Laura has spent the best part of the day getting ready, he was due at 3.00 pm. How do you dress to impress a big tv, radio and dance star? She looked at her wardrobe, she didn't have the money to splash on designer goods. She noticed Perri had classy but very expensive taste. Her month's wages were probably what he earned in a single day. She spent her tiny disposable income on her hair and a new pair of shoes. She had begged her flatmates to do her eyebrows, lashes and nails. There was one outfit she considered passible, a black sequinned mini dress, she wanted to show him what she considered her best feature, her long legs. Years of gym and cheerleading gave her an enviable body shape. Her phone announced a new message, she looked at the screen, it was from Perri. She immediately panicked that he was cancelling. She held the phone like it was a live bomb, she wasn't sure she was ready to read that. Tensing up she opened the message.
[Bring casual and fancy clothes...trainers and heels, P x]
She breathed out the air she didn't realise she was holding. 'OK....that is much better than being ditched'. She thought for a moment and typed back.
[What do I wear first?] It was seconds before a reply beeped back.
[trainers] Sometimes he was a man of few words, she chuckled to herself and put her outfit into a suit carrier. She surveyed herself in the mirror and looked disappointed, she wasn't going to make that killer first impression with jeans and a t-shirt and trainers. She tutted and made sure her hair and make up kit also went into her bag.
The doorbell rang and her flatmates screamed. They were massive Diversity fans and when she told them about her job, they had hounded her for backstage passes. She hadn't managed to get them in yet, but they forgave her for the chance to see Perri Kiely in their home. She could hear the commotion of the high-pitched excited voices of her two flatmates and a deeper, slightly panicked one, she recognised as Perri. She hurried to gather her things so she could rescue him.
She entered the lounge to a comedic scene. Two girls draped over Perri trying to get selfies, Perri, not knowing which camera to look at, was doing his best to flit between them with a double teeth row grin that looked more like a grimace than a smile. When he saw her he mouthed HELP. She couldn't stop her laughter.
"Girls, I need him in one piece tonight." she managed to breath out. She took his hand and pulled him towards the door. "I'll see you guys later."
Perri took her bag as they jogged down the stairs. She didn't know what his car looked like so she let him lead her. He had taken her hand this time, maybe encouraged by her rescue upstairs. He stopped on the pavement next to a black audi. He put her bag and suit carrier in the boot and opened the passenger side door with a pointed look. She was not going to fight him on this tonight, in fact, she was going to enjoy it.
"So where are we going?" She knew he wouldn't say but she asked anyway.
"Somewhere" was his cryptic reply. He was focussed on the road, but she could see him smiling.
They headed into central London. He parked in an underground carpark in the old bank district, before they all moved to Canary Wharf. A silver plaque on the wall next to the basement lift said 1 Sky Garden Walk. Perri had Laura's and his bags in one hand and her hand in the other. She was really enjoying the feel of his warm hands, they completely swallowed her own and felt so strong even in a loose grip, he rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, stimulating her nerves in areas that were previously dormant. The numbers on the lift glowed upwards all the way to the 38th floor which was the top floor. No one else entered the lift but it was still afternoon so she wondered where everyone was. As the doors opened, a suited and heeled woman greeted them.
"Welcome Mr Kiely and Miss Smith" she intoned and nodded as Perri returned her greeting. "Your Sky Gardens experience awaits." She said. Laura looked around the floor they had just walked onto. It was stunning, there were huge plants everywhere, the massive glass windows showcased what seemed like the whole of London. The sun had set now so the bright city lights looked amazing. She indicated they enter a room off the large atrium. Perri squeezed her hand a little and lean in to speak to her.
"Fun first, then something more relaxed."
They entered a brightly coloured room which had dance music playing in the background. The room was padded with the kind of walls and flooring you would see at a kids soft play centre. Off to the side another woman held some deflated costumes.
"We're sumo wrestling!" he said. Laura looked at him, once again, completely gobsmacked. She did not expect this. They put on their suits and the woman inflated them. They looked ridiculous. Laura had removed her earrings and put her expensive hair do in a ponytail. They awkwardly waddled to the middle of the room. A man in a black and white striped jacket, holding a whistle, beamed at them.
"Three rounds, 3 minutes each, you will fight on my first whistle, stop on my second whistle!" he boomed. "Are you ready?"
"YEAH!" Perri yelled
"Yeah" Laura said in a smaller voice, still not quite believing what was happening. The whistle blew and they both ran towards each other, Perri barrelled into her with full force, sending her flying backwards, she bounced like a beach ball in her inflatable suit laughing.
He came at her again as soon as she stood up but this time she was ready for him, she sidestepped leaving her trailing leg in place tripping him up, howling as he face planted the padded floor, his feet up in the air behind him. Three rounds came and went in a blink of an eye. Laura's mascara was running from the copious laughter tears. The referee declared her the winner and raised her aim. The other woman handed her a plastic trophy and everyone clapped. She gave a mock bow and exaggerated her celebration. She gave as good as she got although she knew he had let her win. But that wasn't the point, she'd had so much fun with him. The suited woman returned as they removed the sumo suits.
"We have put your things in separate changing rooms for you to get ready for part two of the experience." She enthused, she pointed to two doors. "When you are ready we will meet you back in the Atrium. She left them making their way to the door.
"Did you enjoy that?" Perri asked.
"It was brilliant" Laura replied, holding her sore stomach, she had laughed that much.
