There's something wrong. I can tell. John keeps looking at me funny and everytime I try to catch his eye he turns away. He's been quiet since he picked me up – he was late and he didn't even apologise. Maybe I was wrong about him being a nice guy. Maybe he's a jerk like every other male on this planet.
I feel like I should say something. Anything. This isn't the most pleasant date I've been on – then again I haven't been on many dates. Maybe this awkward stage is something everyone endures. I tell you Bosco makes it sound so easy.
Bosco. I'm still not sure why he was so angry earlier. But maybe he had been right. Maybe I was ashamed to introduce him to John. I was worried he might say or do something stupid. I feel sometimes like his mother. And I certainly don't want to feel that way. Not after the things I suggested we do…
I want to put it all behind us but that's looking increasingly impossible, especially if his behaviour earlier was anything to go by. I shift uncomfortably in my seat; the dress Emily has chosen not exactly being the most practical of garments.
Pretty? Yes.
Sexy? Yes.
Comfortable? No.
Plus these high heels are hell to walk in.
"More wine?" he asks suddenly, the bottle poised over my glass. I nod, nearly choking on my food.
"Yes, thank you," I cough. He pours me a fair amount into my glass, and then turns to his own. I'm surprised when he fills it right to the rim, the liquid threatening to overspill onto the fancy white table cloth, hanging over the dark mahogany table of this rather posh restaurant. He flashes me a quick smile and then downs most of the contents.
I simply hold my glass to my lips wondering what the hell I'm doing on a date with this madman. I then decide if I'm going to go through with this I may as well go tipsy and I too take a large gulp of the alcoholic substance.
"I have never been out to a place as nice as this," I state, tucking a strand of my (now poker straight thanks to Emily and her tongs) hair behind my ear.
"Yeah…uh…I used to come here quite a bit," he responds. "Stopped after…"
I wonder how he was going to continue that sentence, but the look in his eyes tells me it's better not to ask.
"It's nice," I repeat. Jesus I'm beginning to sound like a frickin' parrot. Ok, keep talking Faith, just instigate conversation. "I don't really go out much so I don't know what restaurants are like. The only place I know is Burger King…"
I laugh, but stop as I notice him raise an eyebrow and take another swig of his drink. Ok something's definitely up here…
"John can I ask you something?" I ask, raising my glass to my lips. He shrugs, his fork playing with his food. I roll my eyes – he's worse than Bosco. "Is everything ok?"
"I dunno Faith, why don't you tell me?" he snapped quietly. Ok, what the hell!
"Excuse me?"
"Why didn't you tell me about your little 'problem'?" he asks, his voice low. He glances around as if someone is going to hear him.
"What problem?" I ask, wrinkling my nose.
"I can't believe you. You've been lying to me all night. All this time. Bosco told me!"
I stop, my jaw contracting. "What exactly did Bosco tell you?"
"About your sex addiction!"
I must have been drinking without even realising it because upon hearing his response I splutter red wine out of my mouth and it dribbles down onto my chest. Smooth Faith, real smooth.
"He what?" I say, incredulous, dabbing my skin with a serviette.
John looks nervous now; the look in my eyes must be one of sheer rage. "He told me about the…your addiction…the therapist…"
I sit back, crossing my arms, my toe tapping off the floor.
"There's no addiction is there?" he says after a lengthy pause. I shake my head, still debating whether I should kill John or Bosco first. John because he believed Bosco's childish tale, or Bosco because he made up the stupid story in the first place. "I'm sorry Faith."
In the end I choose Bosco, if I'm honest, feeling a bit sorry for John. He sat here all night with me thinking I was some sex-crazed maniac. He could've cancelled but he didn't – he gave me a chance. And in some sick, twisted, way I find that charming.
"Can we start over?" he asks, looking very embarrassed, "I really wanna start over."
"Yes," I reply, "But not tonight. I think I've had enough tonight. I'm tired. Plus I really wanna go kick Boscorelli's ass."
He nods and I let out a long breath. "It's ok John. I understand why you'd believe him. He can be pretty convincing at times."
"Yeah but I should've asked you, I'm sorry," he apologises. I reach over and squeeze his hand on the tabletop.
