Once I'd accepted that I'd fallen in love at first sight with Daniel, I thought about him all day long. After running into each other at the café, we exchanged numerous messages. I jumped on my phone at every notification. I felt like a teenager talking to a first crush. Although we were planning on seeing each other two days after our unexpected meeting, I had this need to talk to him, something I had never experienced before.

On the day of our dinner, I was anxious at the prospect of having to interact with him after feeling like such a silly teenager. The fact that I'd realised what I truly felt for him changed everything. I'd just spent about thirty minutes thinking about what to wear when I finally sat down on my bed, my head in my hands.

— What are you going to wear in the end? asked Eve, lying on my mattress.
— I'm not sure, I don't know what he's going to wear.
— Ask him then!
— No, it might seem a strange thing to ask. And frankly, even though we've been chatting so much, I've no idea how I'm going to talk to him for more than two hours this evening when I've just realised that I've fallen in love at first sight! There are people for whom it's never happened! So this may be the first and only time in my life that I'll fall in love at first sight!
— I understand, but Liz, there's nothing to worry about. I saw the way he looked at you. He's as hooked as you are.
— You think?
— Yes, I'm not joking. So believe me, it's not your outfit that's going to change anything. And in any case, you dress well, so you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

I couldn't describe my gratefulness towards Eve enough, she really calmed the storm in me and helped me feel more confident about the evening. I was about to opt for a white top with jeans when Eve stopped me. She handed me my red dress with bare shoulders.

— I don't think you want to wear jeans.
— Well, there's no way I'm taking this dress to a dinner.
— The restaurant you're going to is rated three Michelin stars. So if you want to be let through the front door, you'd better wear this. Also, given his outfit on a Sunday, I can't imagine the suits he must wear for occasions like these.
— Okay you do have a point here, I'll put it on, I said as I laid the dress on my bed.
— Aren't you going to try it now?
— Oh no, no, I'll get ready in an hour.

We headed into the living room to work on our respective articles. I'd been stuck on mine the day before, feeling like I didn't know how to write anymore.

— Are you still feeling the writer's block? asked Eve, who was sitting next to me.
— Yes.
— Is it related to the topic of the article or something else?
— I don't know why, but I feel like I've lost my talent for writing these days.
— Maybe try tomorrow?
— I'm going to try to do what I can until I have to get ready. I want to at least feel like I tried.

After an intense hour-long editing session, I stopped for the day. Despite my block, I had still produced fairly satisfactory work. After putting on my make-up and getting dressed, I left my room to get Eve's opinion on my outfit.

— Oh my fucking goodness! she exclaimed. Fucking caliente!

I shook my head and pulled two strands of hair back to the front of my face, once my bun had been curled.

— You will never stop swearing.
— Well at least I swear using modern expressions, unlike you who swear more and more using expressions from the 14th century.
— Yes, well, listen, what do you want me to do about it? I read literature from that century...
— You used to. Now all you read are contemporary novels with his notes.
— Touché.

Heels in hand, I headed for my bed when I received a message from Daniel.

I'll come and get you. Could you send me your address, please?

Come for me? Are you trying to murder me?

I only had to wait a few seconds for my answer.

You're not supposed to be so clever and find out the truth at this stage. Usually my victims don't realise until I have the blade of a knife pressed on their necks.

I chuckled before sending him my address.
— Ready? Eve asked as she returned to my room with my make-up pouch.
— Yes, I've only got the shoes to put on. Why do you have my make-up pouch?
— Can I give you a bit more makeup please?
— I really don't want to feel like I'm carrying around three kilos of make-up.
— I know that, but you've only applied eyeliner, mascara and a little blush.

Resigned, I sat down on one of the high chairs on my counter.

— Okay I'll let you do your thing as long as it's natural.
— Don't worry, Liz, just relax a bit.

The result was more than satisfactory: she added a light dark shade of eyeshadow to bring out my hazel eyes, a second coat of mascara, some blush that tended more towards red than pink, and finally some highlighter to finish the look.

— Wow, Eve, it's beautiful, I said, looking at myself in the mirror.

I was just about to give her a hug when my phone rang with a new message.

I'm just outside your house. Do you want me to come up?

No, don't worry, I'll be down in thirty seconds.

Anxiety made my hand shake slightly. However, our last date reassured me that I would have a wonderful time.

— Well, he's here" I announced to Eve as I slipped on my heels. Are you staying here tonight?
— Of course, I want to know all the details as soon as you get home.

I gave her a quick hug.

— There's food in the fridge, help yourself.
— I know I know, come on, he's there. Please don't forget to send me a message as soon as you've arrived at the restaurant saying that everything's fine, yeah? she said as we got to my door.

