Chapter Text
“Well, here we are” said Anna, her voice suddenly turning melancholy and regretful. “Yes” replied William, noticing her change in demeanour and looking regretful too, regretting that this night was ending.
The slight pause in their conversation was just a second but it seemed to last an eternity. William decided to take the plunge; ‘She already stood up for me… I must take the initiative… William, stop thinking such thoughts’ he thought to himself in a heartbeat.
“Well…” said William looking towards Green Park tube station, digging in his pockets subtly to look for his paper Travelcard.
“Do you wanna come up?” asked Anna rapidly, but clear enough for William to understand. The man observed the woman. ‘Did I hear it right. Don’t be overeager. You like her… don’t screw it up… be understanding’ thought William. But the look on Anna’s face, the way her eyes were wide open, the eagerness and nervousness she exhaled, started to push William into accepting her invite.
‘No offers for a nightcap, no coffee, no… Oh my God!’ he thought
Throwing caution to the wind.
“There’s lots of reasons why I shouldn’t” he replied nervously, and Anna smiled; “There are lots of reasons” she replied. ‘Does he like me? Hell, you kissed him last night and tonight more times than you’d ever kissed Jeff… Oh fuck him… Will is the guy you want. Why would you betray your body?’ she thought to herself.
“Do you wanna come up?” she asked again. William noticed that this time her voice was slower, but her nervousness started to show. ‘Christ, she actually wants me! But why?’ thought William as he looked at Anna with astonishment. He really couldn’t say it, so he just gave a subtle nod and responded with the barest of whispers “Yeah”.
The look of satisfaction and joy were so subtle over Anna Scott’s face… until she cracked a cheeky side grin; “Give me about five minutes” she replied as she walked past William, leaving him standing outside the Ritz. Anna took a final look back at the surprised face of her amor and walked into the hotel. Going slowly into the hotel, she took one final look at William.
‘WHAT THE FUCK?!’ she thought to herself as she saw through the revolving doors William going into the nearest pharmacy. Anna couldn’t help but giggle as she turned around and called a lift.
‘Seriously, he didn’t bring any with him?!’ thought Anna in disbelief as she entered the lift and rode up to her room. However, her stream of thoughts had shifted; ‘Oh my God. He really wasn’t looking to score tonight’.
Anna smiled and probably for the first time in ten years, her million-dollar smile was genuine. She looked at her reflection at the mirror in the lift and not only was her smile effortless, but the redness on her cheeks was something that she hadn’t seen for all these years. The warmth spread within her, and the expectations suddenly had reached fever pitch.
‘Yes, I am going to be loved tonight’ she thought.
***
William looked at the condoms on the shelf; ‘My word, why so many. Five years is a long time’ he thought to himself, thinking about the last time he brought condoms for sex with his wife… ‘Right before she left me…!’ he thought. ‘Don’t dwell, you moron’
Choosing the sturdiest and, from the looks of it, pleasurable pack, William briskly walked to the surprisingly large queue and waited his turn… spying the lady at the counter, he didn’t know whether to shout to get a move on or jump over the counter and fulfil the orders of the three other customers infront of him.
‘For pity’s sake… She said five minutes’ looking at his watch, William muttered; “Four minutes now”.
***
Anna opened the door to her suite and was surprised to see the lights were on. “Hello” she exclaimed. She then heard footstep to her right coming towards her;
“Hey baby, surprise” said the voice of the one person Anna hoped she’d never be alone with ever again.
Turning to her right she saw him, the vilest man she had ever laid eyes on; “What are you doing here?” she asked with fury. “Oh honey, I missed you… I…”
“Jeff! What part of fuck off didn’t you get. We are over, we have been for the last two months” replied Anna.
“Come on baby, you know you want to…” said Jeff as he tried to touch her. “Fuck off Jeff. Have some dignity!” shouted Anna.
“Oh babe, I like it when you scream” he exclaimed with his leery voice. “If you don’t leave now, I’ll call security”
Jeff laughed; “What? You think a bunch of bobbies are going to scare me?” Anna was about to pick up the phone when Jeff grabbed her rear and spun her around.
“LET GO OF ME!!!” screamed Anna as she kneed Jeff in the balls and he fell to the ground and she kicked him the stomach. “GET OUT OF HERE!!”
“I’m gonna burn your stuff bitch!” he exclaimed as he opened the room and left.
***
William threw the change on the counter; he knew he had overpaid, and he rapidly exited the pharmacy and ran across the road back to the Ritz.
Walking briskly through the revolving doors and the lobby, William called for a lift to the floor that housed the Trafalgar Suite.
“Come on, come on” he whispered. The elevator pinged, the doors opened, and William saw a man on the floor bloodied and holding his nuts; “Sorry… are you okay?” William asked kindly.
Jeff looked up, his shades covering his eyes. “Fuck off” he grumbled as he staggered out. ‘Charming’ thought William as he observed the man staggering away. William shrugged and went into the lift.
