Dark side of light

10.'Dans Le Noir' London

Famous Piccadilly Circus. Busy as always. But beautiful nonetheless. With all those lights and colourful advertisements it really was something to look at. I was standing in the centre of this noisy place. Standing, because Harry said so. Standing because for some reason I couldn't say no to him.
I looked nervously down at my watch. 7.25. Where are you Harry? I asked mentally. Just when I was about to give up, I saw him. He was walking in a quick pace towards me. His face didn't exactly say 'happy'. I became confused. Why would he be mad if he was the one asking me to come. When he walked over to me and his green eyes met my interested gaze his features seemed to soften a little bit.

"You came" he stated. Almost as if he was surprised I actually showed up.

"Yes why wouldn't I" I answered. A small smiled appeared on his face. Just than I notticed something else. A little cut on his lip. "You're bleeding Harry" I said, my eyes widening a little. Was it really necessary for me to always see him bleed.

"Where?" He asked, trying to find the source of it with his hand. I took a small handkerchief from my handbag, and started wiping his lip.

"Care to explain?" I asked, while still removing the remains of the blood.

"None of your fucking business!" He said so loud, it made me flinch. I stepped away from him, and looked at the ground, suddenly finding it super interesting."I just wanted t-to help." I said in a small voice.

He sighed loudly. "I'm sorry Ella. I really am. It's just that my temper is getting the best of me." He said and grabbed my hand to kiss my knuckles lightly. I felt blush creep it's way to my cheeks, but I lifted up my head anyway. Harry was looking at me intensely, as if awaiting my forgiveness for his fierceness.

"It's ok." I just said. I think I have to just get used to his sudden change of mood."tell me than. What are we doing here?" I asked genuinely curious.

"We are here for a date" he said looking proud of himself for some unknown to me reason.

"Oh" I should have known it was something like a date. I really didn't know what to wear, so I just went for a black dress and beloved converse. Casual, for whatever Harry has prepared for me.

"Shall we?" Harry asked, offering his forearm to hold onto.

"Where are we going?" I asked suspiciously, but grabbed onto his hand anyway.

"It's a surprise" he said and led me away from the noise of thousands of people, trying to push their way through other people, and loud horns of passing vehicles.

***

The car ride took us about an hour. No it wasn't even somewhere out of London. It was just this insane traffic. Damn you London City.
When Harry finally stopped the car in front of a very modern building, with a big "Dans Le Noir" sign, I really didn't know what to say. It was honestly the best idea for a date. I've always wanted to visit a 'blind restaurant'.

"If you're not feeling comfortable enough to eat in a dark, there's another one. Just opposite the road." Harry said, when the engine was turned off, but we remained in a car. When I didn't reply, he added."I'm sure all the lights are on". I laughed at that. He really was a funny guy, he was just hiding it behind his dark, and mysterious persona.

"No it's ok. In fact. I've always wanted to eat in such place" I said quickly, getting a little to excited.

"Ok than." He said, and opened his car door. I did the same, but Harry stopped me.

"I'll get to your door, just let me step out first" he said, as if it was rude of me to doubt his gentlemeness. I closed the door back and chucked to myself. None of the boys I've ever dated in my entire life, bothered to open a car door for me. And believe me, I dated a few.
When Harry did as he said, I slid from my sit and my feet landed softly on the pavement.

"Thank you" I said. He just winked and motioned for me to walk into the restaurant, through a massive glass door. It looked as if it was a huge mirror. And it was. You could see yourself perfectly clear. But once you stepped inside, you couldn't see yourself. Just everything that was outside.

"How can I help you?" Asked a voice to my left. It was a men. I could tell by his medium-age-voice. He was talking in English, but with overly evident French accent.

"I had a reservation, for name Styles." Harry spoke up not really knowing to whom he was directing his words. Styles. So that's your surname. Harry Styles. It sounds weirdly unrealistic. More like a fictional name for someone like Johnny Bravo.

"Oui. Allor. Monsieur Styles." The men said and I heard a small bell ring and than another men appeared by our side, wearing an illuminating, fluorescent suit.

"Follow me please" the illuminated guy said. He gave Harry his right and, and I had to hold his right, so that we knew where to go. The men led us through a heavy dark curtain and into a huge interior. I couldn't see its size, but I could tell is was big by the echo, caused by people talking around silently and sound of cutlery lightly hitting against plates. We were walking further into darkness, until we stopped and the men sat me down and did the same thing with Harry. As much as I wanted to adjust my eyes to this overtaking darkness, I couldn't even see my hand, even tho I put it right in front of my eyes. This is amazing.

"I'm glad you like it" Harry said. Did I really say that out loud?