"It was really fun." Perri grinned, "See you in a bit," he said and walked through to his changing room. Laura entered the other door. There was a swish shower room, fluffy towels and a carpeted dressing room. She got ready as quickly as she could. She didn't want to ruin the good vibes by making him wait too long. She did her best to recreate her hair and put on her sparkly dress and finished off with her killer heels...which she had to hold until she had walked back over the padded floor.
Perri was waiting for her in the atrium. She stood next to him and looked all the way up. He was so much taller when she didn't have heels on! Perri noticed as well.
"You're a shorty without shoes he teased." Tapping her head condescendingly.
"Hey, I'm 5 foot 7" she protested. "Do you want to get back in those suits?" she threatened. Perri put his hands up in surrender.
"Noooo, I've had enough of being thrown around thank you!" Laura laughed as she slipped her feet into her shoes.
"You look so beautiful" he said seriously. Laura blushed at the intensity of his gaze.
"Thanks, you look very handsome too." She replied awkwardly. Perri smiled at the compliment, nonetheless. She meant it, he looked stunning. He wore a grey suit with a white top, he had a heavy white gold padlocked chain. The grey colour was the perfect shade to set his caramel skin off. His hair, which had got a bit dishevelled in the wrestling match, was now perfectly slicked into a low bun. He finished his smart look with black loafers.
They were met by their guide who directed them to the sky restaurant. Laura gasped audibly as the entire restaurant was empty and in almost darkness, apart from strategically placed fairly lights draped on the walls, hanging from the ceiling and around the bar area. A spotlight illuminated a table set for two by the giant windows. A waiter in full livery pulled open a heavy chair to allow Laura to sit. Perri pulled his own chair to seat himself. He handed them the menus and asked for their drink orders. Perri ordered a sparkling water. Laura looked conflicted.
"Is something wrong?" Perri asked noticing her expression.
"I kind of want something stronger than water or coke" she replied, Perri looked relieved.
"You can order whatever you want. I don't drink alcohol but I know most people do." He smiled. "I'll always be your designated driver." He chipped
Laura was also relieved, she needed dutch courage. She did not want to blow it now she had had a taste of how amazing this man was. She ordered a gin and tonic. She turned to the window and drank in the beautiful cityscape, she could see the embankment, Tower Bridge to her left, London Bridge to her right. She could see the Tower of London lit up and cars speeding through the streets far below.
"Perri this is amazing" she said, she returning her gaze to him, she didn't know which sight was the more beautiful.
"I'm glad you like it" he said. The waiter returned to serve their drinks and hurried away again. Laura took a good gulp of her G & T.
"I'm a bit nervous" she admitted. Perri pulled an incredulous face.
"Why?"
"Because..." She didn't know how to explain it without making things worse. She didn't want to admit to feeling inadequate or unworthy, but she had no idea why he had chosen her out of all the gorgeous women out there. He didn't let her finish though.
"I thought you were beautiful the first time I saw you, and the more I saw you, the more beautiful you became." He spoke softly and seriously, his neutral face made his lips look so full and curvy and...kissable. "I wanted to do this to impress you." He indicated the surroundings as he spoke. "Because I want to ask you to date me regularly. I know you can't be seen to date contestants, but we don't have to let anyone know, at least until the competition is over." He shrugged his shoulders. "I could be out next week" he said. Laura scoffed.
"No way!" She huffed, "You could win this." She was outraged at the thought of him leaving early, even though it improved her chances with him. She thought about what he had said before that. "I am just an ordinary show employee." I can't return the fancy dates like this, and I don't want you to keep paying for me, this must have cost a fortune." She looked at Perri and took another glug of gin before staring into the cut crystal glass." Perri leaned over and covered her hand with his.
"It doesn't matter. I don't care if all we did was just sat at home and watched films." He gave her a cheeky smile, "as long as there was popcorn."
"Salt or sweet?" she asked loving the break in tension.
"Both!"
"Urgh" she laughed.
Laura relaxed more as their date progressed. Her bottle of wine certainly helped. The food they ordered was incredible, she supposed that was expected from a Michelin star restaurant. They laughed about their wrestling match, they talked about the competition, she told him all about her family and he told her about his.
They were completely full after their petit fours, Laura had coffee and Perri had a green tea. Perri paid the bill without flinching but wouldn't let her see how much it was. There were no prices on the menus so she knew it would be bad. He collected their bags from the guide, thanked the staff and stepped into the lift behind Laura. She was shivering, but they were still in the lift so she wasn't actually cold yet. She hadn't thought ahead and brought a jacket and she didn't want to ruin the look with her sweaty hoody. Perri took his jacket off and draped it over her shoulders. He locked eyes with her and didn't stop looking at her the whole journey down. Laura couldn't think of anything to say to break the silence. So they just stared at each other. The ping of the lift made her jump. Perri placed his hand around her waist and led her out of the lift. He put the bags in the boot and opened her door once more she was even less inclined to fight him on this now. The drive back to her flat went much too quickly. She was upset that the date was ending by the time he dropped her bags on the ground at the entrance to her apartment building.
"I'll not come in." he said. He probably didn't want to be accosted by her flatmates. He stared down at her as if battling something in his mind. Then he suddenly put his hand on the side her face and stroked her cheek with his thumb. Laura's heart hammered in her chest as she looked up at him. Her lips parted subconsciously as her eyes dropped from his eyes to his mouth. Perri picked up on the subtle signal and leaned down to kiss her. Laura returned the kiss and he pressed her to him hard. She didn't know how long they stayed there kissing but it was only a neighbour putting their rubbish out that broke up their hold.
He turned to walk back to his car.
"Perri" He turned back to face her.
"I will date you." She said. He smiled, lifted his head up in a yeah.
"See you tomorrow then."
And then he was gone.