The Turning

[Niceandbrutal]

A wave of pity overwhelmed him as she mentioned her family with sad bitterness in her voice. He swept her into his arms again. His family had tried to take him in even after he'd turned. Although his mother disapproved, he knew she still loved him. To have a family indifferent to one's person sounded unspeakably cruel.

As he held her tight he told her: "No-one deserves a family that doesn't care about them. It saddens me that you should experience this, even though it will make your Turning away from them easier. There seems to be no love lost for your job either. Your friends then are your main concern."

"We must do right by your friends, as they seem the most dear to you. As they seem to be one of the sources of happiness for you we must orchestrate this carefully. Your explanation, if implausible, will arouse suspicion will it not? We must not cause them undue grief or worries. I am thinking this needs to be done gradually, as we need to convince them that you truly have fallen for me. I am not averse to meeting some of your friends, if that's what it takes."

He held her tight still, wanting to shield her from a cruel world.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She loved how he took her into his arms, how he held her comfortingly.

"No-one deserves a family that doesn't care about them. It saddens me that you should experience this, even though it will make your Turning away from them easier. There seems to be no love lost for your job either. Your friends then are your main concern."

His summary of her life sounded bleak.

"We must do right by your friends, as they seem the most dear to you. As they seem to be one of the sources of happiness for you we must orchestrate this carefully. Your explanation, if implausible, will arouse suspicion will it not? We must not cause them undue grief or worries. I am thinking this needs to be done gradually, as we need to convince them that you truly have fallen for me. I am not averse to meeting some of your friends, if that's what it takes."

She sighed softly and drew away only far enough to look up into his eyes.

"My parents separated when I was little. I hardly remember my dad and haven't seen him since. Mom was angry for a long time and somehow I always felt she blamed me ... "

It was complicated, but she gave him a summary.

"She met someone when I was 17 and headed off to be with him. She moved over to Australia and I think I've only seen her a couple of times since. I get cards for birthdays along with some cash. We email occasionally, but don't even phone much anymore ... "

She shrugged, pretending it didn't hurt.

"We've never been close. She literally wouldn't notice what happened to me and I doubt if she'd really care... "

She paused for long moments.

"My friends are my only family ... most are from work, so I do enjoy what I do, it's just that ... it doesn't seem as important now ... "

She blushed.

"We work on a magazine ... "

She told him.

"... it's nothing 'highbrow', but it's fun to do ... and the social life can be interesting ... I write articles mainly .... "

She hesitated considering.

"I guess ... I could tell them that I came to interview you as owner of this club and ... it began from there ... "

She wondered if she could convince them.

"... we meet up together on Fridays and I wouldn't ever just not show, so ... I guess I could tell them that it was a 'now or never' offer ... for the interview ... they'd believe that more readily than the fact I arrived at a place like this where I'd never been on my own ... "

 

[Niceandbrutal]

It saddened him to hear about her mother. A distant parent had to be much worse than a harridan of a mother interfering in his life. At least the interfering mother cared and took an interest, right or wrong. But someone letting go of her child, not really caring what happened to her? Some people said that the opposite of hate was love. Benoît disagreed. Opposite to both love and hate was indifference, and it was far more cruel to be subjected to.

His pity renewed, he held her again. "I am sorry you mother is indifferent to you. I can not think of a worse fate. Truly. I haven't been so unfortunate as that, dear Natasha. I am truly blessed, it seems. I just wish you hadn't had to experience that. No-one should have to." The subject saddened him, but not as much as it saddened him that she'd been subjected to such cold treatment.

"As for your job and your friends, I suspect you will miss them both. I know The Call is strong in you, and I get the feeling you've made up your mind. Nothing pleases me more, my treasure. But I would deem it unwise for you to make a clean break with your friends. Do not do to them what your mother did to you. I've had a fair few mortal friends. Some of them knew what I was, while others had no idea. To them, I was the wealthy eccentric that only showed up after dark. Over time, friends drift apart by themselves, this is natural."

