Hello again. I had a lot of time on my hands, hence the quick updates. From now on it might take a bit longer to update, but I'll do my best. Thank you very much for reading, reviewing and following. It means a lot.

He watched as she left and couldn't quite get his head around what had just happened. Anna Smith wanted to have dinner with him. This wasn't just kindness, of all things she could be doing in a city like Ghent, she wanted to spend an evening with him. He chuckled and made his way to his room. That night he couldn't sleep, he decided to do something useful and got up to work on his book. He read what he had and made notes of the books he needed to consult in the library in Ghent. When he finished it was nearly time to leave. He took a shower and prepared to leave. He had a meeting with the headmaster at 8 a.m. As he made his way downstairs his mind drifted off to Anna. He looked forward to their dinner, but he was a bit nervous. He was an old boring history professor. Well, maybe not old, but definitely too old for her. But she asked him, didn't she? Right, don't dwell on it John. Wait and see tonight, now focus on your lectures. By the time he arrived at the university he was completely at ease and ready for a day full of history.

He met the headmaster, called Mark, who seemed like a nice bloke, but he wasn't Robert. Mark showed him around and asked him a lot of questions about his books. John was happy to answer him and eventually asked where the library was.

"Oh you mean the general library or a specific one?"

"I don't know. I have a list of books I need to consult for my next book."

"Then you'll probably need the library of the Middle Ages. It's on the fifth floor, I can take you there this afternoon if you'd like."

"Great, thank you."

After the tour Mark took him to the auditorium where he would give his first lecture at 10 a.m. John wasn't one to make powerpoints, but this time he had done an effort. He wanted the students to see what he was talking about. Even though it was the biggest auditorium, he wasn't nervous. He had done this often enough to know that most students where really interested in what he had to say. They were not obliged to come, so the students who did come really wanted to. Half an hour before he had to start, the students started coming in.

"Goodmorning, my name is John Bates" And he was off for the next two hours.

The lecture went by quickly and before he knew it he was dragged along with Mark and some other professors to have lunch. Only then did he let Anna back in his mind. He thought about the previous evening and suddenly he remembered she asked him to find them a nice place to have dinner. He was startled by Mark asking him a question.

"So John, have you seen the city already?"

"Not really, I arrived only yesterday and I still had to finish my lectures. But I've read the cityguide, and I'm planning on going to the castle tomorrow. Anything else you can recommend?"

"Well, the castle is great of course, best to go early in the morning. There'll be less tourists then. You can also visit St Bavo's Cathedral you can find The Adoration Of The Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers there."

"Yes, I've read about that. Isn't that the most stolen artwork?"

"Indeed. It's really nice, it's in the historic city centre."

"I'll visit it tomorrow as well then. By the way, Mark, where can I find a nice place to have dinner?"

"Well, it depends on where you want to go. The best is Theatre Café, if you have a map I can show you where it is. But in my opinion it isn't the most beautiful location. If you really want to have dinner in a picturesque place, you should go to the Graslei. There you can sit by the water and enjoy the view, it's close to the Castle of the Counts."

A plan was forming in John's mind as he heard Mark talking. Maybe he could take Anna to the Theatre Café first and then to the Graslei. He could buy them that other beer they were talking about, sit by the water and just enjoy each other's company. And then maybe he could… No stop it John, just dinner. His thoughts were interrupted by his phone ringing. It was Robert.

"Hey man, how's Ghent?"

"Well I haven't seen a lot of it, I spend my first day sleeping because some guy took me out celebrating the night before."

"Don't blame me, I didn't force you to drink. And by the way, don't think you got it worst. After I drove you to the airport I went back home to have Cora, Mary and Sybil waiting for me for explanations. Apparently Matthew and Tom didn't go home straight away, they went to another pub and fell asleep on the counter. They still weren't home when I got back. Cora blamed me and now I'm still sleeping on the couch. Though today she gave me some signs that might…"

John interrupted him "Robert you're rambling. Let's just say we're even."

"Right, so how are the lectures going?"

"I've only done one and it was alright. The students are really interested and the people are very nice here."

"Met anyone interesting?"

John thought about telling him about Anna, but then again, he kept telling himself it was nothing, so why bother? "Not really"

"I don't believe you, you doubted too lang."

He knew Robert would be on to him, "Oh sorry, Robert I have to go, duty calls"

"You won't get rid of me that easy, but you're lucky Cora just came in so have to work my charm again"

"Bye Robert"

After lunch Mark took him to the library where he worked until his next lecture.

Anna awoke around lunchtime with a huge hangover. They went for a pub-crawl and they ended in the gin house, not a very good combination. A few aspirins and a shower later, she was on her way to the set. Of course Gwen had interrogated her about John, but she had said it was nothing. Even though she felt a connection, she didn't want to go into detail. She only told her about how he saved her, nothing more. John was her secret, she didn't want to share him, yet. Besides they were just going to have dinner together. He looked surprised when she asked him yesterday, maybe she had been too forward? She was having doubts, maybe he didn't feel the same connection. Maybe he was just being polite, maybe he already had a girlfriend? Maybe he was married? She thought about their encounter in the hotelbar. She couldn't remember if he wore a ring, she was too distracted by his eyes. But then again, it was just dinner, nothing more.

