Pulse (On Hold)

Chapter Ten

Chapter 10

The moon that’s been mostly obscured earlier by clouds is now shining silver-white in a clear sky above our heads. It’s cold out here like I’d anticipated, but it doesn’t bother me because Logan has pulled me into his tight embrace.

We cross a street, then pass soundlessly between two yards.  I hear running water before I see the little footbridge and the stream running underneath. The moonlight is illuminating the stream as if someone had mixed mercury into it.

The elegance of it captures me, and I walk very slowly over the bridge, so I can remind myself of the beauty of night itself. I hope I won’t ever get used to the dark majesty of it.

We walk through a windy, pebble pathway that leads us to a majestic hideaway. The night has changed this place from a pretty, well-tended garden and marble water features into a fairy kingdom all washed in the light of the big full moon and shaded in layers of greys, slivers and midnight blues.

With Logan’s arm still wrapped protectively over my shoulders, we walk behind an authentic-looking restraint and make our way over to an amazingly grand gazebo. It sits on the top of huge round stairs, throne-like, so you must climb up to it. It’s made of glass and intricate, metal white swirls, with a small table and two chairs positioned in the middle.

A thousand tiny fairy lights twinkly like stars on the leafless trees surrounding the gazebo, and perfectly cropped rosebushes fill the air with a floral scent. I turn my head to look at Logan, looking so brooding and handsome in the shadows, and realise that this is the most spectacular place I’ve ever been too.

“Do you like it?” Logan asks, as his warm brown eyes meet my emerald ones.

My lips twitch into a huge smile. “I love it.”

“I’m so glade,” He sighs in relief, as we enter the beautiful gazebo and take our seats.

“Thank you, Logan, for bringing me here.”

“My pleasure,” he promises.

My eyes wonder off to the wrought iron table in front of me and I notice that it’s completely set. Logan and I both have a glass of red wine and a knife and fork ready for us to eat. There’s also a large menu in the middle, so I take it, and look over the extravagant list of foods. I wonder what it cost Logan to privately book us in here?

“Good evening.” A man dressed in a navy blue tuxedo with a white moustache greets us. “My name is Ghasto and I’ll be your waiter tonight. Are you two ready to order?”

“Nothing for me tonight,” Logan replies politely, offering me a sheepish smile that exposes his childish dimples. “But this fine lady accompanying me would like to order, would you not sweet Emerald?”

Ghats’s white eyebrows rise slightly as he observes me shiver in delight at the sound of Logan saying my name. Damn him and his sexy voice! Why must he tease me in public?

“I’ll have the fettuccini bolognaise please, Ghasto,” I answer off the top of my head, cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

“One fettuccini bolognaise,” Ghasto mutters to himself, as he takes note on a white pad of paper. But then he turns back to Logan.  “Are you sure you don’t wish to order for yourself tonight sir? I can run you through the specials?”

Logan’s eyes freeze over and become menacing as he tears them away from my own. He’s clearly not pleased about missing a second to stare at me intensely as he always does. “No thank you,” Logan speaks through his teeth, jaw clenching with strain.

Ghasto clears his throat awkwardly. “I’ll be off then,” he says, his voice breaking with intimidation. “You’re fettuccini bolognaise won’t be long Ma’am.” I can’t help but notice the worried glance Ghasto gives me before he walks down the stairs and disappears into the restraint.