"Mara, tell them I'll be out as soon as I'm done."
Ben instructed me, and returned to answering the interviewer's question. I went out onto the pavement in front of the hotel and told the fans what their idol had promised them. They thanked me and I stepped back inside, a flush of exhileration in my cheeks at the idea of my words had made them happy and willing to wait a little longer.
4 questions and 2 cups of espresso later, Benedict took a last drag on his cigarette, put it out and practically danced down the stairs. I heard the little crowd erupt with joy and knew he'd reached them.
He stayed out there for half an hour, and only retreated back inside the hotel when it started to pour with rain. Most of the fans wandered away under their umbrellas, but the remaining few were invited into the lobby with Ben. He offered them hot drinks and they chatted for a litte longer. I sat on the receptionist's desk, swinging my legs and sipping at a hot chocolate.
One of my high heels slipped off my foot onto the floor. I started to slide down to get it but Ben stopped me and put it back on my foot. Grinning, he looked at me with a twinkle in his eye. I looked questioningly back and he whispered,
"You've got cream on your nose."
I swiped at the evidence of drink immediately. He nodded when it was gone and winked at me. Ben liked winking. Returning to the fans (who were gawping at me in jealousy) , he thanked them graciously and herded them out of the hotel.
"Good job it's stopped raining, we need to head off for that photoshoot, right?" Ben checked, and I scrambled for my little planner.
"Haha, I'm better at your job than you are, and I hired you!" he said cheekily, and I snapped the planner shut, my face deadpan.
"You've still got cream on your face there, Mara." he motioned to it. I raised my hand to my cheek and he started laughing.
"Oh yeah, absolutely bloody hilarious." I stifled a smile as we stepped out onto the street.
"Hey, we've got a party after the shoot." Ben said, and I confirmed it.
"Yeah, what about it?" I asked, and he smiled slightly, "You never come to any parties with me. Do you fancy this one? It's at the Prince Hotel, you could get a dress or something on the business card."
I was completely flattered and already overexcited about the idea of going to a party with Ben. Of course I was. "I was meant to meet with the journalist and edit the interview with him, and then -"
Cut off by Ben's hand over my mouth, I gave up.
"You're coming to the party. Ok?" He laughed, and I shrugged. He took his hand away.
"I guess I am."
I walked him into the shoot and told the photographer not to be more than two hours because of the party. Then I got back in the car and told Ben's driver Geoffrey something I never thought I would,
"Harrods please, G."
"Right you are - M." he tipped his hat, a cheeky smile on his face and I laughed at the James Bondness of his reply.
I tried to walk through the lingerie floor with as much confidence as I could muster. The snooty women at the counters looked down their noses at me and I almost turned tail.
"Are you looking for anything particular, madam?" one of them said, sniggering. Standing to my full height, I spoke,
"I'd like to know which floor is for designer dresses, please?"
She looked me up and down; I spotted her shrug ever so slightly, but she did nod curtly and pressed the floor number on a lift for me. I stepped inside and thanked her. Sniffing, she tottered away in her ridiculous heels.
And when those doors opened, I had to catch my breath. I was going to be wearing one of those dresses.
_______________________
Half an hour later, I stepped out of the fitting rooms with two dresses over my arm.
"I simply can't decide. Would you mind taking a picture of them for me?" I asked the fitting room assistant. She did so gladly, and I posed in each of them. Sending the pictures to Ben's phone, I waited excitedly for his verdict.
Blue. See you soon
I grinned, payed on the business credit card and left the store feeling like a different woman. I was glamorous, I was wealthy I was - . Just an assistant, depending on my boss's success to fund everything. I sighed, climbed into the waiting car and Geoffrey drove back to Ben's photoshoot.
"Hey, let's see then." he greeted me as the lift doors opened. He got in and I shook my head, winking at him. Ben laughed and we went back to the office building. Our two rooms were on the second floor, with Lucie's down the corridor. She dealt with hiring, firing and conferences for all the companies that used the building.
I changed into the Herve Leger finery, touched up my make up and waited for Ben to put on his suit.
"Ben? You okay?" I called into his room, and he opened the door to reveal his bow tie knotted round his throat and an embarrassed look on his face.
"Need some help there?" I offered, and he "mhm"ed in reply. I untangled the sleek black silk and tied it swiftly. Tucking his collar over it, I patted his chest and pointed at my watch.
"Wait a minute, I need to see this designer vêtement." he said, motioning for me to turn a full circle. I obliged, and he was silent as his eyes took in my legs and my figure. Slightly flustered now, I folded my arms and raised an eyebrow. Ben cleared his throat and mumbled something.
"Um. Wow, yeah, it's perfect. Uh..." I shuffled, a little uncomfortable. Suddenly he was himself again and spoke cheerfully, making me jump.
"Alright then, let's agogo." he marched jokingly on, opening the door for me. Slipping our coats over our shoulders, we joined Geoffrey in the car once again and headed off to the party.