"It's ok. Really. I'm just tired."
"I'll give you a lift then," he offers, jumping up for the bill. I pull him back down, smiling.
"It's ok. I'll get a cab, but thank you, I'd love to say it was a lovely evening…"
"I understand. Can we…can we do this again…I mean properly?" he asks, smiling across the table at me.
"Of course we can, I'll see you at work tomorrow ok?"
I move over to where he sits and place a kiss on his cheek.
With that I'm gone, flagging down the quickest taxi I can get. I tell him where I want to go and he speeds off. I'm pretty sure I should arrest him for speeds like this, but tonight I don't really care about anything other than getting to Bosco and killing him with my bare hands. Preferably hitting him with a big stick too.
We pull up to the leisure complex and I hand him a handful of notes. He can barely speak English but I can make out a Spanish thanks as he realises I've given him way too much money.
I walk purposely forward inside the huge building. I know this place better than I know home, the winding corridors not a deterrent for my speed. These heels are though. The black shoes slow me down, as does the long flowing dress. It has two huge splits up either side of the rather see-through light blue and green fabric, and is held in the middle by a large leather belt. The plunging v neckline is pulled back in a corset style closing at the back and the black fish neck tights itch like hell. I'm never letting Emily dress me again.
Ever.
I walk into the pool section, huge windows separating me from the modern pool complex. The place is deserted – the time of night obviously being a factor. I walk inside my heels clicking off the black marble tiles on the floor. Huge windows open out the pool to the world, the black night sky visible. Soft lighting on the walls beams across the pool, the water reflecting the spotlights on the ceiling.
Bosco is so far unaware of my presence and swims with ease up the pool. I sometimes envy his athletic skills – he does everything with such grace and agility that I could never match. His muscular arms occasionally rise above the water, pulling him forward. He reaches the top and flips underneath the water, using his legs as leverage to propel him into his next length.
I can't take it anymore. Finally losing my temper, I reach for a floaty that sits stacked up by the pools edge and throw it at him. I have perfect aim because it hits him bang on the head. He pulls back, shocked. His head bobs up to the surface and he rubs his hands over his dripping wet face as he pulls off his goggles.
"You bastard!" I scream, picking up another floaty. This time I'm just blind with anger and chuck them one after the other in the general direction of his body. Each hits him and he tries to shield his face with his arms.
"Fai- Jesus-ow! Faith!" he says, trying to move forward while alternately forming a defensive shied with his hands.
"I hate you! I hate you!" I screech. Realising I'm out of ammo I look down at my feet and the little devils that have been killing me all night. Maybe they did have a use after all. I removed my left shoe and Bosco's face was one of sheer horror as he realised what I was considering. I hold it up it the air, poised to throw.
He holds up the palm of his hand. "Faith! Stop!" he shouts, cautiously floating forward.
"Give me one good reason why I should?" I hiss, still wielding my shoe like a weapon.
"Because if you throw that thing and it kills me you're gonna regret it," he says, his tone soft.
"I doubt it," I say raising it higher.
"You'll doubt it because you'll never get to scream at me for whatever it is I'm meant to have done," he says. I stop, my hand falling by my side.
"What you're meant to have done? You know rightly what you've done, you lying little prick!" I yell.
"Ok, calm down and tell me exactly what's up."
"You! You told Miller that I was some sort of sexed crazed animal! You made me look like a fool! You wrecked my date! You wrecked my evening!"
He gives me one of those lopsided grins, and I frown. "And you don't care do you? You don't care that tonight was special to me?"
He snorts derisively, glancing to the side and then back at me. "Special? Faith you barely knew this guy!"
"No! He wasn't special. Tonight was! Tonight was about me gaining confidence! This was my first date since the divorce. It took me a long time to get to this point. And you destroyed it…"
The air is heavy, the poignant smell of chlorine filling my nostrils. I feel warm, the lights beaming down on me.
He swims up to the edge, resting both arms up on the bars. He looks up at me, his gaze distant.
"I'm sorry," he says eventually, "I didn't mean to do that."
I fold my arms across my chest and shake my head, looking away.
"But you did."
