Chapter 5 – Getting to Know You

13th December 2012 – 06:00 am

Amour sans fin Chalet: Kitchen

"Morning, Lauren."

Lauren spun around so fast she spilt her freshly brewed tea over her hand, causing her to yelp out in pain, "Augh".

Bo rushed to her side and pulled her toward the tap, holding her hand as she ran cold water under it, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you."

Lauren looked at her hand; the red was already disappearing. She was so close to Bo; she could smell her washed hair and subtle perfume as she inhaled the soft fragrance. Opening her eyes, she saw that Bo was smiling at her, her dimple on display, and she felt herself get hot and her face flush. "Sorry, erm Bo, sorry. I'm okay now. It's fine."

Bo let go of her hand and passed her a cloth to dry it with. Looking her up and down, she was wearing the same blue chinos and a white polo top as when she was introduced. A thick snow jacket and boots were by the backdoor, already covered in snow. Lauren instead was wearing a pair of crocs. Bo never understood why so many chefs favoured that footwear. Maybe it was in case of spillages, but she doubted Lauren was a messy chef as she looked immaculate. Her hair was perfected in a bun, and her clothes were well ironed and crisply sharp. Bo could smell the fresh linen with a hint of delicate perfume. Bo's mind wandered to what Lauren would wear outside of work. She already noticed Lauren's slender, toned frame with small breasts that perched high on her chest. A smile formed across her face, tilting her head to the side. Mind-wandering to what she looked like without any clothes on at all.

Looking up, Bo saw Lauren looking at her, questioning, "Sorry, did you say something?"

"I asked if you would like some coffee." Lauren held up the pot to emphasise her words. Her usual calm composure seemed disoriented today.

"Please," Bo replied. She was enjoying Lauren looking flustered. Happy to think it was masking her own red face.

Lauren turned and mentally told herself to pull it together. She was behaving like a schoolgirl with a crush. "So, you have a busy day today prepping, and filming starts tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Bo replied, "Have you ever seen the show?"

Lauren bit her bottom lip and shook her head, "Sorry, no, I haven't."

Bo smiled. Kenzi was right; it was refreshing; "Do you even know who I am?"

"Yes," Lauren answered with more conviction, stepping forward toward Bo. "You are Bo Dennis, born 8th April 1990, in Vancouver, Canada. Beginning your career in the T.V. show 'Due South' at the tender age of four. And when the show ended, you had roles in 'The Famous Jet Jackson', 'Mutant X' and 'Jane Doe'." Lauren used the tips of her fingers to count them off. "Later a few cameo roles in 'Murdock Mysteries' and 'Being Erica'. Now you are part of the main cast in 'Vixens', playing temptress Payton. Joining in their second season, which has just finished airing in Canada, you're here to film a winter spin-off special with a love triangle."

Bo gave a wry smile, "Wow, a very detailed answer. Do you know what any of that means, or did you just memorise my IMDb page?"

Lauren's shoulders sunk, and she bowed her head, "Sorry, I googled you. I didn't know anything about you, and after the appalling way I behaved when we first met, I wanted to make it up to you."

Bo laughed, causing Lauren to look up.

"Well, let's change that." Bo jumped onto the counter, "Everyone I meet thinks they know me when really they know shit. So, it's nice to meet someone with who I can make a fresh start."

"No expectations?"

"Exactly, just promise me that you won't google me anymore. Most of it is made up or fabricated, and in return, you can meet the real Bo Dennis?" Bo held out her hand, "Deal?"

"Deal," Lauren shook her hand. "So, what would the real Bo Dennis like for breakfast?"

"I would like pancakes, but I have not eaten a carb in, well, let's say a long time." She replied. "So best stick to melon and another black coffee."

"One pancake won't hurt," Lauren replied.

"It would if Evony found out." Bo leapt off the counter when Lauren walked towards the fridge, causing them to bump into each other.

"Sorry," Lauren murmured. She went to pass on the left. Bo did the same, causing another awkward bump. Bo moved right, Lauren moved right also. They danced this way until finally, Bo stopped, and Lauren passed her. Bo immediately felt Laurens' absence of her body lightly pressed against her and silently cursed herself for stopping their interaction.

"Can I not tempt you?" Lauren lifted one eyebrow, "to a better start to your day?" Lauren had a variety of ingredients in her arms and lowered them onto the counter.

