Chapter 3
"Have you slept with him?" asked Stephanie, as she entered her flat the next morning.
"Good morning to you, too…" answered Julia as she let her in,
"There's no time for these kind of things. So what happened?"
"Would you like a cup of tea?..." she asked nonchalantly as she stepped back to the kitchen counter and put the kettle on,
"…" Stephanie didn't answer, just looked at her, waiting. "So?!"
"I haven't slept with him." she answered calmly, then asked again, "… Tea?"
"Of course, I want it. When have I not wanted tea?" she took a sigh and put down her coat, then for a few seconds just watched as Julia comfortably moved around in the kitchen, "... I don't understand why you're so easy."
"Easy?" she turned back with a puzzled look on her face,
"Yes, as I see it, you're so… uplifted and carefree."
"So, is it a problem now if I'm in a good mood?"
"No, of course not. It's just a bit strange, that's all."
"… Biscuits?" she showed a box of chocolate-covered ones.
"Leave those fucking biscuits!" she started to lose her patience, "You don't even ask what happened with the chief editor?"
"I guess you arranged it, otherwise, you would have started with that." she took out the tea bags, while Stephanie continued observing her,
"You know, you're lucky that I could arrange it." She tried to get her attention. "It wasn't as easy as you may think."
"Yeah, I'm glad you made it…" she murmured as she started making the tea.
"You're so absentminded."
"What would you honestly like to hear?" answered Julia, and turned around, "That after you left, I dragged him into my bedroom, had a wild night with him, and now he is in my bathroom, taking a shower?"
"… Is he?"
"No, I'm just joking… gosh." she rolled her eyes with a sigh,
"But something must have happened."
"You're guessing wrong."
"No, I can feel it on you…" Stephanie remarked with a meaningful look, but Julia maintained her poker face. She was too happy to engage in any conflict, so she had to change the subject somehow,
"You know, sometimes I feel like you're not on my side anymore."
"Don't take me wrong..." she took a sigh. "I know how much you deserve happiness. It's just a challenging time for a step like that, that's all."
"I know, okay?" she held up her hands in surrender, "Could you pour out the tea? I still need to get dressed."
"Sure," Stephanie nodded, deep in thought. She watched as she disappeared behind the door, then spotted something in the living room, just as the doorbell rang…
"Can you get it?..." Julia called from inside,
"Of course, I can." she answered and opened the door, finding David at the doorstep. He was surprised and could not hide it well,
"Uhm, good morning, ma'am."
"Good morning," she answered, observing him closely and not moving from the door.
"I'm… I'm here to escort the Home Secretary downstairs."
"Of course, what else?" she remarked wryly, "Then come on in…"
"Thank you, ma'am." he answered, a bit confused, as he squeezed himself through the narrow passage she left at the door. For a few moments, she watched him with suspicious eyes, which made him slightly uncomfortable.
"… So how was last night?"
"Excuse me, ma'am?"
"Last night, after I left…"
"Sorry, but I don't know what you mean." he answered with an innocent smile,
"I guess you stayed a bit longer here, otherwise, you would have left at the same time as me."
"…"
"So, did you have a good time?"
"No security issues came up, so it was an uneventful night, ma'am." he remarked, but Stephanie didn't let him off the hook.
"So everything was okay?"
"Yes, ma'am." he maintained eye contact.
"And what else did you do here on this uneventful night?" she smiled wryly, stepping closer with a determined look on her face, "I mean, why did you have to stay if everything was so secure?"
"Usually, at the end of the day, we have to discuss the next day's schedule, to take the necessary security preparations." he answered professionally.
"Uh-huh, with a fully set table, two plates and two glasses, right?" she remarked and Julia caught the last line, so she pulled her zipper up as fast as she could and hurried out.
"I'm done, so we can go now. Morning, sergeant."
"Ma'am." he answered with a relieved smile.
"Are we on time?"
"Yes, ma'am, but we have to hurry a bit. The car is already downstairs, waiting for you."
"Great," Julia nodded, while Stephanie just watched them eagerly, "Can I give you a lift?"
"Hm?" she asked, returning from her thoughts.
"I can give you a ride to downtown on my way to work."
