Chapter Eight
We arrive at an old mansion house, set in beautifully manicured gardens.
A warm, friendly glow reflects from spotlights which illuminate the building.
I’m sure the entire room hears my gasp as I enter the most beautiful, opulent space.
Purple velvet chairs sit at each round table.
Uniformed crisp white tablecloths, a glass oil lamp and highly polished cutlery adorn each one.
The Black walls are dotted with gold Fleur de Lis print, while above us, the sparkle of crystal pear drops from the most magnificent chandeliers catch my eye.
At the other end of the room, an enormous marble bar with mirrored shelves house many spirits, wines and champagnes. This place is incredible.
We enjoy smoked trout with warm potatoes and horseradish followed by twice cooked duck breast for me and Venison loin for Daniel.
He chooses the most beautiful local wine to accompany our meal and we talk about everything from movies to music, hobbies and family.
He is attentive and affectionate. His touch is never far away, be it my hand, my cheek or my thigh.
I am chatty, slightly flirty but always polite.
Most of all, I love his company. The evening is going well until his fingers tap out a rhythm over the table top.
I take a sip of my coffee and Daniel sits forward.
Running both hands over his face, and through his hair, he groans into his palms. His body freezes for what seems like minutes while I wait for him to speak.
It is, in fact, only a few seconds before his eyes slowly meet mine with total sincerity.
“Okay. Let’s get something out in the open.” I’m about to speak, but he holds up one finger in front of me, “Just… let me say this.”
I nod, “Okay” but I don’t like the concern on his face.
“You will hear things about me and that’s unavoidable.
” My first thought is he knows about my conversation with Matthew, but how the hell would he?
My focus clicks back to Daniel and I try to keep my expression as stoic as possible.
“You’re probably aware of a few rumours about my private life from your Google search or you’ve heard gossip in the office. ”
“I don’t listen to gossip, Daniel,” I blurt out. “What kind of person do you think I am?” I was more vigorous than I needed to be, but the cover story I told him is biting me on the bum.
“An assertive one, Hannah.”
This is not what I expected and I’m a rubbish liar. I’ve got no choice but to come clean, although I’m not exactly sure how to tell him. “Daniel, I don’t want you to think the worst of me, so I better make a confession… I didn’t search for you online.”
“What do you mean? You said last week you had.”
“Well, that was a white lie. Someone decided to fill me in on your past, but I didn’t want to believe it. Having said that I had no intention of asking you to confirm it either.”
“Why?”
“Because what they said… it was so... so private.” His hand reaches for mine across the table and a slow smile spreads across his features. “Thank you.”
My fingertips dance across the back of his hand. “For what?”
“For saying that. It tells me a lot about you. ”
I blush, “Can we get back to talking about something other than—”
“What did they say?” I don’t expect his interruption.
“I’m sorry?”
“What did they tell you?”
“Nothing solid. It was all hearsay.”
“Will you at least tell me who it was?”
“It wouldn’t be fair of me to say.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m sure he told me for the right reasons.”
“He?”
Oh, shit. Rookie mistake. “Yes. He.”
I wait for his response and note his staring eyes glazing over. His palm takes the weight of his chin and one finger rests over his lips as if contemplating.
“It could only be Richard.” I open my mouth to protest, but his thought process interrupts, “Unless… unless it was… did that poisonous snake say something?”
Oh shit. “No.”
“Oh, so you know which poisonous snake I’m talking about.” He shakes his head and looks away. “When did you have the pleasure of his slimy company?”
This isn’t how I wanted tonight to go. The best thing I can do is sort it out quickly. “He took me out for a drink to apologise.”
I note the tick to his jaw. “Apologise for what?”
“For nothing. It doesn’t matter.”
“I think it does.”
I mumble under my breath, “Jesus Christ, this is ridiculous.”
“What is? This conversation?”
I lose my temper, but I also remember where I am so I shout whisper. “Yes! This stupid bloody conversation is ridiculous and pointless.” I rest my elbow on the table and lean my forehead to the tips of my fingers. My eyes close as I take in a calm breath .
He whispers, “I’m sorry,” as he moves around to my side, then rubs his palm over my back. I let out a heavy breath.
“Why do things go from nought to sixty in a matter of seconds?” I’m bewildered by him. “Everything you do is so… fast.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I got so mad. I suppose deep down I’m still disappointed you ran off last week, and now I find out you went for a drink with that shit.”
