"Gary, I'm so glad it's you. I've been meaning to call. Honestly! But I just got back into town and now the magazine's on the market……..it's going to be one busy day around here."

"I know that Amanda. That's not why I called."

"I can't do lunch today Gary. I won't have time!"

" I know that. I just want to ask you something. Can you spare me just five minutes please?"

"Of course I can. You've always listened to me. What's up?" Amanda took the phone and walked around her desk to position herself so she could see outside her office window.

"It's Cameron. I can't figure him out."

"Why? Has something happened?" Gary's question startled her.

"I don't know. He won't say much to me. I thought maybe you knew something."

"Why me? Cameron doesn't talk to me. I haven't seen him!"

"For goodness sake, Amanda, I know that. But he hasn't been the same since the night of the blackout. And you were the last one to spend any time with him like that. He's not talking to me. Janeen only sees him at the agency. She's asked me what's going on and I can't give her an answer. Do you know anything?"

Amanda almost dropped the phone. She quickly regained her composure and tried to assure Gary that Cameron will be fine.

"Gary, listen to me. It could be work. It could be his relationship with Janeen, I don't know. You know how temperamental models can get. I've told you that myself. I've worked with enough of them over the years. He'll be fine." Amanda was proud of herself. It did sound logical, although……it wasn't the truth.

"Yeah, you could be right, I suppose…."

Amanda was having a hard time hearing what Gary was saying. There was some sort of commotion outside her office. She told Gary to hold on a minute and she'd get right back to him. She hit the 'hold' button on her phone and went to see if Paige needed her help.

Opening the door, Amanda paused. She could hear a man's voice.

"I don't care if she's in a meeting, on the phone, or serving tea to the president. I want to see Amanda and I want to see her NOW!!"

Amanda knew that voice. It was Cameron.

She opened the door all the way. Cameron looked right through her.

"Amanda. I need to see you."

"That's obvious. Paige, please see that I am not disturbed. Come in Mr. Sinclair."

Cameron followed her through the door. She closed it tight. She couldn't turn around. She knew why he was there.

"Why did you run away, Amanda?"

"I didn't run away. Whatever gave you an idea like that?"

"I tried to find you. I even asked Carson if she knew where you were."

"You didn't tell her anything, did you?"

"Of course I didn't. I wanted to see you first." Cameron moved closer to Amanda and tried to take her hand but she pulled away and went to sit behind her desk.

"Why did you leave? You wouldn't even talk to me after the blackout…. When you and I…..when we kissed."

"That's because I knew we made a mistake and I didn't want you to feel any worse than I did."

"That's just it, Amanda. I don't think it was a mistake. We both felt something that night. It scared you. It scared me a little bit too. But I've had time to think about it."

"Oh really? I can't wait to hear what you've come up with."

" Don't be sarcastic with me. I don't deserve that. You know exactly what I'm going to say." Cameron moved slowly to a spot beside Amanda and gazed out the window.

"So you can read minds now too?"

"Yours I can. You've felt this thing between us probably as long as I have. Ever since you were late to our first meeting that day and I told you to call me Mister Sinclair. I'll never forget the look in your eyes when I said that. I must have turned around a dozen times while the cab drove away, just to see that look. THAT look! The one you're giving me right now."

"I'm not giving you any LOOK!" Amanda crossed her arms and sighed.

"Yes you are. Your eyes flare and your bottom lip curls up. It's one of the things I like best about you."

"Cameron……" Amanda tried to tell him to stop….that this isn't working….but he wouldn't hear it.

"Amanda…..look….I think we have to give this a shot…..see where it goes, where we go from here. If it works out, fine. If not…..well…..then you may have lost out on the best thing ever to come into your life!"

"You're certainly full of yourself, aren't you?"

"No…just more sure…more confident. Working for Carson and for this issue of Brava taught me that. You can't get far in life if you're unwilling to try new things, frightening things sometimes…..they may be bad for you. Then again, they may be turn into something far better than you've ever imagined. Aren't you even the least bit curious about us?"

Amanda shook her head no.

"I don't believe you." He grabbed Amanda's arms, pulling her out of her chair and turning her around so she was facing him.

"Look at me!" Cameron said.

Amanda couldn't.

"LOOK at me. You're telling me you're not the least bit curious, not at all?"

Finally, Amanda answered."I can't afford to be." She freed her arms from the hold Cameron had on them and walked away.

