"Pretty good really. I have a nice apartment, and the team are ok. We're making good progress, although I can't wait to get home and work by myself again. I'd forgotten how much I hate office politics."
I laughed, "you wanna get a taste of mine sometime. Even the men are little divas at my place at times. Did you look at holidays?"
"Yep, I've booked two weeks in Spain. Nice hotel, on the beach, quite a quiet place. I keep meaning to email you the link so you can have a look. We both need some downtime by the sounds of it."
"Great. I honestly can't wait. I've not felt sand between my toes for years. Oh, by the way, did you shave your beard off?" The line went quiet, "James, are you still there?"#p#分页标题#e#
"Yes, I'm still here.....yes, I got rid of it."
"Oh take a photo and send it to me."
"Not yet. I'm still getting used to it. Soon."
"Okay. I promise I won't laugh or anything."
"I have no doubt you won't. I need to get on now, someone's waiting for me outside. Great to speak to you. See you soon yeah?"
"Yeah, you too. Bye." I cut the call, and switched the TV off, before flopping into bed. Tomorrow was the big day.
I did my usual workout on Saturday morning, before catching the eight o'clock yoga class. I was showered, dressed and done by half ten. I had an eleven o'clock doctor’s appointment to get to, as I had decided to get a contraceptive shot. The last thing I wanted was a pregnancy to deal with, so it seemed like the best option. On my way back from the doctors, I even managed to stop off at the supermarket and stock up on food. I unpacked the shopping, and fixed a sandwich for lunch. My hair appointment was booked for three, so I had plenty of time to exfoliate, and apply a light tan first, as I wouldn't be able to shower again once my hair was done. Ivan had already text me to say he'd be picking me up at six thirty, as the event started at seven, and we had to get over to the West End.
I sat at the island, and flicked through a hair magazine as I ate my lunch. I had decided on the red dress, and as it wasn't strapless, was trying to decide whether to wear my hair up or down. I took a quick photo of the dress on its hanger to show the stylist, and get his advice. Idly, I wondered if the salon did makeup as well. My musings were interrupted by my phone chirping as a text arrived. It was Ivan enquiring whether I had decided which dress I was wearing. I quickly replied that I'd be wearing the red one. He didn't respond, which puzzled me slightly.
After lunch, I took a long bath, and spent a pleasant hour exfoliating and buffing, applying a hint of golden tan, and carefully applying primer to my face, so my makeup would look good later. I threw on a track suit, and walked over to the salon, which was on the ground floor of the arcade.
My stylist was a delightful little Italian man called Giuseppe, who, on seeing the photo of my dress, declared my hair should be put up in a soft, elegant chignon. As it had been washed that morning, he proceed to roll it up in heated curlers to set it in curls first. I asked about makeup, and another, very gay, Frenchman called Andre was brought over to be introduced. He made a start while my rollers were cooling down, and between the two of them, they worked some powerful magic.
The woman staring back at me in the mirror an hour later would rival any model who had previously graced Ivan's arm. Even in the scruffy track suit, I looked flawless, and sophisticated. I paid my bill, buying the lipstick Andre had used, and tipped them both generously. "Youra man won't know whatsa hit 'im," said Giuseppe, giving me a little hug.
I even stopped off at La Senza on my way home to pick up a red lace lingerie set. Tonight was very definitely the night. A shiver of excitement ran through me as I headed back to the flat.
I decided not to wear any jewellery other than a pair of small, gold earrings, mainly because I didn't own anything that would do the dress justice. With my hair and face done, all I had to do was put on my dress, underwear and shoes. It would only take five minutes, so I sat and had a coffee, and relaxed with a magazine for half an hour.
Ivan was a little early, I had only just stepped into my shoes, after zipping up my dress. I opened the door, and smiled as he just stood and stared at me. He looked amazing in his tuxedo, although to be fair, so did almost every man on the planet.
"You look stunning Elle, I knew you'd look lovely, but I wasn't prepared for this," he said as he stepped into the flat. He twirled his index finger to indicate that I should turn around. "Beautiful, beyond breathtaking," he said, unable to take his eyes off me. I glowed under his praise, wanting to look my best for him. "I bought you a little something for tonight," he said, handing me a box. I took it over to the island, and opened it. I gasped as a trio of rubies sparkled at me. "I thought something to match your dress would be nice," he said, watching my face.#p#分页标题#e#