NERTHUS
“Owen, right?”
A handsome man with black hair and shiny brown eyes turns around with a smile.
He is not as handsome as him, but I will ignore that.
His tailored black tuxedo is a perfect wear for his lean body, and even with my heels, he is a few inches taller than me.
Not as tall as him, but I will be ignoring that.
“Ah, Aria. What a pleasure meeting you.” His deep voice matches his manly face as he puts a featherlight kiss on my knuckles.
I make a small courtesy before he opens his car door for me to get in.
Owen seems to be a bit of a touchy type, even if he never touches me inappropriately or creeps me out.
Like a real gentleman.
“So, Aria. Luciana said I would have been very lucky to get an appointment with you.”
“Did she?” I laugh while he flashes me his pearly whites.
“What makes you so special? Other than you being absolutely stunning?”
Holding a hand on my chest, I act touched by the compliment. “Thank you. Well, I was about to end my happy career as an escort as I had enough funds to open my bakery, but there is a lot of work still to do. So, getting me was a lucky take as I needed a bit of a break from the depressing bureaucracy and fighting with bakers.”
A story about me not wanting to be a full-time whore all my life certainly helps the atmosphere.
“Oh, wow!” The sparkle in his eyes certainly seems genuine.
“And what does such a nice and handsome gentleman do in Gotham?”
He laughs, its sound being particularly pleasurable.
God, I guess this desire to get over Arawn got me bad.
“Well, I run a little company my father left me, and recently I opened a gallery.”
“Oh, nice. I will be testing your knowledge of art then.”
I grin as he shakes his head with a chuckle. “You like art?”
“Quite a bit,” I smile back at him while nodding.
My heart speeds up as we enter the venue of the beneficial opening event. And even if I suppose that he has the funds that matter in the City as he booked over Luciana, I doubt that I would be able to meet Arawn here.
I feel relieved and sad at the same time at the thought, but I push it down and force a smile as Owen offers me his arm to take.
We break out in laughter without reason as we stand in front of the first photograph, earning us a lot of angry stares.
“I’m so… I’m sorry! Mortified!” He says, wiping a tear from his eye. “A client asked me to come. I hope you don’t think that I’m some sort of creep.”
I squeeze his arm, pulling me closer. “Are you kidding? Only a philistine wouldn’t know how to appreciate a pair of hairy feet. On a beach.”
We stand there, tilting our heads before we crack up again. “I really hope they have at least good champagne.”
Arrived at the third photograph, we are gladly sipping our champagne.
“I can’t imagine that it gets better than this.” He smirks, pushing a lock out of his face.
“Never,” I say, suppressing a peal of laughter, taking another sip. “So, what does your ‘little’ company do?”
He avoids my gaze shyly, before he leans in a bit, clearing his throat. “Diamonds, actually.”
I nearly choke on the sip I was about to take, causing me to cough badly. He lays his hand on my back and laughs. “Oh, come on, Aria. That photograph isn’t really that bad.”
“I’m sorry. That shocked me more than it should have. Does your family own something like a jewelry shop?” I gulp, loving his humor.
“Erm… Not really. We import them, produce them. And sell them to jewelers.”
I puff, putting the glass to my lips. “I can’t believe this.”
“Little,” I whisper, and he chuckles.
“Well, I usually lie because I get these strange looks when I say it. But I’m really enjoying my time here with you.” He leans in, adding in a whisper. “And all these feet.”
Throwing my head back, I laugh wholeheartedly. “Oh my God. Well, I’m enjoying my time with you and the feet as well.”
I press my tongue to my teeth as he smiles again. “And I guess the look is the same as when I tell people that I am not opening any bakery.”
“Ah,” He jerks back, clenching his shirt over his heart dramatically, “And here I was picturing you with one of those sexy aprons. And I’m really obsessed with chocolate cookies, you know.”
“Oh, you can picture me however you want,” I whisper, getting his eyes back on me.
He clicks his tongue jokingly and squints his eyes pensively. “No, I think that isn’t possible anymore.”
“Oh, you,” I say, slapping him playfully.
As we get through an evening, looking at pictures of an obviously foot-fetish person, I feel myself for the first time after all these days. I’m glad that I accepted this engagement, and as there is no sex expected at the end of the date, I can enjoy it without fearing the moment.
I don’t get Arawn out of my thoughts though. As much as I try, I keep falling back asking myself what he would have done or said in each and every moment possible.
As if he was the type for that.
And I ask myself how it would feel to have his hand on the small of my back instead of Owen’s.
“Thank you so much for this lovely evening, Owen.” I smile at him, as his driver parks in front of my alibi building.
He leans forward, kissing my cheek gently, making me smile. “All my pleasure, Aria.”
Biting my bottom lip, I open the door and get out elegantly. Just as I’m about to open the entrance to my building, I hear him call my name and turn around.
“Would you mind” he shouts after me, stepping out of his car. “If I called you again?” Before I can even answer, he holds up his hands, seeming cutely nervous. “If you are not too busy with those bakers and other treats of yours, I mean.”
I nod, mirroring his gorgeous smile, “Not at all. Good night, Owen.”
“Good night, Aria.”
***
I open a bottle of wine and take my time sipping the delicious nectar as I waste a bit of my time. As soon as I have finished the glass, I clean up and dress myself into something cozier before I walk out of the apartment and head back home.
I hide my hands in my pockets to protect them from the cold, as I walk home feeling elated. My excitement dies down a little as I get home, and a familiar figure stands up from the dimly illuminated stairs of the building next to mine.
“Hey, Amber.” Danny smiles at me as he stands in my way.