Deviant [Charles Leclerc]

CHAPTER XIII

ADLEY

"Has Lee messaged you yet?" Oxland questions as we finally make it back to the hotel after walking around the gardens for hours.

Unfortunately, I had dressed for a nice lunch date at a fancy restaurant, and my 6 inch heels did not like the consistent walking around the concrete paths of the gardens.

"Yes, he has scheduled dinner at the same place in which we were meant to meet for lunch. He said it's the nicest place in Monaco." I inform.

"Seriously?" She gasps, "Surely that has to have some weird, bad juju to return to the scene of the original crime" she mocks.

I chuckle "No one died Oxland, so dramatic' I tease.

She shrugs her shoulders innocently, "I'm just saying, if your man cancels on you twice in that place, I would leave a serious warning sign on their review page"

I shake my head at her, sitting on the edge of the bed and sliding my heels off my feet, feeling like I was peeling off a bandaid that was stuck on an open wound.

"Do you think this outfit is okay for dinner?" I ask.

"Hmm" She thinks it over, squinting her eyes in my direction. "I think we go for the short cocktail dress" she mocks.

"Oxland, No" I chuckle. "Be serious"

"How about this?" She suggests, holding her finger up to me in waiting before she begins to rummage through her suitcase like an animal in the wild. "Uh-huh" she announces in success.

Pulling out a long black outfit, I see that it is a strapless, pant leg, jumpsuit with a really flattering waist belt.

"Oh wow" I gush. "How is it you just have all these flattering outfits in your suitcase?  What is it you thought we would be doing all year? All I packed was hoodies and leggings" I chuckle.

"Shut up and go and try it on." She orders. "I need to fix your hair as well"

Closing myself into the bathroom, I step out of the sundress and into the jumpsuit, making sure to place my boobs into the tiny little pocket holes that these things never really allow enough space for. I swear, most of women's clothing is just asking for mishaps.

When I exit the bathroom, Lando is back from wherever he was, eating, again. Once he captures sight of me, he dramatically drops his burger into his paper bag with his jaw dropped.

"If he stands you up again, I'm going to beat his ass" Lando compliments.

Oxland lets out a breathily chuckle.

"Fine" he moans, "I'll hold him, whilst Oxland beats his ass" he corrects .

"Better" she appreciates.

"Okay you two, I appreciate it, but I don't think he will. He feels terrible about this morning and he seems really excited for tonight." I assure.

Hey, getting ready to leave, is it 5pm you booked? - Adley

I make sure to send a message that makes it seem like I was just checking in, but i think subconsciously, I was reminding him to come.

5pm, yes. Can't wait to see you Ma Belle. - Lee

His reply relaxes me, given that its only half an hour away. Surely in that time nothing can come up and ruin it.

"Okay" I breath out, the roller coaster of emotions today really exhausting me. "Where will you guys be? In case I need you?" I ask.

'You won't need us" Lando assures, "But we will be at Jimmy'z. I'll keep my phone on me the whole time. If you need a getaway car, I'm here" he assures me.

"I don't plan on killing him" I chuckle.

"Yet" Oxland adds, in a joking way, I think.

"I better go" I inform, feeling a little more nervous this time than before.

"Wait, let me fix your hair" Oxland pleads.

"Why? It's fine" I assure.

"At least brush it, the wind has not done you any favours my friend" she teases.

Trying her hardest to pull the brush through my mid length curls whilst I'm trying to put my wallet and lipgloss into my purse.

"I have to go" I chuckle.

"Okay, okay. Have fun. And if you want to bring him to Jimmy'z after, do it. I'm sure we all want to meet him" Oxland suggest.

"I'll see how the night goes"

Walking down toward the restaurant, I have the worst gut feeling that this isn't going to go the way that I had hoped. A thousand different scenarios playing through my mind and I just hope it is the nerves playing tricks on me.

My last relationship didn't exactly have me believing I could trust someone's word. That I definitely need to pay attention to actions rather than empty promises.

But I wanted this to be different.

I needed this to be different.

"Hello, I have a reservation with Lee Flinders please" I admit to the same hostess who witnessed me getting stood up this morning.

"Right this way" she instructs with a grin.

I'm lead through the dimly lit restaurant, past couples and friends all gathered together, wondering how many more were meeting their online flings for the first time? Or how many were here on anniversaries, proposals, possible breakups? The options seemed limitless.

"Right here, Miss Porter" The hostess gestures me to an empty table where we would be sat across from one another.

Now I'm left with the impossible decision, do I want to sit so I can see him come in? Or sit with my back to him? What one could possibly be the better option?

He'd sent me plenty of photos of him before, I was pretty confident I would know what he would look like, but what happens if I sit to face him coming in, and I don't recognise him? That he walks in and I'm staring at what I think is a stranger with no reaction on my face? Or do I sit with my back to him and he walks in and changes his mind and I'm none the wiser?

And now I've been standing here staring at the table looking like an idiot.

I opt for the viewing him coming in, taking my chances, but trusting that I'm going to know. I have to know. I'll have this pull to him the moment I see him, I'm sure.