(Richard's POV)
A week passed and Olivia didn't show up at work. Dr. Evans told me she was sick, but she was taking care of everything at home. I was really happy that, after my published text on the papers, that I would be writing news from that day on, always with Ian's help. It was still morning and I was feeling colder than always...
-Don't tell me you're getting sick... -Ian said, looking at me shivering and putting my coat on.
-I'm telling you man, I can feel a flu coming up, for my bad luck... -I said, drinking my coffee to feel warmer. Just in that moment, Amanda came to me.
-Mr. Armitage, Miss Rogers wants to see you. –she said, leaving after. My heart skipped a beat and I felt excited. She surely wanted to tell me something about my writing. I got up and made my way to her office. Knocked three times and she told me to go inside. Once I did, I saw her. Dark blue blouse, white tight skirt, brown heals, brown belt, her hair tied in a fun way... God, I wanted her so bad.
-Oh, Mr. Armitage! I'm glad you're here, please sit. –she ordered, smiling. She was being nice, different... At first, I thought there was something wrong, but then I noticed that she had something serious to tell me and those niceties were her way to hide how nervous she was.
-Yes, Miss Rogers? What do you wish from me?
-First, I want to congratulate you from your first text published. It was not excellent, but it was more than satisfing. –she said, sitting in front of me and smiling at me. I felt wanted by her eyes, the way she looked at me. Then, I had an idea.
-Thank you, Miss Rogers. If you don't mind, I would like to give you my personal thanks for what you did. –I said, looking straight into her eyes. She blushed and looked somewhere to her computer.
-Y-yes? And what is that? –she mumbled, which made me laugh a bit.
-Lunch today? As friends, I promise. –I said, feeling my heart race hard. I knew how much I was risking, but fuck it! She looked at me widened and tried to speak.
-Hum... I don't know If I can go...
-You can go. You just don't want to because you are making yourself harder than a rock. Accept it. –I said, surprising her with my words. I knew she wanted to, she was just stubborn.
-Fine, what's the address? –she asked, blushing even more. I took a small paper from my wallet and gave her.
-Here. Meet me there at 12pm. –I said, leaving her office. I knew she would be late, so I had enough time to get things ready.
It was half past noon when I saw her car stopping by outside. So I knew what I had to do.
(Olivia's POV)
-That man will be my death! –I said to myself while driving. I wanted to go back to work and leave him alone with his lunch, but I couldn't. I was following the address he gave me and I stopped by a tall white building.
-Weird... -I left my car and grabbed my bag. I walked to the front door and when I was about to ring the doorbell, he told me to, the door opened in front of me.
-Mr. Armitage! –I said, surprised to see him. He was wearing a beautiful light blue shirt, well placed inside his denim trousers. Sleeves rolled up to his elbow and crazy hair. I felt a shiver all over my body just for looking at him.
-Miss Rogers, I'm surprised to see you. I thought you'd turn around. –he said, smirking at me. God, I wanted to run away...
-Well, this is the address you gave me and I'm here, at last. But, I'm afraid this is not a restaurant at all... -I managed to say, trying not to blush or mumble.
-That's the point, Miss Rogers. –he answered, giving space for me to go inside. That... man! He brought me to his flat! Who he thinks I am?! His cousin? Oh god, I wanted to kill him...
-When I agreed to have lunch with you, I didn't mean your house! –I said, screaming in whispers while he opened the door.
-But I did, Miss Rogers. –he said, smiling at me and entering his flat. Oh my god, what was I getting myself into? His flat smelled great and it was charming, just like him. There was a small kitchen all decorated in white and a welcoming living room in tones of blue and grey. A long corridor ahead and a balcony with a table for two.
-You are incredible... -I said, resting my bag on his couch and still staring at the beautiful table he prepared for us.
-Oh, thank you for the compliment. –he said, smiling and laughing at me.
-Incredible bastard, I meant.
-Thanks anyway. –we both laughed and sat down on the table. He had a beautiful view to the city of London and it made me feel... relaxed. We started eating and damn! The food was great!
-I have to say, Mr. Armitage. You're a better cooker than writer. –I said while he was drinking his wine calmly. It almost made him choke and I burst with laughing. While he was recovering from his cough, I noticed he didn't say anything and stared at me.
-What? –I asked, continuing to eat.
-Nothing, it's just... your laugh, is adorable. I'm afraid everything in you is adorable, Miss Rogers. –he said, eating. I smiled to myself and ate too.
-Olivia, please. –I said. I found the trust and confidence I needed to say that.
-You're sure? It feels weird not to call you Miss Rogers. –he answered, looking concerning at me.
-I am sure. But believe me when I say that I don't let everyone call me Olivia. –I said, laughing a bit and drinking my wine.
-Yes? Who do you let then?
-The special ones. –I answered and smiled at him. While I was talking to him, my father's words echoed in my head all the time. Richard smiled at me and we both stayed there for the next hour. Talking, eating, laughing. Then I met his cats and it was so cute to play with them a little. The more we stayed together, the more I felt attached to him. He made me feel... alive. Like I was a different person with him. I knew I still had a lot to learn about him before I could give myself to him, but he was making everything easier. He was everything that I needed and I knew I couldn't let him go.