This meeting was the second time you met him again.

Maybe he learned from the first lesson, but he summoned you to meet somewhere indoors. Thank God.

There had been a heat warning today.

He said he wouldn't be wearing his usual get up today, just black t-shirt and jeans. He'd have a black beanie on just in case. For easy recognition, he had said.

Boy, was he a sight to behold. If you hadn't known any better, he could've been a different man.

Looked a little dead with that ghostly pale skin of his, though.

"May I?" you smiled down, at him, hand on the chair, ready to pull it out regardless of what he said. He gave a grunt. "Glad I got a chance to see you without your get up." You wave a server over, asking for a menu as well.

"I feel kinda lucky today, almost feels like a date with a handsome man." Your sweet smile grew as you leaned on your elbows," I'll have whatever he's having."

As you waited for the server to leave, you watched the man take his beanie off. Scars littering his head as it trails down his face as well. You spied some peaking up under the neck of his t-shirt. If you hadn't already been through what you've been through, you would've been scared of the man. You watched him lean back into his seat, eyes betraying anything about the man.

"Did the heat from the first meeting scare you off?" you laughed, gesturing the hat on the table. You felt his foot on your toe. The pressure building itself as he stared you down. Trying to make yourself look lax as possible, you continued to smile as you sought to free your foot to no avail. You used your other feet to nudge it away when the pain started to surface, but his other foot came to intervene, making you spread your legs open under the table. Thank God for table clothes. You sat back straight and squirmed

For once, he seemed amused.

Power hungry type of guy, huh?

You opened your mouth, but before you could say anything he released your foot and leaned into the table. Hands resting and propping his head up.

"Don't test me." He simply said, a smug smile gracing his lips, but hidden from view to those who were none the wiser.

You now genuinely feared this man.

You cleared your throat, regaining yourself as you turned your body around, placing your purse behind you as you pulled another manila folder out. This time, it was significantly thicker. No doubt why he proposed to meet over a meal instead. You held it outstretched over the table.

"That's going to be four different payments." Your voice was trembling just a little, but he caught it none the less. He remained still, eyeing the folder before making eye contact with you again. Did he get off on making you uncomfortable?

As the folder started to get heavy, you placed it on the table and slid it across the table till it was in front of him. He finally broke his posture and sat back, picking up the folder as well. Your meals finally arrived, surprised with how fast it came. You turned your head back to the man, but he was already immersed with the contents of the folder. You watched the server pour two glasses of wine. Smiling, you praying that it was some good stuff. With a bow, the server left. You rested your hands on the table and returned your attention to your employer. Trying to get his attention before starting to dine. You weren't raised as an animal.

He didn't seem to notice that there was a meal in front of him, nor you, as a matter of fact. You coughed.

His eyes moved from the file to you, to your slightly fidgeting fingers on top of the table.

To your surprise, he sighed and took his wine glass, clinking it to your before muttering a 'cheers.' Taking aback, you took yours as well, somewhat hesitant to bring it to your lips.

"Dig in." he must've noticed your hesitation.

The meal went as awkward as you possibly could imagine. He didn't touch his dinner, but instead, took sips from the wine as he focused on the files you've procured. Reminded about how smooth the wine was, your eyes darted to the label of the wine bottle on the table as he poured himself another glass. You almost laughed out loud, realizing it was one of the cheapest fucking wine you could find on the menu.

Not much of a fancy type of guy huh?

You didn't know what to say to him. You knew it was nothing close to a date, but you couldn't help but feel embarrassed. You could almost feel the people around pitying you. When you realized that you've finished the last of your meal, you looked up to your client. Finding him eyeing you, the files back inside the folder and placed to the side of his dinner, still untouched. He watched you still as you took a sip from your wine.

Eyes darting from place to place, you tried to find something to look at other than the man in front of you. When you've also realized you finished your glass of wine, your hand reached out to the bottle, ready to pour yourself another drink – the third glass. His hands stopped you from doing so. Out of character, he repositioned his hand, holding yours like some sappy romantic movie. With his other hand, he waved for the attention of your server.

"Bill please."

As he paid, you sat there, awkwardly shifting as he still held onto your hands. It held no malice, from what you could tell, it was a simple gesture, but you didn't dare to take your hand back. The server gestured at the food.

"Was it not to your liking?"

He smiled.

He fucking smiled.

"Wasn't feeling too well today, but it seemed nice, from the way she was eating it." His eyes went back to you. You almost flinched as how warm they looked. The server caught your attention again.

"Very well, I hope you two have a pleasant date." With that, the server walked off.

About to open your mouth to say something, he pulled you by your hand, the very same one that was gentle just a second ago, but it felt stiff and stern now. You stood up with him, hands hurriedly trying to grab your purse before you went.

As you two went out the door, you were about to try and shake yourself free, but he placed his arm on your shoulder, pulling you close to his side.

"What-"

"He did the same thing didn't he?" his eyes blank and looking straight ahead of him.

Your mouth hung open, trying to find something to say. When you failed to do so, he looked back down at you, a smirk gracing his damn lips.

You hated smart men. But you hated men that knew something that you didn't even more.