Part Five

Malik glanced around the restaurant, Giulia’s that Freya had brought them to. Giulia’s was a new Italian restaurant located on the high street on the ground floor of a townhouse with several tables, a bathroom, a kitchen located in the back and a bar tucked away in the corner.

As Freya and his friends socialised with some of the other guests, Malik noticed Lauren sat at a table in the corner and surprised and silently thanking whatever deity had a hand in helping with this coincidence, he made his way over to her.

"Twice in one day. You keep this up, I might think you're following me," Lauren said with a warm smile.

"No, just a lucky coincidence," Malik replied.

"I'm sorry I had to rush off earlier," Lauren apologised. "Deadlines, you know how it is."

"No worries," Malik told her. "But I'm happy we ran into each other again."

"I'd say it's more like fate had a hand in it, wouldn't you?" Lauren responded.

"Maybe," Malik chuckled. "So, are you here to cover the opening for work?"

"Indeed," Lauren answered. "The person who was supposed to be covering this place got sick so my boss asked if I could fill in. You?"

"My friend, Freya, got invited. Guess the owners wanted to get some social-media buzz for the place." Malik answered as he indicated to the blonde.

"Your friend seems to be enjoying herself," Lauren noted.

"Freya loves the spotlight," Malik said. "But I think she's more interested in her own Instagram posts than the food."

"Well, I'd say she's earned it," Lauren said, nodding towards Freya.

"But enough about Freya. What about you? Are you enjoying the opening?" Malik wondered.

"It's interesting," Lauren said as she glanced around the room. "I've never been one for these types of gatherings, especially when they’re events but it's always good to get out of the office."

"What's your usual scene then?" Malik curiously asked.

"Oh, you know," Lauren said as she took a sip of her drink. "The quiet coffee shops, the library at the corner of town, places where I can hear myself think."

"You and me both," Malik said in agreement. "Maybe we could go to one of those places together, sometime?"

"I'd like that," Lauren softly said as she handed him her phone. "Put your number in. We’ll make it a date,"

"Looking forward to it," Malik said with a smile as he put his number into the phone.

Meanwhile still sat at their table in the centre of the restaurant, Ashlyn sat opposite Chantelle, the pair talking amongst each other as Malik and Freya went to socialise and Kat and Dexter went to get some more drinks for their table.

"It sounds like the casting agent you had today was a nightmare," Chantelle said, sipping her wine.

"You wouldn't believe it. The worst part was that he was trying to frame it as if it was for the movie. Needless to say I won't be going for the callback if I get it." Ashlyn said, still in disbelief at the way she was treated at the audition.

"Gross," Chantelle said in annoyance. "Some guys just can't separate business from their personal lives. You know I had one of the Dad's at the kid's birthday party today hit on me while his wife was in the other room?"

"The audacity. Did you tell him where to stick his camera?" Ashlyn winced.

"I wish. Luckily he got called away. I just feel bad for his wife because she's such a sweet woman." Chantelle responded.

"There you are, Ashlyn," The voice of their other housemate, Freya interrupted the pair as she made her way towards them, her phone held aloft. "Come and get in on this. I gotta do a video to show off this place for my followers!" Ashlyn groaned inwardly but plastered on a smile as Freya grabbed her by the arm and tugged her into the livestream. "Hey guys, it's your girl, the Fabulous Freya here once again, bringing you all the juiciest updates from the most happening spots in London with my one and only bestie, Ashlyn! Freya said, pulling the other blonde closer to the camera view. "We're at the grand opening of Giulia’s and let me tell you, it's absolutely divine!" Freya gushed. "Ash and I are having the time of our lives, aren't we?"

"It's definitely a night to remember," Ashlyn said as she smiled and nodded to Freya's camera as she pretended to show off how excited she was for the blonde’s followers.

"Thanks for tuning in, darlings! Make sure to check out Giulia’s for yourselves and don't forget to tag me in your photos. Love you all!" And with a final wink at the camera, Freya ended the livestream with a flirty blown kiss to her followers before lowering the phone. "Perfect, right?"

"You're a natural." Ashlyn nodded.

"It's all for the Pulse. Got to do my job after all.” Freya giggled as she scanned the room, her eyes landing on a handsome man in the corner. "And now I need to go mingle. Cute guy, six o’clock."

And before Ashlyn could respond, Freya was off, weaving through the throng of guests as she made her way over to the guy that she had noticed who clearly seemed excited to see the blonde approaching him while Ashlyn made her way back to her seat to continue talking to her friend.

At the bar, Kat and Dexter managed to make their way through the other guests who had been invited to the opening and placed their orders and it was as they were waiting for the drinks, the pair found themselves talking amongst each other.

"So, how was it out there today?" Kat asked.

"Surprisingly good, actually." Dexter leaned against the bar.

"Oh, really?" Kat said curiously.

"Yeah, I made some money and met some cool people including Malik's ex-girlfriend," Dexter revealed.