Bo pressed her lips together, suppressing a smile pushing back thoughts of what Lauren could tempt her to do. Realising Lauren was waiting for her reply, she patted her flat stomach, "best not."

Lauren saw Bo's hand resting on her torso, "Bo, don't be silly. You're gorgeous."

Bo tilted her head and smiled, "Why, thank you. I don't recall anyone calling me gorgeous before."

Lauren's face went beetroot red, "Sorry, I just meant, erm, that erm, well-"

Tamsin entered the kitchen, and Lauren sighed relief for the temporary distraction. Bo didn't move to the dining area; instead, she sat on the stool to the side of the breakfast bar.

Tamsin barked her request at Lauren, without even one please or thank you, angering Bo. Lauren prepared the melon and passed Bo the plate while politely nodding at Tamsin. Evony and Massimo also approached Lauren ordering their breakfast, and soon Lauren was busy with no time to talk. Bo watched as Lauren coordinated several pans, and shortly a plate was placed in front of her, along with a fresh coffee.

"I can't watch you push that melon around any longer." Bo's eyes widened. Not only had Lauren made her a stack of pancakes, but she had also added some honey-glazed bacon on the side.

Bo quickly ate it, and Lauren smiled to herself as Bo made quiet, appreciative groaning sounds. When she had finished, she placed her plate in the dishwasher. Lauren looked over at Bo, mouthing thank you. Bo nodded and joined the rest of her group in the dining room, coffee in hand.

"Hey, y'all." Bo was perky, she had enjoyed her carbohydrate breakfast, but more than that, she had enjoyed her brief moment with Lauren.

"What you so cheery for?" Tamsin asked, taking Bo's coffee from her hand and sipping the hot liquid. "I see the 'I don't make drinks' chef doesn't mind making your coffee. She must fancy you."

Lauren appeared at that moment with pots of coffee and tea and put them on the table. Bo looked at her and noticed that again, she had turned scarlet.

"Here are some hot drinks; your host won't arrive for a few more days, so I will take on that role in the meantime. I'll be back in a few minutes with your breakfast."

The group nodded, and Lauren hurried back to the kitchen without saying another word.

"Yep, defo fancies you." Tamsin gave back Bo's mug and reached for the pot, and poured her own.

"What makes you think that?" Bo asked more out of personal curiosity than anything else.

"Why?" Tamsin held her stare with Bo, "You interested?"

Bo tutted, "I'm not gay. And maybe she isn't either, ever thought of that. You think everyone is gay."

Tamsin took a large gulp of her coffee, "Everyone is at least bi-curious, it's been proven, something like eighty per cent of women dabbles in lesbianism."

"Right, you two enough." Evony interrupted their conversation, unhappy with the direction it was going in. She spent every day hiding Bo's secret, and to think it was unravelling was angering her. She formulated a plan. Evony knew the moment she saw Lauren that Bo would be interested, and that could not happen. One thing that would stop her is if Evony got there first, and with Bo's ridiculous old-fashioned third date rule, that would be an easy task. She would make Bo so busy she won't even get one date with the chef, let alone three. Biting into her breakfast, she let out a little moan. The chef was a sensational cook.

16th December 2012 – 06:00 am

Amour sans fin Chalet : Kitchen

Lauren waited patiently for Bo to come out of her room like she did every morning at 6am. They had been inseparable for three days, sneaking breakfast together and spending even more time together after dinner, watching movies. Sitting close on the leather sofa until Lauren would reluctantly leave when her shift officially finished at ten pm. No one ever requested food that late, and truth be told, everyone except Bo was in their bedroom, so she could have left earlier. But she didn't want to and made excuses to stay longer each time.

The first night was by accident, everyone had gone to bed, and Lauren walked into the lounge to see if Bo wanted anything from the kitchen. She hadn't. Bo rarely ate, and what was ordered was mainly fruit, salad, or egg whites. Lauren had taken to ignoring what she asked for and instead gave her want she thought she would enjoy. It was an unspoken game now they played.

On that night, Lauren had poured Bo a drink and brought it over to her, along with a chocolate covered flapjack. Bo smiled at her gesture and invited her to watch Harry Potter, Chamber of Secrets. Lauren accepted, sitting on the opposite side of the sofa.

"This one is my favourite," Bo said.

"Why?"

"When I watch a movie, I like to play a game, calling out each time I spot a continuity mistake," Bo admitted, taking a big bite from her flapjack. "Out of all of them, this one has the most."