"This is only advice, darling. Butin my humble opinion it is good advice-"

He perked up. "Ah! Your breakfast is here! I shall return forthwith!"

He ran down the stairs, leaving Natasha alone with her thoughts.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I am sorry you mother is indifferent to you. I can not think of a worse fate. Truly. I haven't been so unfortunate as that, dear Natasha. I am truly blessed, it seems. I just wish you hadn't had to experience that. No-one should have to."

It was just a situation she had grown up with and accepted, but yes, it still hurt.

"As for your job and your friends, I suspect you will miss them both. I know The Call is strong in you, and I get the feeling you've made up your mind."

She nodded. The question wasn't whether she would turn, just how and when.

"Nothing pleases me more, my treasure. But I would deem it unwise for you to make a clean break with your friends. Do not do to them what your mother did to you. I've had a fair few mortal friends. Some of them knew what I was, while others had no idea. To them, I was the wealthy eccentric that only showed up after dark. Over time, friends drift apart by themselves, this is natural. This is only advice, darling. But in my humble opinion it is good advice-"."

She had no chance to respond before he headed off in search of her breakfast.
He was right, of course. She had never considered that her friends might accept the truth, but she supposed it was a possibility ... She wasn't sure when she had made the decision to turn, but she knew that she wanted to be with Benoit and not just for a life time. She smiled as she lay back on his bed, marvelling at how things had changed for her so suddenly; usually not one to get involved or to trust men, she had never felt so intensely about anyone and in turn felt safe and cherished for the first time in her life...

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Benoît stuck his head out carefully. It was overcast, meaning the sun wouldn't sting him . He went outside and got the box from the caterers. It was heavy, but he was strong. He lifted it with ease and went back inside and upstairs.

As he entered the room he gave a quick smile at Natasha.
"I did not know what you craved for breakfast, so I ordered a litle bit of everything from the caterers."

Emanating from the box were smells of fried breakfast foods as well as fruit and bread. The box also made delightful sloshing noises when he moved, revealing the presence of drink. He set about spreading the food and drink on the living room table and worked quickly making it all ready for her.

When he was finished unpacking a small feast was spread across the table. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, breakfast rolls, fruits, vegetables, yoghurt, jam, cheese, cold cuts, cereals, milk, several kinds of juice, a thermos of coffee and another with tea.

He sighed wistfully. "The one thing I miss from being a mortal is the taste of proper food. The smells will have to suffice. Come. Eat. You must be famished."

He beamed at her. She would not lack for anything with him.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I did not know what you craved for breakfast, so I ordered a litle bit of everything from the caterers."

He greeted her as he came in carrying a large box. She sat up and watched him unpack a vast amount of food; more than enough for the both of them.

"The one thing I miss from being a mortal is the taste of proper food.
The smells will have to suffice. Come. Eat. You must be famished."

She blinked in surprise.

"You don't eat?"

She asked. Of course she knew that vampires fed in other ways, but actually to be able to eat normal food....

"I ... never realised ... "

She murmured as she helped herself to coffee first.

" ... the whole ... feeding thing ... I guess I need to get used to it ... it's just ... so easy to forget how different your existence is ... "

She told him as she smiled across at him, curious rather than fazed by the fact.

"So ... you have to 'feed' to survive ... you have to do that every day?"

She couldn't help but wonder how she would feel about him feeding and entering other women, especially in the future when he could no longer feed from her. He had told her not to be jealous, but it as a difficult idea to get her head round.

"You say you can prevent any harm coming to the one you feed from by ... by entering them ... if ... when I turn ... how would I make sure that I don't cause harm to anyone....?"

She asked curiously.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"I do not feed every day, no. I am thankful for that, it would be a strain to chase and bed someone new every night. No, every three or four days will suffice. As for you not harming your victims, you will have to bed them. You will have to assume a rather predatory role, but I don't think you will be having trouble ensnaring willing victims, my dear. It will come to you, like an instinct, do not worry. Seduce, bite, enter, or be entered in your case and the rest will take care of itself."

