Shades of Deception

He told her he had just met the woman of his dreams; she was interested in buying a business, and he wanted to know what the future had in store for the two of them.

Grace recommended the special reading, which cost thirty-five dollars.

He agreed and handed her the money.

The psychic foresaw his fate and predicted, "You are making the right decision when it comes to your love life; you will provide financial assistance to your mate whose first name begins with the letter M; the salon, which she plans to buy, will be successful beyond your wildest dreams. After you sell your house, you will move somewhere in the southwest, tie the knot and have beautiful children."

He was completely stunned and asked himself, How could this woman have known all of this? She was right on the mark about the spa, the possible move to New Mexico, and an imminent marriage. He thanked Grace and left feeling more electrified and knew what he had to do next.

In a few days, Mark was expecting Misty to arrive in New York and was planning to meet her at the airport. He was upstairs, tidying up and putting the final touches in the guest room; suddenly, the doorbell rang.

When he went downstairs to open the door, it was Misty. To say he was in a state of shock was no lie. They hugged and kissed each other as though they were lovers who had not seen each other for years.

"Why didn't you call me from the airport?" he asked.

She answered, "I wanted to surprise you," and a bolt out of the blue it was.

Nevertheless, both were thrilled to meet.

He asked her how her flight went.

"It was a smooth and pleasant ride."

They talked a little bit. He then showed Misty to her room; she would unpack and freshen up before joining him downstairs.

Misty loved her room; it had its own bathroom, which was an additional benefit. The house was elaborate; she figured it could sell for at least four hundred thousand dollars.

Mark is as handsome in person as he is in his photo, she motioned to herself.

From all of his e-mails, on-line chats, and phone conversations, she read him like a paperback and recognized that he would swim through shark-infested waters to have her in his life.

She observed the desperation in his face, studied his body language and knew he would be an easy mark, No pun intended, she said with a giggle and was now ready to put her malevolent plot into full drive.

While Misty was in her room, Mark was preparing dinner. He could not remember being in such high spirits.