Grell moved in front of her mirror fixing the eyeliner. Every detail had to be perfect for her first day on the job. The letter from the mystery admirer stared up at her. She missed the date spending time with her parents.
A picture of them all together in front of the Theatre Royal Glasgow all dolled up. The ticket for the Scottish Ballet's performance of Cinderella pinned underneath the photo. She smiled knowing they had spoiled her for their first trip in her new home.
She made sure there were no wrinkles on her dress. The v neck and long sleeves made the tight dress look stunning on her body. The faint smell of Iris and Violettes stayed on her skin. She adjusted her glasses grabbing her purse, heading out the door.
A note was tapped to the door with the same handwriting as the one on the flowers. She took it with her heading for the lobby. She got into her taxi heading for the work building. She opened it up reading the message inside.
'Dear Crimson Goddess,
I'm sorry you couldn't come with me for dinner. Perhaps we could have a night for dinner and dancing? I would love nothing more than to hold you as we glide under the moonlight.
Please meet me at the lobby Friday evening. I will be holding a bouquet for you my dearest love. I still remember the colour of your lipstick caressing the the glass as you drank from it. I would have to say that you are as beautiful as any Wildflower could ever be. Vibrant, alluring, and I know that your smell would be that of the sweetest variety. I bid adieu until we meet each other again my lovely rose.
Yours truly,
the knight waiting for his princess.'
She stared at it throughout the ride thinking of who knew of her new home. It had to have been someone at the party. Someone she had yet to meet in person.
The driver had stopped right in front of her building. She paid him and thank him for his services rushing into the building as quickly as she could.
The door of practice rooms shut as others practiced their craft. In one of those rooms sat William in a simple navy blue suit. His eyes fixated on his wrist watch.
"I'm not late am I?" She moved quickly to his side letting her heavy breathing catch up. She gave a smile trying not to look as exhausted as she actually was.
"You're fifteen minutes early. Which to me, is being on time. I'm glad to see you have a sense of professionalism." He fixed his glasses moving to the piano. "Tell me about your taste in music."
"I grew up all kinds. My mother loves more modern and pop style music. My father has a thing for the classics. Not just actual classics but, old music from this century."
William straightened his back looking over at her. "I want you sing something for me. I know, I heard you sing before. I just want to heard you sing something. Not an entire song, just a verse or two."
She tapped her nails on the stand, humming the first thing to come to mind. She smiled standing straight. "Something Stupid. That's it."
He stared at her a bit confused. "Something stupid? You like a nonsensical song or something with scat lyrics?" He moved closer to her, sliding across the bench. "Anything like that?"
She sat next to him getting her hands on the piano. He watched as she began to play the melody. She smiled taking in a breath to begin.
I know I stand in line until you think you have the time to spend an evening with me
And if we go some place to dance,
I know that there's a chance you won't be leaving with me
Then afterwards we drop into a quiet little place and have a drink or two
And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid
Like "I love you"
She stopped playing glancing over at her. "It's a simple little song I've been in love with for years." She noticed the confusion looking down at her fingers. "I know how to play...a little."
"I can see that. I see why Eric said you were better suited for an older style of music." He leaned over the piano playing the melody back. "It sounds rather nice."
"It can be. Some of the older music have a beautiful charm." She leaned on her arm staring up at him. Her smile becoming infectious as it spread across his lips.
"I guess they can be. Have you ever written a song before? Or is it that you've only preformed covers of older work?" He spoke in a hushed tone.
She giggled covering her mouth as the smile grew wider. "Only covers. I've written poetry that could be lyrics. I guess, I've just never had the idea to make them into songs."
William's heart fluttered leaning closer to her. His eyes fixated on her lips. A strong urge to kiss her ran through his body. Goosebumps running through him when a knock came at the door.
He backed away getting up from his seat. Eric walked in giving a pleasant smile. "I'm glad to see you're both here. I have some news about the building." He entered in holding a small bundle of papers in his hands.
"Go ahead." William's body language become more serious along with his tone. Grell got out of her seat moving closer to the two. "What's going on with the building?"
"Nothing like shutting it down. The extermination crew is going to be going room to room spraying around. Just to let you know. I gotta tell the others though. Maybe the three of us could go to dinner?"
"Knox is out of the city doing some work in Manchester. We'll have him back in a few days." He checked his watch looking at them once more. "I have to run. Text me with an answer about dinner."
"Yes of course. I'll let you know when we're done here." Eric smiled walking out the door. Grell got up placing her hand on his arm. "I think dinner sounds like a lovely idea."
He looked down at her softening his features. "I think dinner would be nice too." He sat back down playing back the melody back again. "Let's get started, shall we?"
The rest of their day went by rather smooth with them giggling as Grell would be very playful with him. William hadn't fun like this with a client in a while. He messaged Eric pushing forward their dinner plans.
He walked with her into the restaurant keeping her close with her arm on his. They took their seats having Eric run in right behind them. "Glad to see you made it."
He laughed taking a seat on the other side of her. "You should be saying how nice I am to have been waiting for two to arrive." He placed his hand on Grell's giving it a gentle squeeze. "And how are you doing my dear?"
"Getting used to living in such a different place. My whole life has changed and it feels like it is all a dream...one that I don't want to wake up from."
The gentle smile across her lips was genuine. The men felt their hearts thumping for the lady. Eric moved hand away keeping his cool." I'm glad to hear it. "
They all soon had their orders taken having glasses filles with wine. The salads were soon delivered as they talked pleasantries.