"I know. And I'm sorry. I was just really pissed that you were embarrassed of me. I wanted to hurt you. It was cruel…I see that now. Jeez Faith, it was meant to be a joke…I never imagined…"
"You really hurt me Bosco," I whisper, closing my eyes.
"I know. I know. I'm sorry."
"It's not good enough!" I say, raising my voice as I find my anger building up once more. Water drips from his tanned skin, cascading down his face, hitting his shoulders.
He gestures outwards, the water surrounding him rippling around the contours of his masculine body. "What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know! What I really want is for you to grow up!" I bark.
"No you don't. You like me this way 'cause it makes you feel superior!" he sneers. "You like the fact I make mistakes so you can point them out and make me feel like a nothing."
"Bosco I couldn't care less about how you feel, especially right now."
"Really? Well-" Suddenly he doubles over, clutching his side. He lets out a groan and my anger is replaced with overwhelming concern.
"Bosco!" I call out rushing to the edge of the pool. I hold out my hand for his arm, trying to pull him to me. He grips my forearm and suddenly I realise that his grip is too strong for someone who is meant to be in crippling agony.
I look at his face only to see him giving me a crooked smile.
"Don't you dare," I say, my voice barely a whisper. He arches his eyebrows, tugging gently on my arm. I feel myself lose my already precarious balance and stumble head first into the pool. I hit the water with a splash, sinking to the bottom.
I hear his laugh echo under the water, and I struggle in the material of the dress to reach the surface. My head pops up from the water and I gasp from breath, my hair sticking to my face and eyes. The pool water is deep; my feet nowhere near the floor. I splash around to keep myself above water, shocked that he would pull such a stunt when I was so livid. My eyes are still closed as I try to wipe my hair away from my face. Suddenly I feel his body next to mine, his heavy hands resting on my shoulders.
I'm going to kill him if he's about to do what I think he's considering. And I'm right. I feel pressure on my body as I sink back under the water, Bosco holding me down for several seconds and then pulling me back up.
I splutter as I reach the surface, my hands flying out to hit him. He chuckles, tackling me, sending me crashing backwards. Before I realise it I'm floating safely above the waters surface, alone. I wipe water from my face and spin around, my eyes searching for Bosco.
"Bosco?" I call out, pushing my hair back, "Maurice Louis Boscorelli where the hell are you?"
I feel a body under mine, Bosco positioning himself between my legs. He rests my entire body on his shoulders as he pushes up, scrambling to his feet. He holds onto my knees, securing me in place. The top half of my body is totally out of the water, the area below my knees still beneath the surface.
"Bosco!" I cry out, laughing despite my best efforts, "Put me down you jackass!"
"Make me," he challenges, jumping up and down in the water. I clasp my hands over his eyes in retaliation, but this only fuels his childish behaviour as he begins to rotate in circular motions, gaining speed with each turn.
"Bosco I'm gonna fall!" I scream. And with that he loses his balance, sending us both crashing forward, back into the water. It hits me hard, stinging my skin. I somersault under the water, turning so I can make my way back up. I feel a hand tug on my ankle pulling me back down, as Bosco overtakes me, pushing himself to the surface. I follow gasping for air.
He's laughing like a maniac, shaking beads of water from his dark hair. Pulling back my own hair I try to stifle a giggle, but end up letting it out, meeting his expressive gaze.
"Gotcha to laugh," he teases splashing me with water. I return the gesture, unable to hold back my smile.
"You got me very wet!"
"I'm sure I did, but that's a whole different matter," he laughs. I roll my eyes, turning away from his as I swim to the edge. The water gushes around me as I pull against the bars, pushing myself up and clear out of the pool. Water seeps from my body, dripping onto the polished tiles. Wringing out my hair I turn to face him, and realise he's staring at me from below.
"What?" I ask cautiously. He grins and indicates down at my dress. I follow his gaze and curse as I realise deciding not to wear a bra with a see through dress was not the best idea in the world. I cross my arms awkwardly across my chest.
"Stop staring you perv!" I cry out, upset. He's laughing, hard, swimming up to the edge. "You'd better have something for me to change into."
I bend down to take off my other shoe chucking in his direction, knowing it would miss him. He dodges anyway just for safe measure and I trudge off towards the men's changing rooms, my soaked dress trailing behind me.