"Thank you Harry. For bringing me here. It truly is a wonderful place. Even tho I can't see how it really looks like."

"My pleasure than" I heard him say.

"May I suggest your order?" Our waiter asked.
After we picked our dishes, the waiter left us. He said he would go back within 20 minutes with our orders. So we were left to talk. I didn't know what to talk about. I wanted to ask Harry so many questions, but I didn't want to set him off. So I just remained silent.

"Are you ok Ella? Is something wrong? If you don't like it here just tell me..." He started rumbling on, getting worked up somewhere in the process.

"No! No Harry it's fine really. It's just that..." Should I ask? Should I really? "I just want to know" I said.
He sighed loudly. I knew he understood what I meant.

"Ella I-I don't know if you can take this much." He said "you want to know my job don't you? But this is dangerous to know. I'm trying to protect you from any possible harm and danger. Even the fact that you know me and speak to me is dangerous for you. The less you know, the safer you remain. And thats what my priority is." I was glad it was pitch dark here, because I could show my expression exactly as it was inside me. Which was disappointment and fear.
And there comes back my question. What kind of job? What kind of job is so dangerous that even knowing about it is potentially dangerous? It's not like he's a professional killer right?
Right?
"Please say something Ella. Silence is worst than anything." Harry said. I blindly reached over the table, and my hand landed on his.

"Your hand is cold" I pointed out. I held his cold hand in my warm grip, trying to transfer that warmth to his hand. "I won't push." I said after a while. "With your job I mean".

"Thank you. I'm really just trying to protect you" he said. I wanted to add something, but just than our orders landed on our table.

"Bon appetite" the illuminated guy said and disappeared again.
I had no idea what was on my plate, but it smelled like heaven on earth. We started eating silently, and before I knew it, my plate was empty.

"Are you ready to leave?" Harry asked after a moment. I nodded my head." Ella?" Oh right he couldn't see me.

"Yes. Let's go" I said and stood up. I immediately felt Harry's arm on my waist guiding me to the exit.

"I don't think this time our 'lightbulb' is here to help us" he pointed out. I laughed lightly, glad that his humour was back. We somehow reached the exit, occasionally bumping into what I assume must have been a table.
It was good to be able to see again. I saw Harry again. He rubbed his eyes with his palms. It looked cute. Like a child with not enough sleep. "Let's get you home safely" he said and again opened the car for me. I slid inside quickly. When Harry hooped inside, he didn't start the engine right away. He just let his hands fall to his knees and looked at me seriously. I looked back slightly intimidated by this strong gaze. "I just want you to know that you're the reason I smile.And I haven't for two years. At least not genuinely."

"Wow. I'm glad that I can make you happy" I said and offered him the brightest of my smiles. He smiled back and started the car.
The ride home was silent, and it took only fifteen minutes. Wow now you decide to be empty London. A little to late. I though to myself. When we parked in front of my apartment building, we stepped out of the car, and Walked inside, aiming straight to the lift. I presses the arrow and waited until it opened. And after a moment, with this typical 'ding' sound, it opened. We stepped inside. The lift was empty. Only us two in it. I pressed 46 and the doors closed.

"You must always walk with your head in the clouds. Because you live that high" Harry said. Oh god.

"What a lame joke" I said, and playfully hit his shoulder. But I started giggling uncontrollably.

"But it made you laugh. See?" He pointed to my wide smile, laughing along. When his hand touched my cheek something changed in the mood. The playfulness turned into something else. It felt as if the temperature in the lift has risen. I looked into Harry's eyes. He was no longer smiling. He was looking at me with...adoration. I suddenly felt this overwhelming urge to kiss him. To 'ink' this kiss into his lips, so he couldn't forget how it feels like. I leaned in, the gap between us slowly getting smaller. He leaned as we'll. our lips almost touched, but than the 'ding' sound could be heard and the lift door opened to reveal a group of people ready to walk in. It was my floor already. Damn it. It always take forever to get to floor 46. And now it felt as if it took a mere second to get there.
We stepped out and we walked up to my door. I dug in my handbag, looking for the key. I found it and slid it into the lock. It clicked silently and I pushed it open. I didn't walk in however. I just stood there.

"Sooo" I said wanting to start a conversation. It was awkward after we almost kissed in the lift.

"Sooo" Harry repeated after me.

"I had better go..." I said and took a step back. I looked down thinking Harry will just go. I turned around to shut the door behind me, but than I felt him spin me around swiftly, and before I knew it his cold, but soft lips were on mine. It was different than the first time we kissed in his house. It was filled with lust. There was no sign of delicate Harry. There was only this strong, fierce side of him showing right now. But I didn't mind really, because I wanted it as much, as I hope he did.