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"Sorry, I'm late." Arthur said with a hint of nervousness as they walked out to his car waiting on the curb.
Ariadne turned her head to smile at him. "Don't worry. It's fine." Arthur reached around Ariadne to open her door and she blushed slightly as she sat down in the passenger seat. Ariadne's eyes flitted around the interior of the car as Arthur walked around to the driver's side. It was neat, almost too neat. It smelled slightly of lemon and there was no excess trash or unnecessary items cluttering the car. Ariadne adjusted her purse in her lap and relaxed back on the plushy leather seat, smiling as Arthur climbed into the driver's seat.
"So where are we going?" Ariadne asked curiously as Arthur pulled away from the curb.
Arthur kept his eyes on the road but let the side of his mouth curve up into a smirk. "I hope you like surprises." he said quietly and Ariadne stifled a delighted giggle.
A comfortable silence settled on the two as Arthur drove along. Ariadne stared out the window, hoping to pick up on where they were headed. As Arthur's car slowed Ariadne's eyes widened in awe. The street was barricaded for some sort of market. An abundance of vendors were set up along the street and twinkly lights decorated the trees on the sidewalk, creating a stark contrast against the night sky. Soft French music drifted through the air from some live band playing farther down the road.
Arthur watched Ariadne, a smile growing along his face. He opened his door and walked around to Ariadne's side to get the door for her, opening it in a grand gesture. He held out his hand and she stepped out of the car, feeling like a princess.
"Arthur, this is amazing," Ariadne breathed as they began to make their way down the sidewalk.
Arthur stopped at one of the food vendors, appearing to know the seller. He spoke in fluent French, surprising Ariadne further. The man behind the counter smiled at Ariadne and handed Arthur a plate with four plump cream puffs decorated with a delectable chocolate sauce. Arthur nodded at the man gratefully and turned to Ariadne with the plate.
"Here, compliments on the house." Arthur said and held one of the delicious looking pastries up to Ariadne's mouth. Ariadne looked at him and opened her mouth, taking a small bite. The outside was baked to a golden crisp and the cream melted in her mouth. Ariadne swallowed. "That's delicious." she said with a smile.
They continued walking down the street, feeding bits of cream puff to each other along the way. Ariadne laughed as she accidentally smeared a piece of chocolate along Arthur's lower lip. She reached up with a thumb and tenderly brushed it off. They stopped momentarily, Arthur feeling like he was dissolving in Ariadne's touch.
As they finished the cream puffs, Arthur chucked the plate into a nearby trash bin. They walked idly down the street, stopping to sample some wine and to look at various vendors and the cute trinkets they were selling. There was plenty of authentic French food and desserts along with homemade jewelry and little home decor. As they walked, conversation flowed naturally between them; learning of each other's likes and dislikes and past adventures.
"So what're you doing here in Paris, Arthur?" Ariadne asked as they stopped to rest on a bench, reaching the mini stage where the live band was performing.
Arthur swallowed, choosing his words carefully. "I'm here on some business with my partner."
Ariadne felt her heart sink a little and Arthur noticed her expression. "Long-term business. Probably the next couple of months at the least."
Ariadne smiled slightly, wondering if Arthur was just saying that to make her feel better. Suddenly, he held out his hand and stood up. "Come on, let's dance."
Ariadne felt her spirits lift and she allowed herself to be danced out onto the sidewalk in front of the stage. They swayed smoothly back and forth to the beat of the music; one of Arthur's hands resting on Ariadne's back, holding her close and the other holding her hand. She leaned her head against Arthur's and sighed contentedly.
They danced for what seemed like an eternity, appearing to be lost in the other's presence. The band finished their last song of the night and Ariadne and Arthur finally pulled away as the band said their good nights.
"Thank you for that," Ariadne said and Arthur smiled back at her. He looped his hand confidently in hers and they began to make their way back to his car.
They arrived at Ariadne's apartment no longer than fifteen minutes later. Avoiding ending the date, Ariadne turned to face Arthur as they stood on her door step.
"Thank you, Arthur. I had a great time tonight." she fiddled with her keys waiting for Arthur to say or do something.
She looked up in time to see Arthur's hands reaching up to caress her face and pull her in for a kiss. She reached her arms up and looped them around his neck, leaning back as Arthur pressed his body into hers. As Arthur deepened the kiss, Ariadne reached blindly behind her, fumbling her key into the lock. Throwing the door open, they made their way inside.
