Love At First Lie | Herophine Fic

Heart To Heart

JOSEPHINE

Gently, I feel my body begin to sway back and forward from my shoulder. But it's not of my own accord. I'm not the one making these movements, they're being made for me. A warmth spreads from my left shoulder and a strong, firm but careful hold makes these movements for me before the silence I was enjoying during my slumber is broken.

"Jo? Jo, wake up," he whispers, softly. Hero. There's got to be a reason he's waking me up. Perhaps he's made us dinner, I've no idea how long I've been asleep. Thinking about it, my lips purse but I've got nothing to get up for so I resettle back against the pillow, hoping he'll join me.

"Buttons, there's something I need to ask you," peering my left eye open slowly, defeated by his use of my nickname, I look directly at him. Finding him crouched down in front of me, his expression soft with a certain adamancy behind it.

"What is it?" I ask, hearing how tired I sound. A smile grows across his face at my response before he continues.

"I'd very much like to ask you to have dinner with me... In London," what? My mind begins to reel and instantly play back what he's just asked of me. Unable to control my thoughts and movements my right eye bursts open and I feel the surprise cross my face. Sitting up quickly, my legs swing around to the side of the bed so I'm facing him. He's not cooked or cooking us dinner, he wants to go out.

"You're taking me out to dinner?" He holds his hands out for me in front of him which I slide mine into, watching as he nods yes. Placing a kiss on the back of my right he finishes.

"Indeed I am. But we need to decide where we want to go and leave in an hour and a half," that's plenty of time and there's no way I'm refusing dinner or turning Hero down. It'll get us out of the house and help with some distraction after the double elimination no one saw coming earlier today. It'll also allow us some time to just be us. Without being in the same four walls.

"Challenge accepted."

Despite living in London for a good while, I've never really ventured to the area Hero's brought us to. Or rather, where Hero requested our driver to bring us. I decided on leaving it up to him to choose our dining location seeing as he was the one who suggested coming out. And fuck me, I'm glad he chose this place. Scarpetta. It's not far from St. Paul's Cathedral, a little gem hidden away in a little nook.

I was more than surprised at the portion size as we worked our way through our main courses. This place is... fancy. To say the least. I was expecting a few bites and to be finished. But I'm full to the brim. Bring here gives me a small glimpse into who Hero is outside the four walls of the house. He likes nice food, that part is clear. And nice places which only leads me in my mind to deduce that he's on a bloody good salary for what he does. He must be to afford food from these types of restaurants. I'm not saying he'd dine here every night but if it were me, I wouldn't be dining here at all at the moment.

While he's enjoyed a chicken penne pasta with smooth, creamy tomato and garlic sauce, I opted for the black cod with caramelised fennel and tomatoes. It was topped with sliced lemon and steamed, piping-hot vegetables. Seafood usually isn't a go-to for me but I loved the sound of it and couldn't resist. Nor could I contain just how good it was during our meal. I moaned, groaned and raved about how good it was. I can only imagine Hero's thoughts. It's probably the last time we'll go out because of my responses.

Both of us agreed we couldn't manage any more food when we were offered the dessert menu. I feel so full, my belly's much heavier than when I arrived but that's no bad thing.

While our menus were being recollected, Hero requested the bill. I have money but given my working situation, it's not much. Enough to cover my half though but he had other plans by simply tapping his card and not letting me look or see. I've no idea how much tonight cost him and he's refused to give me his bank details so I could transfer him at least some of my half. He just tapped his card like he was buying his weekly shop in Tesco. He always sounds so blasé about money, like it doesn't matter to him. I'd love to be in that situation. If only.