and points menacingly at me on the creepiest day of the year?

“Yeah, fine I thought I saw him again but maybe I’m just tired”.

“You do look tired maybe we should go home, O has had enough anyway and ill bath her tonight and get her ready you can have a cup of tea”.

I nod in agreement feeling uneasy as we walk to the house, but Greyson is probably right. I am tired. It has been a rough few month. Getting my dad’s company back from my brother and becoming the new face of Hudson hotels has really drawn it out of me. Three years is a long time to battle but now it’s over maybe I just need to sleep.

Once we are in the house Greyson takes Ophelia upstairs and starts to get her ready for bed. I can hear them talking about all her sweets.

She even offers to share them with Grey which completely makes my heart melt, I don’t know what I did to deserve such a wonderful little girl.

After a while, I hear the familiar sound of water draining so I head to the kitchen, putting on the kettle I stare into the garden while I wait.

Then I see the mask peeking through one of the bushes, I feel dread and fear sinks into my stomach. I’m not going mad.

I try to suppress my thoughts, but I can’t help but wonder if it is finally Max coming to take back revenge, we haven’t seen him since that night, and this is something he would do.

Panicking I think about all the things he is capable of.

The figure begins to move out of the bushes and head towards the house, my heart is thumping in my chest. I look between him and the door unsure if I locked it but knowing I need to check.

As I run for it so does, he, I reach it first twisting the lock as he stands menacingly on the other side.

“GREYSON”

He doesn’t respond.

“GREYSON, I NEED YOU TO COME DOWN HERE NOW!”

Silence once more.

I back away keeping my eyes on the figure at the door, he places his hand on the handle and begins to tug and I am in full panic mode.

Backing up slowly inching closer and closer to the stairs he shakes it even more violently.

“BOOO!”

A loud voice comes from behind me and my back hits something hard. My only instinct is to turn around and punch whoever it is in the face.

“Ow, what the fuck Gen!”

Greyson is bent over holding his eye through a mask. Then I hear the sounds of laughter coming from the back door.

When I look up, I see Greyson’s Friend Charlie standing there, the mask on the top of his head, tears streaming down his face as he laughs at Greyson and me.

Then it all clicks.

“Are you fucking kidding me? This was a joke?”

I head to the back door and let him in, Greyson following behind me still clutching his eye but laughing too.

“Greyson paid me 50 dollars to follow you around and freak you out”.

“And you said yes ?!” I slap him on the arm before turning to Grey.

“And you! are you serious!! I thought it was your brother, I thought I was going to die!”

I slap him on the arm too.

“ Consider it payback for the last Christmas when you put coal in every single present box of mine because I said I wasn’t fond of Christmas”.

My mouth opens in shock.

“You did all of this because I said I wasn’t keen on Halloween ?!”

“Yes. so now we are even”.

Grey asks Charlie for a beer and the two of them head into the kitchen chatting between themselves leaving me standing in a state of shock.

If he thinks this is over because he got me back, he has another thing coming. Two can play at this game just wait till easter!

I smile to myself before heading into the kitchen to join them.