Blank Space

7

Selena had meticulously prepared a set of questions to ask Miss Swift, scribbled on a note inside the pocket of Sean's suit jacket. However, Taylor remains firmly in control of the conversation, and begins to inquire about his career.

He explains to her his ambitions of becoming the editor of a magazine, though adds that the dream is far from reach. She shows concern, and suddenly, he falls into confessing his fears of redundancy. Taylor's eyes gradually turn from steely to soft as she internalises his worries and offers her condolences. The words between them flow with ease, and Sean finds himself forgetting what he came for.

Mendes repeatedly swoops in at optimal moments to refill their glasses until the words start to slur in his mouth. A drowsiness sinks over him, and he hides a yawn beneath his hand. For the first time in hours, Sean checks his phone to discover multiple missed calls from Selena and anxious texts from Karlie.

"I really ought to leave soon." he concludes mid-conversation.

"Oh, please stay for a while longer, Sean!" Taylor pleads. "Your conversations are the intellectual stimulation I crave in this house!"

"I have work in the morning." he apologises. "Thank you for the food. It was absolutely delicious."

"Then please, let me escort you to the door myself."

Taylor stands and strides to meet him at the other end of the table. The pair of them walk side-by-side, passing through the entrance hall and out of the grand doors onto the porch.

The clouds part for the first time in months, allowing a clear view of the starry sky above. Sean checks his watch: 10PM. How did that happen?

"You know you're welcome to stay..." Taylor murmurs in the moonlight. "It gets awful lonely out here..."

"I would love to." he assures her. "But I have an article to write for tomorrow. I have to get back to my apartment."

"Say you'll see me again." She turns to face him; her cheek catches the light of the porch lamp, illuminating her flawless complexion.

"I promise."

His eyes glint with lust and he leans in to kiss her. They share a romantic moment together on the porch before Sean lets her go. He makes his journey down the winding path towards the gates. She waves from the porch, her hand clasped around her necklace, until his figure fades from sight.

***

Sean veers the corner and hops into the passenger seat of a red Mini. Karlie glares at him furiously.

"Where have you been this whole time?" she hisses. "I thought she had killed you!"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Sean snaps. "She laid on a banquet for me. We had a pleasant meal and a pleasant conversation."

"Four hours without a text!" Karlie yells to the brink of rage.

"If you want me to succeed in this mission, then you have to let me do it alone." Sean affirms. "Be patient. Give me time. I've got this."

"Well, what have you got? Let's hear it."

Sean hesitates, forgetting altogether the task assigned to him. He fumbles about in his pocket for the piece of paper.

"What is it?" Karlie asks again. "What's the problem?"

He stares, wide-eyed and distressed. "I've lost the note."

***

Taylor rests upon the mattress of her four-poster bed, wearing her silver night gown. She wraps the heart-shaped necklace playfully around her fingers. In her hand is a scrunched-up note, flattened out to make it legible.

-Be polite - show table manners (no elbows!)

-Show interest - ask about day

-Be casual - stay comfortable and relaxed

-Talk about love - possibly mention your own single status (though don't sound too desperate)

-Ask about past partners (but be cautious - don't intrude)

-Leave with a kiss

The handwriting is messy and rushed, but nonetheless endearing. Of all her potential suitors, this was by far the most articulate preparation for a first date she had ever laid eyes upon. How cute, she thought, that he should take the time to plan every move and every word.

There is a gentle knock at the door.

"Yes Mendes?" she calls. "You may enter."

Mendes moves quietly into the room, closing the door behind him. "Sorry to bother you this late in the evening, Miss Swift. I was simply curious to hear about your date."

"As always, my dear." she chortles. "Look what I found on the porch when he left."

She hands her butler the note. He reads it thoroughly with narrowed eyes. "How bizarre..."

"Simply adorable!" she swiftly corrects him. "The poor boy must have been so nervous, bless him!"

"Indeed..." Mendes mutters, slightly sceptical. "Anyway, I have a gift for you, Miss Swift."

He exchanges the note for a glossy magazine. "There's a fantastic article about the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show featuring many compliments about your performance. I believe there's even an article written by your beloved journalist inside."

"Oh fabulous!" she exclaims, flicking through the pages of the magazine. "Thank you, Mendes. You are dismissed now."

"Goodnight Miss Swift." he beams proudly as he departs from the bedroom.

Taylor snuggles into her duvet and begins her bedtime read, when her attention is snatched by a photograph featured on the inside cover: Ariana Grande sporting a black jumpsuit with a black bow tied around her neck.

Black bow. It couldn't be. Her good friend Ariana? She had invited her to her mansion on a number of occasions...she may have even encountered Noah once or twice.

Taylor tears the page from its seams and screams into the night. Ariana Grande: dangerous woman and notorious home-wrecker. It was time to confront this bitch.