2019-06-02 - The Surprise

It was supposed to be a relaxing few hours. Or so Byron had hoped. He'd just gotten off a business call an hour or so prior and he had no other plans for the rest of the afternoon. In fact, it was nearing evening when Vivian had sent her initial text, which was then interrupted by a call from security at the apartment gates. "Hmm. I don't have anyone scheduled. for apartment viewing today What did she say her name was? Smith?" He pauses to look down at his watch at the time. "Sure. Let them through. I'm heading to the lobby right now."

Sending a final text response, he heads directly to his bedroom to take a good look at himself in the full length mirror, redoing the tie that he'd undone because he was about to call it a day.

By now, once Byron steps into the elevator from his penthouse suite, both the doorman and the receptionist for Building A had been alerted of the new arrival, so if this Miss Smith reaches the lobby before he does, they already know to expect her. The ding of the elevator is heard and the owner of the complex steps on out, prepared to greet his guest. He could have turned her away and scheduled a meeting for another day, but if this visitor were truly thinking of renting up a space here, he wasn't going to make her wait.

That new tenant has their back to the direction that Byron would be coming from, but from the back he can easily tell they are female, wearing well fitting black faux-leather pants, heels with the red-bottoms that is indicative of Louboutin's, and a fitted red swing coat.

She has, though, managed to at least make out to the lobby to wait. But she seems unaware of his arrival, looking down at something in her hand. Given this day and age it is probably a phone, no one ever goes any where with out one. She is probably no different.

From what he can see, she's well-dressed, that's for sure. So this wasn't a prank, the way some folks will come just wanting a tour or an open house, knowing full well that they didn't have the means the afford a room in this place. Though there was something familiar about her even from this distance. If you've been with someone for a while, you can often pick them out in a crowd. But it's been a few months since he'd last seen... Even before he stepped foot into the elevator, his had his game face on. So as he walks forward to meet with her in his confident stride, he addresses her, "Miss Smith, was it? I'm afraid that if you'd left a message for me regarding an appointment today, I didn't receive it. I'm Byron Thorne, the owner of this complex." Once she turns to face him, he'll automatically extend a hand for her to shake.

There is something very familiar about her, especially when she turns around. Vivian doesn't take the hand, instead she takes a step towards him, arms stretching out to instead grab him for a hug, "Surprise!" That single word is spoken with barely suppressed laughter, her own well thought out plan obviously having worked out. At least in her eyes, no consideration made for the fact she might be interrupting something. Like precious relaxing time by posing aft a prospective tenant. "You are a sight for sore eyes."

There's a glimmer of recognition in his eyes when she turns, her features coming into view. By then, she already has her arms around him even with his own outstretched, until he pulls it back and around her to complete that embrace. Byron was not expecting this visit at all. In fact, Vivian's never been to Gray Harbor before today and he never expected her to want to. "Vivian? I thought you were back in..." That's when it dawns on him "When did you get into town and decide to ask me questions about career choices and job locations?" Still, he's grinning widely now, eyes looking down on her, still not having let her go.

"This morning, I drove up...waited around until I figured you'd be done with work. Which was a gamble, but it's paid off." Vivian points out with a light laugh, giving him a tight squeeze, "Nice place you have here, though."

That comment causes her to look around the lobby once more, which allows her to check to see if any of his employees are busy watching them. If she doesn't notice any paying them attention she releases her hold around him so that she can instead reach for his face, fingers lightly sliding across his face before she leans in to give him a proper hello kiss.

"You were in town all day? I could've showed you the sights if you'd let me know." Byron says, looking a little baffled by all of this. "Not that the weather today was any good for a tour, but I would've given one anyway." He's still in some form of disbelief that she's here right now. "Don't tell me that you waited in your car all day either? Where did you go to pass the time away?"

Byron isn't all that self-conscious about his employees witnessing an intimate moment, like the kiss that she gives him, something that makes his own grip on her tighten. When they finally break away, he asks, chin lowered as he stares at her this closely, "Did you get something to eat? We could always go out for dinner, after we bring in your things and leave you time to rest some." He then cranes his neck to look beyond her to see if she has any luggage lying around, before his eyes settle on her again, "How long are you here for?" For some reason, he has a feeling that she's just passing through.