"Cameron, you never get anywhere mixing business and after hour activities. Trust me. I've been there AND done that many times. Too may people get hurt and I will not be one of them!"

" So you can see that now in your crystal ball? You can foretell the future?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying."

Cameron's temper started to get the better of him. "Then what ARE you saying? That I'm not good enough for you?"

" Cameron I don't have time for this…not today…."

"When, then? Tomorrow, the next day? When?"

"At the Masquerade Ball. We'll find some time and talk then. I promise. Now I have to get back to work." She attempted to get his mind onto something else. "The magazine came out today. Did you see it?'

"Yes I did…… This isn't over Amanda…… Not yet……. The Masquerade Ball it is."

Cameron paused before leaving her office. He stopped and just stared at Amanda for a moment.

"Was there something else?" Amanda wondered.

"You're even more beautiful when something unexpected happens to you……like me…..like this…….…..I will see you at the Ball. How will I know where to find you?"

"Don't worry. I'll find you."

Cameron left her office……and left Amanda speechless. She walked behind her desk and was going to sit down to tackle some of the work that was piled there. That is….until she gasped in horror. The button on her phone…the one she thought she pressed to put Gary on hold……was not the one that was lit up…..….instead, it was the speaker button. She had just broadcast her entire conversation with Cameron to his brother.

"Gary, are you still there?" All she heard was a dial tone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cameron spent the next few hours walking. He had no destination in mind; all he knew was that he had to keep moving. If he stopped, he'd start thinking again, and right now, that was one thing he didn't want to do. After walking around Central Park two or three times, he headed back to his place. Gary was waiting.

"Hey Gar……what's up?? Shouldn't you be tied up in some sort of meeting or something?"

This time it was Gary's turn to be silent. He said nothing.

"What got you out of your mid-morning executive shindig? Must be something pretty important!"

"As a matter of fact, it is. You."

"Ahh……..the mime speaks!"

"You……and Amanda."

"Gary….there is no me and Amanda. I don't know where you get…."

"I heard you!"

"What?"

"I heard you and Amanda in her office earlier."

"You were there?" Cameron was more than surprised.

"No. I was on the phone with her when you got there……she must have thought she hit the pause or hold button….instead I had a ring side seat for your entire conversation!!"

"Gary….let me explain….please."

"I'm listening. I'm not going anywhere!"

Cameron and Gary sat down on the steps outside Central Park West and talked. Cameron told him that he had been attracted to Amanda from the beginning, despite her attitude problem. He and Amanda had worked through 'that' and were on their way to becoming 'friends', when his dinner party happened.

"Gary…..the blackout really scared her. I've never seen a woman like that before?"

"Scared?"

"Of course not! Needy…..you know what I mean. At first I thought the darkness was scaring her……then she slipped and hit her head."

"Is she all right?"

"She looked great today!" Gary grimaced at that comment; still Cameron continued.

"Gary….I know you care about Amanda. You have more of a history there than I do…….I ….I….just think I could be good for her….we could be good for each other!"

"Yeah….you….."

"You said yourself that the two of you are just friends. Nothing more."

"That doesn't mean I don't want something else with her….now….there's probably no chance of that. After what you did."

"Gary..come on….just hear me out! "

"I think I've done enough of that today. Go ahead, Cam….give it your best shot. I don't think you can handle someone elusive like Amanda. But go ahead…try…."

"She won't talk to me!" Cameron answered, lowering his chin; "not until the Masquerade Ball."

Gary didn't want to listen anymore. It was too much! Cameron tried to stop him, but Gary put up his hand, signaling, "NO!" He got in his car and drove off, leaving a frustrated Cameron standing alone in the middle of the street.

Cameron stood there, silent for some time, until a neighbor of his came by and beeped his horn, stirring Cameron back into consciousness.

"We will talk at the Ball, Amanda. I guarantee that! And don't you worry about finding me……I will find YOU!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amanda was glad her mother was coming a few days ahead of time. Matt too. She needed their help in finalizing plans for the Ball. She also wanted some quiet time with her mother to discuss what happened with Cameron.

She looked over the items on her desk and wanted to finish up a few proposals before leaving for the airport. That's when she heard an excited Paige outside her office. Amanda had to get up and see what was up.

"Paige, I know you want to leave early too…but that's no reason to…"

"Miss Cory, look at these. Aren't they just gorgeous?"

Kosterman Florists had just dropped off a springtime bouquet for Paige. The colorful flowers made Amanda's secretary giddy; it had been quite some time since she received a gift like this.

