Richard stood and watched as Farrah walked away and disappeared from his sight; not knowing what to do or what to say. How do you answer; what do you answer when someone questions who you are?
She knew who Richard is â his title and his position being his definers; now she was asking who he was as a man. The funny thing is, Richard himself didn't know. And the worst part of not knowing is he is finding himself lost. Lost in the news, lost in the hottest gossip rags, lost in his life, lost in his causes and now lost in Farrah. The last one though; being lost in Farrah, was a pleasure and a sweet torture. He wanted to take her in his arms and keep her there. He wanted her so close that even when she's gone the smell of her perfume still lingers on his clothes, warming him from the inside out. He needed her hugs to ground him to her, so that his heart even when it races out of control knows its way back.
He knew that she had wanted him here, at her flat tonight. She had wanted him to stay. All those times that he had met her and talked to her previously taught him that every action that Farrah takes is purposeful. There is thought and purpose behind her actions. And today, she wanted him to stay. She might think that he didn't notice her hopeful tone, her grin when he agreed, or even the frown as she fixed the clasp of his watch, but he did. He couldn't take his eyes off of her, not even for a minute, and he didn't want to.
He knew his family; and they are rightly afraid of Farrah taking advantage of him, especially knowing how closed off he is when it comes to his mother's death. And now, he was the one proposing to talk about it on national television. Oh God, I'm losing my mind, he thought. But the image of Farrah's face that day in his office never left his mind and her words rang in his ears.
"People would pay attention to Princess Elizabeth, never to a random Mrs. Khan from Birmingham"
There were so many people suffering from depression in silence, ashamed of it. There were so many people out there who didn't understand how crippling this disease was. How it breaks you from the inside and leaves nothing for you to mend yourself with. And if he could educate people and provide them with a safe space where they can speak up, be heard and achieve help...to achieve all that, he would allow Farrah to take whatever advantage she wanted of him. He allowed it wholeheartedly. Although, he shouldn't be complaining too much. There was something for him to gain in all this; Farrah's company and attention. The more time he spent with her, the more of her he wanted. Walking slowly back into the living room, Richard decided that he could dwell on his feelings for her later. Now, he had business to attend to.
"Is there somewhere we can talk privately?" he asked Farrah as he entered the living room and picked up the papers he brought with him.
Raising her eyebrows, "Sure," said Farrah and walked towards the kitchen. Turning around she said to Charlie, "Use Ubereats and order pizza from Homeslice. Get me half vegetarian and half Margarita, you can order the rest with Ben." Leaving Charlie with a Cheshire cat like smile, shaking her head Farrah lead Richard to the kitchen.
Richard took in the kitchen as she switched on the lights. It was done up in shades of whites and blues. It reminded him of Santorini, of warm summers, and its rich coffees as he spotted a red Gaggia coffee machine.
"I assumed you would be a tea drinker?" he said as he motioned towards the coffee machine.
"I am; that's Charlie's."
"I guessed as much." He nodded, the side of his lips curled up slowly.
"Did you? How?"
"Well, it completely clashes with the décor," Richard said teasingly as he cocked his eyebrow.
Farrah snorted her whole body shrugging with that action. With a smile, she motioned him towards a little breakfast nook with two chairs. "Sit"
They sat down facing each other, knees bumping and fingertips almost touching. Clearing her throat, Farrah motioned for Richard to start talking.
"Right, okay. First of all, I'm sorry for having to barge in on a weeknight- "
"Rich, you don't have to apologize. I understand. Besides, until things are finalized I can't even book meeting rooms at the office. So yeah," Farrah said shrugging.
"Alright. So, we are accepting your proposal; but of course, there are terms to it and if you do so agree we will then move forward with this."
Nodding slowly, Farrah asked, "And the terms are...?"
"First of all, this entire segment will be planned, produced and hosted by the both of us. And I mean, I will be involved down to the final edits in the final cut."
"Okay, but what if the channel refuses to have me host?"
"Then there is no segment," he stated bluntly.
"Rich! You can't do that," came her outburst, her honey glazed eyes wide.
"Why not?"
"Well, for starters everyone and their dogs will think that we are sleeping together!"
"Everyone and their dogs..." he trailed off laughing a belly laugh. "And what's the problem with that?"
"Well, for starters, it's not true," she exclaimed.
"Exactly, it's not true. Thus, it shouldn't bother you." He said simply, a smile still plastered on his face.
"But people don't think like that, do they?
"Farrah, you came to me...well, you emailed the palace, multiple times, you put yourself and your past out there for all to see just to get this segment on air. Don't you think you deserve to be as involved in it as you can? We are presenting you an opportunity here, and an opportunity like this will never come back again."
Gaping like a fish, she stared at Richard. "You won't mind people gossiping about us?"
"Well, they've done much worse. What harm can a bit of gossip do, especially when it involves a beautiful woman such as yourself?" he smiles again.