There are two suitcases that are tucked away in the lobby, familiar enough to him that she clearly thought to hide them from him so as to not spoil the surprise. "All day." Vivian replies in the affirmative, the backs of her fingers sliding lightly across his cheeks as she smiles upwards at him, the expression softening when he asks her how long she's going to be there for. "I ate lunch at some little diner, with the bears? The food was at least good, even if the ambiance was a little strange."

The earlier questions get addressed first, like if she's eaten today, and if she sat in her car all day. But the most important of the questions gets a little more careful thought before phrasing her reply carefully, "I'm here....indefinitely. I'm moving up here." She certainly doesn't say 'for you', but there is at least a small unspoken insinuation that his presence in this small town might have had some impact on her choice. Especially in light of some of the earlier conversation. "You can show me around town at your leisure."

"Funny, that you chose that place to eat at. I haven't been there in a long while, but my mother used to work there when I was a kid." Byron openly admits, seeming pleased that she thought that the food was good! "The place had really changed since then. It's under new management and all." He knows that much. He enjoys this moment of closeness even if they lack privacy as both receptionist and doorman... along with whichever tenants are walking by can clearly see what's going on. His eyes locked on hers, a warm smile spreads across his lips now. "I really did miss you."

Finally, his arms drop, releasing her in full, those eyes scanning the lobby, because he knows that no matter how short the visit, she would not be without luggage! That's when he hears it, eyes blinking, looking incredibly surprised by this news. "You're moving here?"He'd suggested it before, a while back, though even he knew that until the town got out of its economical slump, he didn't believe she'd be making much here. "Wow. I mean, really. Wow. I'd never expected it."

That's when he sees the pair of suitcases well hidden enough, after he'd paced around a bit. "But of course, I've got all the time in the world to show you around." He beams even brighter now. "While we might be a small town, I'm sure," This next part he murmurs as he moves to fetch her suitcases, "there will be no shortage of patients..." His voice raises, "We'll get your things upstairs and spend the new hour or so relaxing or doing whatever you want to do before dinner." By then, he's already taken ahold of one baggage, while preparing to cart the other forward.

"Did she?" Vivian nods at the news his mother worked there, her smile brightening a fraction as she adds in agreement, "I really did miss you as well. Quite a lot, actually."

When he moves to fetch her luggage she waits patiently where she is, moving only when it is time to follow him to the elevator. "I'd been giving it a lot of thought after the last time you'd suggested it, and the more and more I'd thought about it the better it began to sound." There is a small pause before she ventures a little more cautiously, "I really do hope that it's a good surprise. I nearly called to tell you directly half a dozen times or more."

Yes, he's beaming at it all. But still, better belated caution, right? On the subject of dinner, though, "I'd love to catch up before dinner. Tell me everything since you came to visit last."

The doorman actually moves to help Byron with one of Vivian's suitcases, which in turn brings the receptionist out to take his place in greeting the guests at the door. The portly man watches the pair, trying to look helpful more than nosey as he carries the red bag in his arms.

Byron had expected this. In fact, this type of service is part of their training before they are hired, so he's only needing to drag along one of her luggage, the large candy-apple red suitcase on wheels. He doesn't change the topic of conversation or anything in front of his staffer, keeping to a normal speaking tone. There's nothing too personal in what is being said. "I'm just really surprised because you've never even visited the place and I'd hate to think that you'd be disappointed because," Well, he knows the doorman is a townie, born and bred here, but he continues on, "Well, Gray Harbor is nothing like L.A."

His key inserted to unlock the penthouse option and that particular button pressed, all there is to do for the three of them is to wait until they reach the topmost floor. He does make introductions though. "This is my afternoon doorman for Building A, Jim Blunt." He says, before gesturing to Vivian, "And this is Miss Vivian Glass." That part confuses Blunt, because the security guard had told him that it would be a Miss Smith!

Ding!