She went into make-up and checked her schedule. She had two major scenes today and one with Thomas. He didn't have one of the major parts, but he really wanted one. He occasionally dropped hints when he was around the director, but he ignored him. He came into make-up while Anna was going over her lines again.

"Hello Anna"

"Oh hi Thomas. Ready for today?"

"Of course. It's not a big part, so it will be easy. You?"

"I think so, I hope everything goes well."

"I won't be the problem."

Anna just sighed. She hated that about him, he could be nice if he wanted to, but most of the time he preferred to be annoying. She left then and went to her trailer, on her way she bumped into Joe again.

"Hi Anna, I'm looking forward to seeing you play again."

"Thanks Joe, that's very nice of you."

And there was that awkward silence again. Luckily the director called him so he had to leave. Anna really didn't know what to say to him sometimes. She started comparing him to John, she couldn't help it. She had known Joe for years now, but he still made her feel uncomfortable sometimes. She had met John only a day ago, but there was something about the way he looked at her that made her feel all tingly inside. Focus Anna, you still have to live through the day. For all you know he's married or has a girlfriend.

She just sat down in her trailer when the door slammed open and Gwen came walking in. She looked just as bad. They looked at each other for a moment and burst out laughing.

"What a night!" Gwen said as she sank into the nearest seat.

"Well, you can say that. Have you heard from Ethel yet? She was really drunk."

"No, I haven't. Luckily she's not needed here today. I think she'll just sleep until tomorrow when she has to be back."

"I'm glad I have a day off tomorrow."

"You have a day off? Then we should go out tonight again!"

"No no, I couldn't, I wouldn't survive.

"Oh come on Anna, we're only in Ghent once."

"That's true, but I don't feel like going out tonight again." She didn't want to tell Gwen about her dinner with John. She would start asking annoying questions again.

"Suit yourself, I'm going to call Ethel. Try to wake her and see if she's up for it."

"You do that, I'm going to rehearsals. I have a scene with Thomas today."

"Poor you, good luck"

"Thanks"

They left together and Anna went straight to rehearsals. Joe had to direct them today, she couldn't wait until the end of the day. Joe did his best and to Anna's joy, he had a lot of comments on Thomas. The man who "wouldn't be the problem" was constantly doing things wrong. That must have hurt his pride. After rehearsals they started shooting and Thomas needed five takes to complete his part. After the scenes with Thomas she started the two major scenes. It went well and she finished early. She went back to her hotel and started preparing for her dinner. What was she going to wear? They were to meet at eight in the lobby, so she still had an hour to try various combinations.

John finished his last lecture at 7 p.m. and made his way back to the hotel. Before he left, Mark had given him a welcome gift. It was a basket with Belgian beers, including Karmeliet. He decided to share it with Anna when he took her to the Graslei. Back in his room he dropped off his bag and put the papers from his lectures next to the bin by the door. He never kept his notes, he feared he would lose his spontaneity if he used the same notes over and over again. He took a quick shower and got dressed. He settled for a jeans, a black shirt and a grey tweed jacket. Then he took the map again and tried to memorise the way to the Café. The Graslei wasn't far from the hotel, so he decided to leave the beer at the reception. That way he could pick it up when they got back from dinner. Happy with his plans he took the beer and headed downstairs. He gave the beer to the receptionist and sat down on one of the settees in the lobby, waiting for Anna. He felt nervous, his heart was beating faster with every elevator that opened. And then she was there…

She was breathtaking, for a moment he couldn't move, he was numb. She hadn't seen him yet. Move John, she's waiting for you. The feeling in his limbs came back and he made his way towards her. She turned around and when their eyes met he felt the luckiest man alive to have dinner with her.

"Hi John"

He wanted to speak, but he couldn't. He cleared his throat a few times and finally managed to form a few words. "Anna, you look beautiful"

"Thank you John. You look very handsome yourself. So where are you taking me?"

His senses came back to him. "Well, I asked a few tips to my colleagues here in Ghent and it's a place called the Theatre Café."

"Sounds good, lead the way"

He led her out of the hotel and he couldn't resist putting his hand on her lower back, while leading her in the right direction. He was close enough to inhale her scent and he closed his eyes for a brief moment so his senses could take her in. He held the door for her.

"Well thank you, mr Bates"

"You're welcome miss Smith."

He loved how she pronounced his name. I could get used to this. When they arrived at the Café his initial nervousness was long gone. He felt really comfortable in her presence and he loved to make her laugh. She had a beautiful smile.

"So how was your night out yesterday?"

"To be honest, it was a bit too much for me. Ethel insisted on doing a pub-crawl and we ended up in the gin house."

