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Chapter Thirty-Three
Well, I knew it would be big, but I wasn’t quite expectingthis.
No, notthat…I’m talking about Charlie’s swanky riverside apartment.
He was in the midst of giving me a guided tour, and I was trying to keep my jaw from dropping, when all I wanted to do was gasp at the enormity of it all. I attempted to play it cool (gushing about how amazing I thought it was would be a bit too cheesy…), like I regularly hung out in five-bedroom, three-bathroom penthouse properties in Battersea which had a terrace the size of an average entire two-bedroom flat overlooking the Thames. Yep, just a standard Sunday evening.
‘So, what do you think?’ Charlie asked as if keen to get my seal of approval.
‘Well, it’s all right. A bit on the small side, though, if I’m honest,’ I said, obviously joking.
‘That’s what my father said when he bought it, but actually, living here on my own, sometimes I find it can get a bit lonely…’ His voice trailed off as it suddenly dawned on him (probably thanks to my stunned expression) that surprisingly, Iwasn’tbeing serious…
‘Oh. Sorry. I see, you were jesting!’ he said, penny finally dropping. ‘Well, do you like it?’
‘Of course,’ I said casually as I stepped out on to the terrace, marvelling once again at the view. ‘I mean, what’s not to like?’ In the distance I could see a host of landmarks. The London Eye, Big Ben…imagine waking up to this every morning and having a leisurely breakfast whilst taking in the views, or sipping on a cocktail out here in the evening after work. Yep, if you twisted my arm, I reckoned I could get used to it…
Don’t get me wrong, I’d always loved my home. It’d taken years to get it exactly how I wanted it, and I was happy there. But this? Charlie’s place was on another level. Even the new, more down-to-earth me couldn’t fail to be impressed by this.
Inside it was decorated like a show home: all neutral, safe colours. Cream leather sofas like mine (although likely significantly more expensive), solid oak flooring and marble sculptures.
The dining area was stunning too. It was part of the huge living room, but the glass table was on a platform made from onyx marble.
As it was a split-level penthouse, the bedrooms were upstairs and followed the same wooden/glass/neutral colours theme.
All the rooms had wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows, so, as you can imagine, the views were breathtaking. Even in the main bathroom, the bathtub had been strategically placed so that you could take in the scenery whilst enjoying a soak. Wow.
When Charlie had called earlier this morning, I’d told him that I couldn’t do brunch but would be free from around 6 p.m. I’d also said that I didn’t fancy going out and would prefer a quiet night in. I had invited him to my place, but he’d voluntarily suggested I come round to his instead, which was the perfect scenario.
Charlie seemed relaxed. As always, he was dressed neatly. Clean-shaven, crisp white shirt and blue jeans with brown brogues polished to perfection. I wondered if he ever slummed it and wore a tracksuit and trainers. Probably not. Mind you, I was a fine one to talk. Six months ago I wouldn’t have been seen dead without perfectly blow-dried hair, full face of make-up, designer clothes and four-inch heels. Oh, how times had changed.
That said, today I’d made an effort, as I was trying to be a temptress, so had worn a tight pink dress which, despite having legs, a hint of cleavage and bare arms on show, was still very tasteful, and a pair of black, open-toed heels.
As tonight, I was a woman on a mission, I’d come fully prepared. Everything was in order underneath this dress. I had even packed three condoms—you know, just in case. I wasn’t holding out much hope, seeing as we hadn’t even got to first base yet, but as we’d learned at Brownies (or was it Girl Guides?), it’s important to always be prepared (although when they’d taught us that motto, I’m sure they hadn’t hadthesekinds of adult activities in mind).
We sat down on his sofa with a glass of wine. I let him run through his usual questions. How’s work? Any new clients on the horizon? I knew he was only taking an interest in my life, but tonight, it wasn’t talking that I wanted.
‘So, Charlie,’ I said, switching on my temptress button. ‘I’ve enjoyed these past few weeks with you. I feel like you’ve got to find out a lot about me, but I don’t really know that much about you. I mean, how long have you been single for, and what happened with your last relationship?’
I could tell he was taken aback by the deer-in-headlights expression that now engulfed his face. That and the fact that he was now verging on the colour of beetroot.
‘Um, er, well…wow! What an opening question,’ he said, trying to compose himself. ‘I wasn’t expectingthat.’
I stared at him intently and with my eyes I gave a look that said,I’m not letting this go until you answer my question so come on: spill. Sensibly, he continued:
‘I’ve been single for about eight months,’ he said as he started shifting in his chair. ‘I was, erm, engaged to Zara, but, er, unfortunately, or perhapsfortunately, depending on how you look at it, she was, uh…involved with…extracurricular activities with another man, so, er…we, we—well, I…well, it ended.’
He looked at me like a knife had just been plunged into his heart.
‘Oh, Charlie, I’m so sorry. That must have been awful, really hard to deal with,’ I said sympathetically. ‘Although, like you say, perhaps it’s better that you found out before you walked down the aisle. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. And,’ I added as I gently rested my hand on top of his, ‘if you’d married her, then we wouldn’t have met, so that’s a silver lining too…’ His face brightened and his shoulders appeared to loosen a little more. ‘Seeing as you’ve just had quite a serious relationship, I’m guessing that if you were engaged, you’d been going out for a while. So what are you looking for now?’ I asked. ‘Another long-term thing? Fun?’
‘Well, I think all relationships should be fun to a degree,’ he said, sitting more upright in the sofa. ‘Don’t you think?’
‘Yes, but, I mean,whatare you looking for?’ I asked. ‘A girlfriend? A future wife? This is, what, the fourth time we’ve met? And clearly you’re a gentleman as you haven’t so much as tried to even kiss me. So do you see me more as a companion, or are you actually attracted to me?’ I said.
Looks like the deer-in-headlights expression is back…
‘Well, of course!’ he said swiftly. ‘You’re a very attractive woman, Sophia. A man would have to be blind not to notice that. Why do you think I asked you out in the first place? I’m just more traditional. I’m trying to find agenuineconnection with someone. It’s terribly hard for a man in my position,’ he said, wincing a little. ‘Sadly, I’ve encountered a number of women that want to be close to me for the wrong reasons, so I’m always wary of that. I believe intimacy is something to be treasured. Iabhorwomen that give themselves to all and sundry at the drop of a hat. This time I want to take my time and get to know someone first, before taking things to the next stage.’