Once the elevator door opens, Byron takes the lead, unlocking his door to let them both in, the doorman setting the suitcase down somewhere out of the way, before returning back to the elevator.

"Why wouldn't it be a good surprise? It was unexpected, that's for sure." Moving his own suitcase to rest next to the other, he immediately goes to the bar, "Something to drink? Feel free to get freshened up as well. Must've been a long wait if you'd driven in this morning."

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Blunt." Vivian offers with a smile, then she promptly turns her attention back to Byron, "It was a lot harder to get up here to visit between everything, but my residency is over now..." Which would explain a visit, but not just suddenly moving up there without a word.

Inside the penthouse she pauses at the door to look around as she slides her coat down off her shoulders. "A drink would be wonderful." The smaller of the two bags are picked up before she goes in search of his room and his bathroom to freshen up.

It doesn't take long, but she's freshener up her make-up and hair, hung up her coat, before she makes it back out to him, "I'm hoping it is very different than home. I wanted a bit of a change of scenery, and I really have always wanted to come visit. So, I made a leap of faith and here I am."

As Byron is sure that Gina doesn't serve Mimosas at the Diner, he goes ahead to serve up one of his own, opening the fridge for the orange juice. Weighing the carton for a time, he figures he'll need to get more at some point. "Then you're not going to be disappointed at all." Byron says, stirring the blend of champagne and O.J., the sound of the spoon can be heard clinking against the glass as he turns towards her once she steps out from the bathroom. Once he's done, the spoon is removed and set into the sink and he steps towards her, an offering of the drink of choice for a Sunday Brunch in hand.

"You look great, by the way. But you always did." Rather than a Mimosa, he's gotten himself a bottle of beer and moves to settle down on a stool at the island, his back leaning against the counter. There's so many important things that he should tell her, but they weren't easy things to discuss with an outsider, so he goes with the more mundane. "Now what have I been up to since I was last in L.A." He ponders aloud, "I took a trip out to D.C. on some minor business. Nice trip, but the only nice thing about D.C. are the monuments and things of that nature. Most of the rest of the city is pretty much trash."

"Thank you." Vivian murmurs as she accepts the drink, taking a small sip from it as she follows him to the island, but she remains standing in front of him, one hand dropping to settle on his knee.

"D.C.? Sounds like it'd be a fun trip, all those political animals moving around in their natural habitat." The tone is lightly teasing at his declaration of it being trash. "Did your business at least work in your favor?" Important questions, since she did ask him what he'd been getting up to since the last visit. "I've never made it to D.C., but I've heard that the weather is awful, something about it being built on swamp land? Not sure if that is just rumor, or if its actually true."

There is an absent shrug, though, and another small sip from the mimosa before she leans forward to set the glass down on the island behind him, "So tell me about the best place around here for dinner, and when can I meet your friends.. See all the places you hung around at growing up. I really do want the full Byron experience."

With Vivian's hand at his knee, Byron reaches down to place his own hand upon it, his gaze quickly lowering to idly view his own fingers now interlacing with hers. "It's fun alright and it has a great nightlife. But most of the city isn't pretty to look at." He gives her hand a gentle squeeze now, chin slowly lifting to gaze upon her. "Some interesting historical sights and even more interesting museums. So it was't a terrible visit over all."

"Mm, the best place to eat? Well, if you're looking for non-L.A. fancy fare, then most places here would fit the bill." Byron says with a laugh. "I mean, new shops and restaurants are opening up, some absolutely do not match the atmosphere of the town, but I am more than happy to have them. If just to lure new tenants to town. You've been to the Grizzly Bear, Two if by Sea is a bar near here, you would've passed it on the way over, is a nice place. Great drinks, good food. Nice view. Beach access." He considers for a while, "Near the boardwalk, there's a fine fried fish place that a friend of mine runs. We can go visit her... in your journey to meet with my friends."

Taking another sip of beer, he then asks, looking her over in that fancy dress, "Care to do some trekking in the woods too? That's part of the Byron experience."