"Smooth, that was smooth," she rolled her eyes.
"The truth is that you understand what it's like. To lose someone like that. I believe that the kinship of sadness between us will ensure that you do justice to the subject matter," he swallowed thickly looking deeply into her eyes.
She could feel her eyes well up in tears and she looked away, nodding in agreement to his first condition. "Okay," she half whispered.
Clearing his throat, "The second term is that there are some documents that will not be unsealed. Not now and not ever. We are not going into the specifics now but that is the condition."
Still recovering from the sudden onslaught of grief, Farrah nodded her head once again. Thickly she answered, "Well, beggars can't be choosers, can they?"
Richard smiled tiredly at her, as she rubbed her eyes with the heel of her palm. She looked sad and tired. Unconsciously, he started rubbing his chest with his right hand as though trying to alleviate an ache that was coming from deep within. His left hand crept forward and he took Farrah's hand in his, gently squeezing her fingertips.
"Why are you crying?" he asked gently. He wished he could do more than just hold her hands, but he wasn't sure if it was permitted.
"I'm not crying," she said her voice thick with tears.
"Tell me, Farrah. Please?" he said, as he hesitantly lifted his hand and swiped his thumb under her eyes feeling the moisture there.
"I uhm..." she breathed trying to keep the tears at bay. "I'm happy, and I'm sad â at the same time."
"Why, love?" he almost whispered.
"You agreed, to the segment â that's the happy part. The sad part is that, how it's been years and we both miss our mums so fiercely," she continued thickly as she didn't hear the endearment that slipped through Richard's lips.
Richard inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of honey, almonds, and a hint of cinnamon that was wafting in the space between them. Closing his eyes, he knew that no matter where he was or what happens next, this scent would always remind him of Farrah. He gripped her hand tighter, "That's why we're doing this right? For them."
Clenching her jaw, Farrah nodded. Withdrawing her hand from his grip, she looked at him, "Well then, we need to set up a formal meeting with my team," she cleared her throat and continued, "to make it official and start work."
"Before we do that, Phillip and Victoria would like to meet you."
"Oh?"
"I host an informal Christmas party before the official functions begin. I think that would be the best time for you to meet them." He said, his fists clenched on the table already mourning the loss of contact as he studied her face.
"Okay, I think I'll be able to manage that," she said thoughtfully. She scrunched her face and asked, "Would I need to wear a hat, fascinator thing to meet the King?" At that, Richard couldn't help the smile take completely took over his face.
They heard a soft knock on the door, and Charlie's head popped in through the small opening. She paused as she took the in the both of them; heads bent together, smiling at each other, knees bumping, finger tips a breath apart from touching. No matter what Farrah says to deny it, there was obvious attraction between the two.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but the pizza is almost here," Charlie said to Farrah.
"Who's turn is it to get dinner?" Farrah asked standing up.
"Yours," Charlie said watching Richard who looked entranced by Farrah and her simple movements of opening cupboards and taking out plates and silverware.
"Alright just get it out of my purse," Farrah said distractedly picking up glasses.
"Here, let me," Richard said, sliding his hand next to hers to take the plates.
Removing her hands quickly, Farrah mumbled a quick thank you and continued bustling around the kitchen. Richard turned and found himself facing a grinning Charlie and cocked an eyebrow at her as he walked towards her.
"Ms. Woods," Richard said acknowledging her as he walked past her.
Letting the door close behind her, "You know, I didn't realise I could predict futures that well, Just give me a crystal ball and I'll be your live in fortune teller," Charlie said grinning at him mischievously. "Oh my God, I can be the Merlin to your King Arthur!" she squealed.
"I beg your pardon?" Richard said, confused.
"You fancy her," Charlie whisper screamed excitedly.
Exhaling deeply, Richard arranged the kitchen ware on the coffee table and dropped his body into the couch, letting himself sink into the cushions. Looking at the ceiling, "Am I that obvious?" he asked no one in particular. Feeling the couch sink, he turns his head to the left and sees Charlie with a serious expression on her face.
"A blind person could see it," Ben chimes in with a snort.
"You really like her." Charlie stated in all seriousness, studying Richard.
"Don't mention it." He said sighing. "And I mean, don't mention it â to her, to anyone. Please, for her sake," he looks at Charlie imploringly. "Please."
***
Wooo an update! A super long one at that. I hope you lot made it to the end, especially since you have more lovely words to read right now.
I have no idea what I am saying.
Anyways, super long update 400words extra than the usual. And look at me, working ahead and all that. *pats self on the shoulder* (I drafted this on Wattpad on Wednesday!!)
Anyways, family got dropped in on me last week hence the no update. to be honest, I couldnt even write by the end of the day. I was that mentally tired. Oh well, now back to business as usual.
Guys, please, please, please, vote, comment and share.
Show me the love guys, SHOW ME THE LOVE *ala Tom Cruise*