Chapter 2
"This doesn't feel right…" murmured David, looking around the fancy restaurant suspiciously, where Julia and Rob were sitting together at a table on his right, while Stephanie at another table in front of him,
"Is there something wrong?" asked Kim, putting down the menu she was holding.
"No, it's just not okay."
"What?…"
"Sitting separately at two tables, there's no reason in it."
"Maybe they just want to discuss some work issues, then they will all sit together later."
"Yeah, maybe…"
"But until there isn't any danger, it doesn't really matter, right?" she gestured, then looked towards Julia and added with a smile, "Or maybe… they're on a date."
"No," he protested immediately. "That's absolutely out of the question."
"But why? How do you even know that?"
"It's obvious that she would never date him. You've seen for yourself how many times she has refused him."
"Yeah, that's true." she nodded in agreement, then suddenly exclaimed, "… Bloody hell!"
"What's the matter?"
"Twenty-five quid for a drink?! It seems they really are on a date. I mean, dinner here must cost a few hundreds, that's too much for 'not dating.'"
"It's surely just business."
"Why are you so sure of that?"
"Her posture is too stiff for a romantic evening."
"But his gestures are more than enthusiastic." she pointed at Rob.
"Of course, they are. He always wants to get her into bed, so it's not surprising."
"Then let's make a bet," she said.
"Okay…"
"I think they're on a date."
"Right, I think they're definitely not on a date."
"Then it's a deal…" she nodded, then they just eagerly watched them…
"… It's a nice place, isn't it?" asked Rob, nesting in his chair with conceit, "Elegant, luxurious. A place where men can steal a woman's heart."
"Yeah, I haven't been here in ages," she murmured, observing the menu.
"So you like it?"
"Hm?..." she looked up, returning from her thoughts.
"The place. It's enchanting." he tried, but it seemed she wasn't taking the hint,
"Yeah, good choice." she sank back into her menu, so he did the same, realizing how expensive the restaurant actually was,
"Huh, prices are high… but the government card can cover anything, right?"
"No, not this time," she looked up. "It's a private event, so no government card tonight."
"Sure, then… what would you say to going fifty-fifty?" he asked, and David stifled a laugh,
"I forgot to mention, tonight is on me, so no worries. Just choose whatever you want."
"Actually, that's not on the menu…" he tried with a smile, but she pretended not to get it.
"Then choose something else. The lobster is quite good in here."
"Great," he nodded with a sigh, and delved back into the menu, while David stared at him with disbelief,
"What?!" chuckled Kim,
"Fifty-fifty? Is he for real?!"
"It seems you were right, so it's not a date."
"I mean 'fifty-fifty' is the crappiest thing a man can say. And in this case, they say 'he's into her', so how can he let her pay when he finally has a chance to spend some private time with her?"
"He's an asshole."
"That's an understatement. I'm the one who feels embarrassed instead of him."
"Oh, look at that… he's trying to grab her hand." she remarked, and David stiffened for a moment, then added with a knowing but relieved smile,
"… She pulled it away."
"Yeah, she was pretty quick."
"Because it was a natural response, purely reflexive."
"Look…" she pointed towards Stephanie now, "She's really trying to take a picture of them?"
"Yeah, it seems so." David raised an eyebrow, "But it looks like they're aware of it… what's going on here?"
"I don't know, but it's kinda strange…"
"Yeah."
"Gosh, he's trying again… oops, it spilled out." remarked Kim, and that was the moment when David couldn't stay in his place and appeared at their table,
"Is everything all right, ma'am?"
"Yes, I was just clumsy with the water, no problem."
"We can handle it, thank you." remarked Rob mockingly, then added as he didn't move, "Just go back to your place, we don't need your service."
"Are you sure you're okay, ma'am?" he asked gently, ignoring him, while still looking at Julia.
"Why are you making a fuss here, anyway?" Rob started to lose control, "It's a private dinner, you shouldn't…"
"Would you like me to escort you to the ladies' room?"
"Yes, that would be fine, thank you. I think I need to clean up my dress a bit," she smiled gratefully at David and stood up.
"Certainly. This way, ma'am…" he showed her the way, and they left Rob with a confused look on his face. As they reached the ladies' room, David asked her to wait, while he checked to make sure all the cubicles are unoccupied. When he returned, Stephanie also accompanied Julia,
"All clear, ma'am…" he let them in, then stood outside the door with his back against it to guard them…
"I can't believe it!" started Stephanie as they remained alone and approached the mirror in front of them, "What the hell were you doing at the table?!"
"Nothing," she said calmly and started drying her clothes with a paper towel.
"Well, I could see that." Stephanie sighed, "You should have only endured a few moments with his hand on you." she said, and David took a step closer to the door to hear better,
"Pulling my hand away was not intentional, it was just an instinct."
"Two times?"
"Yeah, that's why they call it an instinct. You cannot control it."
"But you're a grown woman."
"Exactly, and that's why I know what I want and what I don't."
"Fine, then if you can't stand him touching you, then what the hell are you suggesting?"