It was a way of reassuring ourselves when one of us, mostly Eve, was going on dates. I was far too anxious by nature to spend an evening not knowing if she was all right. As I was about to step out, I realised that I'd forgotten my wallet and mobile phone. I retrieved them from near the entrance and went out for good. With my heart racing, I made my way down the stairs before arriving at the front door of the building. Taking a deep breath and pulling my coat tighter at the front, I pushed open the door and spotted Daniel in a magnificent three-piece suit leaning against a lamp post about ten metres away. Lost in thought, he didn't seem to have seen me. All I could feel were the shivers he provoked in me. That feeling deep inside me... deep in my heart, I couldn't deny it. It was the same one I'd had after our first conversation. The intensity of my emotions was so extreme that I couldn't describe it. I also had this strange feeling that he was like me. Intellectually, I still didn't know him very well, but physically, he was much better than I could ever have anticipated. He was like the man of my dreams, born from the million romances my heart had fallen for.

God, am I going to have this kind of reaction every time I see him?

— Who makes you dream like that?

He jumped at the sound of my voice.

— Oh, I...he said before looking at me more closely and smiling as he came towards me. You look beautiul.

I shyly pulled my coat tighter around me.

— Thank you, I nervously laughed.

Butterflies filled my stomach as I gazed at him. With all the emotions running through me, I couldn't take my eyes off him. And it seemed to be the same for him.

— We'd better get going if we don't want to be late, he finally says, breaking off the intensity of whatever this was.
— Of course.

I got into his car and put my seatbelt on as I was looking at the details of the interior. It was very classy. He smirked as he saw I was impressed by his car before asking me about my week.

— Not much happened, I've been having a bit of a writer's block so it hasn't been the best. But I'll get there. What about you? I asked. How was work?

He started off.

— I tracked down a criminal.

I'd forgotten that he worked for a governmental crime agency.

— And did you catch them?
— Yeah, we sure did.
— What did he do?
— It started with shoplifting when he was young, then moved on to burglary, then assaulting young women.
— Random victims?
— Yes.
— But why?
— Because he somehow experiences sexual excitement.

He glanced at me, probably to gauge my reaction.

— It's quite common right?
— Yes. Do you look into things like that?
— I find it quite interesting, so I sometimes read about it. I also recently wrote an article about criminals.
— Oh wow that's cool. Few of my friends and family have an interest in crime. I like that you are curious enough to read about it.
— Well, consider me different.
—That's already the case.

We didn't speak for the rest of the journey, but there was nothing strange about it. I didn't have to go far back in my memory to recall the many times when silence had become so uncomfortable that I'd burst out laughing and ended up dying of embarrassment on the spot. I couldn't stop from thinking about funny these moments were and ended up laughing.

— What do you think is so funny that you're laughing all by yourself?
— Er, just an amusing memory, nothing more.
— I see.

He smiled and shook his head. He probably thought I was crazy. Looking around, all I could see were the lights of a small establishment.

— Is this the part where you drag me out of your car and lock me in a room?
— Yes, and then I'm going to sell your toes to the highest bidder.
— How much per kilo?
— I must admit that I'm hesitating between two thousand euros and two thousand euros and ninety cents.
— And what role does the ninety cents difference play in all this?
— A role you'll understand later, he concludes with a smile.

I really appreciated the lightness of his tone. I was sure I could speak without fear of my words being misinterpreted. We walked side by side to the entrance of the extremely chic but cosy restaurant, where he let me in first. He told the receptionist the name of the reservation while I looked around the room. About thirty people between thirty and sixty were seated. Judging by their outfits and accessories, they had quite generous incomes.

— If you'd like to follow me, said a waiter in front of me.

I followed him to a small table in the corner of the room, near the fireplace.

— Will this one suit you? he asked me rather than Daniel.

He was staring at me so much that I started feeling uncomfortable.

— Yes, thank you, we'll be fine, replied Daniel with a surprising difference in his voice.
— Is everything all right? I asked, still standing up after the waiter had gone away.
— He was looking at you so blatantly while I'm right there. This guy didn't even consider the fact that I could have been your boyfriend.
— Some people are like that, what can we do about them? I said, taking off my coat. What do you want us to...
— Oh, for fuck's sake.

He cut me off, his eyes and mouth wide open as he looked down my dress. Blushing, I didn't know what to say. Seeing him try to look away, I smiled as I noticed that he kept coming back to my dress.

— I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to be vulgar at all by looking at you for so long. I just wasn't expecting a dress like that. You look beautiful Elizabeth.

His eyes were fixed on mine as shivers ran through my body.

— Oh, don't worry, I didn't take it badly, on the contrary.
— I apologise but you're going to have to give me a few seconds, because my thoughts are no longer innocent.

My mouth suddenly dry, I decided to sit down and lowered my head slightly so that he wouldn't notice how my cheeks were now on fire. Looking back at him, I saw his eyes filled with passion and my whole body tingled with desire.