"So, tell me….who are they from?? And what did you have to do to get them?"

"Miss Cory…..I haven't done one thing and you know it."

"I'm just teasing you Paige. Now, who are they from?"

"I don't know. I haven't looked yet."

"Well???"

"OK…OK…" Page took the card and read it. She couldn't believe it.

"Miss Cory?"

"Yes?"

"They're from Mr. Sinclair."

"Gary?"

"No! Here…read it yourself!"

Amanda took the card and read it. They were from Cameron. The note read: "Paige, I apologize for being a jerk the other day. You didn't deserve that. Sorry." It was signed Cameron Sinclair.

She handed the card back to Paige, went into her office and closed the door. Somehow, the work on her desk didn't matter right now.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amanda was grateful that the Cory jet arrived early. Airports were one of her least favorite places. Matthew greeted her with a hug and a kiss. Amanda did the same to Rachel, only she clung just a little bit longer than usual.

"Are you alright darling?"

"I'm fine mom. How was your flight?"

"Quite pleasurable, thank you."

"Amanda," Matt wondered," who is this Cameron mom's been telling me about?"

"MOTHER!!" Amanda seemed a bit angry that her mother had shared some of her private matters with Matthew.

"I don't care to discuss it, Matthew!"

"Amanda's got a boyfriend…Amanda's got a boyfriend." Matt couldn't help but laugh….it reminded him of their earlier years when growing up. The times they did get to spend together were spent fighting just like brothers and sisters do.

"Mother…….Matt's teasing me again."

"My children….life with you never changes, does it?" Rachel put her arms around both of them and drew them in close. "I miss this!"

Rachel leaned in closer to Amanda and whispered something in her ear.

"Ok…Ok..I get the hint! Once we get to Amanda's, I'll make myself scarce. Will that do?" Matthew asked his sister.

"That will do quite nicely. Thank you!"

The ride back to the city was filled with news from Bay City. The paper had boasted of Amanda's success at Brava. Matthew was now on the board of directors at the hospital. Rachel filled her hours with charity work and time at Cory Publishing.

Once they arrived at Amanda's, it didn't take long for Matthew to feel comfortable. He changed his clothes and headed out like he promised. That left Amanda and Rachel alone.

"Honey, there are some family business matters I'd like to discuss while we're here. But first things first. Have you spoken to Cameron yet?"

"Not exactly."

"And that means?"

"He showed up at Brava the other day and wanted to talk…….I had to put him off until the Masquerade Ball. What am I going to say to him?"

"Have you thought about what happened between you two?"

"Yes, it's difficult to think of anything else."

"Darling….come sit by me." Amanda and Rachel sat down. "It's obvious that this interlude you had with Cameron affected you deeply. You need to be fair to the both of you. I think that's all that Cameron wants and he deserves honesty. So do you."

"I know that mother. But what do I say to him?"

"You'll have to figure that out on your own. Whenever I have something on my mind that I am finding difficult to solve, I go on a nice long walk on the grounds to clear my head, and I talk to your father. He usually guides me in the right direction."

"You think daddy would listen to me?"

"You were your fathers' daughter. I'm sure you'll find the answers you need."

"Thank mom."

"You're welcome, my dear. Now how about I freshen up and you show me the miracles you've worked with Brava!"

Amanda smiled. She took her mother's bags into the bedroom and at last, was thinking of something other than Cameron.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rachel was quite pleased at the results of her daughter's efforts at Brava. Sales were up more than 35% since the February issue. Most pleasing to her, and the rest of the board of course, were the sales from the street stands, from grocery stores……..they were up even higher. This idea Amanda had for the cover of Brava and the inside story….it was a success!

"My dear," Rachel began as she took the February issue and went to sit behind her daughter's desk, "this story and those models are fabulous. You really grabbed the reader's attention by featuring Mr. Sinclair as Zorro! I particularly love how your writer began the article."

Rachel continued…."Out of the night, when the full moon is bright, comes a horseman known as Zorro! This bold renegade carves a 'Z' with his blade…..a 'Z' that stands for Zorro." She put the magazine down. "This story is going to stir up many of the women in this community, if I'm not mistaken."

"Mother!" Amanda turned to look at her. "That's NOT what I'm trying to sell here!"

"Amanda, darling….Zorro, a man of mystery………. His sensuality IS what's selling this magazine. Now, when do I get to meet the other creative genius behind this success……Carson, isn't that what you said her name was?"

