Home » The Archives » Chapter 12 » Playing with Fire
| Re: Playing with Fire [message #548 is a reply to message #547] |
Mon, 23 July 2012 21:35   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Tracy Island, late afternoon...
Elise paused in front of the mirror. She tucked a stray lock of hair back behind her ear and eyed herself critically. I wish Virgil had given me more idea of what we're doing tonight. Dressy? To eat at the Villa? She ran her hand over her dress, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles.
Instead of her red one, which Virgil must certainly be tired of seeing by now, she had pulled an older one out of the closet. It was a deep emerald green which perfectly matched her eyes and set off her hair. Callie and Nikki had come over and helped with her hair, sweeping it up in the back and leaving tendrils framing her face.
Henry wound around her ankles, purring. She bent down to stroke him. "I won't be too late, baby." She looked up as the doorbell chimed. "And there he is now." She opened the door. "Hello, Virgil."
"Good evening, Elise. You look...spectacular," he told her.
She blushed. "Thank-you. You're looking pretty fine yourself." Virgil wore a dark navy jacket, with a cream colored turtleneck underneath. She could practically see her reflection in the shine of his shoes. Henry peeked out around the door and seeing Virgil, let out a hiss.
"He just doesn't like me, does he?" Virgil shook his head.
Elise bent down to pat the kitten again. "Yes he does. He's just shy, aren't you baby?"
Virgil bit back a reply and instead, handed a yellow rose to Elise. "Are you ready to go?"
"Oh, it's beautiful. Thank-you." She shooed the kitten back inside and shut the door. "Where are we going?" she asked.
"You'll see." He led her to the monorail, and a short time later, they were exiting near the air strip.
"Aren't we going up to the house?" she asked, puzzled.
"Not tonight." They made their way to one of the private jets. "After you, my lady." Virgil took her hand as she walked up the plane steps. "Feel free to sit here in the cabin, or join me up front."
"I'll come sit with you. Though I'm not wearing a headset!" They both laughed and a short time later, they were airborne across the Pacific. "So, why the mainland? Why not just stay and eat at home?" Elise asked.
"I wanted to spend some time alone with you," Virgil answered. He glanced over at her. "But I can take you back if you'd rather eat with my brothers."
She laughed. "No thank you! A night out with just you is perfect." They chatted comfortably until they landed in Christchurch. As they walked down the plane's steps, Elise's eyes widened. "We're going to dinner in that?" she asked, staring at the black stretch limo in front of her.
"Only the best for us," Virgil replied, taking her hand and leading her to the car. He held the door as she stepped inside. They drove through the city streets, then started towards the outskirts of town. The car lumbered up a hill, finally coming to a stop. The driver opened the door and both exited the vehicle.
Elise looked around in astonishment. "Virgil, this place is gorgeous." The restaurant stood at the edge of a cliff overlooking the harbor. Flowers surrounded the grounds and what looked like private dining nooks were tucked around the main building.
He smiled. "I thought you'd like it. Come, our table is waiting." They went inside and paused in front of the maitre'd. "Hello, I have a reservation under Tracy."
The man beamed. "Welcome, sir, madam. Right this way, please." He led them through the restaurant, and out a door in the back. They walked down a short path and he paused in front of an ivy covered trellis. "Enjoy your dinner."
Virgil thanked him, then he and Elise stepped around the trellis. Elise stared in awe and even Virgil had to admit he was impressed. The table sat overlooking the bay, a flower bedecked pergola overhead. There was a waterfall at the other end of the clearing, the splashing water loud enough to drown out any outside noises, but still quiet enough for conversation.
Elise sat down and gazed out at the sunset. "I feel like I'm in fairyland." She turned back to him. "How did you find this place?"
He smiled. "Penny of course."
"Of course!"
They both looked up as a tuxedo-clad waiter approached their table. "May I pour you a glass of wine? Chef Etienne has recommended a fine 2051 Merlot to compliment your meal tonight."
Virgil nodded and the man poured a small amount into a glass. Virgil sniffed the liquid, then held it up to look at the color, swirling it around the glass. Finally he took a sip, rolling the wine across his tongue. He smiled. "Perfect, thank-you."
The man nodded and filled the two glasses. "Your meal will be out shortly."
Once the waiter had left, Virgil raised his glass. "Cheers." They clinked glasses and sipped.
"Mmmm...this is good wine. Did you pre-order dinner?" Elise asked.
"No. The chef makes one specialty meal a night and everyone eats the same thing. Don't worry though, I've heard it's fantastic," he told her.
"Who said I was worried?" Elise looked over at Virgil and smiled. "So, you planned all this..." she gestured around her. "For me?"
He nodded. "Yes, I did."
"Thank-you. I'm having a wonderful time!"
"It gets better. Here, from Paris." He slid a thin box, wrapped in gold paper, towards her.
She carefully slit the tape and unfolded the paper. A velvet box rested inside and she opened it. "Oh, Virgil! It's beautiful!" She held the comb in her hands. It was cloisonné, with inlaid patterns of blue, green and red enamel. The image formed a lily and was trimmed in gold.
"I'm glad you like it. I was strolling down the street one afternoon and saw it in the window. It just seemed to call to me."
Elise looked up at him, her green eyes luminous. "Thank-you," she said softly.
They sat there, lost in each other, until the waiter interrupted them with the first course. Over the next two hours, they chatted and laughed, trading stories about their friends and families, growing up, school. Finally, their plates were cleared and they sat awaiting dessert.
"Well, are you ready for the party?" Virgil asked.
"As ready as we can be! Nikki and I have all the food assignments and the decorations are just waiting to be put up. Nikki came up with some fun games too. Bobbing for apples, a scavenger hunt, things like that."
"Great. I've got a good selection of music. Stuff people can dance to and some Halloween favorites too."
"This is going to be so much fun!"
The waiter returned and placed their dessert in front of them. "Oh my. I don't think I have room left for this," Elise said.
Virgil grinned as he popped a bite in his mouth. "There's always room for strawberry-chocolate mousse." She laughed and took a bite herself. "So, do you have your costume all set?" he asked.
Elise nodded. "Yes. I found a great costume for myself, Luke and even Rommel! Wait until you see us."
Virgil placed his fork down carefully on his plate. "You and...Luke?"
She nodded, not noticing the change in his tone. "He mentioned needing help with a costume."
"So you two are going together?"
"I suppose you could say that. But I'm sure we won't stay that way all evening. Luke has other interests than hanging out with me all night." She smiled up at him. "Actually I'm hoping to spend more time with you."
Virgil's irritation dissolved. "Well, it's a date then."
They finished their meal and had the limo drive them back to the plane. Sometime later, Virgil walked Elise to her door. "I had a great time tonight," he said softly.
"So did I." She looked up at him, her green eyes boring into his. "Virgil..."
He leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on her lips. Elise wrapped her hands around his neck, pulling him closer, deepening their embrace. When they finally drew apart, Virgil rested his forehead against hers. "We'll have to do this again."
"We will. Only next time, maybe we could just stay in." She smiled and kissed him again.
Virgil ran his arms up her back, gently caressing the soft skin at her neck. She shivered and pulled away. "Virgil..."
He sighed. "I know. If I don't leave now, I won't be able to." He placed a kiss on her forehead. "Good night, Elise."
"Good night, Virgil. Thank-you again, for everything."
He answered with a smile, and watched as she went into her apartment. He then made his way back to the monorail, his thoughts already planning their next date.
  
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