Chapter's song: What Lovers Do by Maroon 5 ft.SZA

I'm not planning to scare her on our first "official" date, so I ditch the idea of sushi and take her downtown. When I was a kid, this place was like heaven to me. Twenty years later, it's still as cool but it's almost forgotten. Which makes it perfect.

I park my car near the entrance. I'm not worried about the security, because there's a team of bodyguards, disguised as civilians, following our every move. I don't want to freak out Kate any more than she already is.

"Funscape? You took me to Funscape?" She doesn't sound mad. If anything, she sounds entertained.

"You seemed stressed," I shrug, "so I figured we needed something to let loose."

Her lips curve up and her eyes soften. "Thank you. I don't think I could handle bungee-jumping right now."

I smile. The thought did cross my mind, but I didn't have time to organize it.

Good thing I didn't.

Trocadero is almost dead. There are a few shops open, but it's kind of sad to see what used to be one of my favorite places, so empty. It's a colorful three-story mall filled with hundreds of old video games machines, including a bumper cars track and a bowling place. I feel nostalgic as we enter. I guess young people have video games in their phones, so playing table-football or the old machines isn't as exciting as it was. Yet, I'm not complaining. It's perfect for us.

There are a couple of teens playing with one of the machines on the corner, but they don't pay attention to us as we enter the place.

My aim is the bumper cars' track. I hold Kate's hand as we make our way through the machines, tea and candy stores, until we find it.

I don't have to tell her anything because my goofy smile gives me away. I pay our entrance fee and before I chose my car, Kate is seated on hers.

She picked a red car, so I go for a blue one.

I can't help but laugh at the competitive look on her face. I'm almost certain that she'll bump against me as soon as she can. And I'm not wrong. We are free to go and Kate drives directly to me. I manage to dodge her but she still bumps her car against mine.

"You're too eager to hit me, aren't you, sweet cabbage?"

She smirks. "You know, even when you say sweet, you're comparing me to a round vegetable, and definitely not my favorite!"

"Well, I've thought it though and I have no problem with you calling me an eggplant. I like what that implies about me!" I scream as I keep driving away from her, and when I have space to maneuver, I turn around to reverse the roles. I want to bump into her.

We're a mile away, but I still see her roll her eyes. "Come on! I think I'll change your name to pickle, then!"

I laugh. "Ouch. That really hurts my feelings!"

"Good for you!" she adds right before I bump into her car. She jerks backwards and glares at me.

And oh shit. She's coming after me looking all mighty and incredibly sexy.

I don't stand a chance against her.

We play with the cars for a while until the ride stops and we are forced to get out.

"Thank you," Kate says before standing up on her toes and kissing me lightly on the lips. "But you totally lost. I'm a better driver than you!"

"I need a rematch," I retort. "Because I know I'll beat you at table football."

Kate smiles at me. "I'm not arguing about that, pickle."

I press my lips together in a tight line at the nickname. She smirks.

Damn it.

She now knows how to get back at me. 

We don't play table football. We do spend a lot of time playing at the arcade games. They're really fun. And of course Mark shows off when we reach one with guns. He barely misses one shot, and he's gloating with joy by the time we finish.

The mall was almost empty, and we played through the three floors. I do notice a few guys walking by from time to time, but I have a feeling that they're Mark's bodyguards. It doesn't matter, I'm so grateful to him for bringing me to this place, that after one of those arcade games, I hug him and kiss him passionately.

"Bloody hell, Kate," he murmurs as we pull apart. His eyes are darker and I know exactly how he feels. After a moment, he clears his throat. "Are you ready to taste the best kebabs in all London?"

I smile. "Yes!"

He grabs my hand again and leads the way to a small shop. A very crowded small shop. Mark curses under his breath as we approach the place. "We can go somewhere else, K."

"No," I shake my head. "It's okay, Mark. I can handle it."

He looks unsure, but he nods. "Okay."

His bodyguards come closer as we approach the crowd. It's a small venue, but it's pretty packed. At least the people don't stare at us much. Everyone keeps by themselves as we order our food. When we get it, we make our way back to the arcades, and we sit at one of the benches, in front of the arcades. The neon lights from the place are pretty. They really transport you to a time when they were hip and trendy.

The food is a bit greasy, but it's good.

"Well, this wasn't so bad for our first date, was it?"

With a smile on my face, I shake my head.

And that's when I heart them.

Clicks after clicks.

Mark grabs me as his bodyguards run to us. Holding me tightly to him, he guides us through the mall to his car. There are at least ten photographers and I know they've taken my face.

"Are you okay?" Mark asks as soon as we reach the car. "I'm really sorry, I thought they wouldn't follow me here, but they—"

"Mark, it's okay," I cut in.

He looks surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah," I shrug. "Paparazzi are not my favorite people, but I knew something like this might happen."

It's true.

Dating the bad-boy prince is bound to cause some havoc.

"Thank you," he murmurs quietly, and it's such a different reaction from the usual cocky Mark, that I'm taken aback.

"You don't need to thank me, Mark. Thank Emily. Seeing her experience has made me look at this like a normal thing."

Mark grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. "Have I told you how extraordinary you are?"

I feel my cheeks warm, but I still smile. "It's one of those things that you really can't say enough."

His lips curve up. "You're amazing. And more so for putting up with me."

"Well, you can be a pain sometimes..." I giggle after Mark rolls his eyes. "I do deserve a prize or something."

"And I know just the way how to deliver it," he adds slyly as he wriggles his brows.

"I can't wait, my dear pickle," I tease him and his smirk fades.

Ha! It feels nice to have the upper hand for once. 

Hey guys!! I know it's short, but I'm trying my best to update every week!!! :)

Love you all,