Ariadne felt herself stirring as a faint buzzing noise began to wake her. She mumbled something incoherently and blinked her eyes open. Feeling the cold side of the bed beside her she suddenly sat upright, a sinking feeling in her chest. That's when she noticed the note propped up neatly on her bedside. Ariadne reached for it nervously and suddenly became aware of the buzzing that was emanating from her cell phone, lying next to it. As she unfolded the note with one hand she answered the call with the other, distractedly.
"Hello?" she said as she scanned her eyes over the short note. Last night was great—had to work. Meet me for dinner? –A
Ariadne felt herself relax as she realized that Arthur had left his number at the bottom of the paper.
"Hello? Ariadne are you there?" a familiar voice brought Ariadne's attention back to the phone call.
"Cobb?" she asked quizzically and set the small piece of paper back on the end table.
"Yes. Listen, I know you declined the offer but there's something I want to explain. Or rather, show you." Cobb said firmly. She didn't know how much he needed an architect.
Ariadne paused and nodded, even though Cobb couldn't see. "Okay. Where do you want to meet?"
Arthur lay with Ariadne sleeping peacefully on his chest, stroking her hair gently. He sighed happily thinking back on their night. It had been a long time since he really connected with someone. As he checked his watch for the time he groaned, realizing that he had to get to the warehouse soon. He stayed for a little while longer, biding his time. He was planning on going to his apartment but realized he wouldn't have the time and decided he wanted to stay a little while longer with Ariadne. Finally, carefully removing himself from Ariadne he slipped out of bed and began to get dressed. He rummaged around for a bit, trying to avoid looking like he was snooping, and found a piece of paper. He scrawled out a simple note, left it where Ariadne would easily see it, and left the apartment.
The first person he spotted upon arriving at the warehouse was Eames who looked at him with a devilish grin. A second man—a larger browner man with a dark scruffy beard and glasses sat in a chair to the side.
"Save it, Eames." Arthur shot him a glare and walked straight to his desk. Eames stood up and followed. Arthur nodded towards the other man and feigned a smile. "Arthur."
The other man nodded and replied, "Yusuf."
"Someone got shagged last night. Still wearing the same clothes from yesterday aren't we?" Eames taunted and leaned against the corner of Arthur's desk.
"Upset that I got to her first, Eames?" Arthur snapped and Eames' mouth formed a tight line.
"Ah, Artie I don't give up that easily," answered Eames as he folded his arms across his chest.
Arthur swallowed and stood up, feeling his patience disappear. "Not even in town one night and I already find you trying to pick up my date."
Cobb walked into the room, spotting the heated looks shot back and forth between the point man and the forger. He dropped his phone on his desk and looked at the two feuding men with exasperation.
"Would you two cut it out already? It's not even nine yet." Cobb sat down in a swivel chair and leaned back in it, running a hand through his hair.
Eames scoffed and moved away from Arthur's desk. Arthur gestured to Cobb's phone. "Who was that?"
"Our architect. She's agreed to meet with me again." Cobb replied.
"A 'she'? Well well well," Eames said interestedly as he raised a cup of coffee to his lips, "Who is she?"
Cobb reached for a file on his desk and shifted it in his hands. "Her name's Ariadne. Miles recommended her, says she's the best."
Arthur's eyes bulged. Eames choked on a gulp of coffee. Cobb noticed their reactions and looked at them questioningly. Eames quickly regained his composure and turned to Arthur, on the verge of laughing. "Coincidence?" he asked.
Arthur stood up and crossed the room to Cobb. "She doesn't happen to be about 5'1", with brown hair and a really pretty face does she?"
Cobb blinked and slowly nodded his head. "Arthur, I haven't even mentioned her name before now, let alone show you a picture. How do you know her?"
"Well, she just so happens to be the lucky lady that Arthur managed to shag last night." Eames interjected and walked forward, clapping Arthur on the back. "You can have her mate. I don't wanna be the one to have to explain all this to her."
"What do you mean?" Arthur asked.
Eames shrugged his shoulders. "I mean… Doesn't it look a little suspicious that she gets a secret job offer and when she declines she happens to snag a date with the point man of the team? And well, also happening to meet the forger on the same night as your little date? Which was a complete coincidence by the way, believe it or not. Don't you think it all looks a little bit too staged?"
Arthur stood toe to toe with Eames. "You know it wasn't like that."
"I'm just stating what it might look like to her, Art."
Arthur turned away, fuming, and looked at Cobb. "Cobb, don't bring her into this."
Cobb sighed and folded his hands. "It'll be up to her. But once we show her what she'll be able to do, I know she won't be able to refuse. This might help us, Arthur. Come to the meeting with me."