Ok here's the new chapter! back in arthurs POV :)
Holly x x
Ariadne sat in the passenger seat of the car twiddling with her hands. I looked at her expectantly; she bit her lip.
"Ariadne, if you don't want to tell me that's fine..."
"No, no, that isn't it. I don't really know myself. I just feel like, I dunno, that someone is watching me, like I'm not safe by myself." Her voice turned sad. "Maybe I'm just paranoid, but that feeling just won't go away." Her fist clenched the seat. I patted her leg.
"Don't worry, it'll be fine. Whoever you feel threatened by, scared of, etc., will go away. I promise." I tried to be comforting or reassuring in some way, but when it came to emotions, I was as good as a fucking robot.
Her tense shoulders relaxed a bit. "Ok, thanks Arthur. Sorry, you don't have to mind me or anything." Her smile eased my awkwardness and I squeezed her shoulder in reassurance. The drive home was short. I let Ariadne lie on the couch and read her book, whilst I pottered around making coffee and doing unnecessary jobs. I wasn't used to all this free time; I booked flights and cleaned dusty shelves. My books were stacked in a neat pile on the shelf; I straightened their backs and cleaned the covers. I ironed a few shirts, and washed some ties, but I was compels finished two hours later. There was nothing else to do.
"You hungry?" I tapped Ariadne on the shoulder. She glanced up from her book.
"Yeah, a bit. You?"
"A bit," I smiled. "Would you like to go for lunch?"
She looked genuinely surprised. "I'd love to."
I didn't want Ariadne feeling unsafe or paranoid; some food might do her good. I fixed my waistcoat and locked the door behind me. She had a quiet, subtle way of walking. She either had her hands in her pocket or in her hair. Her footsteps barely made a noise, and I couldn't even hear her breathing. Her eyes flickered every so often.
I'd never seen eyes like Ariadne's; they were huge. Each one was a chocolaty liquid full of inquisitive, sincerity and innocence.
We stopped at my car and I drove out to the city of L.A.
"Where would you like to go?"
"How about... Cafe Bar Deli?"
"Ah. Good choice." She had very good taste in food. I parked in an impossible tight space right outside the picturesque restaurant.
"Hi. Can I help you?" the waitress came over with a painted on smile.
"Yes, table for two?" I asked her politely. As my mother had said, a bit of politeness goes a long way.
"Ok, no bother. This way, please." She brought us to the corner by the window that overlooked the park outside. I could hear little children squealing with delight as the fed the ducks. We both took our seats and the woman gave us the menu. I peeked at Ariadne; her face was relaxed and weary at the same time.
"Are you feeling a bit better?"
"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Thanks Arthur, I'll be fine." She smiled warmly and turned back to the menu. I scanned it at a lightning pace.
"Are you ready to order, sir? Madam?" the waitress asked.
"Yes, can I have the scallops with parmageano, please?" Ariadne answered.
"Ok. And you sir?" She turned to look at me.
"Could I have the... lobster and prawns, please?"
The woman jotted our orders down. "And to drink?"
"The house wine." and I flashed the girl a smile. She rushed away. Ariadne shot me a sceptical smile.
"You trying to get me drunk, Arthur?" she teased. I rolled my eyes and chuckled.
"No, just thought we could do with a nice drink, to relax." I winked at her. She blushed. The woman bustled back with our wine. I sipped the red drink. It warmed my stomach, and I relaxed my arms. Ariadne seemed to be doing the exact same thing.
"Good idea about the wine." She sighed and looked at me. I stared back. Our eyes met and my heart thumped in my chest. Whatever spark had been there was gone; the moment had passed.
I realised how much I really enjoyed her company. She was very apt, her view on things sometimes confused me, but she was the quickest learner I'd ever come across. She would make one hell of an Architect.
"So, Mr. Arthur, what made you want to start dreaming?" she held her hands under her chin.
"Well, in college, I was studying engineering and maths, and then dreaming was introduced. I was curious, so I tried it."
"And here you are." Ariadne finished. I smiled wryly.
"And here I am." I muttered. "Are you from Paris?"
"No, Canada."
"Oh. Really?" I faked surprise. I knew everything about her already; I didn't have a choice. I needed to know she wasn't some serial killer.
"Yup." She nodded. "What about you? Where are you from?"
"Right here." And my mouth twitched at her surprise. "What?"
"You looked more like a New York type of guy." She shrugged. I laughed.
"And how many New Yorkers have you ever come across?" I joked.
"That's irrelevant." She grimaced. I smiled and watched the blush fade out of her cheeks. The waitress came back with our meals. We ate in silence for a few minutes.
"What'll we do for the rest of the day?" Ariadne broke the silence.
I shrugged. "Whatever you want to do."
"What about a walk?"
I smiled. "Sure." Her answering smile was so lovely.
A bit more romance in this chapter; I got bored of all the serious stuff :)
