Out of the Shadows ✔️ [Completed] [Book One]

Chapter 17

I take the opportunity to watch him from a distance as Daniel the movie star, rather than casual, normal Daniel. He seems so comfortable with the attention, even if his smile is forced. My mind wonders to what our lives would have been like if we had met before all of the complications. What if I had ended it with Ed and moved to London straight from university like I dreamed of doing and met Daniel, so that I could have supported him as his career blossomed, rather than using it as a tool like Lucy did.

My imagination is running wild and I smile at the thought of us together when we were young and baggage free. I return to reality and look at Daniel. Even though he is talking to his fans, he is looking at me and I feel as though his eyes see into my very soul. "Penny for your thoughts? I watched you then and you were in a world of your own." He comments as he takes his seat next to me, changing before my eyes from movie star back to normal guy.

"Oh nothing really, just lost in a little daydream imaging what we would have been like if I had met you years ago, rather than now with all our baggage." I feel a lump in my throat unexpectedly. Daniel closes his eyes and turns his face up towards the sun, clearly enjoying the heat on his face.

"That's a beautiful thought." A ghost of a smile passes his lips. Daniel then looks at me seriously. "If I could turn back the clock, I would find you." He leans across and kisses me softly on the lips.

All too soon we are heading back to the hotel ready to leave for the airport and my heart feels heavy in my chest. We do the same routine out the car when we arrive at Charles DeGaulle airport. However, this time when I step out of the car the photographers are still there. I'm blinded by the flashes and feel panic rise in my chest. I keep my head high and keep walking into the terminal. I can't help but worry about what I will look like on those pictures when I don't have Daniel by my side. My fears subside when I see him waiting patiently for me and I decide that it really doesn't matter, so decide not to mention it.

Daniel pretty much sleeps for the whole flight and rests his head on my shoulder. I watch the steady rise and fall of his chest and breathe in the scent of him. It really is intoxicating. While he isn't aware of me watching him, I take the opportunity to study him up close. His profile really is stunning and I can even see the freckles on his nose from spending time in the sun. I feel content and my soul feels peaceful. I'm reluctant to wake him, but do so once we make our decent to land. I call his name and gently shake his shoulders. He stirs and sleepily half opens his eyes. The sight of a vulnerable Daniel is heart-warming and I gently kiss him.

"Hey beautiful." He says as he rubs his eyes and stretches his arms above his head.

"Hey yourself. I was thinking I might make a few quid from selling the pictures of you dribbling on my shoulder." I laugh when he instinctively wipes his mouth. He then laughs and I squeal when he tickles me.

The airport is bustling and Daniel practically marches me through the airport and straight into Lawrence's waiting car. I'm pleased to see Lawrence's friendly face.

"Pleasant trip?" He enquires and I nod as Daniel responds.

"Yeah thanks Lawrence, it was wonderful." Daniel takes my hand and we make our way back into central London. The mood darkens as we get closer to home, knowing that the weekend is over.

"As first dates go, that was pretty amazing. Thank you so much." I kiss Daniel on the cheek, but he doesn't respond for a while. He looks at me with sad eyes.

"I don't want it to end." I fight back my usual instinct to over think and analyse and just say what I feel.

"Well let's not let it end just yet." I shrug and Daniel beams at me. He then asks Lawrence to take us into central London.

We enter a little side street pub and they have an acoustic night on. The place is busy but is really chilled out. We find a table out of the way and Daniel returns with a pint for him and a gin and tonic for me. The singer is playing an Ed Sheeran song and we are both transfixed. The night seems to be over far too quickly and it's time for me to head home. We share a taxi, even though yet again it's completely out of the way for Daniel. We are both so tired we sit back and cuddle in silence. As the taxi turns into my street I feel my chest tighten, like now I have to pick up my baggage and return to the real world.

"Thank you again for this weekend; I have had the best time with you. You really thought of everything and I want you to know that I'm truly grateful." Not wanting to be rejected again, I simply kiss him softly when I open the door.

"It has been my pleasure. I have loved every second. I would do anything to make you smile." I kiss him again before I step out, but I close the door behind me to make sure I don't make a fool out of myself. I walk up to my flat and wave at the taxi. I stand there until it is out of sight and then let out a shaky breath that I didn't even realise I was holding.

As I open the door my neighbour, Mr Hughes steps into the hallway.

"Hi Lizzie. A gentleman dropped this off for you earlier." He hands me my suitcase.

"Thank you Mr Hughes, good night." I open my door and hear him say good night back to me. I didn't even give our suitcases a thought and feel guilty that Lawrence had to deliver it to me.

I sit down in my small lounge and feel wide awake despite the late hour. I look online for older pictures of Daniel. I glance through some of the images that I have seen so many times before. In most of the pictures he is very serious and looking straight into the camera. I used to call this his 'sexy brooding look' but now I just see that he looks detached and sad. My eyes glance over some pictures of him and Lucy and my heart pounds. They look so effortlessly glamorous together on the red carpet, perfectly coordinated. I continue to scroll and see a picture of them looking deliriously happy on their wedding day and I can't help but feel jealous. I'm shocked that a couple of pictures of me and Daniel also come up and I see again just how ordinary I look next to him. I put my head in my hands and feel totally lost.

- hope you've had a wonderful Christmas. Please comment and vote, I really appreciate it -