A/N: I've finally decided to come back to this story after seven years. Wish me luck.

******

Nick: The rumors about Gatsby's past continued to circulate, and a reporter even went to his house to interview him with little avail. Therefore, I think it's about time that I revealed the absolute truth. His birth name was James Gatz, and he changed it at the age of seventeen to make himself seem less ethnic. Then, he ran away from home and befriended the fifty-year-old mining magnate Dan Cody, who was a rife target for gold-diggers from all over America. Gatz proved his diligence and competence to the constantly drunk old man, and from there he became a trusted partner. For the next five years, they sailed around the continent, and Gatz also got his fill of the female company until Dan Cody died one night under mysterious circumstances.

Gatz hoped to inherit Cody's money, but it was all snatched at the last minute by the late magnate's mistress Ella Kaye. As for how he managed to get rich after this loss, I will get into it another time. Now, let us return to the story.

After arranging the date between him and Daisy, I did not hear again from Gatsby from several weeks. During that time, I explored the rest of New York with Jordan, and she even introduced me to her senile aunt of all people. I eventually got tired of waiting and visited his house one Sunday afternoon. To my surprise, Tom Buchanan was horse riding with his friend Sloane and some woman who I had never met before. They stopped for drinks, and Gatsby noticed me from the porch.

Gatsby: I'm delighted to see you, old sport. Sit right down and have a cigarette or cigar. I'll get a drink for you in just a minute.

Tom arrives at the porch, making Gatsby uneasy. He tries to distract himself by speaking to Tom's friend Sloane.

Gatsby: Would you like lemonade? Or perhaps champagne?

Sloane: No, thanks. I'm good.

Gatsby: Did you have a nice ride?

Sloane: Yeah. The roads around here are great.

Gatsby realizes that his conversation with Sloane isn't about to go anywhere, so he bites the bullet and finally turns his attention to Tom.

Gatsby: I believe we've met somewhere, Mr. Buchanan.

Tom: Oh, yes. We did. I remember it well.

Gatsby: It was about two weeks ago.

Tom: That's right. You were with Nick at the cellar on Forty-second street.

Gatsby: By the way, I know your wife. Quite well.

Tom: What?

Tom turns to Nick.

Tom: Do you live around here, Nick?

Nick: Yes. Just next door.

Tom: Is that so?

Tom gives a look of murderous rage even as they all shake hands and say goodbye. He leaves with his friends while Gatsby heads back into the house, leaving Nick to fear that the affair will soon be discovered and worry about his neighbor's safety.

Nick: Tom suspected something was up with Daisy constantly sneaking next door, so he followed her to one of Gatsby's parties the following Saturday night. Meanwhile, the two of us tried to enjoy ourselves as best as cousins could, with little idea of what was coming.

Daisy: Parties like this excite me so much! If you want to kiss me at any point in the evening, Nick, just let me know, and I'll make your wish come true. Just call my name or present me with a green card. You never know when they'll find out who my real father is, and decide to deport me...

Gatsby hardly notices her anxious state because he is focusing on the still murderous Tom.

Gatsby: You should take a look around. It might cheer you up a bit.

Tom: I'm not one for these kinds of parties. It's why Daisy and I don't go out much.

Gatsby points at a beautiful and slender woman sitting beneath a white plum tree.

Gatsby: You see that lady over there? She's a famous actress and the man next to her is a director. Maybe you could try your luck with them?

Tom: Sorry, not interested.

Daisy: Speak for yourself, Tom. I'm perfectly thrilled to be around so many celebrities! I even recognize that man with the blue nose! What was his name again?

Tom: I'm tired of this shallow decadence. I'll get something to eat.

In Tom's absence, Daisy and Gatsby take the chance to dance a fox-trot together. Nick watches their graceful movements in admiration until they decide to leave the party and go to his house for another tryst.

Nick stands in the front yard to keep watch, and a pair of headlights eventually alarm him. Tom steps out of his car.

Tom: Who is this Gatsby anyhow? Some bootlegger?

Nick: Where did you hear that?

Tom: I didn't hear it. I came to the conclusion in my own mind. That's the only way scum like him can get rich overnight.

Nick: Not Gatsby. He's different from the rest of his kind.

Tom: Keep telling yourself that. Either way, he must have done something immoral, unlike us old money folk whose hands are definitely clean. I mean, just look at that deranged circus he threw together.

Daisy emerges from the house and stops upon seeing her husband.

Daisy: At least they're more interesting than the people you've introduced me to.

Tom: You didn't look interested.

Daisy: Well, I was.

Tom laughs and turns to Nick.

Tom: Did you see Daisy's face when that girl put her under a cold shower? Degenerates, the lot of them.

Daisy: Gatsby has no control over the people who come uninvited. What do you expect him to do? Be a bad host and turn them away?

Tom: Think whatever you want. I'm going to find out who he really is and what he does, even if it kills someone.

Nick: Don't you mean if it kills you?

Tom: No, I spoke right. Come on, Daisy. We can't have you getting corrupted even more.

He wraps his arm around Daisy's shoulder and forces her back with him towards their car. Daisy glances back.

Daisy: Goodbye, Nick. I'm sorry it has to be this way.

Gatsby comes back out of his house once Daisy and Tom have been driven off.

Gatsby: She didn't like the party, did she?

Nick: Of course, she did. What are you talking about?

Gatsby: She looked afraid the whole time. I feel like she's further from me than ever.

Nick: I don't know. You were pretty close to each other during that dance.

Gatsby: No, that's unimportant. All I want is for Daisy to admit that she doesn't love Tom, and that I'm the only one for her. Then, we'll elope together like she doesn't have a three-year-old child and her reputation to worry about.

Nick: Gatsby, you know that isn't realistic.

Gatsby: But she doesn't understand. We used to be able to sit and talk for hours, yet it would feel like just a few minutes. Is it so ridiculous to believe that I can go back to those days?

Nick: You're expecting too much of her. You can't repeat the past.

Gatsby: Can't repeat the past! Why of course you can! I'm going to get everything back to the way it was before! I'll make her see!

Nick: I felt sorry for him right then and there, but at the same time, I could understand why he felt that way. Daisy had come to represent an ideal that was missing in his life ever since he'd fallen in love at first sight five years ago. I wanted to tell him again how futile his efforts would be, but words escaped me in that moment, and all I could do was gape at him like an idiot.