Anna had cleaned up the little mess that Jeff had made, and thought about the mess he would make with her things back in LA. At that moment, Anna couldn’t help but laugh… Jeff burning all her clothes and making Anna homeless (in LA at least) ‘Yeah right, homeless?!’ she thought horridly, knowing that many in her position would truly be homeless.
‘I’m going to spend the night with Anna Scott…. Get a grip, you muppet, to you she is just Anna. And the more you see her that way, the more you will love her for her, not what she represents’
William looked into the mirror fixed his hair as much as he could, and then the elevator pinged and the doors opened. Stepping out, he stopped and looked into his wallet for the condoms he purchased, which was housed beside the note that Spike left him this afternoon about having to move out due to a job opportunity in Hamburg with a music production facility. William thought about his idiotic flatmate; messy, annoying, unorganised, kept misplacing the messages and calls and was always on time with the rent, good natured, hilarious and supportive. William chuckled; Yes, he was going to miss Spike.
Approaching the door that probably housed the gates to heaven, William knocked, and the door opened with Anna a tad breathless.
“Hi” said William. “Hi” said Anna. “Are you okay?” asked William. “You didn’t by any chance see a battered American asshole leaving the hotel?” asked Julia.
“I did actually. Anna are you okay?” asked William with concern. “That was my ex-boyfriend. I left him two months ago and he’s still thinking…”
“Look, Anna. I don’t want to tread on anyone’s toes” said William with concern. Anna shook her head; “No, you’re not doing that whatsoever. Come on in” said Anna reassuringly.
Anna closed the door behind her, and looked at William, his concerned face, his sweet face, his beautiful eyes that led to way to his beautiful soul.
“I don’t wanna be alone tonight” whispered Anna. That was enough for William as he became entranced by Anna. Throwing caution to the wind, he slowly closed the gap between them and softly kissed Anna on the cheek as she did him, following a trail down her neck, to which Anna gave him access to, he soon ascended up with his lips kissing every inch of her as possible until finally he reached just the side of her lips.
Anna opened her eyes and she let William’s beautiful heartfelt eyes pour into her. She smiled sweetly at her would be boyfriend, as he did at her. Moving in closer, their lips finally met and the intoxication of Anna’s mouth on his drove William into a wonderful state. Letting go, Anna used her hands to strip William of his jacket. Looking at him suggestively, Anna soon took his hands in hers and guided him to her bedroom.
The sunlight peered through the windows, with both William and Anna basking in its warmth. William was at the head of bed, looking at the woman who was lying with her head propped up at the foot of the head. Smiling and winking at him, Anna licked her lips suggestively, all the time making William blush.
“So, does last night mean I am actually allowed to see you naked?” he asked with a smile, Anna mock sneered at him; “Typical man, only interested in seeing a woman naked”.
William smiled back; “Our needs are very simple” Anna laughed along with William. “Seriously, what is it with men and nudity?” asked Anna as William grinned; “Well that is a very complicated question… and to be honest it is an answer that I, an Oxford graduate, cannot rationally give an answer to”.
Anna giggled; “I suppose it’s because some men love women, and a woman’s nudity is a step closer to that phenomenon” replied William
Anna calmed down and responded; “You call love a phenomenon?” The American woman realised what she had just said. William meanwhile blushed, hoping to avoid the situation. He thought of a response, and he finally fell back on the old saying, honesty is the best policy; “Yes. If your love is strong enough, what more do you want in life?” asked William
Anna inhaled in surprise, and she observed the man. ‘My God, he’s adorable’ She smiled back and shook her head in wonder; “Only you can make a reference to a Bryan Ferry song sound sexy” she replied as William laughed back.
At that moment the phone near William rang. Anna smiled and got up from the bed, walking towards the phone in all her glorious nudity, not even disturbed that William was no doubt checking her out. Picking up the phone she answered; “Hello”
“Oh hey” she said. She smiled at William, and decided to turn to face him so that her whole body was in view;
“Actually, I’m not going back… Well, you see Jeff was here last night and I think I’ve just been made homeless…”
William sheepishly looked anywhere except at Anna’s body making the American woman giggle.
“Yeah in LA… No, don’t worry… Actually, I think I might stay here for a while longer. Well, we’re not shooting for another five months so…Oh, really? Great… Well not great it’s a lot on his mind…Of course, I’ll be here in London.
William inhaled subtly and held his breath; ‘Is she staying… for me?!’ he pondered, thinking back to the night of Honey’s birthday party; ‘I thought you were leaving tomorrow?... I was’ Suddenly, it started to make sense… although it was still heightened reality.
“Oh great. Yeah, send me the script… Actually, I’ll go over and collect it… I’ll call you once I’ve settled… Great, thanks” she put the phone down.
William looked at Anna curiously; “Are you homeless?” he asked. She motioned for William to move so that she can get into the bed.
“Yeah, Jeff is going to burn my stuff. Asshole thinks I give a shit” she replied. “Were you leaving today?” asked William.
Anna smiled; “I was” she replied. William smiled back; “I’m glad you are staying” said William. “This is a pretty tall order, but do you think you have space for an extra person at your place?” she cooed.