"Really?" Lauren got comfy, moving closer to Bo and hugging her tea, "Wanna spice up your game and have a shot every time you find one?"

"Best not." Bo pulled the blanket over them both. "There are around one hundred and eighty-five mistakes in this one." Lauren's mouth dropped, making Bo laugh.

It was Bo's new favourite memory. Since that night, they were rarely apart and had formed a friendship. Determined to show Lauren her true self, unaware that Lauren was hiding her own truth.

Bo's door opened, and Lauren couldn't contain her excitement and ran toward her. "Morning."

Bo smiled at her; it was her favourite part of the day when they were alone, enjoying breakfast together. Bo purposely set her alarm for 5:30am, only to have this alone time with her, "Morning, you look cheery."

"I found something in the supermarket that I want you to try." Lauren pulled a plate from behind her to reveal some toast with a black sticky paste on top. "Marmite. You'll either love it or hate it."

Bo cautiously took the plate and picked up a piece of toast, and bit into it. Lauren looked on at her while she ate. Bo held up her index finger, signalling for Lauren to wait and took a second bite. Slowly she placed the toast back on the plate. "I wasn't sure at first, but I think I like it."

"Really. You're not just saying that?" Lauren shrieked, "Good, I'm a lover too."

Bo grinned, 'I bet you're a really good lover', she thought. A million thoughts crossed her mind, each one not for sharing. Bo happily ate the rest of her breakfast, and the more she tried marmite, the more she genuinely liked it.

Lauren placed Bo's finished plate in the dishwasher and began to wipe down the crumbs from the counter, constantly amazed at how often she missed the plate when eating toast.

"What are you doing tonight?" Bo asked. "It's your night off. Do you have plans?"

"Well, I won't be watching a film as, because of you, I'll spend the whole time looking for mistakes. You've ruined Pretty Woman for me now." Lauren walked around to Bo's side of the counter and leaned back onto it. "I will never be able to watch it without seeing her croissant transform into a pancake."

Bo gulped; Laurens' top had risen just a fraction to reveal part of her taut stomach.

"Well, I thought as you're off and I have a free night that maybe we can go out?" Bo blurted out her question before she had a chance to think about it. "I mean if you fancy a change of scenery?"

Lauren bit her lip, had Bo Dennis just asked her out? She had to tame her composure as she replied, "Yeah, that would be nice."

Tamsin entered the room, alerting them both that their time was over and the others had arrived and were ready to give her their breakfast orders. Lauren followed Tamsin back to the dining room, and Bo followed, hugging her black coffee.

Half an hour later, Lauren placed each breakfast in front of her guests. Lauren knew Bo had already eaten, but to avoid suspicion, put melon in front of her. Bo laughed at their private joke.

Evony reached up and touched her arm, "Lauren, Miss Dennis is on a new diet, breakfast and lunch to be simply warm water, lemon and cayenne pepper."

Bo blinked, "What? And why?"

"I noticed you have gained weight."

Lauren looked at Bo's body, scanning for any signs of feeding her carbs for the past three days, but there was not an inch of fat on her. A flush crept up her face when Bo caught her staring.

Evony smirked; one way to control Bo was to hit her self-esteem. The other part of her plan was coming. "Also, Lauren, as you have a night off, be a darl book a table for us at Le Maison."

"Sure," Lauren replied, unable to look at Bo, knowing their evening had just been cancelled.

"Book it for five." Evony looked at Bo, "Kyle arrives tonight. And Lauren, prepare a picnic lunch, as it is a busy filming day, so we won't be coming back till later. Enjoy your free night with your own people."

Bo was embarrassed. Had Evony really said that to Lauren? She was also confused, "Evony, Kyle is not due to be here for filming until Christmas." Bo wanted the world to swallow her up.

"Well, he has come out early to see you for the holidays." Evony gave Bo a warning look.

Tamsin saw the look of confusion on Laurens' face and took advantage of the situation, "Kyle Rainer is her boyfriend." Tamsin pointed at Bo, who grimaced under the scrutiny.

The room went silent. Lauren nodded and left. Bo's fist clenched; she was unable to say anything. Kyle was set up by Evony to hide her sexuality. He was nothing more than a red-carpet boyfriend. Someone to attend events with, but she couldn't reveal that to Lauren or Tamsin. Instead, she would have to pretend. Bo hated her secret, but the look on Lauren's face had upset her even more.