Ash POV:
The restaurant was in downtown Manhattan so I had to get a taxi, I waved one down and to my surprise, the driver stepped out to open the door for me and put his hand against the edge of the roof to prevent me from hitting my head, he smiled and closed the door behind me. "Where to?" he asked, "La Sirena, SoHo" I replied, "ooh that's a perfect place for a date" he said smiling, "How did you know I was going on a date?" my eyes widened with surprise "I've met many people with my job, I can tell usually tell where they are going from the way they are acting and how they're dressed" he told me, I was impressed, it took me a while to learn how to figure people out. "you don't seem too happy about it?" he asked and I looked down at the wrapped box in my hands "it's a complicated relationship that I would rather not be in and he doesn't like me much, nor I him" I told him, "I wouldn't dare tell you to do anything since it's not my place, but I suggest you give the guy a chance. You never know, you might warm up to each other" he told me, I smiled "Thank you, I will try."
We arrived at the restaurant and I paid the driver the driver with a generous tip when he stepped out again to open the door, offering me his hand to help me out, it was quite helpful actually since my heels were pretty high. "The man you are meeting is very lucky, he just doesn't know it yet" he smiled, I thanked him and walked towards the restaurant, it was beautiful inside, simple yet classy but the entire place was empty spare for a few staff members who were all looking very nervous. One of them saw me and held open the door, bowing her head slightly as I walked through, she welcomed me with a smile but I could see how much she was shaking, "why is it empty?" I asked, "The whole place was rented out, you are with Mr Rivera correct?" she squeaked, "yes, I am" she grabbed a menu and darted towards the centre table which was the only one set up with cutlery and where Marcos was sitting with a glass of red wine in his hand.
He wore a beige suit and a white shirt with the top buttons undone, slightly exposing his tanned and toned chest, his dark hair brushed to the side but still loose and messy. He looked up at me and gestured towards the seat for me to sit down.
Marcos POV:
I heard the confident clacking of heels and looked up to see Aisling in a black dress with black fur draped over her shoulders, she pulled it off and placed it on the back of the chair beside her, leaving her shoulders bare. I noticed a small box on the same chair but I decided not to question it, she had her hair curled and pinned back showing off her jawline and framing her emerald eyes. I stared for a moment before signalling for her to sit down, I didn't even realise I was still looking at her until she called the waitress over, ordering her meal in perfect French. I ordered too and the waitress took both menus and walked away, leaving us alone. I was about to start a conversation to end our awkward silence, when she picked up the box and slid it across the table to me, her other hand resting just below her lip. I noticed it was wrapped with a silver snowflake designed wrapping paper and it was immaculate, every piece of tape was the same size and it looked as if so much care had been put into the wrapping that I didn't want to take it off, "Merry Christmas" she told me, looking me directly in the eyes. I'm not sure what it why, but it felt as if they could see deep into my soul and see everything hidden behind the mask I had to wear.
I looked down at the present and up at her again, "oh... thank you" I said, a little surprised that SHE had thought of buying me a gift. I carefully pulled at the folds and unwrapped the present, she had bought me a wallet made of high quality leather and it was exactly like my old one. "I thought your other wallet looked a bit beat up" she explained. "I'm sorry, I had something for you too, but I left it at home" I admitted, it was the truth, but after seeing her gift I feel like I should have got something better, "its fine, I'll think of the flowers as my gift" she stated. I forgot about those, they were beautiful but from the look in her eyes I can guess knew about their meaning. Now I feel kinda guilty, its not like she asked for this situation either, "I'm sorry, I was just irritated, ignore the flowers, and I should at least give you an actual gift if we are going to act this out" I admitted, she nodded, good at least we are understanding each other now.
The food came, along with another bottle of wine and we discussed our fake relationship. "We shouldn't tell our family and friends outright that we are "dating" but make it slightly obvious and act suspiciously, that way they will believe us when we do tell them" I explained, she nodded, "what about when we meet each others family, we would need the same story to be believable" she pointed out "we will need how and when we first met and how we "fell in love", since I always said I didn't have time for it" she said. Really? I thought she would be dating someone, with looks like hers I thought she would have everyone after her, but then again, I know what that feels like so I don't blame her. We carried on talking and decided on a story that we hoped would be believable:
We met during school (don't even have to make up this part), I saw her when she was introduced that morning and was in awe of her beauty (she had more of a problem with this than I did) but I didn't want to admit it, so I ignored her until I saw her when she went Christmas shopping with her younger brothers (this morning) and invited her to dinner (right now) while her brothers were looking around the shop.
Then we could just add things on as we go along.
She insisted that we split the bill and was slightly threatening about it so I agreed, I draped the fur over her shoulders and led her out of the restaurant. It was late and it would be strange for her the guy she was "dating" to send her back in a taxi, so I took her to my car.