"That's a bad combination."

"Ah how do you know?"

"Let's just say I once attended a stag night from a friend."

"Right, what happens on stag night stays on stag night. How was your day?"

"Great, actually. The students were really interested and had a lot of questions. And I got to work on my book, so it was a fruitful day. How was yours?"

"I had two major scenes today and a smaller one, with a very annoying actor who ruined a lot of takes. But I didn't mind, I just looked forward to our dinner."

They locked eyes again and he smiled. The waiter interrupted their moment and brought them their drinks. John ordered their dinner and Anna just watched him. He really looked very handsome, she noticed a few hairs from his chest coming from under his shirt and her imagination took a life of its own. She was startled from her daydream by John saying something. She didn't know what, but she just smiled and hoped it was the right reaction. Judging by the look on his face, it was. She sipped from her wine and saw him looking at a point beyond her. She wondered what he was thinking. He noticed her looking and met her eyes, he smiled but she couldn't hold it in.

"What's the matter John?"

"Nothing nothing, I just…"

"You just what?"

"I was just wondering why someone like you would want to go and have dinner with someone like me?"

She laughed a bit confused "What do you mean?"

"Well, you're young, known everywhere, and you're gorgeous, I mean look at you." He sighed. "And I'm just me, a boring history professor in his late forties." He paused and looked into her eyes.

"You wonderful man"

"What?" Now it was his turn to be confused.

"Do you know how many times today I've wondered about why you accepted my offer? I was nervous, I thought you just accepted to be polite. I even spent a few hours wondering if you were married or had a girlfriend. And now you're saying all those wonderful things to me and you still wonder why I wanted to have dinner with you?"

"Well miss Smith, it seems like we're quite a pair." He leaned forward and continued with a soft voice. "And for your information, I'm not married and I haven't got a girlfriend."

A smile broke on her face and he continued. "Besides I wouldn't want you to have dinner alone, what if you needed someone to save you again?" Her smile grew even wider.

During dinner they talked about everything and nothing. He told her about growing up in Ireland and becoming a professor. She told him about her childhood memories and why she became an actress. After dinner he insisted on paying. The waiter brought them their bill and asked if he could have a picture with Anna. She shared a look with John, before posing next to the young man.

"Where are we going now?" She asked John, while they stepped outside.

"We're going to the hotel now."

"Oh…" He saw she was a bit disappointed and he chuckled.

"I'm only taking you to the hotel for a moment. Someone told me about another place here in Ghent, not far from the Castle of the Counts. I thought we might take a nightcap there."

She cheered up immediately, "That seems lovely. But why are we going to the hotel then?"

"Because I left our nightcap there."

"John Bates, you smooth operator."

He laughed and she joined him. They walked on in silence then. He could feel she was walking closer than the first time and occasionally she brushed his arm. He kept casting sideways glances at her and noticed how the streetlights made her even more beautiful. They arrived at the hotel and he quickly went inside to collect the drinks. He led her to the Graslei and saw her face lit up when they sat down and he took out two Karmeliets.

"Well you said we could try them together."

"And you remembered"

"Of course I did, how could I forget such an offer?"

He gave her one of his half-smiles and she fell in love. She knew the feeling, but she never felt it so strongly. As he poured the glasses in silence, she was entranced by his movements. He gave her a glass, poured himself one, looked in her eyes and winked.

"Here's looking at you kid"

She giggled and took a sip.

"I've always wanted to say that and all of a sudden it seemed right."

He looked into her eyes and she moved a bit closer. Almost unnoticeable, but he noticed, he was enchanted by her. Then she turned her head and looked out over the water.

"You should thank your colleague who helped you to find the right places for tonight, it really is incredible here."

"Don't worry I will. He told me some places to visit as well, I thought I might check them out tomorrow. If you're free, maybe I could be your tourguide? Of course you don't have to, you're probably busy with your film and …"

She put her hand on his arm. "John, you're rambling'

"Yeah, sorry"

"I'd love to come with you tomorrow. I have a day off, so we could have day together if you'd like."

"Yes, I would like that very much. But wait"

"Wait, what?"

"I think I have a lecture tomorrow afternoon."

"Maybe I can come and watch you?"

"What? You don't really want to, it's just a lecture and not very interesting."

"John, I am truly interested and I would love to hear you talk about history."

"Alright then."

She smiled, celebrating a small victory. After they finished their drinks, he took her back to the hotel and walked her to her room like a real gentleman. When they reached her room, she turned to him.

"So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yes, I'll wait for you in the lobby at 9 a.m."

"Great"

As if he wasn't in control of his own body, he stepped closer, bent down and gave her a kiss on her cheek. He lingered longer than necessary and slid his left hand down her arm to entwine his fingers with hers. He squeezed them softly and whispered in her ear. "Thank you miss Smith for this wonderful evening." He gave her another smile, turned around and headed for the stairs. It only took a second, but she felt as if her whole body was on fire. There was no doubt, she was in love.