Chapter 103: Five Hundred Dollar Horror Date

Cyrus pulled into the valet parking of the Platinum Cinema, a sleek building with floor-to-ceiling windows and marble accents.

Kane’s eyes widened as uniformed attendants approached their car.

"Seriously? Couldn’t we just go to a regular theater?"

"I don’t do ’regular,’" Cyrus replied, stepping out as the valet opened his door.

Inside, the lobby featured crystal chandeliers and plush velvet seating areas that looked more like a five-star hotel than a movie theater.

Kane gawked at the concession stand offering truffle popcorn and champagne.

"When was the last time you went to a movie theater?" Kane asked as they approached the ticket counter.

Cyrus paused, thinking.

"This particular one? A charity gala three years ago. They screened some documentary about endangered species."

"And before that?"

"I honestly can’t remember."

Kane studied the digital movie board, scrolling through their options with growing disappointment.

"Let’s see... we’ve got ’Explosive Justice 7: Maximum Vengeance,’ which looks like every other action movie ever made."

Cyrus wrinkled his nose at the poster featuring a muscular man wielding dual firearms.

"What about that one?" Kane pointed to a bright, colorful poster. "’Princess Sparkle’s Magical Adventure.’"

"No."

"’Blood Moon Rising?’" Kane read from another poster depicting a werewolf silhouette.

"No."Cyrus gave Kane a side-eye.

Kane sighed, continuing down the list.

"’The Accountant’s Dilemma?’ That sounds... thrilling."

"No."

"There’s ’Love Actually Happens,’ which is a romantic comedy about—"

"No."

"You didn’t even let me finish."

"The title was sufficient."

Kane threw his hands up in exasperation.

"Well, what do you suggest? Because at this rate, we’re going to be standing here until the last showing."

Cyrus’s gaze swept the board until it landed on a darkened poster featuring a haunted mansion shrouded in fog.

"’The Hollowing,’" he read aloud. "A supernatural thriller about—"

"A horror movie?" Kane interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you didn’t like unpredictable things."

Cyrus recalled a passage from "How to Win Hearts: A Modern Romance Guide" that specifically mentioned horror films as ideal first date material.

Something about shared adrenaline creating emotional bonds. The book had also suggested that frightening scenes often led to... physical closeness.

"It could be interesting," Cyrus said, trying to sound casual.

Kane studied Cyrus’s face suspiciously.

"You’re up to something."

"I’m simply selecting a film."

"Uh-huh." Kane crossed his arms. "And this has nothing to do with the fact that you think I’ll get scared and grab onto you like some damsel in distress?"

Cyrus’s expression remained perfectly neutral, though a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed him.

"The thought never occurred to me."

"Right." Kane grinned. "Fine. Let’s see who jumps first."

Cyrus approached the ticket counter, where a young woman in a crisp uniform smiled brightly at him.

"Two tickets for ’The Hollowing,’ please. The seven-thirty showing."

"Certainly, sir. That’ll be five hundred dollars."

Kane choked.

"Five hundred dollars? For two movie tickets?"

The cashier’s smile faltered slightly.

"Yes, sir. That includes our premium seating with fully reclining beds and complimentary blankets."

Cyrus handed over his black card without blinking, as if five hundred dollars were pocket change.

"I’ll get the concessions then," Kane said quickly, wanting to contribute something to their evening.

He wandered over to the elaborate concession stand, studying the illuminated menu board with growing horror.

"Forty dollars for popcorn?" he muttered, scanning the prices. "Eighteen dollars for candy? What do they put in this stuff, gold flakes?"

A nearby patron overheard him.

"First time at Platinum Cinema?" the man asked sympathetically.

"Last time, too," Kane replied, staring at the thirty-dollar price tag for a large soda.

Cyrus appeared beside him, observing Kane’s stunned expression.

"Is there a problem?"

"I think I need to take out a loan to buy us some Junior Mints."

Cyrus’s lips curved into a rare, genuine smile at Kane’s incredulous expression.

"What would you like to have?"

Kane gestured helplessly at the glowing menu board.

"I honestly don’t know. At these prices, I’m afraid to even look at the options."

"Then allow me."

Cyrus stepped forward to address the concession attendant, a young man in a bow tie who straightened immediately upon recognizing him.

"We’ll take the premium selection," Cyrus said smoothly. "Truffle popcorn, dark chocolate sea salt caramels, and two bottles of your imported sparkling water."

"Excellent choice, Sir. That comes to one hundred and twenty dollars."

Kane’s mouth fell open, but Cyrus was already sliding his card across the marble counter.

"You realize we could have fed a small village for what we’re spending tonight?"

"But then we wouldn’t have truffle popcorn."

The attendant efficiently packed their overpriced snacks into an elegant wicker basket, complete with cloth napkins and silver spoons for the caramels.

Kane shook his head in disbelief as Cyrus accepted the basket with the same casual air he might display when picking up dry cleaning.

The attendant led them to their private screening room, where Kane’s jaw dropped at the sight of fully reclining velvet beds instead of traditional seats, each equipped with personal service buttons and cashmere blankets.

"These aren’t movie seats," Kane breathed. "These are actual beds."

"Indeed they are." Cyrus’s voice carried a hint of satisfaction at Kane’s astonishment.

Kane ran his hand over the cashmere blanket, marveling at its softness.

"This is insane. People actually pay to lie in bed and watch movies?"

"Wealthy people with particular tastes in comfort," Cyrus replied, setting their wicker basket of overpriced snacks on the small side table.

The lights began to dim as preview trailers started playing on the massive screen. Cyrus moved to Kane’s side of the bed, extending his hand.

"Shall we?"

Kane hesitated for a moment, looking between Cyrus’s outstretched hand and the luxurious bedding.

"This feels ridiculous."

Cyrus’s fingers remained steady, waiting patiently for Kane to accept his gesture.

The preview music swelled around them, casting shifting shadows across Cyrus’s face as he maintained his gentlemanly pose.

Kane finally placed his hand in Cyrus’s, allowing himself to be guided onto the impossibly soft mattress.

"I still think you’re up to something."