After Dan heard about Jefferson and Nolwazi’s plan, his intention was to show them both what he thought of their little games. He knew he should have listened to his brother about the woman all along, and about the foolishness of heeding to the requests of a supposed ghost. So, he went straight to a bar with every intention of flirting up a storm.

But, when Dan got to the bar, he found the women there unappealing. He was in a bad mood, and he still wanted to know what Nolwazi had been thinking. So, instead of flirting, he got himself a bottle of wine and drank it until it was empty. Then, when the hour became late, he went home. When he got home, Simon commented on his staying out late. Dan then grunted in response. He was unwilling to explain himself, so he head up to his room. But, when he opened the door to his room, he found the window open and a man waiting for him there, sitting on his bed. It was a man in a black suit and an iron mask, and as soon as Dan saw him, he paused at the doorway.

“The ghost of Aquamarine is dangerous,” Dan heard a voice whisper in one ear. “Jefferson,” another voice whispered to him, “is an utter bastard and ought to be punched in the face.”

Feeling resolved about what to do, Dan walked into the room, closed the door behind him, and walked over to the bed with his fists raised. While he was walking, the mask on the man’s face made him doubt where he even ought to punch him. He would probably end up hurting his hand if he did, and as he hesitated, Jefferson spoke.

“I’m very disappointed in you, Danny,” Jefferson said.

Dan lowered his fist and clenched both hands at his sides. “The devil?” he asked.

“Really. The way you treated Nolwazi today was abominable,” Jefferson responded.

“The way she’s treated me is …” Dan said, but Jefferson interrupted him before he could finish.

“Defensible. What was she supposed to expect from a handsome young concierge of a five star hotel? She had to protect her virtue, you know. And if she was a little possessive …” Jefferson said, then he shrugged. He then smiled, showing teeth that looked yellow when juxtaposed with his metallic mask. “What can I say? She is my student, after all.”

“This farce is over with,” Dan said.

“What farce?” Jefferson asked.

“Your idiotic instructions,” Dan responded. “I followed them to make Nolwazi happy. But we are done now, and I will love whomever I want. I’m gone from her life now. I will probably never go to her office again if I can help it. That, I think, should satisfy you.”

“Really, Danny?” Jefferson asked, tilting his head. “I think you’re overreacting. Give it a day, you’ll change your mind, and you’ll follow my instructions as writ.”

“No,” Dan responded.

Before saying anything further, Jefferson stood up. And without a hint of aggression on his face, he reached over to grab Dan’s shoulder with one hand, and with the other he took hold of Dan’s throat. He did it all gently, really. Except when Dan reached up to push his hands away, because that was when Jefferson’s grip tightened. Dan could not get him off. He could still breathe, but he could not speak.

“Calm down,” Jefferson said.

Instead of saying anything, Dan just stared at Jefferson, choking, because he was the one who was supposed to be calming down.

“You don’t want to start something with me,” Jefferson said, chuckling. “Well, more than you already have.” He let go of Dan’s shoulder and squeezed his throat slightly harder. With the other hand he stroked Dan’s balding head. “I think our relationship is now something good. You enjoy my gala evenings, and I enjoy your presence there. If you can remain obedient, I hope we can stay friends.”

Dan gripped Jefferson’s wrist, and with a sigh, the ghost let go of his throat, causing Dan to stumble backwards.

“You shall apologise to Nolwazi tomorrow,” Jefferson said, then he walked to the window and paused. “You didn’t like my taking your shirts, I believe. If your possessions mean so much to you, don’t give any more scarves to Isabella Sokhulu. She reads too much into it. You belong to Nolwazi and to me.”

With that, Jefferson climbed out the window, closing it behind him.

***

Tell us: What do you think Dan should do next?