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Chapter two
"Arrrrrgh!" I threw yet another piece of clothing across the room in frustration. I didn't usually care about fashion, but when it came to making a good impression on the mark for a really important job, especially at a party full of posh snobs, I knew that I couldn't just turn up in jeans. Which was why I was faced with the frustrating dilemma of having nothing to wear. Just as I was getting ready to have an emotional breakdown, there was a knock at the door. I sighed, knowing it was probably one of the team ready to drill the plan in my head one more time and that I would be chastised about having no 'suitable attire' as Eames called it. I snorted, thinking he probably didn't even know what it meant.
Picking my way out of the wreckage of clothes, I reluctantly opened the door and said grumpily "If you're here to tell me the plan one more time then you can just-"
I stopped. It was Arthur, looking luscious in a sleek black tux that matched his hair. Oh God, please let my heart stop beating so loudly. There was a silence as I realised that we were both waiting for the other to say something. Be cool, Ari, I thought.
"Looking good Arthur," I said, winking at him. Why? Why did I just do that? He laughed easily, looking down at his definite suitable attire at I internally strangled myself for being anything but cool.
"Thanks, I know Eames will approve." He paused as he looked me over, and I cringed as I realised I was wearing sweatpants. "Although you always look gorgeous in anything you wear, Ari, I must say the rest of the team won't be happy if you turn up slightly underdressed."
Gorgeous. He called me gorgeous. Then I remembered my disastrous clothing situation.
"Oh, I'll erm, be ready in a while, you know what us girls are like when we're getting ready." My attempt at being cool was going from bad to worse. He knew that I wasn't like most girls who spent ages on their hair and makeup in the morning, that I didn't care if my jacket didn't match my trousers, or that I never wore heels. There was no point pretending to be the girl he obviously wanted, that I never could be.
"Ari." I looked up into his eyes, feeling déjà vu from the dream all over again. "You haven't got anything to wear, have you?"
"No." I said, admitting defeat.
He laughed. "Don't worry, I know dresses aren't your thing, I'm here to rescue you."
I stared self-consciously into the mirror. Elegance and grace stared back at me. A soft lilac dress draped down to the floor, tied around the middle and plunging ever so slightly. It brought out the creaminess of my skin in a flattering way, and instead of looking like an inexperienced flirter with no courage to tell guy I love how I feel, I felt like a pure goddess. This is what vanity must feel like, I thought wryly.
I walked out of my apartment to find Arthur waiting outside. The look on his face as he took me in struck my heart hard and filled it with heat and passion. Any other time, I might've blushed and felt like a fool. But the dress gave me courage, and instead I danced over and have him a mock curtsey.
"Am I suitable enough now, sir?" I tried to avoid looking at his face so I could restrain myself from throwing myself into his arms.
"I don't think suitable covers it, Ari." His eyes glittered as he looked me up and down. "Shall we?" He extended his arm and I hooked my arm through it happily. He escorted me to his car like a gentleman and as we drove to the Lucas Ford's office, we chatted easily about the past jobs we did together. I felt slightly awkward when we turned to the Fischer job, remembering that 'distraction' kiss on the second level. But Arthur seemed unfazed, which bothered me more than it should. I knew the kiss meant nothing-why couldn't I let it go? Luckily, we got to the office before I could sink into a poor-little-me mood, and I brightened slightly when Arthur helped me out the car, again like a gentleman. Cobb, Eames and Yusif were waiting. It was extremely satisfactory to see them gawp at me, but insulting at the same time that they were so amazed. Jeesh, I really was getting vain.
Eames took in me and Arthur linking arms and jiggled his eyebrows suggestively at me. "Wow, Ari, you two look so good together." I could've killed him right there and then. Luckily, Cobb took over.
"Yes, I'm pleased Arthur chose the dress instead of Eames. He was all for getting you a black lacy number." He shook his head at Eames.
"You chose it?" I looked at Arthur in disbelief.
"Sure, I thought it would suit you beautifully. And so it does." We looked into each other's eyes for what seemed like eternity before Eames (who was on dangerous ground already) had to go break the moment.
"I still think a sexy dress would have caught Ford's eyes more."
Glaring at him, I was about to retort but Arthur beat me to it. "Yes, as it would with every guy in that office. They'll be crowding round her enough as it is! We want something subtle Eames, and as marvellous as you are," (we all sniggered), "subtlety is not your strong point."
Eames looked peeved, but Yusif (the peace maker) stepped in and said timidly "Shouldn't we be going in?"
"You're right. Eames, Arthur, save the squabbling until later. Right: the plan one more time." Cobb turned to me and I groaned, which he dismissed. "Me, Yusif and Arthur will go in seperately and mingle with the crowd, and Ari and Eames will enter together as a pretend couple. Then, Eames, you promptly show us your pretend," Cobb emphasised the word and skewered Eames with his eyes, who rolled his own. "drunk act, and get escorted from the premises. Leaving Ari on her own, and hopefully be noticed by Ford, and from there on Ari-"
I interrupted. "I know, I know. I get to know him but don't be too obvious, just learn as much as I can about him and don't get too intimate."
Cobb suppressed a grin. "Right. And if Eames really does get drunk, you have my permission to humiliate him."
"Oh, I'll do more than that." I said, shooting a warning glance at Eames. We all laughed, and Yusif set off to enter the doors. A few minutes later, Cobb did the same, until it was just me, Arthur and Eames.
"Well this is awkward." Eames said cheerfully. Arthur and me gave him identical steel glares, before Arthur touched my arm gently and said "Good luck. If you want to pull out anytime, it's fine. You're safety is more important." He squeezed my arm briefly before strolling away. Dumbfounded, I watched him go, expecting Eames to make some stupid comment. Suprisingly, he put his arm round my shoulders and murmured "Told you he loves you."
Frowning, I turned to him. "No, you didn't."
"Oh didn't I? Well now I have."
We both burst into laughter and headed towards the doors, our troubles forgotten. For now.