He mulled it over a bit. He'd never been given an entirely satisfactory explanation himself how this worked. Probably because no-one had done research on it. The prevailing theory was that the sexual act in itself contained some sort of ancient healing magic more blatantly manifest in his kind than it were with mortals.

"I am able to eat regular food, but my body's processing and ridding itself of the, um, waste, is a slow and painful process. I find the smell of food to be rewarding enough in itself, thank you. As for drink, that I can do with ease." he said as he helped himself to a glass of grapefruit juice.

He winked at her and smiled: "Contrary to what some modern movies would have you believe, we DO drink wine!"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I do not feed every day, no. I am thankful for that, it would be a strain to chase and bed someone new every night. No, every three or four days will suffice."

It was a strange conversation to be having, but of course there's was a strange relationship.

"As for you not harming your victims, you will have to bed them."

Natasha had never been particularly promiscuous and the idea of having to find so many lovers was somewhat daunting!

"You will have to assume a rather predatory role, but I don't think you will be having trouble ensnaring willing victims, my dear. It will come to you, like an instinct, do not worry. Seduce, bite, enter, or be entered in your case and the rest will take care of itself."

She chuckled. To him it was the norm of course, to her ... would it truly be so easy?

"I am able to eat regular food, but my body's processing and ridding itself of the, um, waste, is a slow and painful process. I find the smell of food to be rewarding enough in itself, thank you. As for drink, that I can do with ease...
Contrary to what some modern movies would have you believe, we DO drink wine!"

She laughed and poured more coffee.

"I'm not sure I'm going to make a very good vampire ..."

She told him with a grin.

" ... do you think our life together would truly .. work ... even with the distraction of having to 'feed' form others?"

She asked still doubting she had the 'instinct' to live in that way ...

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"You will make a magnificent vampire, Natasha. I am certain of it. The instincts come with the turning, I assure you of this. As for the hunt and the feeding, you will grow to relish it, I think."

He cast his mind back to the time when he and Madeleine hunted in tandem. Prowling bars and pubs and sneaking into society balls, feeding off peasantry and nobility both. The victims always gave themselves willingly in the end.

"There is a thrill to it, akin to the one you feel when hunting or fishing. Or getting that interview you've longed to do. It is a feeling of accomplishment every time you get a willing victim to feed off. I've known vampires to take unwilling victims, but that is altogether too unpleasant to contemplate. Respect for those you feed off is important for them and for us. Some of them grow to like it and willingly return for more. Others treat it as a one-time adventure. But I swear to you, my immodest display last night is the closest I've ever come to forcing myself on someone. And I did not relish the way it made me feel."

He paused.

"There is real compassion in your questions, Natasha. This, more than anything, convinces me that you will not violate those you feed off. They will have a moment of sharp pain and then blissful rapture follows. You will do them no harm unless you really want to."

He sipped his juice.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"You will make a magnificent vampire, Natasha. I am certain of it. The instincts come with the turning, I assure you of this. As for the hunt and the feeding, you will grow to relish it, I think."

She was flattered by his words, where only the day before she would have been insulted by such a comment.

"There is a thrill to it, akin to the one you feel when hunting or fishing. Or getting that interview you've longed to do. It is a feeling of accomplishment every time you get a willing victim to feed off. I've known vampires to take unwilling victims, but that is altogether too unpleasant to contemplate. Respect for those you feed off is important for them and for us. Some of them grow to like it and willingly return for more. Others treat it as a one-time adventure. But I swear to you, my immodest display last night is the closest I've ever come to forcing myself on someone. And I did not relish the way it made me feel."

She reached out and stroked his arm before leaning across to press a soft kiss to his cheek.

"I know ... "

She said simply, trusting that what he said was true.

"There is real compassion in your questions, Natasha. This, more than anything, convinces me that you will not violate those you feed off. They will have a moment of sharp pain and then blissful rapture follows. You will do them no harm unless you really want to."

