CHAPTER II

Tom had heard the bell from the door but decided to ignore it. True he had come to the muggle world in hopes of escaping his idiotic minions (who had tons of money and more than enough lackeys to search for him through all Wizarding Britain and probably even some more exotic locations) but that didn't mean he had to interact with them and with that in mind he continued drinking his coffee.

"Excuse me, I would like to order some tea." he heard, the voice almost making him turn to look at the woman. Almost, since there was no way he was going to get distracted by a muggle, no matter how pretty she could be.

Tom heard her order and then the place became quiet again so he took a sip of his coffee and continued thinking. Somehow every strategy, every plan he had tried in the last weeks had awry. What was he supposed to do now?

A strange feeling brought him out of his thoughts and when he lifted his head Tom found that the woman was looking at him. She was an slender woman in her twenties with short red hair up to her shoulders and big blue eyes. Not exactly a beauty, but Tom had to admit that there was something attractive about her. Very well, maybe a little distraction was not such a bad idea. After all, getting his mind off the topic and having some fun may give him some new ideas.

"Is there something wrong madam?" he asked to get her attention.

"Oh no! Sorry," she answered blushing all the way to her hair. "I was just thinking, I am sorry for bothering you Mr..."

"Tom Riddle Madam." he extended his right hand after a few seconds, trying to be as polite as possible. "And you are?"

She took his hand. "Abigail Evans, nice to meet you Mr. Riddle. I am very sorry for bothering you." having said that she took away her hand and turned to look at the clock in the opposite wall, obviously to hide the blush on her cheeks.

Tome smiled to his insides. This was more interesting that what he had thought so he continued.

"If you don't mind, may I ask you what were you thinking about that made you look at me with that intensity?" The woman blushed again, obviously flustered by his words, exactly as planned. He then waited a few seconds before continuing, "It is alright. I wouldn't want to make you feel uncomfortable madam. You don't need to answer if you don't want to."

"Oh no, it does not bother me, is just that... it was such a silly thing." As expected she turned around to face him, not wanting to hurt him a every good hearted idiot always did. However...

"Don't worry about it, I was just curious, that is all." And he returned again to his coffee faking dejection and as expected the woman took the bait going as far as to moving to the seat next to his and touching his arm.

"Do you promise not to laugh?"

"You have my word Mrs. Evans." he set down the cup and gave her all of his attention. "I was just thinking that you looked so gloomy and wondering if maybe... If something had happened for you to be in here all alone instead of with your family." She leaned (probably without noticing) closer to him, looking him with those blue eyes.

Tom's heart definitely didn't skip a beat because of that, he was just troubled that the woman had been able to read him as easily as that. He was not a freaking Hufflepuf for Merlin's sake! Then again, maybe he could use this for his convenience.

"I am afraid I have no family to go to Mrs. Evans."

"I am so sorry, I didn't meant to..." just as planned.

Tom faked a laugh and continued, getting a little closer to her, "Don't worry about it. What I just meant was that I grew up at an orphanage, that is all. You don't have to feel bad about it. Now, may I ask you the same question?" He pointed to the ring on her left finger. "Won't your husband be worried?"

"He is out tonight," Abigail answered with a sigh while caressing her ring, looking sad and lonely? "We actually live in Cokewort, you know? Is just that he had this important event and I came to surprise him because our baby had gotten ill and I had stayed with her until my mother offered to take care of her and..." her voice cracked a little and Tom could see some tears starting to appear in her eyes, "We had this huge fight and..." She laughed trying hard not to cry, but Tom still noticed and, for some reason not even he could comprehend, his hand moved to his pocket.

"Don't cry Mrs. Evans." He presented his handkerchief to her, "Why don't we talk about something more pleasant? After all, it wouldn't do to make such a pretty lady cry." And it was true, it wasn't in his plans to let her cry all over him.

Abigail laughed for real this time and no, Tom didn't feel anything because of that, "It is alright, I am feeling better already." She pushed the handkerchief with her hand. "And what brings you to this little cafeteria in the middle of London Mr. Riddle?" He saw her shift in her seat to get more comfortable and lean on the counter while looking at him.

"Work issues Mrs. Evans. Things haven' t being going very well this days and same as you I felt the need to escape for a little."

"Was it very bad?" she frowned.

Tom shook his head, "Not at all," then took a sip from his forgotten coffee, "but I was feeling a little overwhelmed, that is all."

"Yes, I see what you mean."

"Then, how about talking for a little longer to forget about our troubles."

He gave her the cup of tea the waitress had just brought and Abigail accepted it with a bright smile, "I would like that very much Mr. Riddle."

-o-O-o-

The night had ended better that he could have imagined. The had talked for two hours until the cafeteria had closed and then he had managed to somehow take her to a room in a Hotel not far from there. Then... well, that part had not been bad either. Now the only problem was that somehow he could not forget about her. Tom sighed. It had been quite a good night, but that was it. He was not going to keep thinking about some muggle woman he had met in the middle of London, even if she had pretty eyes and a beautiful smile.

Well, that's it for now.

What do you think?

Reviews are very much appreciated.