I stood outside the gates of Lucas' house, trying to find the will to push the intercom button. The house was exactly as I'd expected: flash, overpriced, and over the top. My mind played back to a few days earlier, when Yusif had asked what we would do if Lucas asked me to move in with him. Well, looking at the uninviting house, all I could think was no way that would ever happen.

Sighing, I pressed the button and almost immediately, a surly voice said "Yes?"

Clearing my throat, I announced "I'm here to see Lucas-"

"Go round the back."

"Excuse me?"

"Mr Ford tells all his...lady friends, to go round the back. Attracts less attention. Why did you come to the front gate?"

The reprimanding tone in his voice got my back up straight away. Lady friends? I guessed that translated as women he picked up now and then.
I snapped "Because he said nothing about a back gate. And I assure you, I am not another of his lady friends."

There was a short pause. "What's your name?" The surly tone was back.

"Ariadne."

"Fuck." He muttered it, but I heard it audibly and stifled my giggles.

"My apologies," he hurried to add, "Mr Ford did tell me to expect you, I must've forgotten." A buzzing sound followed, and the gate creaked open. I was in.

The front door was opened by a shame-faced man, who I assumed was the guy on the intercom. Taking my coat and mumbling a welcome, he blurted out "I'm so sorry for what happened on the intercom. Please don't tell Mr Ford, he'd sack me." Poor guy. I felt so sorry for him, and knew it must suck to work for such an arsehole.

"Don't worry. Of course I won't say anything." The man looked suprised, and he clearly thought I would turn out to be a bitch like Lucas' other friends. Never the less, the expression turned to one of gratitude, and he gave me a bow and hurried off. Lucas wasn't anywhere to be seen, and I took this as my chance to look around for any documentation. I hadn't a clue where to start, but figured even if someone found me wandering around the house, I could just say I was giving myself a tour.

I hadn't taken more than two steps towards the nearest door, when a voice hailed me. "Ariadne! Welcome."

Grimacing, I turned and found Lucas standing at the top of the stairs, grinning down at me. I forced my face into a smile, and allowed myself to be swept into a hug when he came down.

"What's on the agenda for tonight?" Internally, I winced at my words as soon as they were out my mouth and hoped he wouldn't see them as an inuendo.

Luckily, he didn't. His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and he said "Well, seeing as you're so keen to see my cooking skills, I thought we could cook dinner together."

Wow. This guy must really like me.

"Sure, that sounds fun." Mentally, I wondered how I'd get a chance to sneak away, but then I brushed that thought away and decided to worry about that later.

Lucas led me to the kitchen, and I was staggered at how huge it was. For a man who clearly doesn't do any of his own cooking, this sure was impressive. A few kitchen staff were littered about the work surfaces, and looked up in suprise when we entered.

"You're excused. Your services aren't needed tonight." The words were sharp and made me cringe as the staff hurriedly left the room. Once alone, Lucas turned back into his 'friendly' self, and led me over to the fridge.

"What do you want to make?"

I looked at him in disdain. "Haven't you picked out a recipe?"

Shaking his head, he said ruefully "I uh, actually don't know any."

I couldn't help myself by laughing. "Ok, lets see what you have and we'll go from there."

Ten minutes later, we were chopping up ingredients side by side for a simple spaghetti bolognaise. Since this was his first time in the kitchen, I didn't want to try anything too adventurous and ruin the beautiful room. Conversation slipped easily between us, and I started to feel suprise for a the lack of resentment I was feeling for him for having to be here. Woah, Ariadne, rein those feelings in. He's the bad guy.

When the meal was safely bubbling on the stove, Lucas suggested a tour and I took this as another opportunity to see where he kept his files. Obviously, he wouldn't go round pointing out where his top secret documents were, so I'd have to be beady eyed.

The house had 3 levels, and I couldn't believe how many turns and twists there were. I was glad I hadn't tried my 'just need to pop to the loo' excuse earlier, I knew for sure I would get lost! It was quite artfully decorated inside, and I wondered if that was from his skills, or his former wives'. Somehow, I didn't think he would let them influence the house and his taste. On the second floor, he took me past a locked door. I only noticed it because it had a modern, keypad lock on it, whereas the other doors had old fashioned door knobs and keyholes. Trying to sound innocent, I nodded to the door and said "What's in there?"

Lucas looked round to where I was nodding. "Oh, just my private study." He said airily.

Hmmm. "Is that where you keep your dead bodies?" I grinned, trying to make him relax.

"Ahh, as a business woman yourself, you understand that we like to keep certain deals and such private." Lucas gave me a smile, and took my hand to lead me on. I couldn't help noticing how warm his hand was in mine, and spend the next few minutes chastising myself for allowing myself to relax around him. He was the mark, end of. I focused on Arthur instead, which is why when Lucas led me to the top floor, I was smiling foolishly and not paying attention to him or my surroundings. Which is also why what happened next is entirely my fault.

I felt a soft kiss on my neck, and I jerked away from Lucas. He was standing looked vaguely shocked at my reaction, but had a soft expression otherwise on his face.

"What are you doing?"

"Well you were holding my hand and smiling, what was I supposed to think?" He said, sounding defensive.

I looked around, and realised we were in his bedroom. Oh no. I so could not be dealing with this right now. Groaning, I said "We're on our first date!"

"Yes, and?"

"And?"

"I'm sorry, okay! I was just reading the signals. Must have got it wrong." He looked down at the floor.

I felt a moment of guilt, as I kind of had led him on slightly. I realised I was going to have to move on from this. He was still the mark, and I still had a job to do.

"Look, I'm not the type of girl who rushes into things like this." There was an extremely awkward silence, and I could have cried with relief when a voice called "The spaghetti is ready, Mr Ford."

Looking over at me at last, Lucas said "Shall we?"

The descent down to the kitchen was still very awkward, and I think the kitchen staff could feel it, as they tactfully left us alone as we sat down at the table. We ate in silence for a few minutes, until I could stand it no more.

"Hey, I'm sorry for overreacting. It was just a bit of a shock."

Lucas was silent. Then he murmured "It's alright. I'm actually quite pleased."

Huh? I looked at him in skeptical silence, which he picked up on.

"Most women I date are quick to get what they want. Which is good, because it's what I want too. But you, you're different. You have morals and self respect, it's what makes me like you the most. Even if you are going to drive me crazy with your self-discipline."

Oh my God. I think he actually just confessed to falling in love with me. I didn't know what to say, and contented myself by dropping my eyes back to my plate. Thankfully, Ford didn't bring it up again, and we conversed just as easily as before. My feelings of unease slowly slipped away, and it was like talking to an old friend.

When we had got through our bottle of wine after the meal, I decided to call it a night. I had achieved my purpose, to make him like me and trust me. Plus, we hadn't got intimate (I decided not to count the whole kiss on the neck issue from earlier), and I may have discovered his hiding place for all his dirty secrets. Not bad. Lucas showed me to the door like a gentleman, helping me into my coat. It was bizaare to know how a lot of people saw him as a scumbag, but he was so good at hiding it. As I turned around to thank him, I got an incredibly stupid idea which I decided to do anyway. Leaning forward, I kissed him on the cheek and said "Thank you for tonight. I had a good time."

Lucas looked at me seriously, stopping me when I turned to go. "Ariadne." He said solemnly. "I'm going to kiss you now."

And he did.

Nobody freak out! Ariadne & Arthur are still meant to be! Ford may seem nice now, but later on... :)