She had known nothing like the experience she had shared with him the evening before, she supposed if that was any indication then perhaps it was indeed something she would grow to enjoy rather than a necessity ...

"So ... what do we do today?"

She asked her mind on practicalities at last.

"I realised when you were gone that I left my phone at home last night. Knowing the girls they'll almost have contacted the police by now. I really should contact them at least ... stop them worrying...."

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Her alarm at her worried friends touched him. It confirmed to him her compassionate nature which he'd come to love.

"By all means, Natasha. Use my telephone. As for today, I think you should decide our actions. I granted you freedom and I stand by that. If I may be so bold, I'd suggest you meet your friends. If you want me to, I'd go along and meet them. If not, I have the running of this club to attend to. But I would dearly love to meet them, Natasha."

He was eager to meet the persons in her life that had given her comfort and joy. Maybe there was something he could do for them as a thanks?

He waited while she spoke to her friends, intently watching her face as she talked on the telephone.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"By all means, Natasha. Use my telephone. As for today, I think you should decide our actions. I granted you freedom and I stand by that. If I may be so bold, I'd suggest you meet your friends. If you want me to, I'd go along and meet them. If not, I have the running of this club to attend to. But I would dearly love to meet them, Natasha."

She finished her breakfast, even though there was still plenty left she had eaten as much as she needed.

"Thank you Benoit and thank you for an amazing breakfast ... "

She took the phone he offered and considered which of them to call.

"Hey Faye, it's ... "

Her friend's relieved voice cut through before she even introduced herself.

"I know ... yes ... I know ... "

She looked at Benoit feeling guilty about the account her friend gave of calling and calling and then going round to her house ... about their fears, about how she had been spotted going out, but as she had never arrived and what were they supposed to think .... ?

"Look, I'm sorry ... truly ... I .... I left early so that I could stop off on the way to meet you, but ... I got ... side tracked ... "

A smile began to light her face as the tone of questioning at the other end changed.

".. maybe ... "

Natasha murmured then chuckled at her friend's subsequent interrogation.

" ... he's a guy I've been trying to interview for a while ... no ... I know I didn't tell you, but ... we got .... talking .... "

She blushed as Faye continued in her questions.

"I'm still at his club ... yes ... yes I stayed the night ... "

Even Benoit could surely hear the squeal at the other end.

"No Faye .. not the sofa ... "

Natasha could not help but laugh.

" ... look, I came to interview him, we got talking and ... I lost track of time ... forgot I'd left my phone at home and finished up spending the night ... happens all the time ... "

She joined in her friend's laughter, both knew that this was not something Natasha had ever done before.

"I'm still here, at the club ... with him ... no ... no... it's not a one night stand ... "

Those words seemed to shock her friend more than the idea that Natasha had succumbed to temptation and gone to bed with a hot guy for the fun of it ...

"Look, I have to go now, Benoit will need his phone back ... yes... yes that's his name ... French ...? Yes ... originally .... "

She replied.

"Anyhow ... I'll be in touch later ... can you tell the others ... "

Another pause.

"Whose intentions, mine or his?"

Natasha laughed.

" ... how's about you ask him yourself ... maybe you could all come for a drink in his club ... he's dying to meet you ... "

She rolled her eyes aware of the awful pun and covered the receiver to stop herself laughing.

"No, sorry I ... yes of course he's here now ... no we are not .. no.. Faye... you have an overactive imagination!... OK... I am definitely hanging up on you now ... "

Her laughter stilled as the conversation became serious.

"I know, but I promise you I'm fine ... never better ... I'm sorry I put you all through that, truly ... I'll make it up to you ... sure... of course I'm happy .... you have no idea how much ... yes... ok... love you all too .... take care... "

She rang off with a sigh and handed the phone back to Benoit.

"I think I caused a scandal."

She told him with a soft smile.

" ... but I think I'm forgiven ..."

She chuckled.

"Have you any idea what you could be letting yourself in for?"

 

[Niceandbrutal]

He'd watched her during the whole conversation, smiling as it unfolded.