"Just take a picture without holding hands…" Julia checked her makeup in the mirror.
"But you're colleagues. People often see the two of you together, so that's not enough. They have to see some 'action', you know."
"Sorry, but I can't do that." she turned to face with her, "It would be like being a prostitute."
"With just hand-holding? You two are on a date, for heaven's sake! It's not like I'm suggesting you sleep with him!" David stiffened again on the other side of the door,
"I know," sighed Julia, "But it's about having to do something I don't want too. My job is full of situations where I have to put up with things, but when it comes to my body, my personal space, I drew a line. I won't let anyone touch me if I don't want it."
"You don't behave like a real politician," she remarked with a sigh.
"Because I'm a lawyer first and foremost… politics is just a tool, nothing more. But I made it clear that he can't touch me."
"Sure."
"What did you tell him, anyway?…" Julia asked suspiciously,
"Nothing wrong, just that you two have to pretend to be together."
"I think that was enough for him," she said deep in thought.
"So what's the plan?"
"We'll go back, finish dinner, while you'll take a few simple pictures."
"One cake with two forks?" tried Stephanie,
"Right," she took a sigh, "I can handle that."
"Finally, something usable." she nodded in relief, then everybody returned to their places. After dessert was served and Stephanie took a few pictures of them sharing a cake, the indoor project finally ended, so they started to leave the place…
"You don't have to last too long," Stephanie turned to Julia, as they all stood together, ready to leave, "The reporters are outside. Just a few pictures together as you leave the restaurant, and we're done."
"Great, then I'll get my coat…" she remarked, and they shared a look.
"I'd like to have a word with Rob, so we'll join you in a minute."
"Right," Julia nodded and went to the coat check with David, where he couldn't resist to ask,
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, sure. I just can't wait to get out of here."
"I totally understand," he said, then lowered his voice, "… If you want to leave this mess here, we can go now."
"You mean…"
"I've already ordered the car, and it has been parked closest to the entrance, so just a few steps, and you can run away."
"Okay," she smiled mischievously, "Then let's go…"
Stepping out onto the street, flashing lights were everywhere… as they ran down the steps, David put an arm around her, trying to keep her safe on their way to the car… while feeling his arm around her made her feel safe and warm, which was instinctively reflected in her smile.…
As they arrived home, finding refuge from the rest of the people around them, she finally felt relaxed,
"Gosh, it's so good to be home," Julia smiled gratefully. "Thanks for saving me tonight."
"Anytime," he returned her smile, but there was something more in it.
"I think I need a drink to this madness… would you like one?" she held up a bottle of wine.
"No, thank you. I'm on duty, so…"
"Yeah sure, then soft drinks in fridge." she offered, but David was hesitating, "… Come on, just say it."
"… Say what?"
"What you've wanted to ask all night."
"Okay," he took a sigh, "I know it's not my business, but…"
"Come on…"
"But why do you go on a date with someone you don't want to be with?" and that was it, he finally said it aloud.
"I know you don't really like politicians…" she started with a smile, sipping from her wine, "And I must say, your opinion won't change."
"…"
"I dated him… for votes."
"For votes?" he repeated the words with a puzzled expression. "You mean your political advisor fulfills his job, gets votes for you only if you date him?"
"No, of course not," she shook her head with a smile. "It's not about that. The thing is, I'm running in the elections next year, and they conducted a poll which revealed that despite people being content with my work and thinking I'm doing my job the right way… they believe I'm worth nothing without a man."
"…" David smiled involuntarily.
"Yeah, it's kinda funny if you think about it."
"No, I mean those men, your competitors, are tricky. They must try to bring you down somehow if they want to win."
"I never thought about it that way…" she smiled,
"So you were on this date tonight for votes?"
"Yes, the plan is that I have to show up with a man to pretend I have someone in my life."
"Wish I had known about the opportunity…" said David with his boyish smile, made her lose herself in his eyes for a moment, "Although I know I'm out of question, I'm not rich or educated enough to be eligible."
"David…" she started softly, but didn't have a chance to respond, because Stephanie arrived in a hurry.
"I can't believe you left me there!"
"Well, I…"
"There were some security issues, so we had to leave, ma'am." replied David quickly, but Stephanie didn't pay attention to him,
"Go and get me a drink, okay?"
"David isn't here for making drinks…" said Julia, but he interrupted her with a smile,
"No, problem. I'm taking care of it." he nodded kindly and went to the kitchen,
"Why are you doing this to me?!" Stephanie lowered her voice and leaned closer to Julia. "You left me with Rob and the reporters."
"I had not much choice… I didn't want another scene."
"What? A few photos with Rob?"
"Yeah, he would have surely tried to embrace me. Even the thought of it gives me chills…" she explained, but Stephanie laughed with disbelief.
"Embrace you, really?! Oh my God, what a trauma! Then why don't you check your phone, hm?"
"My phone?…" she asked puzzled.
"Yeah, I sent you a few pictures of you leaving the restaurant tonight. Come on, I'm waiting…"
"Right…" she replied slowly, realizing she was in trouble as she took out her phone and opened the messages,
"Is there anything you recognize in this picture?"