"She's doing some on location shots today with her models. I'm sorry but I wasn't able to arrange anything prior to the ball. You aren't disappointed are you?"

"Certainly not. However, I would like something to eat. I am famished. Plane rides tend to tire me out. May I use your phone to call Matthew? Perhaps he can join us."

"Please do."

Being that Rachel was on the phone, Amanda took the time to gather more paperwork together to do at home. The events of the last weeks have certainly put a crimp in working at the office and now, with her family in town, nothing much would get done here. So, she planned on being able to address some of the stockholder's concerns and finish up the plans for the next location shot while Matthew and Rachel were exploring what NY had to offer.

"Amanda?"

"Yes mother?"

"Matthew said he's free for the moment. Oh, I do love your brother's choice of words……… He's asking me where he should meet us."

"Let me talk to him…." Amanda took the phone and tried to explain to Matt how to get to the small café off of 10^th Street that she knew her mother would adore. Rachel picked up the article, carefully looking at the cover and inside pictures, then back at her daughter.

"Mr. Sinclair, you have certainly found a way to stir up something in my lovely daughter. I cannot wait to meet you. This ball should prove to be very interesting!"

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The morning of the Masquerade Ball arrived and the city woke up to a beautiful sunrise.

Amanda and Carson were up quite early, still trying to finalize their plans for the evening, how to introduce the models, the food preparation….just about everything. Just when they thought they had the last detailed worked out, one of them would bring something else up. Two hours later……the little things were done.

The place was the New York Hilton's Grand Ballroom. Cocktails would begin at 6:30pm. Dinner at 7:30. Presentations at 9:00pm. Dancing soon afterwards.

Rachel and Matthew kept themselves occupied for much of the day while Amanda finished the work she brought home. She did find time to help her mother and brother find costumes for the ball. When Rachel saw what Amanda would be wearing, she remarked how exquisite she would look. The black beaded gown was like no other!

"You'll catch the eye of every available man there, my dear…. including…."

"Mother…please. I know what you're trying to do. I can handle this."

"I'm sure you can. I just want the best for my children. You know that!"

"Of course I do. We both do." Amanda hugged Rachel for being her mother and for understanding her better than anyone else……at least since her father passed away.

"Ladies…..let's get this show on the road. We don't want to be late!" Matthew was trying to nudge things along. Things had been very quiet in the romance department lately and he was definitely looking for something to happen soon. Maybe this would be the night for both Cory children. But there would be only one way to find out.

"Amanda………either you put on your dress or I do. One of us will look rather ridiculous don't you think? After all, I have absolutely NO shoes or handbag to go with this!"

"Brothers!"

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ballroom was ablaze with colors. From fuchsias to purple to golden tones to forest greens…the tables were set perfectly. Name plates in place. Enlargements of the February cover were prominently displayed. Complimentary issues being handed out by a hostess when guests walked in. Those were the ideas Amanda and Carson came up with and when they both arrived at the same time, they agreed.

"Perfect!" they said in unison.

"Mother, this is Carson St. Jeune. She's the CEO of the modeling agency that Brava used for this shoot. Carson, may I introduce my mother, Rachel Cory Hutchins."

Matthew stood by, noticing the lack of attention he was getting, brought his hand up to his mouth and 'coughed'.

"I'm so sorry. Carson, this is my brother, Matthew Cory….Matthew, this is Carson."

"So this is the other half of the miracle worker, the one who brought Brava back into the forefront. It is certainly a pleasure to meet you Carson." Rachel extended her hand to Carson."And please don't mind my son. He's not used to the big city and bright lights."

"Ladies…ladies….I can speak for myself." Matthew took Carson's hand in his, brought it up to his mouth and gently kissed it. "Looking sheepishly at her, Matt said, "I do hope you'll save a dance or two for me."

"You can count on that!" Carson answered, somewhat embarrassed at the attention she was getting from Matthew, but genuinely touched all the same. She tugged on Amanda's arm and pulled her towards the front of the room.

"That brother of yours is something! My my……..he puts some of the models to shame….all except for Cam…."

Amanda raised her fingers to Carson's lips, beckoning her not to finish what she had started. Carson decided to drop the issue…. for now…….

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Guests were arriving and Amanda and Carson were getting all the raves. Everyone was pleased at not only the decor but also the reason they were all there. This issue of Brava had certainly stirred up some excitement. Rachel renewed some business acquaintances and got to meet most of the models from the shoot.