“Should be no problem. Spike has moved out; he’s gone to Germany” replied William. Anna couldn’t hide her happiness; “Great” said Anna. William then looked hesitated; “I’m afraid it won’t be as luxurious”
Anna laughed; “I doubt that, it will be even more luxurious” replied Anna as she then kissed William. “Why do you doubt that?” asked William
“Well… LA doesn’t have my perfect guy” replied Anna. William stared at her in total bewilderment. ‘Holy Shit!! I’m Anna Scott’s perfect guy’ thought William. The blush appeared on his cheeks and Anna grinned at him, her million-dollar smile, the smile she made whenever William was around.
“Perfect guy?” replied William in disbelief. Anna nodded; “Why are you blushing?” she asked, her breathless American voice invading his senses;
“I’ve been called many things. Perfect isn’t one of them” he said.
Anna just smiled and lightly shook her head; “You are… And it’s too late for me to retract that comment” she replied as William’s defences went down and he eyed Anna, hopelessly madly in love with her.
“Do you need help packing?” asked Will absentmindedly. Anna smiled; “Not really, I’ve only got a few things. However, I do need something right now” she said before kissing William and motioning him to get on top of her.
Four hours later, William walked out of the hotel. ‘This is a dream. It has to be a dream… come on Will wake up’ he thought to himself as he walked in an utter daze towards the exit and a luggage trolly bumped into him, almost knocking him over and waking him up from that daze.
“Sorry” he replied sheepishly, and he made a beeline for the exit.
***
Anna was packing up and was ready to leave, when she the phone in her room rang.
“Hello” she replied as she picked up. “Hey, hun, here is the sound of your Dolce and Gabana dress burning on the fire”
Anna didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the absurdity of it all. “Did you hear that?” shouted Jeff on the phone.
“That was my D&G dress?” she asked sheepishly. Jeff, who just revelled in Anna’s sheepish response, responded; “Yeah”.
At that moment Anna grinned and responded; “You’ll find that the Miu Miu’s burn easier” Jeff, completely bewilderedly, said back; “What the…” Anna hung up and left the room whilst her luggage was waiting for her downstairs.
William arrived back home, thankfully he didn’t have much to do since he had cleaned the place early yesterday morning. The only thing he needed to do was change the bedding in the two bedrooms, which he duly went about doing, all the time thinking about how to make Anna feel welcome.
***
‘What the fuck am I doing’ pondered Anna as she was being driven to Notting Hill. ‘I barely know this guy… you’ve been kissing him for the past two nights… He could be a murderous psycho. Let’s face it, your judgment on men is questionable… fuck Jeff… He’s a great listener… probably trying to swindle you… he is adorable… probably masking his murderous rage… he is phenomenal in bed… well… I’m lost for words’
Anna smiled to herself over the last part of her musings, and all she could think about was how the house with the blue door could not come quicker.
William has prepared the bedding. ‘Spare room… just in case… give her space’ he thought as he went about putting the groceries away. ‘Plenty of veg for the veggie… sorry vegetarian’ he thought anxiously.
The phone rang, and William answered it; “Hello” he said anxiously. “Will… nice night last night? Tried to call you but…”
“Yes Max, I was in fact out. Stock taking” replied William. “You still do stock takings?” asked Max, “Oh haha. Yes, I was in fact taking stock… of my affairs”
William was shocked at what he just said; “Sorry” asked Max with laughter behind his voice. “Sorry?” responded William trying to sound innocent.
“You just said you were taking stock of your affairs” replied Max. “No, I wasn’t” replied William. “Yes, you did”
“No, I didn’t”
“Did”
“Did not”
“Did too”.
“Look, Max why are you calling?” asked William. “Nothing just wondering if you are available for dinner this evening”
“No can-do Max… Carol is coming round” said William. There was a pause; “Will” said Max, his voice sombre; “What are you doing? She left you five years ago. I mean, Carol of all people”
“Oh Max, you know me” replied William, “Will, what about Anna. I know she has a boyfriend, but…” he paused. Trying to interrupt the pause, William asked: “But what Max.”
Max breathed in and out “We saw you and her the other night. You haven’t been this happy in years”
“Max, it’s okay, I know what I’m doing” replied William.
“I hope you do. Look, if anything goes wrong, you are more than welcome to join us” replied Max.
“Thanks Max, I really appreciate it” replied William, moved by the gesture.
***
Dressed in a cap and sunglasses, jeans and a black shirt, Anna got out of the car, kindly refused the chauffeurs help with her luggage and went around the corner to William’s house. Walking just past the market, Anna loved the anonymity she now had here. Finally, at the door, she rang the bell.
William had just finished talking to Max when the bell rang. Walking downstairs to the front door, he opened it and was greeted with the beautiful sight that was Anna Scott.
“Hi” she whispered breathlessly, a mischievous grin on her face. William blushed and whispered; “Hello. Come on in”
Closing the door behind him, William was speechless when Anna turned around took off her cap, her glasses threw them away. Anna then jumped on William’s body and met his lips with hers.
“Welcome home” replied William. Anna blushed and she knew then and there, that in this house, she had finally arrived at a place she knew she would call home.