Gold Rush

Private Dining: Part 1

Imran expertly weaved the black Mercedes in and out of the never ending city centre traffic, whilst Sophie peered through the back passenger window at the pedestrians roaming the streets.

She spotted teenagers with hoods up, unsociable and with earphones permanently lodged in,  drunk girls, staggering, arms linked, the kind of drunk that was a result of a bottomless brunch. The occasional mother with a pram, stomping the pavements intentionally and Instagram worthy individuals loaded with yellow Selfridges bags looking like cart horses.

She loved watching people going about their day, taking in everyone's differences.

Imran cleared his throat from the drivers seat,
'You ok back there, Miss Rhodes?'

The car came to a halt at a set of traffic lights.

'Yes Imran, Sorry I was in a world of my own.. please call me Sophie'

'Heard and understood Sophie, Jack tells me you're the team medic?'

The lights turned green and he carried on driving.
She wasn't sure what to say back to him, her guard was up, but Jack must trust him with all sorts of information.

'Yes.. that's right..' She sighed, 'work has been very.. hectic.. to put it lightly'
'Well, I'm sure you need this well-deserved night out to switch off..'

She caught his eyes glance at her in the rear view mirror, 'Ah, here we are..'.

The car pulled up directly outside one of Manchester's most popular restaurants, The Ivy.

She'd wanted to try this place for such a long time and she mentally praised herself for dressing well for the occasion.

A tall, dressed up doorman approached the car door and swiftly opened it for her.

'Bye Imran – Thank you!' Sophie voiced behind her shoulder.

She swung her legs out and steadied herself on her towering high heels, the same doorman welcomed her in and she approached a young member of staff based behind the welcome desk.

'Miss Rhodes?' The girl spoke professionally
'Yes, I'm here meeting someone-'
'Mr Grealish is already here' the girl smiled, 'Please follow me, my name is Grace'.

She started leading Sophie up the marbled stairs, 'Myself and the private dining team will be looking after you this evening'

Sophie glanced around, taking in the gorgeous, wild, yet smart décor.

'You will be seated on our Skylight Terrace tonight' Grace spoke smoothly as she guided them to the top floor of the modern building.

Her body could sense Jack before she'd even consciously laid eyes on him.
Goosebumps coated her bare arms, her scalp furiously prickled and her mouth rapidly became dry, as if the moisture was being redirected elsewhere.

Grace held the terrace door open and Sophie's jaw fell to the floor at the first sight of the stunning room.

Decorative greenery and carefully placed foliage covered the walls, the space was generously littered with flickering candles and very low warm lighting.

She looked up at the ceiling, noticing the glass skylight roof above her was closed to keep in the warmth, but the navy blue sky still provided a twinkle glittering of stars.

''ere she is'
That gruff midlands accent winded her, similar to how it did that very first day.

She spun round and focused her eyes on Jack.
God.
He looked so inappropriately, exceptionally fit.
His piercing, almond eyes never left hers and the fine crinkles and lines around his face gave away the smug, cheeky feeling that was obviously encasing him.

Grace cleared her throat, reminding them of her presence.
'Mr Grealish, as requested, private dining under the skylight', She gestured to the beautifully laid out table behind them and placed various menus out for them to look at.

'Grace, thank you, once again' Jack flashed her a wink.
Once again?
Also the audacity of that wink, knowing what it does.
Grace smiled, clearly trying to contain her excitement, 'It's a pleasure. Your waiter, Emmanuel will be in shortly to take your menus and orders'.

Sophie felt a jealous pang as she watched Grace slightly blush and leave the room.
She shrugged it away, now was not the time or the place for insecurities to come creeping out.

'Come 'ere beautiful'

Jack stepped towards her and cupped her face, which felt tiny when cradled by his thick hands. He gently gripped her head with his fingertips as their lips met.

'I've missed ya' he dropped his head to slowly look her up and down, visually taking her in.
'And fokin' hell, jus' look at you', Jack's front teeth nibbled hungrily at his bottom lip.

'You don't scrub up so bad yourself, Grealish'
Sophie smoothed a single hand down the front of his shirt, firstly fiddling with his jewellery that hung along his sternum.

'Nah nah.. Soph don't be using me second name like that. Not in public. Ya know what it does t'me'
Sophie tried to co-ordinate a wink to him, but ended up clumsily blinking both eyes, which caused them to howl giddily.

Jack pulled out the plump, green chair for her to sit down and re-positioned his chair so he was now sitting next to her, as apposed to across from her.

'Wanna be next t'you' he mumbled, they locked eyes again and it was taking all of Sophie's willpower not to get on her knees right there and then for him.

Ignoring the electricity, she crossed her legs under the table and busied herself with the menus. She could see him smirking out of the corner of her eye.
Cocky little shit.

Her brain felt foggy and unable to comprehend the simplest of decisions whilst in his presence.

'Have what ya want bab'

Sophie scanned the list, 'I'm thinking the lobster linguine...' she closed her menu and pushed it to one side,
'Jack, please don't let me look at it again, or else I'll end up ordering the chicken or something completely different in a panicked mess'

'Have both. I mean it, y'order what you want' He was being firm, yet putting her in control.

'I like it when you're bossy, Grealish'
Sophie bit the inside of her cheeks in a rubbish attempt to hide her taunting smirk.

His black eyes slowly peered up from behind the leather bound menu and he looked as though he was about to say something, until Emmanuel came bounding onto the terrace...