Avriel Kaplan: Well dressed, well groomed, beautifully handsome, quiet and brooding and exactly the kind of man Ariel Declan doesn't need to know. But, that is not for her to decide.
Alexander Kirk: wickedly handsome, well known and well liked, egot...
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The day passed quickly. Avriel discussed her dream with her very carefully before retiring to his room to rest a while. He assured her that his staff would treat her well and see to her needs and safety. He encouraged her to explore the grounds and to be careful. He offered his home to her, gave her free reign and asked only that for that one day and night that she not leave. Then he surprised her.
He took her hand in his before he went to his room, "Will you join me for dinner tonight?" He bowed deeply and gently kissed the back of her hand. She blushed quite heavily.
"What should I wear?" she curtsied, and he smiled.
"Did you bring a dress?"
"I didn't think I'd need one."
"Something you would wear out to the club?"
"I don't go out to clubs Avriel, I work at one," she said gently and laughed.
"I see, then what would you normally wear?"
"Jeans and a t-shirt."
"That will do just fine. I will dress accordingly." He nodded and bowed as he prepared to depart. "Dinner will be served at seven, I shall be awaiting your company." He raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed the back of it tenderly. She blushed again. She didn't know the proper etiquette for such things, but she assumed that she should probably tell him she would be there.
"I'll not keep you waiting." She curtsied, even though she was not wearing a skirt, and pulled her hand back when he let it go. She smiled, and they both laughed.
"A bit too formal?" Avriel joked.
"A bit, just a bit extra." His face twisted at that statement.
"Extra?" He questioned. "The gum?"
She burst out laughing, she couldn't hold it in. He waited for her to calm and explain. With tears of joy in her eyes, she explained to Avriel what it meant to be extra. Then he laughed.
"That's funny."
She wandered aimlessly about the grounds of Avriel's estate for countless hours. She found many wonderful places to sit and linger, got painfully lost in the gardens behind the fence and in the library. There were so many classic books, so many titles that she had always wanted to read. She spent so much time wandering around and looking at everything that she could that she was almost late for dinner.
She rushed up to her room and made use of the shower rather than take the risk that she would get lost in the bathtub. She pulled her hair up, a few strands here and there fell out of the loose bun she had put it in. They curled down her neck and around her ears. She put on her favorite tee and comfy jeans and shoes and headed down to the dining room. She was five minutes early. He was already there.
Being a gentleman, he stood when she entered the room. He was wearing jeans and a tee-shirt too. She thought he wore it better. He pulled her chair out for her. He had left his hair down. It cascaded down in front of his shoulders in dark ringlets. He was suddenly extremely attractive. They sat and ate and enjoyed the small meal that was prepared for them. After, they walked the grounds together. It was no less radiant at night. Ariel found it interesting and quite comforting that she could settle nicely into a pleasant conversation with Avriel.