"Yeah, that would be fine," she nodded and grabbed her coat. "But I hope you know that we haven't finished yet,"
"…" Julia stopped, holding her breath.
"We have to discuss the plan in the light of what happened yesterday. That wasn't what I would call 'a mission completed'."
"Yeah, sure." she agreed quickly, "We definitely have to discuss it."
"So a drink after work?"
"Great," nodded Julia with a relieved sigh, and they finally left the flat…
OOOOOOOOOO
In a bar somewhere downtown…
"I was in such a need of this glass of wine…" said Julia with a sigh, leaning back in her chair at a secluded table with Stephanie.
"Just like me," she nodded in agreement and ordered another round of gin and tonic for herself, while she noticed Julia sneak a glance at David, who was sitting at a nearby table. "Do you want me to leave the two of you alone?" she lowered her voice,
"Well, if you have something else to do, just go." Julia answered confidently, maintaining her poker face.
"You'd be happy about that, wouldn't you?"
"…" Julia smiled in response, but it wasn't as cheeky as she intended. Stephanie perfectly saw the soft look on her face, as she imagined for a fraction of a second what it would be like to be alone with him. Stephanie had known her for a long time, she was an open book for her… Julia was the type who always knew what she wanted, and couldn't take back, couldn't stay in the background, which often led to competition and fights with the men in her relationships. Initially, it fueled the fire and was exciting, became some kind of an addiction, but after a while, men just couldn't handle it. Stephanie was certain that there also had been some initial tension between Julia and David, but now… she had never seen her like this before, she somehow calmed down and listened to David, allowing him to make decisions, mostly when it came to security matters, while she calmly waited for him until he says it's okay. She trusted him, trusted him like in no man before… while David just admired her, with his boyish smile and that pure enchantment on his face, like a young boy meeting a real woman for the first time in his life. They had a unique chemistry, a calm and intimate connection, as they immersed in their own little world. And it was dangerous… incredibly dangerous, like witnessing an accident in slow motion. Whatever happened or didn't happen between them, it was obvious that they would end up together, it was only a matter of time. Stephanie felt like she was trying to stop a speeding truck with her bare hand,
"I don't know if you've noticed," she remarked provocatively, "But you blushed a little bit…"
"Really? It's probably just from the wine."
"Uh-huh…"
"Look, if you have something to do, just go. I won't keep you any longer."
"You know what?" she smiled with determination, "Not at the cost of my life."
"As you wish…"
"And now, what we're really here for… I think we should discuss step number two because 'Plan Rob' was out of control."
"I definitely won't try with him again."
"Yeah, I have to admit you're right. It was a complete disaster, but we must solve this problem somehow. So, what do you say if we…" started Stephanie, when Roger appeared at their table out of nowhere,
"Good evening to the beautiful ladies," he smiled widely, momentarily freezing the air.
"I can't believe it…" sighed Julia, then asked with a disappointed look on her face. "Was this you?"
"I have nothing to do with it." Stephanie defended, "I swear!"
"She's telling the truth," said Roger, "I overheard a conversation that you two would spend the evening here, and I happened to be in the neighborhood, so I popped in to hold that date."
"A date, hm?" Julia asked, looking at her friend. "So it was you indeed."
"We talked about a possible date, but that's all." answered Roger, "Anyway, I must tell you that last 'date' with Rob was a joke, a bad one. No one would have believed it."
"No one will believe this either," remarked Julia dryly.
"Why? There's nothing more authentic than when the old flame is rekindled."
"Gosh…" Julia rolled her eyes with disbelief,
"But let's get to the point. It's a common interest not to lose any votes," continued Roger, "If you lose, so do we. And I don't want to lose votes just because you couldn't appreciate such an exceptional husband like me, and now you're drifting as a single woman, which is frowned upon by traditionally minded people." that was the moment when David stood up threateningly with one swift movement,
"Oh, are you here too?" asked Roger mockingly, "I'm so happy about that."
"It's okay, David." gestured Julia, "We're just chatting."
"…"
"It's okay." added Julia.
"Very well, ma'am." he said, still looking threateningly at Roger, and sat down.
"So did you bring your lap dog with you?" He looked directly at David to provoke him, "Will he play the knight in shining armor again?"