"Your friend Faye sounds delightful. It seems she cares very much about you. Friends like that are rare gems, to be treasured. If she is your closest friend, we might have to ease her into the truth sooner or later. Unless you think it an undue burden for her."

He was happy for her. Faye, from the little he'd gleaned from the conversation, had done all she could to find out what had happened to Natasha.

"The only thing I'm worried about is if it turns out I've fed on one of your friends. That could be... awkward. But let's not dwell on that. I am really looking forward to meeting your friends!"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Your friend Faye sounds delightful. It seems she cares very much about you. Friends like that are rare gems, to be treasured. If she is your closest friend, we might have to ease her into the truth sooner or later. Unless you think it an undue burden for her."

Natasha had no idea how she was going to handle things with her friends. She hated secrets and lies, but sometimes it was best to protect people you cared about.

"The only thing I'm worried about is if it turns out I've fed on one of your friends. That could be... awkward. But let's not dwell on that. I am really looking forward to meeting your friends!"

She laughed aghast.

"You are kidding me?!"

The thought had never entered her head.

"Then again ... I guess it would cross one massive hurdle ... they wouldn't be sending me away to be locked up for claiming you're a vampire ... "

She mused.

"What do you think about them coming round for drinks here early evening?
Maybe I should speak to them first and then ... I can introduce you ...?"

She wondered what Benoit would make of her plan...

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"With 'here' I take it you mean this apartment? That should pose no problems as far as I can see. My many mementoes should lend creedence to our story if you were to reveal to them my nature. I would prefer to avoid any overt vulgar displays. They are frightening, more than anything."

He was smiling all the while. It was years since he'd entertained guests. Not since Berlin in the twenties and thirties.

"Now, I have some excellent wines stocked away and I could order some finger food for our guests and you. Candles I think would be nice, in addition to my subdued lighting. I find candles to be soothing, don't you? Does any of your friends have any allergies we should know about?"

He had reverted to a younger more anxious Benoît, one who wanted to make a good first impression.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"With 'here' I take it you mean this apartment? That should pose no problems as far as I can see.


She watched him go through possible arrangements, her smile broadening.

"No ... actually Benoit, I meant downstairs in the club. I assumed we'd find somewhere out of the way there to have a drink. I didn't for a moment think you'd want them in your own space up here ... "

She was touched by his generosity.

"What you suggest sounds ... incredible ... but ... you really don't have to go to so much trouble ... I really didn't expect you to you know... "

Time and again it seemed that he overwhelmed her with his thoughtfulness.

"... wherever we meet, my friends will adore you, I'm sure ... "

She said as she went over to kiss him softly on the lips.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"The problem with the club is that it's so... impersonal. I have no problem with them being in my private sanctuary. Your friends are important to you. Therefore they are important to me. I will not have them meeting us in the place where the thronging masses in a few hours time will dance and sweat and put on airs. I want it for you and them to be secluded. Private. Special. Basta!" he said, right before she planted a light kiss on his mouth.

He responded, not knowing where the kiss would lead them. But he held her and prolonged the kiss. Then he reluctantly pulled back.

"If you deem this abode too private and wish for us to meet them downstairs I will comply, of course."

He planted a new tender kiss on her lips.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"The problem with the club is that it's so... impersonal. I have no problem with them being in my private sanctuary. Your friends are important to you. Therefore they are important to me. I will not have them meeting us in the place where the thronging masses in a few hours time will dance and sweat and put on airs. I want it for you and them to be secluded. Private. Special. Basta!"

He responded to her kiss; the two locked in that embrace, one that he broke first.

"If you deem this abode too private and wish for us to meet them downstairs I will comply, of course."

He kissed her this time and she returned it briefly.

"No I'd love them to meet us up here ... I just didn't want to put you to any trouble ... I ... never assumed you'd want them in what I thought was your sanctuary... "

She explained, moving close to him with a soft smile.

" ... you're too good to me ... "

She murmured.

