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*Sophia's POV*

I left it a few days before contacting Danny. I still wanted to think about it properly. However, after a particularly crappy shift at the pub, I decided to call him. I couldn't bear to work in dirty places like this where men would openly stare at my ass and boobs. 

I waited till it was my break and then went outside. 

A gruff voice greeted me.

“Yeah?” I could hear drum and bass music in the background.

“Er, is that Danny?”

“Who wants to know?” That response did not fill me with confidence.

“It’s Sophia…the girl who paints? We met the other day?”

His tone suddenly changed.

“Oh Sophia! I’ve been waiting for you to call. How are you doing?”

“Yeah, I’m fine thank you. Sorry if I’ve disturbed your Friday night.” I played with a strand of my hair nervously.

“Not at all. I’m glad you rang. So, when are you coming over to do your masterpiece? Are you free tomorrow?” He was definitely cocky.

“Sorry, I’m working all day tomorrow. I could do Sunday evening though? About 6?”

“Sunday would be great. See you then.”

I’d done it. It was going to happen.

As I went back into the bar, I got the unmistakable feeling that I was being watched. I lingered at the doorway, looking into the dark dilapidated car pack for a figure. I shook myself, deciding I was being stupid and went inside. 

…..

When Sunday came, I was both excited and apprehensive. My shift at the café seemed to drag and I kept looking nervously at my art equipment on the back wall of the kitchen. I was going to have to leave straight from here to get to Danny’s on time. At the end of the day, I helped Mary, the café owner, to lock up. After that I was finally on my way.

I decided to take the tube. If I got off at Bond Street, it would be less than a ten-minute walk to Danny’s house. As it was Sunday, I was able to get a seat for this journey. I liked travelling on the tube when it was like this. You got to see people from all different walks of life. From punks and prostitutes, to fancy high flyers with immaculate suits. There were of course, usually a lot of tourists too. I could tell this was what my carriage was mostly made up of. Tourists always looked a little on-edge on the tube. Never quite sure of the complicated unwritten rules of the historic tube system. They also spent a long time looking at the mind-boggling map to make sure they were on the right line.

After getting off the tube, I followed the directions on my phone to Upper Grosvenor street. I couldn’t help but marvel at the stunning Georgian houses. The pale grey buildings towered above me, and each house appeared to have different shaped windows. I thought about what a wonderful place it would be to sketch.

I found Danny’s house easily enough, and passed through the black wrought iron fence to the perfectly white front door. I say front door.. I took the heavy golden knocker in my hand to alert those inside of my arrival.

When the door opened, it was not Danny. The man was older and much harsher looking. He looked at me through narrowed eyes. I suddenly felt very out of place. Maybe I had got the wrong house?

Without saying a word to me, he turned his head and shouted behind him. “Danny! Think this one is for you.”

The man left the door wide open, but did not invite me in. I could now see a glimpse of the house inside. Plush grey carpet lined the hallway, and original cream panelled walls remained to remind its inhabitants of its history.

I watched as Danny came into view, making his way down the stairs. Without his jacket on, I could now see how muscular his physique was. There was no denying, he was an attractive man.

“Don’t stand out in the cold Sophia. Come in.” He gave me an easy smile as he waited for me to pass through the threshold, shutting the heavy door behind me. I could now see the line of portraits Danny had been talking about along the wall. There were too many to count, and I realised that this house had been in his family a long time.

He moved to the foot of the stairs. “Follow me, I have a room especially set up.”

It was hard not to be overcome by the grandeur of the house. It was immaculately and expensively decorated throughout. All muted tones of grey, cream, white and black. As they reached the second floor, Danny pushed open on the doors to reveal a large reception room with plush sofas and a huge black iron fireplace.

I spotted an easel and paint laid out ready for me, and I turned to him confused.

“Oh, I bought you some supplies. I had one of my men look into the best.”

I moved over to where they were, fully aware that Danny was watching me. I studied the items. They were top of the range. Far better than I could ever hope to buy.

“Danny, you really didn’t have to do this.” It felt like a very large gesture for someone he hardly knew.

“I know. But I did.” He shrugged his shoulder, and I realised I hadn’t said thank you.

“Thank you. It’s very generous of you.”

“Don’t mention it. Now where do you want me?” I blushed a little at the way he’d said it, but I knew he didn’t mean it in that way.

30 minutes later, I had him sitting reclined in a chair with his increasingly familiar easy smile. I needed to sketch an outline before I started any painting.

Curiosity getting the best of me I asked if he lived alone.

“No. There’s a few people that work for me that also live here. There are ten bedrooms so there is plenty of space.”

I thought it was odd to live with people that you worked with. But I didn’t make any comment.

The way I’d positioned him meant that he couldn’t look at me directly. I found that easier to cope with when talking. I felt less intimidated.

“Speaking of work. What do you do?”

I explained the nature of my two jobs and he raised his eyebrow.

“So, you work every day?”

“Yes.” I tried to focus on the part of his hand I was drawing.

“But why? Surely your rent can’t be that much?”

I wasn’t sure if I should explain my complicated and not altogether happy situation. But I felt I owed him something after providing me with this opportunity.

“I’m an ex-care child, I assumed you would know that. As you know the Drews. My brother is still in the system. I want to save enough so I can get him released into my care.”

“Yes I knew the Drews were fostering you, but I didn’t know you had a brother. I'm sorry to hear that. Can I ask why you were placed into care?” His voice was laced with sympathy.

Deciding I didn’t want to release the whole horrid tale, I told him part of it. “My parents died when we were young. We had no other family so we ended up going into care.”

“That’s shit Sophia. No one deserves that.”

I didn’t want to talk about this anymore, so I decided to change the subject entirely.

“Your company, Red Moon, what is it for?”

For the first time, Danny didn’t look comfortable.

“Security.” He finally said.

Security seemed an odd profession. And surely not one that would allow Danny the wealth that surrounded us. There was something about his tone too. I wasn't sure if I trusted him. I wanted to ask more, but there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Danny called.

It was the same man that had answered the front door. “We’ve got a situation with tonight’s deal. You’re needed.”

A deal? On Sunday night? None of this seemed right.

Danny nodded his head and got up. “Sorry Sophia, duty calls. Can I ask someone to drive you home?”

I shook my head. I was beginning to feel more and more sure Danny’s business wasn’t legit.

“No, I’m fine honestly.”

He walked over to me surprising me by kissing my cheek, letting his eyes linger on mine for a second too long. "Until next time then..."

I decided to leave the materials Danny had bought right where they were. I had no intention of coming back here. There was something off about Danny, and this whole place. I didn't want Danny chasing me up for art supplies. The fucked-up thing was, I still felt attracted to him.