My body slumps back in the seat, but Daniel’s hand remains glued to my back.
“He wanted to apologise because we didn’t catch up again after the party. That is the truth.” Although I miss out on the part where Matthew was warned off by my knight in shining armour here. I don’t want to rattle him any further.
“Matthew rubs me up the wrong way. I wish you hadn’t gone.”
“I can see that.” I huff, “Believe me, I didn’t want to, but I felt guilty.”
“Tell me exactly what he said.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Come on, Hannah. Let’s get this out the way.”
It seems like we’ve had our first lovers fight and we’re not even lovers. I’m still unsure of what we are. Daniel interrupts my thoughts when his hand cups my knee. His tone is softer now, his body language calm. “It’s important you tell me.” More silence. “Please Hannah.”
I blow out a held breath through my puffed cheeks.
I’m about to walk on eggshells. “Before I tell you, you should know that once I realised he was full of spiteful gossip, I asked him to stop spewing his venom, but he wouldn’t.
” I hold the hand placed on my knee and squeeze it a touch tighter for reassurance, “I didn’t believe him Daniel and you have to trust me on that.
” I now look to him for the reassurance I need, but it’s not forthcoming.
“Just say it, Hannah. ”
My only option is to spill it out. It’s one of the hardest conversations I’ve ever had with anyone and I’m anxious as I tell him every nasty piece of gossip that came from Matthew’s mouth.
“He warned me you’re not a safe bet, relationship wise and your playboy antics are well documented.
” His eyes are vacant so I tentatively continue.
“He also said you and your wife were heavily involved with drugs, but your family helped you get back on track…”
There is still no reaction as I nervously glance at my fingers laced with his. This next snippet may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, “… and your wife committed suicide.”
The last nail is walloped in the proverbial coffin, but his reaction is not what I expect. He’s calm as he scratches his chin in contemplation, but his eyes are wide with disbelief.
“Wow. I didn’t think he would sink that low.” His long fingers run through the thick strands of his dark hair. I’m sick with worry I’ve done the wrong thing. I should have kept my mouth shut.
Daniel’s hand slides to the nape of his neck and he slumps back in his chair, looking towards the ceiling. “Okay, some of it is true, but it didn’t happen the way he’s portrayed it.” He positions himself to face me again and hazel eyes lock to my blues. “Your idiot friend has his facts fucked up.”
“Daniel, he is not my friend and honestly, we don’t have to do this.”
He takes my hand in his. "If we’re going to make it, we do. I’ll tell you the entire story and give you every answer to every question you have, but not now.” He drags his chair closer and huffs out a lengthy breath. “Let’s wipe the slate clean. Give me some time to prove myself.”
“Daniel, you don’t have to—”
“No, please. You said you wanted to know the real me. Let me show you.” His eyes follow the line of his thumb almost hypnotically as it brushes along my palm.
“Spend time with me. Give me a month or maybe two.” His sincere eyes meet mine.
“If you still need answers, I’ll give them to you, but I guarantee you will know everything you need to by then.
We can go at your pace. You’re in control. ”
Although I appreciate his willingness to show me his true self, I want it to work both ways. “You realise this goes for you too, Daniel. If you have the slightest worry, be straight with me. Let’s not play games.”
“Okay. No games.” A slow smile appears as he exhales quietly. I’m happy he’s happy. I don’t like agitated Daniel. He raises his coffee cup, “To us, crazy girl.”
I return his toast, “To us, cowboy.”
The atmosphere now seems lighter, so I can’t resist trying my luck. “Does this mean you’ll visit me in Sydney?”
He huffs out a laugh, “Not exactly. I’m not a big fan of the city although I have a place on the outskirts. You could come over whenever you want.”
“And I will, but I was hoping you’d visit me too.
” An unexpected silence falls between us, which I have to break.
“Daniel, I want us to be open with each other, so I’ve got to say something.
Sometimes there’s an atmosphere between us—as if I’ve said the wrong thing.
” Daniel’s brow rises in question as the lump in my throat catches and causes me to wince when I swallow.
“Every time I mention anywhere remotely connected to Sydney, you do everything in your power to avoid it. If you find it difficult to be there, that’s fine, but your father’s head office is smack bang in the middle of it.
Surely you have to go sometimes whether you like it or not. What’s going on?”