" ... it'll take some getting used to ... "

She had never had anyone treat her as Benoit did, putting her first, offering to provide for her, to protect her ... Natasha was someone who threw up walls and was fiercely independent, never depending on anyone or letting them too close; it was the only way she knew to prevent being hurt ... and yet now .. all that resistance simply melted away. Whether it was The Call, or something else instinctive, Natasha knew that Benoit was 'the one' ... and that ironically she could trust her life to him and he would keep her safe.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"My darling Natasha, my sanctuary is your sanctuary. As I said, I want to make your friends feel welcome and at home. A nightclub simply won't do for that. And i am not too good for you, my dear. It's just that you're not used to a little bit of pampering. It seems we have a lifetime without pampering to make up for."

He was only half joking. It really saddened him that she had had such a loveless life. He was therefore ecstatic at her acceptance of him.

"The suffering we unwittingly visit on one another" he murmured into her hair as he held her close, rocking her as he would have done with a crying child.

"I will not let any harm or hurt befall you anymore."

He hugged her still, kissing her cheek lightly.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"My darling Natasha, my sanctuary is your sanctuary. As I said, I want to make your friends feel welcome and at home. A nightclub simply won't do for that. And i am not too good for you, my dear. It's just that you're not used to a little bit of pampering. It seems we have a lifetime without pampering to make up for."

She moved willingly into his arms as he murmured against her hair, holding her and rocking her as if he could stave off all the past hurts she had lived through.

"I will not let any harm or hurt befall you anymore."

His vow truly moved her. She lifted her eyes to his and held his gaze.

"I love you Benoit."

She told him simply.

" ... perhaps this is what my life has been leading to so far ... I thought I was happy enough with life before, but ... you're showing me there's so much more I've been missing ... "

 

[Niceandbrutal]

" ... perhaps this is what my life has been leading to so far ... I thought I was happy enough with life before, but ... you're showing me there's so much more I've been missing ... "

Those words warmed and pleased him. With a pang he realised:

"I could say the same about you, Natasha. I thought I was content, feeding and gallivanting about artist's cliques. I feel also that my life has been leading up to meeting you. The love you've granted me was something I did not even consider a possibility. Until last night."

He leaned in and kissed her then.

"And I love you more than I can possibly tell, my sweet."

Resting his forehead against hers now, he told her: "And so, you hold my happiness in your hands. Spurn me and I shall be forever broken. Love me and my happiness wil know no bounds. You have complete power over me, dear Natasha. It is a most unusual feeling this, being dependent on another again. I think I shall grow to relish it, as I hope you will relish my love for you."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I could say the same about you, Natasha. I thought I was content, feeding and gallivanting about artist's cliques. I feel also that my life has been leading up to meeting you. The love you've granted me was something I did not even consider a possibility. Until last night."

Like her he had been content with his life until faced with something different, something special and she was thrilled that she could give him as much as he could give her.

"And I love you more than I can possibly tell, my sweet."

He told her as he kissed her.

"And so, you hold my happiness in your hands. Spurn me and I shall be forever broken. Love me and my happiness will know no bounds. You have complete power over me, dear Natasha. It is a most unusual feeling this, being dependent on another again. I think I shall grow to relish it, as I hope you will relish my love for you."

Benoit it seemed was not one to love cautiously; yet now neither was she. She couldn't bare to consider being away from him and the 'dependency' she had avoided all of her life now seemed sweeter to her than she could ever have imagined.

"We are the same in that, Benoit. We have much happiness ahead of us."

She told him simply.

"To love and to be loved. What can be better than that?"

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"What indeed?"

A wistful smile played on his features. He felt more and more secure in his love for her, and she stated her love for him with less and less uncertainty in her voice. For Benoît there wasn't anything else to discuss on that subject for the moment, afraid the spell would be broken.

The only expression he could think of was to kiss her again, something he didn't grow tired of. She was so receptive to his love, her touch so electrifying in turn it sent shivers down his spine.

He cast his mind to more worldly matters. Her friends.