Amanda noticed Cameron wasn't there yet, but she was doing her best to stay hidden. She didn't want any type of confrontation that night….or any other night for that matter. Things were over before they began as far as she was concerned.

She went into the bathroom to freshen up and caught up with Carson.

"My god, Amanda. I haven't seen so many smiling faces on the Brava board in a long time. I think you're a big hit. And that dress you're wearing? Fabulous!"

" Thank you. If it weren't for the confidence you and my mother had in me, I might not be here."

"Don't forget the models!"

"How could I? They brought the story and cover together."

"Even Cameron?"

"Yes. Even Mr. Sinclair."

"Thank goodness you at least said his name. I was wondering what you were going to do when you had to read your list of acknowledgements and had to say it. I thought you may mumble it or faint at some point so you wouldn't have to. What's going on with you two anyway?"

Ignoring some of what Carson asked, Amanda answered, "Come on Carson. I am a professional here. I don't let anything get in the way of business. Not anything!"

"That I know, my friend. Now…where IS that handsome brother of yours?"…..Carson left, leaving Amanda to put on the finishing touches of her blush and then it was back into the party for her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amanda almost ran right into Cameron as she left the ladies room.

"Good evening Mr. Sinclair."

"Hello Amanda. You look quite stunning this evening."

"Thank you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back."

"Not so fast." Cameron grabbed her arms slightly and then, let go when he saw the startled look on Amanda's face. "Remember your promise to me. I need to talk to you."

"I remember…..please excuse me, but I have to get back to my mother and the others."

Amanda walked away, and Cameron knew he'd have to make it his business to find her later. She was not going to make this easy.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Applause greeted Amanda and Carson as they made the presentations later that evening. Carson paid the catering staff compliment after compliment on the tasty and delicious food they had served.

Carson began….."I would like to introduce a woman whose name you'll surely hear more from in the months and years ahead. Single handedly, she took a struggling magazine and with just one issue, made it the hottest seller we know today. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Amanda Cory."

The crowd stood. For a moment, Amanda was overwhelmed by their generosity. She, too, thanked everyone involved in putting together this well planned event. She also made sure to thank Carson for her assistance.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as much as I would like to think that you are this excited to meet me, my common sense tells me you are not. Before I bring out the models that are featured in this issue, I would like to thank Carson St. Jeune and the St. Jeune modeling agency. Without their talent and expertise, the February issue of Brava would have not been what we know it is today…..a success. Now….. it is my pleasure to present………" And so the list of names began.

The sound in the ballroom grew louder and louder until the guests were practically begging for more. Carson and Amanda knew that it would be in their best interest if Cameron came out last, and in his disguise. Their intuition was not wrong.

As the runaway cleared and the dry ice began filtering out as a slow moving fog, Cameron appeared. Just the sight of this man in his long, flowing black cape, mask and mighty sword, caused the hearts of the women present to flutter just a bit. The applause for him accelerated until he made his way to the front. Women shouted for him to remove his mask, but Carson had instructed him to leave it on. That, too, was something she and Amanda had planned.

"Now ladies….later on, you'll have your chance to see if you can unmask Zorro. Until then, please have some more of the fine beverages we have here this evening and enjoy!" Carson left the stage and Amanda found her way to her mother.

"Very well done, my dear. You and Carson should be very pleased with what you've done. I know I am. And I'm sure your father would be too."

"Thank you mom. That means a lot to me. More than you know." Amanda wanted to talk more but as she looked over to where the crowd of women were surrounding Cameron, she could see that he was trying to catch her attention and make his way to her. She quickly made her excuses to her mother and inconspicuously disappeared into the crowd.

Amanda did hear some lofty praise from various board members on the evening and the issue of Brava, but was distracted since she was doing what she could to avoid Cameron. The board was interested to hear what Amanda had in mind for the coming issues and she would have given them some hints had her mind been on the magazine.

With Cameron nowhere in sight, Amanda sat down next to her mom and watched Matthew and Carson share a dance or two. Rachel had told Amanda that Matthew said he was too busy at Cory to have any sort of personal life. It was wonderful to see him enjoying himself with Carson that night. Rachel wanted both her children to find love like she had. Amanda shook her head in agreement.

Suddenly, Amanda felt a tap on her shoulder. As the sultry Latin sounds played in the background, a hand in a white glove appeared in front of her, with an invitation. It was Cameron.

"Dance with me?"