“Really?" Kat said in surprise.

"Her name's Audrey Barton. She was pretty cool to hang out with when they were dating." Dexter nodded.

"I never met her,” Kat told him. “Then again, I never really met most of his exes. What's she like?"

"Well, she's got this artsy vibe to her which kind of makes sense when you realise she wants to be an artist," Dexter recalled. "She still seemed pretty chill. She wanted my help with her parents' anniversary. She wants to sing their song."

"And you said yes?" Kat asked.

"Why not?" Dexter shrugged. "It's a good cause, and it'll be a fun gig. Plus, I'll get paid."

"Well, that's definitely a plus." Kat laughed.

"But what about your job hunt?" Dexter asked. "Any luck today?"

"Not really. It's tough out there,” Kat sighed. “But Freya said she'd talk to her father about a position at his office or something. Which is funny because I thought I was dreaming when she said that. Didn't know the ice queen had a heart."

"Yeah, she's full of surprises. Now that you're living with us you'll see how much." Dexter chuckled.

"So, what's the deal with her family?” Kat asked as she leaned in. “If I'm going to be working for them, I guess I should know a little and I doubt Freya is going to tell me anything."

"Her father is a big-time property mogul. He's got his hands in half the buildings in this city. And her mother is an art curator, so she's always jet-setting around for exhibits and whatnot." Dexter explained.

“Sounds like a pretty high-profile family. I didn't realise they were that well-off." Kat nodded.

"They are, but they're also pretty down-to-earth.” Dexter nodded in agreement. “Or at least, Freya tries to be. Her dad, Charles Levesque, is a self-made man. Started with nothing and built an empire. He's tough but fair."

"And her mom?" Kat wondered.

"I can't really tell you, I only met her once and she was busy with some exhibition," Dexter said with a shrug. "But from what little Freya has said about her, she's pretty intense. Driven, you know? Like her art is her life."

"So, I'll be working for an art fanatic and a property tycoon," Kat mused.

"Well mostly the property mogul," Dexter said with a grin. "But you'll be fine. Compared to Freya he's usually a breeze.”

As the night grew late, the group eventually left the restaurant and returned home to 7 Victoria Street where each of them retreated to their bedrooms to retire for the evening. Malik meanwhile made his way to the bathroom where he got changed before making his way downstairs to settle for a night on the couch, stopping by the kitchen first to grab a bottle of water.

"I thought I was the only one still up." Ashlyn said as she entered the kitchen dressed in a silk robe and her blonde hair was pulled back in a loose bun, a few stray strands framing her face.

"Yeah, me too. Just had to grab some water before bed." Malik said as he leaned against the kitchen counter. "How was your night?"

"Interesting," Ashlyn said as she also grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. "Met some cool people at the restaurant, had some amazing food. But…" Ashlyn paused. "The whole thing was a bit... overwhelming. I don't know how Freya does this."

"Yeah, she's a social butterfly." Malik said as the pair looked at each other. "But you looked like you were holding your own."

"Thanks," Ashlyn murmured. "It's just... I'm not used to that scene."

"I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel like we're just playing dress-up." Malik nodded.

"Tell me about it. But hey, at least we got to eat for free." Ashlyn laughed.

"True that. And the food was amazing." Malik chuckled.

"It really was," Ashlyn said, leaning against the counter beside him, looking up at his hazel eyes while Malik couldn't help but notice the loose neckline of her robe. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just... tired." Malik lied.

"Me too," Ashlyn sighed. "It's been a long day."

"It has," Malik agreed as Ashlyn leaned closer, the gap between them closing to mere inches. "Was my sister okay today? I know this place is all new to Kat and I might have left her alone but..."

“She was fine. Seemed to be enjoying herself, actually." Ashlyn informed him. “And she said something about Freya speaking to her Dad about a job.”

"That's good to hear." Malik softly said.

"You worry about her don't you," Ashlyn whispered.

"She's been through a lot." Malik nodded.

“I know." Ashlyn said her hand coming up to caress his arm reassuringly. "But she's strong. Like you."

"Thank you," Malik murmured, enjoying the feeling of her hand on his arm and as he realised the shift in the moment, Malik leaned in close only for his phone on the counter to buzz and light up with a new message. “It's Lauren," Malik said as he noticed the name on the message with a quick glance. “I met her at the cafe and then again at the restaurant.”

"Oh," Ashlyn said as she took a step back, the disappointment clear in her voice. "Well, you should go ahead and read it. I better get to bed."

"Yeah, you're right.” Malik looked at the message from Lauren and he couldn't help but smile as the message from Lauren asked if he was free Friday night for a date.

Looking up for Ashlyn before he could respond to Lauren’s message, Malik was surprised to see that Ashlyn had slipped away from the kitchen while he was looking at the message and while he seemed excited at the prospect of a date with the girl he had met earlier he couldn't also help but think of the abrupt way Ashlyn had just gone to bed and her last words to him of the day just having a hint of disappointment in them.