"Jealousy does not suit you, Roger."
"To whom? To this kindergartener?" laughed Roger, while Julia leaned closer to him and lowered her voice,
"You know what?"
"Hm?" Roger leaned forward curiously,
"Just underestimate him…" she whispered with a grin, "That will be fun."
"I was just joking anyway," laughed Roger with a shrug as David flashed his gun from his jacket, "So we need each other and must join forces."
"As I see, you two will be fine from here, so I won't disturb you." Stephanie stood up with a smile,
"You'll pay for this later..." remarked Julia, as she left them alone.
"I'm sitting somewhere else." she kept smiling, and quickly left them, joining David at another table, which made him more frustrated than before.
"... So would you accept a nice dinner invitation from a gentleman?" asked Roger with a grin.
"From a gentleman? Of course. Do you know one?" Julia raised her eyebrow.
"… Look, I know it's a fake date, don't worry."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that."
"I don't know why you say that, I always knew where the boundaries are," he continued as if nothing had happened, and sat down without an invitation.
"Just take a seat and make yourself at home, no problem…" she remarked wryly,
"Why don't we just enjoy this evening together, like two old friends?"
"Because you're incapable of doing that."
"Hey, I just want to help. I'm here with the noblest of intentions…" he smiled and placed his hand on hers, which made David tense up and ready to jump, a reaction Julia noticed immediately.
"See?" she quickly pulled her hand away, before David would have punched him in the face, "You really don't know where the boundaries are!"
"It was just a reflex, okay?…" he held up his hands, "We were married, for haven's sake."
"Yes, but we divorced six years ago. It's a bit funny that I'm the one who has to remind you of that."
"But maybe it was just a little pause. A little alone time, nothing more."
"… What are you talking about?"
"I do know that we belong together, and I'm sure you are also aware of that."
"Really?" she laughed mockingly, "And where the hell are you taking that from?"
"It's clear as a day. You have no one since we broke up, just like me."
"First and foremost, we didn't break up, we DIVORCED. And secondly, I have no one in my life, just like you have no one in yours. Like your assistant."
"She doesn't count, she means nothing."
"How charming." she remarked, taking a sip from her wine. "She means nothing to you, just like our marriage."
"You know that's not true…" he tried, when a waiter stepped to their table and placed their dinner in front of them,
"… What's this?" she asked surprised, looking at Roger.
"I just took the liberty to order some gourmet dishes, I hope you will like them."
"Since you never really cared about what I like and what I don't, I think this charade is irrelevant now."
"Then say what you want, and I'll order anything you like. I want to pamper you in every possible way."
"I don't need anything from you." she said calmly,
"I know you're just too puzzled by the people around us, so why don't we go to my place, hm? Oh sorry, I mean our place. Come home with me," he added, and David couldn't believe his ears.
"Why the hell would I do that?" she leaned back with a challenging look on her face.
"We'll go home, then drink a few glasses of wine. You can even sleep there."
"Really? What an offer! I'll restrain myself, so I don't get seduced." she answered mockingly, but Roger didn't care about that,
"Just think about it, it would be such an authentic photo as we leave our previous common home in the morning, don't you think?"
"Do you know what I would call that?"
"What?…" he asked with a smile,
"Photoshop."
"Your tongue is just as sharp as ever, but you have to admit that we were always such an adorable couple." he grinned, and brushed his leg against hers under the table, which fortunately, David didn't see.
"You know what? For old times's sake, I have an advice for you… it would be better to cool yourself down!" she remarked, and with that, she slowly poured her glass of wine into his lap,
"You were always so wild," he grinned as he stood up, "That's what I love in you so much..." he added and left her to reach the men's room with Stephanie on his trail. That was the moment when Julia stood up, dropped a hundred pounds on the table, and gestured for David, who was immediately there,
"Are you okay?…" asked David, and although he had no idea what was going on, he started instinctively stroking her arm to relax her. This gesture was so soft and loving that it took her breath away… for a moment, he thought it was maybe an unguarded move in such a public place, but the warmth in her eyes spoke more than a thousand words,
"I want you to take me on a date… now."
To be continued…