"Well…"
"It's interesting that you had absolutely no problem with your bodyguard putting his arm around you… or what am I saying? You were snuggled up to him like in some romantic movie!"
"That was just…"
"Instinctive, yeah I know." she remarked, "And because of those instincts of yours, now I have to have a meeting with the chief editor to convince him not to publish these photos."
"Your drink, ma'am…" said David as he returned with a glass of wine, but Stephanie had a killer look on her face.
"I have to go now," she said with the same expression, then turned to Julia. "Don't do anything I wouldn't."
"I don't think such a thing exist…" she tried to joke, but she wasn't in a funny mood, then hurried away.
"Is she all right?" asked David,
"Yeah, of course. She just had a trying day, that's all." she smiled sweetly, "It was a hard day for everyone and I have to admit that even though we were in a restaurant, I'm starving."
"Probably you were just too stressed to eat."
"Yeah, I think so." she nodded in agreement, "And you haven't eaten anything, have you?"
"Not really." he smiled softly,
"I have a 'fancy pizza' in the freezer if you're interested. You can have half."
"A 'fancy pizza'?" he chuckled,
"Yeah, it's from the delicatessen on the corner you call…"
"'The fancy shop', of course." he nodded with a chuckle, "Then it's surely a good one."
"I really hope so," she opened the freezer with a smile and took the pizza box out, "It cost a small fortune, so probably the chef is also included." she remarked and they shared a laugh.
"I'm turning the oven on…"
"Right, and I'm unboxing it…" she said and handed it to him, "Here you are, it says fifteen minutes."
"Let it be twenty, then we don't have to preheat it."
"Hm, clever…" she smiled, "Then we just need something to drink with the pizza."
"What would you say to a cup of tea?"
"Sure, but you're the one who has to make it." she chuckled,
"Is there a particular reason for that?"
"Yes, there is. Since you make it, I realized I'm not as good as I thought."
"Do you really?" he smiled surprised. "That's funny because I technically never drank tea before I met you."
"So that means, an Italian girl got you used to drinking tea?"
"That's not so surprising if we look at what they say about Italian girls."
"What?" she chuckled,
"That God must have spent a little more time making them." he flirted, and his reward was a shining smile, "Speaking of which, what do people say in Italy about frozen pizzas?"
"That's officially a crime there."
"Then we have to keep it in secret…" she smiled as a respond and started taking out the cutlery, after he put the kettle on. Setting the table was so comforting, they really liked this cosy feeling they had when they were just the two of them. As the pizza was ready, he smartly took it out and cut it into slices, avoiding any harm to her from the hot ingredients. And they were right, the fancy pizza was definitely a great choice…
"I think it's worth every penny…" she smiled appreciatively, taking another bite.
"I must agree. This is the best frozen pizza I've ever had."
"You can have the last slice if you want."
"…"
"Go and grab it. I'm full, really."
"What I said before…" he finally pulled himself together, "I meant it."
"Fancy tea for fancy pizzas?" she joked, but knew exactly what he meant.
"I would really like to take you on a date…" he said, and they just looked at each other. His boyish smile, all the hope in his eyes, while her heart was beating rapidly,
"I… I don't think it would be a good idea." she answered softly, then seeing the sad look on his face, she realized it didn't sound as she wanted, "I mean, if it depended on me, I would love to go on a date with you."
"Really?… " his eyes were full of happiness.
"Yes, I would absolutely love to."
"…" he was so happy, that she wasn't sure he would hear what she said next,
"But now, before the elections, it's not the wisest idea to date a man ten years younger, who is married with children."
"Yeah… I think you're right." he nodded softly, "Then what do you say about going after that?"
"You mean…"
"After the elections."
"But that's quite a few months away…" she remarked softly, and the way he answered, she knew he meant it,
"It doesn't matter how long it takes, no issue."
"Well, if you're sure…"
"I've never been so sure of anything."
"Right, then after that, I… I would love to." she answered sweetly, and they shared a smile, while their eyes were telling more than a thousand words… As they were standing at the door, and it was time to say good bye, they just hesitated, unwilling to let go this new exciting feeling between them,
"So… I'll take you on a date right after the elections." he gently took her hand, and her answer was a sweet smile,
"And I can't wait for that."
"Just like me," he answered happily, "So, do you think it's a promise then?"
"Yes, it's definitely a promise." she smiled, playing with his fingers in her hand.
"But promises are usually sealed, you know." he flirted, and her response was a chuckle,
"Really?… What do you mean by that?" but as she said the words, their faces were only inches apart,
"You know," he whispered, loving the anticipation in her eyes, "Sealing with a kiss…" and with that he captured her lips lovingly. As his lips touched hers, all she could do was feel… feel his sweet lips on hers, his loving arms around her and his closeness that she had been yearning for so long…
"Then date soon…" he whispered,
"Yeah, date soon…" she whispered back with a smile as she closed the door behind him… and she perfectly knew, the situation was more complicated than ever before…
To be continued…