The salads came out having Grell going her glass carefully. "Oh they loved the ballet. My mother made me take dance when I was a child. The whole time she was whispering in my ear. 'Do you remember that pose? Do you remember what that's called?' She's relentless."
"That was my childhood. My parents had me in rugby. 'Eric, you're gonna be late for practice. Eric, make sure your don't look like you forgot to wash.' I loved it though. Did your parents make you do anything like that Will?"
He frowned placing his fork down. "Football. My parents made my play until I was old enough to make my own decisions. After that, I did track." He took a bite of his food glancing at the others.
"That's not so bad. At least the let you change out to something you wanted. I grew to love rugby and got really good at it." Eric thought of his younger years giving a chuckle. "Did you do any sports Grell?"
She put down her glass sighing happily. "Taekwondo. My father wanted me to be able to kick people in the teeth if ever needed." She laughed rubbing her hands together. "He was so proud when I took down my instructor."
"Sounds like your father wanted to make sure you could do anything." William was honestly turned on by her strengths. He adjusted himself, making sure to cover anything that looked bad.
His phone began to ring catching them off guard. "One moment, I'm terribly sorry." He got out of his seat leaving to answer the call.
Eric took a bite of his salad giving her a wink to help her relax. He covered his mouth leaning towards her. "He normally never gets calls unless it's me. I'm sure it's fine."
William came back, his having gone pale. "My neighbour's cat managed to knock down one of cages. She said no birds were released, but that doesn't mean they won't be harmed."
"Oh Will, I'm sorry. Go take care of what you have to. I'll ask for a box and deliver it." Eric sat up looking for their server. "I'm really am sorry Will."
"I'm sorry too William. I hope none of your babies are injured." She reached out touching his arm. "Please be careful on your way home. You have to let us know what happened."
"Thank you both. I'll call once everything is over." He took his coat heading out the door. The others kept seated making their table quiet.
Eric leaned closer to her rubbing his hand on her arm. "It's gonna be okay. William will be fine." He moved away giving her a small smile trying to make her feel better.
They continued their meal with no call from William throughout it. Eric paid taking the box of William's food in his arms. They made their way to his home worried about him.
William answered the door having his hanf wrapped in a small kitchen towel. "What happened?!" Grell freaked out entering his home. She took a look at the wound seeing the piece of skin dangling from his hand.
He looked at her having the shame of the small bite revealed. "I found their cage on the floor crying their hearts out. I brought them inside to let them loose for bit and one of them bit me...it was Martin."
A small gold finch with a small brown dot across the feathers at the top of his head in William's sight. The tiny bird hopped along the railing of his new cage tweeting.
" Oh William, I am so sorry. You need to clean this up. " Turning the hand over, she looked for any other injuries. She ran towards his bathroom searching for a first-aid kit.
Eric sat next to him looking at the cages. "Who would think a small bird like that could take down the great William Spears?" He nudged him playfully looking at the birds. "None of them hurt?"
"Thankfully not. They seems to have lost some feathers from panicking from the fall. Other than that, nothing to fear."
Grell ran back in with Hydrogen Peroxide and the first-aid. She cleaned his wound placing the band-aid on. "There you go. Nice and clean."
William scanned the band-aid giving a small nod. "Thank you Grell." He kept his voice muted wanting to kissing her for a better thanks. He couldn't do that in front of his boss. They weren't in a relationship either.
Eric smiled placing the box on the kitchen counter looking at the two. "I'm glad it wasn't anything serious or life threatening. As long as you're alright." He glanced over at the cages once more feeling the ease from their owner.
William thanked them for their time feeling awful for ruining their time together. He scanned over Grell again, feeling especially bad for leaving her.
Grell and Eric made their way back to her flat with the relaxation of William's safety. He was a gentleman, walking with her to the door of her home.
A note was sticking from the small space of the door. A red envelope with her name printed across it. The smell of jasmine and roses lingered from the paper.
Grell grabbed it opening it slowly. Another letter from the mysterious person. She looked up at Eric feeling frightened from this new gift. "I hate to ask you for this Eric but, could you stay for a bit?"
He looked down at the letter puffing himself up. "Is that letter a threat? Who wants ta hurt ya Grell?" He grabbed it scanning over it.
'To my beloved Rose,
I feel as though my words aren't enough to express my feelings for you. I'll be sending a gift worthy of my intentions. Please wear it for me, won't you my darling?
Your Darling,
Your Prince'
Eric moved closer to her caressing her cheek. 'Whoever this person needs to go.' He moved in front of the door holding his stance. "I'll stay all night if I must."
She opened the door letting them in. Both Helen and Troy were fast asleep on the cat tree. She smiled letting them do so. She hung up their coats and her purse feeling a bit better.
She took him by the hand taking them to her room. She moved to the bed sitting down with him. "Shortly after I moved in, I started receiving these letters and gifts. I still don't know who's been sending them."
He moved closer to her wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "It's alright. We'll find 'em and make 'em stop." He rubbed her back hearing the fright in her voice. "I'll make sure of it."
She hugged onto him having his large hand run along her back. A tilt of her head made their eyes meet. Their hearts thumping from their contact.
He lifted her chin having a lust strike him. He knew this was wrong. He knew this was something he shouldn't even think about. He lean down capturing her lips. The feel from they night he brought her to his home flooding back.
She froze not so sure what to do. She already had relations with William. What would happen if they spoke to each other of their experiences with her? His hand moved down her body caressing her thighs.
Her eyes finally closed kissing back. Her worries being forced into the back of her mind. He laid her down onto the bed placing himself between her legs. This would be their secret. A night of desire with no one to tell them otherwise.