"Did we agree to meet your friends in here? I hope so. I must order catering for them. What time shall we say? Also, I need to sleep soon. I am nocturnal by nature, and this night has been exhausting. Rewarding but exhausting."

He started ordering food for the evening, then reclined on the bed. "You may join me if you like, but if you have errands, this is a good time. You will find an extra set of keys in that little jar- that one, yes."

His eyes grew heavy.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"What indeed?"

She moved into his arms again, sharing a kiss as their bodies pressed together. Their embrace was sweet and slow as they savoured each other until he lifted his mouth from hers and asked,

"Did we agree to meet your friends in here? I hope so. I must order catering for them. What time shall we say? Also, I need to sleep soon. I am nocturnal by nature, and this night has been exhausting. Rewarding but exhausting."

She reluctantly stepped away from him.

"Yes we did. How about 8 pm? None of them have allergies, though Zeph is a vegetarian ... at the moment anyway ... "

She chuckled as sat on the bed watching as he ordered their food then lay beside her on the bed.

"You may join me if you like, but if you have errands, this is a good time.
You will find an extra set of keys in that little jar- that one, yes."

He told her as she pointed to the jar on the side table.

"I'll head home I think ... I'll sort a few things and head back later ... "

She leaned across and kissed him seeing his eyes begin to close, then turned to search around to retrieve her clothes from the night before. Having dressed and taken the keys he had offered her, she found paper and a pen and wrote down her mobile phone number in case he wanted to contact her in the interim. After hesitating, she placed the paper on the top of the dark wooden box which stood on its own beneath a spotlight. It seemed the most prominent place in the room and she could only hope that he would see it there.

He seemed deep in sleep before she slipped out of his room and made her way down the stairs and slid outside into the overcast day.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Benoît awoke from a deep slumber, content and... happy?
Yes, that was the emotion. He hadn't felt happy since, well, forever.
He'd laughed and been merry, sure. But at the bottom there was always a melancholic longing for... love, it would seem. Yes, love.

He leaped out of bed, more energized than he'd been in ages. Literally.
He set about cleaning the room as he hummed an uncharacteristically merry tune. As he went over the room, cleaning and airing (he had vents, discretely hidden, that could be opened and shut lest the air grew stuffy). He found the telephone number by the rosewood box. He smiled. She had a beautiful handwriting, thin and delicate.

He went to his private winecellar and gathered a handful of bottles of red and white wine both, decanting the red and chilling the white in his room. He called down and told that a woman named Natasha had access to the building and was not to be hindered in any way.

The nightclub's staff shrugged. Whatever. He was the boss and he paid well. Catering to someone's whim is always easier when you are paid well.

As the clock neared the time for their meeting he started pacing about the room. What if she's changed her mind? But that seemed unlikely given the display of love and trust she'd shown him. He checked the clock. It was still only 7:30 PM and he was being silly. He realised how much he missed her and wanted her around him.

There was a ring on the telephone and he leapt to answer it. It was his staff, informing him that the caterers had arrived, and would he need a hand with the food? He told them he'd be down to collect it and set about busying himself again, arranging the food to look just so. He gathered some tables from downstairs, wanting the living room table to be for Natasha and her guests. It was an impressive spread, with something for everyone. He had both chilled and heated covered serving trays. The hot food stayed warm, the chilled food was kept cool.

There were various cuts of meat, as well as a terrine with delicious (or so he'd been told) boeuf bourgignone and another with coq au vin. The most impressive platters contained seafood. Oysters, shrimps, lobster and moules (Benoît had never learned the english name for these, he realised.), smoked salmon and a terrine of bouillabaise. There were salads and fruits, delicately mixed and prepared. The caterers had outdone themselves, he decided.

He checked his watch and shot off a text to Natasha.

All is prepared and ready, my dear. I am anxiously awaiting you and your company.

His final task was to light the candles. His heart in his throat, he waited to meet and be judged by Natasha's friends. He wrung his hands nervously.