On the morning of February 14th, a note is left on Nora’s pillowcase with @ibrahim-ziani ‘s name , reading:
Ibra, mi amor, mi ladrón precioso,
Lo siento, but I have to ditch you on Valentine's Day. Duty calls, you know how it is. At least Beastie will keep you company today-- he’d love it if you took him with you on this adventure.
I used to celebrate the holiday just because everyone else did, with expensive red roses and cheap chocolates, but this year I’ve decided to do something else (no, you aren’t getting a giant teddy bear, hope you can forgive me). I think it’s time we picked up where we left off at Christmas-- with our treasure hunt.
All sorts of clues, riddles and notes are left on various locations around New York-- such as: a tea bodega in the neighborhood, Beast’s favorite meadow in Central Park, Ibrahim’s go-to gym and hardware store, the gas station where he buys gas most often and eventuallyhis parents’ house, where Catherine hands him over a final note.
Congratulations Ibra(g)him,
you’ve solved the last puzzle and therefore earned your prize. It’s an address, and there you will find a charming little cabin upstate. It won me over the first time I set my eyes on it, and it is my gift to you. I hope you make it your next project. It’s in a pretty bad condition, that’s why I got a good deal, but the foundation is solid (I’ve checked with several professionals). You will have to restore it to its former glory, though. You will have to fix it up, repair... Pretty much everything, refurnish it, paint the walls (I know Audra is looking forward to helping you with this part). Before you leave me for being a horrible girlfriend, let me tell you a bit about the interior.
There’s a bookshelf near the window where I think all your books and comics would fit perfectly, plenty of closet space for jerseys and soccer equipment. A large kitchen with a floor-length shelf which, I imagine, would make a great spice rack. The space itself isn’t overwhelmingly large (there’s little space for dancing. ;)) but there is some space on the fireplace for a certain cherry figurine. There’s a garage, and a bike which needs to be restored as well. The property comes with a small piece of land in the back where you could grow whatever your (or Catherine’s, let’s be real) heart desires. There’s a patio which could become a marvelous reading place in nature. Not to mention a couple of great hiking trails and camping sites nearby.
I hope this place becomes a sanctuary of sorts. I hope you make it a place where you can go to escape the rush and noise of the City, I hope it becomes a place where my masterpiece learns how to master peace. ;) Where you learn about yourself, where you learn how to love, respect and fully accept yourself-- just as much as I do. I hope it becomes a home.
Cabrón, I forgot to leave the key with your mother. I hope you find some other way to get in. ;)
Stay for as long as you’d like, but know I’ll be home at around eight, and I’d very much love to see you later today and hear what you think. Besides, I do need help making dinner, I might need to borrow some spices from my benevolent neighbor. ;) Also, I might need your opinion on this new set of lingerie I bought, I just can’t seem to get a good view of my 🍑 in the mirror. Qué pena, mi amor.
Happy Valentine’s day!
Tuya, Nor *a clumsy doodle of a flower*
