Angelic but Poisonous

Chapter 4

Tess.

I grabbed my purse and strapped it over my shoulder.

"Mom, I'm leaving!" I yelled. Her face popped out of the kitchen, her cheeks covered in flour and her blonde hair was in a ponytail, also covered in flour.

"Have fun baby!" She blew me a kiss.

I skipped out of the front door and walked in the direction of the address Charlie had given me. I looked around and took in my surroundings. The cold, London air was crisp and sharp, lashing out at my face and already-messy braid. I looked down at my black jacket, pink cardigan, ripped jeans, and brown boots, thinking I should've dressed a little more nicely. I quickly double checked my make up and buzzed the button next to the name Calister, which was his last name.

"Is this the wonderful Tess?" I heard his deep voice say.

"It is I." I laughed, "What apartment?"

"107." he replied.

I heard a buzzing noise and pushed the door open. The place was small and had a flight of stairs and an elevator. I quickly jogged up the stairs and before I could knock on the light,wooden door, it opened to reveal Charlie. He was clean shaven, but his dark hair definitely had not been brushed, as it was as disheveled as ever. I ached to smooth it back but contained myself as he flashed my a toothy grin.

"So we meet again." he smiled. "You look great."

"So do you, Charles." I replied and scanned him up and down. He was wearing dark washed jeans with a white t-shirt and white converse. I wasn't joking. He did look great.

"Well, are you coming in?" He smiled and stepped aside, gesturing me to come in. I returned the smile and walked it.

"It's not much, but it's home." he shrugged and closed the door behind me.

There was a red couch pushed up against a wall under a window that showed an incredible view of the London Eye. In front of that there was a TV surrounded by shelves upon shelves of movies. On my direct left there was a mahogany dining table.

I looked to my right and saw a hallway leading towards a small bathroom, the kitchen with a cute red tiled floor, and a guest room. I looked at the closed door on the left that I assumed was his bedroom.

"I love it." I said and spun around.

"Really?" he said, obviously surprised.

"Yeah, I always pictured myself living in a small flat like this when I go to the Uni." I said, "But I did always picture a cat."

As if on cue, a small, gray cat with folded ears came trotting out of the kitchen.

"This is Marcus. He's a Scottish fold." Charlie said while I stroked his fur and scooped him up. He snuggled into my chest and purred.

"That's weird. He barely likes anyone. If I try to pick him up he scratches me." He laughed. "Brooklyn is the only one Marcus actually tolerates."

"Well I guess I'm on the list then." I laughed softly still stroking the purring cat.

"Well, if you would like to come this way, I prepared a pesto pasta for us." He said signaling to the table which was set and had a bowl of pasta in the middle. I smiled and walked over to the table. I quickly took off my jacket.

"Here, let me take it." He said, extending his hand. I gratefully let him take it and let out a fit of laughter when he tossed it onto the couch.

"What? Not everyone has a coatrack." He smirked. They way he said coatrack set something off. His accent wasn't a London accent like mine, but a thicker one. It's sounded more, poetic, I guess.

"You're Welsh aren't you?" I asked him.

"Kind of. I was born and raised m the outskirts of London, but my whole family is Welsh so both accents are mixed together in there."

"That's awesome." I said and sat down in a chair.

"Eh, it confuses some people."

"Not me."

"I guess that's all that matters then, huh?" He laughed.

"I didn't mean it that way." I said, suddenly feeling selfish.

"No! Neither did I! I was trying to flirt."

I let out a loud laugh. "I'm going to have to give you some lessons then."

"Oh yeah? Give me your best pick up line."

"Are you a parking ticket? Because you've got fine written all over you." I winked. He laughed and shook his head.

"I have to admit, that was pretty good." he said while taking his last bite of the delicious pasta.

"On another note, can I hire you as a personal chef?" I asked, finishing my meal as well.

"You're just going to have to come over often."

"I guess I will." I laughed.

***

Charlie sat there, elbows on knees and chin propped up on his hands, staring at the credits.

"Now you know why I want to be an inceptionist when I grow up." I told him, getting up from the couch to put the Inception DVD back in its place.

"That was brilliant!" He yelled, snapping out of his trance.

"Told you." I said with a defiant smile.

I quickly stuck the DVD back in my purse and walked over to him.

"I should really get going." I told him, checking my watch.

"But it's only eight!" he whined and took my wrists.

"Exactly. I have to set the table for dinner and I don't want to walk around London alone at like ten." I said, "I'm already late." I smiled down at him.

"Fine, but I'm definitely going to see you again soon." He said, walking me towards the door.

"Yeah."

"That wasn't a question. More like a determined statement." He started leaning in, and so did I, until I caught myself and stumbled back, hitting my head against the wooden door. I cursed and brought a hand to my pounding head.

"Sorry, I don't kiss on the first date." I said, making the lamest excuse. He didn't seem to believe it, but nodded his head.

"It's alright." he laughed. "See you later?"

"Yup." I smiled and opened the door, walking out.

I shut the door between us and leaned against the wall next to it. I heard the wood cracked under me and I brought my hands up to my face.

That was close.