Here's chapter 7!
Hope you still enjoy this modern AU. Thanks so much for the reviews!
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The next day wasn't very different. Meeting people, shaking hands, a lot of conversations with people she couldn't remember the name of within a minute. She felt she did a better job, got the hang of her new role.
She and Mr. Bates hadn't talked really, after what almost happened the night before.
She had no opportunity to talk with him alone during the day. Bates had no time to change clothes, so she went to the hotel herself. Anna wondered if she could just stay there and call for some tea. She could watch the beautiful city from her window all evening. But she didn't want Mr. Bates to be disappointed in her and have to face all these people on his own.
At dinner they sat as far from each other as possible. She did have a nice time with a few women who worked for the company though. Anna was relieved they didn't talk about work the whole evening. They knew a lot about politics, education, fashion and nice restaurants... and of course: men! They winked at Anna when they mentioned Bates. She blushed a little but stayed very professional.
Sunday almost went the same. They worked together at meetings and dinner. Nothing happened but looks between the two of them.
Monday they had some time to spend on their own. Mr. Bates took Anna into the city, with it's shops and bars. They had a lovely lunch in the sun and found a few bookstores. Mr. Bates bought some books about the Second World War. Anna found a book about Anne Frank. She never had the chance to read it before, and felt she should have, visiting Amsterdam.
They walked to the Vondelpark and watched all the people living their lives, riding their bikes and making music on the street. They both tried herring with unions, a Dutch delicacy. Anna didn't like it at all!
When it got colder Mr. Bates took her to the LeidseSquare. They walked across the comedy café and booked some tickets for the evening show and dish of the day.
When Mr. Bates escorted her to the door of her room he suddenly felt sick.
"Do you feel well, Mr. Bates?" Anna wondered. "You do look pale…" She took his arm and made him sit in the chair of her room.
"Actually I don't. I'm glad we're back." He laid his head against the back of the chair.
Mr. Bates looked a bit nausea. "Please, let me get you some water. Do you want anything else?" Anna asked.
"Water is fine, thank you."
Anna walked to the bathroom to fetch some water. When she got back into the room Mr. Bates was already sleeping. Anna thought he looked lovely. His hair a bit messy, his lips slightly apart… his chest rising up and down…
She got his arm and helped him into her bed. She helped him out of his shoes and laid a blanket over him. She sat next to him on the bed and caressed his hair. He turned on his side and laid his head on her lap.
"Try to sleep, you will feel better in the morning" Anna softly whispered.
It didn't take long before she heard his breathing slowing down.
She got her new book and started reading:
Anne Frank first words in her diary: I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support."
She looked at Mr. Bates. How she wanted him to confide in her so she could love him in return.
Around 7.00AM Annan awoke. Mr. Bates was still sleeping against her. She tried to get up without waking him. It didn't work. He opened his eyes and looked a bit bewildered. "I didn't think our first night together would be like this at all…. And I'm sorry for ruining your good night sleep" he said, still a bit sleepy.
Anna smiled "I don't want your apologies either. I had a lovely day yesterday, and a lovely evening too. Are you feeling better now?"
"Yes, thank you for taking such good care of me…" He smiled back.
She went into the bathroom to take a shower. She didn't lock the door and wondered if he was thinking of coming in. She wished he did. She wanted to feel him against her, his hands running over her body, his kisses on her bare skin. Anna wanted him to look at her with hungry eyes and love her passionately. But he didn't come.
She got dressed in the bathroom. Mr. Bates had done the same in the bedroom while she was showering. He walked up to her and kissed her on her forehead. "Thank you for last night" he said.
Later that morning they attended some meetings and worked till late in the afternoon. When they drove back to their hotel Mr. Bates asked Anna to put on the best dress, the one she kept for a special occasion. Anna had worn all her dresses. She liked them all.
"Where are we going tonight? Don't I need to know what that special occasion will be to make a good choice?"
"Don't you worry about that, I'm sure you will make the right decision." He laughed a bit. Anna wondered if he had some kind of secret plan.
When she walked into her room she instantly knew what he had meant. On her bed lay the most beautiful dress she ever beheld. It was the first dress she wore Tuesday, when she did her fittings at Edith's. The twinkling white shined in her eyes. She almost couldn't believe it. She called out.
Mr. Bates was just behind her.
"How did you know?" she cried.
He blushed and told her: "Gwen asked me the address of 'that astonishing store' you had visited thanks to me. She showed me the picture you'd sent her… Edith told me how you loved that dress, but thought it was a piece for something really exiting. I thought you should wear it. I can't think of anyone else to wear it as breath taking as you".
Anna made a big effort to look as astonishing as she could. When she walked down to meet Mr. Bates, all the people stared at her. All the men's mouths fell open at her beauty. Anna could only blush. Mr. Bates stood enthralled in stunned silence.
His eyes followed her on every move she made. "This is already the best night ever" she whispered, with hot cheeks.
"I hope you don't embarrass yourself by going out with me: An old and grumpy man… " He shyly told her.
"What?" Anna was shocked. "You're not old, and certainly not grumpy! I feel honoured to go out with you. I can't think of a better man".
Bates didn't know what to say and only looked into her eyes.
"I would give you all the dresses in the world, if it would make you the happiest woman in the world." He finally said.
"I'd rather have the right man, than the right dresses" She joked.
He took her to Carré, an impressive theatre in Amsterdam. It was only a five-minute walk from their hotel. She walked on her high heels, clamped down on his arm.
That evening there was a performance of Swan Lake. It was Anna's favourite ballet. She'd seen it once before and loved the music and the poise of love and darkness.
The feminine elegance and intensive music made it, according to Anna, the most romantic ballet anyone could ever behold. Her eyes where glued to the stage. Being with Mr. Bates made it even more romantic, but also sad. It gave a deeper meaning of unattainable love. A tear rolled down her face. Not only from the beauty of the women and men dancing, but mostly because she didn't know how Mr. Bates felt about her. She was afraid the dark Vera had ruined his ability to love.
Bates didn't watch the ballet at all. He watched her face, her hands, her figure. He admired the beauty and twinkling in her eyes. When a tear fell down her cheek, he picked up her hand and kissed it softly. It almost wasn't a kiss, more of a touch, a brush with his lips. An act of love.
He felt Anna tremble and laid her hand back into her lap. When he looked at her their eyes met.