There is a small, pleased smile as he laces his fingers with hers. "Most would be all about the nightlife. The bars, and I hear the dating scene there is outstanding. But you talk about history." Vivian shakes her head, taking a further step towards him until she can start trying to move herself between his knees.

"We can go anywhere you want." There is a small pause, though, then she adds, "Even to the woods... I might have to get different shoes, but sneakers aren't hard to come by." Her other hand drops to his other knee, "So full experience. You've seen all there is to see about me, now its my turn to see beyond the curtain."

She very clearly is trying to make it out like its some great big mystery, despite knowing a little about it all. "This bar, with beach access. Sounds pretty nice. My vote is that be the place to go."

When she settles herself in between his legs, the hand that was resting on hers lifts to wrap around her hips and pull her in close. Byron's chin lifts so that he can get a better look at her for the time. "Sure, it had a decent nightlife, but nothing you wouldn't find in L.A. or New York City. The museums and historical sites though? Now those are D.C.'s own."

Getting back to Gray Harbor though, he says with a shake of his head, "Gray Harbor's not that large, so you'll be able to see the full of it in one day probably." There's this shrug of his shoulders. "But if you really want, I'll show you everything that my quaint little sleepy town by the bay has to offer." It's at this moment of looking upon Vivian and admiring her that he notices something about her, something that he hadn't noticed before. Was there this light within her too now?

This thought is distracting to him and all that he can do is stare out at the soft glimmer about her. Blinking a moment, he allows a smile to form on his lips. He won't worry about it now. "After some rest, Two if by Sea it is then. Too bad we won't be able to make the most of what it has to offer. No moonlit walk on the beach. Not with this rain."

"It can't rain all the time." Vivian points out with a laugh, curling her arms around his neck, "Maybe it's for the best, if everything is so small and quaint, this'll stretch it out beyond that one day."

One hand moves to his cheek, resting there for a moment before she leans in, this time not to kiss him but instead rest her forehead against his, "You will just be forced to take me out for dinner, drinks and a walk on the beach when it stops raining."

It's a threat that isn't even a threat. "What would you like to do before dinner?"

"Wanna bet?" Byron muses when Vivian brings up hopeful words about Gray Harbor's weather, though he does follow up with a laugh, "Yeah. Thing will begin to clear up closer to summer and it'll be nice out."He tits his head back, chin lifted when he flashes her with this broad grin. "Nice enough for a bit of camping." He lets that hang there, but then adds, "Not that I've gone camping in a really long while."

When he senses her leaning in close, her forehead pressed against him, his eyes slowly close. "Before dinner?" The smile may fade from that wide grin to something quieter, even if one corner of his lips lift into a smirk, "I can think of a few things I know I'd like to do." Here, he'll take the initiative to crane his neck forward, rising just slightly out of his seat so that he's able to nuzzle his bristled cheek against hers, the hand at her hips now tightening it's grasp.

"Camping?" Vivian is distinctly aware that her experience camping is probably very different then what he is meaning. "We can go camping, and trekking through the woods..."

Whatever more there is to be said is allowed to drift off for the moment when he begins to nuzzle his cheek against hers. She rubs her cheek back against his before she turns to catch his mouth with hers, a hand sliding around the back of his neck. One step back is taken, even though her mouth remains pressed against his as she moves.

She can hear his soft laughter, taking amusement by these images in his mind of Vivian camping. Not that Byron doubted that she could. It's not as if they'd never gone hiking on mountainous trails or anything like that before. They were a fairly active pair. He won't address any of it now, he has other urges that drive him.

The hand at her hip becomes the strong hand at the small of her back, pressing against her as it rises along her spine, pulling up some of that fabric of her dress in the process, before it makes a similar trek downward. He continues with the slow rise, never breaking away from her even as he begins to guide her around the island and towards the hallway leading to the bedrooms. It's been months since they'd last seen each other and there was a lot of time to make up for.

Months of time. It seems like they are both on the same page with how to spend the time between now and dinner. As he starts to guide her down the hall she kicks her shoes off, which causes her to walk a bit on her toes.

Her clothes are being handily dealt with, so she turns her attention to his, fingers certain, but hurried, to maximize the time they have.