Chapter 8: Preparations for a date?

Carlos asked me where I was staying and walked me back to the hotel, the walk was quiet, not an awkward silence just a calming silence.

Once we were at the lobby, Carlos kissed the back of my hand tenderly "it was a pleasure having this walk with you, I will see you on Saturday." He said as he strode off, "Saturday? Wait what's happening on Saturday?" I shouted out to him, he did not answer, only waves his hand goodbye while I stared confused at the back of him.

I went up to my hotel room and had a long well needed bath, that time spent with Carlos made me feel too many things, I needed to calm myself. Once dressed and sat on the balcony chairs with herbal tea in hand, Marcel Walt's through the door "ah! There you are, had a good day?" He exclaims, slipping off his shoes and slumping into the chair opposite me. "I did and you? Oh by the way, would you happen to know what is happening on Saturday?" I ask hoping he was looped in on whatever plan Carlos had set up, "no, what is happening? I have to meet someone midday but other than that I'm free if you're wanting my company" Marcel says, "oh no it's not that, it's just I bumped into Carlos today and when he dropped me back here he said he will see me on Saturday but don't tell me why or what time so I thought you might know something about it" I reply trying to hide the excitement of curiosity in my voice.

Marcel leans back in his chair grinning then rubs his beard and speaks "ah that old fox... well I have no idea but I can't wait to find out".

Honestly these men, I'm dragged around not being told about where I will be going from one day to the next... I mean I'm not really complaining, it has been quite fun and the thrill and excitement of it has been such a distraction to the war and my past events.

That night I can barely sleep, tomorrow is Friday so I just have to wait one more day till I find out what Carlos has in store for me.

The next day drags on, my thoughts are too preoccupied to sketch and Marcels babbling rampage of thoughts and historical facts seem to be in full action all day long make the day feel even more long.

When 8pm hits Marcel claps his hands together "I know, let's go get you something nice to wear for tomorrow" I cross my arms and frown at his words "I don't even know where I'm going or what I'm doing, how will I know what to wear?!" I proclaim "well there's no harm in showing up looking your best" he says and quickens his pace ahead towards a bundle of clothing stores. It was a treat I must say, Marcel bought me a glorious deep red dress, off the shoulder straps, tight around the waist then flaunting outwards a bit hitting just above the knee like a lamp shade but a very pretty lamp shade.

He had also got me a pair of gold earring trickling down my earlobe like water droplets with a matching delicate gold necklace and a pair of shiny red heels, pointed at the toes, not too high and not too low, just right. Dressing up like this made me even more excited, even though Carlos had not said it was, I felt like I was going to go on a date.

That night me and Marcel popped on pretty woman, a classic. We laughed and cried then laughed again through eating popcorn. Must sound like such a funny sight, Marcel, a stylish old man watching a movie like this and eating popcorn but it was at all as strange as it sounds. It just felt like sitting down with my father or grandfather when I was little and watching our routine Friday night movies.

As the movie draws nearer to an end my eyes grow heavy and I rest my head on a nearby pillow.

I wake up with the sun on my face and the smell of coffee flooding the room, "rise and shine angel, you have a date to attend" Marcels voice appears from the kitchen, I am draped with a soft blanket.

"Ah I'd almost forgot! What time is it?" I blurt out, "it is 9am and do not worry, Carlos has informed me he will be here to pick you up around 10am" Marcel informs calmly while preparing some toast for our breakfast, " 10! But that's only in one hour! I won't have enough time to get ready" I say a bit too frantically as I throw the blanket off and run into the bathroom to have a shower, I can hear Marcel voice echoing from behind the closed door "one hour is plenty of time! You women honestly! You all seem to need at least half a day to get ready". I roll my eyes at his words and quickly shower, dry off, put on my new dress, jewellery and shoes then sort my hair and makeup out, making sure to match my lipstick to the deep red of my dress. I walk out the bathroom and Marcel is seated at the kitchen island, chin resting in his hand as he leans forward smiling from ear to ear, "now that's what I call an entrance outfit, you look fabulous my dear, royalty would be kissing the ground you walk on", I blush a little and do a slight spin curtsying at the end getting a chuckle out of Marcel. "Well it's 9:50 now so you'd better drink that coffee and eat some toast before Carlos gets here" Marcel informs me as I rush over to scoff the toast into my mouth and wash it down with now cold coffee.

Not long after Marcel gets a message from his phone informing us that he has just arrived and is waiting downstairs by the doors of the lobby.

I swallow my nerves and open the door, making my way down the stairs till I'm at the final flight, looking down on Carlos leaning against the door frame gazing out at the people passing by with his hands in his pockets giving of a nonchalant aura.

The sound of my heels brings his attention to me as he swivels his head around to look up. He straightens himself out, I notice his mouth open a little and his eyes widen. Thank you Marcel, you really are like a fairy godmother, well a fairy godfather I mean.