"Allow me to open up to you for once and tell you a story from my younger days..."

Idris takes a moment to refill his glass as Marya studies him. She gently asks "Will you be fine to drive to tonight?"

He finishes filling his glass. "A well placed question. Allow me to answer that with one of my own. Do you have your license?" Marya nods in assurance. "Good. I hate to put you in such a position, but I may need your assistance getting home tonight. However, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." He takes sip of his freshly poured glass.

"I'll start at the beginning and when I come to the end, I shall stop, see?" He gestures for Marya to continue eating as he spoke. "Many years ago, when I was first starting my university experience for marketing and finance, I had the misfortune of having a certain young woman in my same course path. Any class on our schedule we had together. And in every single one of those classes, we excelled beyond other students. I say it was a misfortune to have this woman as class company due to the amount of men that would throw themselves at her feet for a chance to speak with her. With so many students at her beck and call, you could only imagine the annoying stench of someone bring her food every day from a campus restaurant. If that wasn't enough to lightly vex someone, she took a special liking to me and insisted we 'learn to depend on one another'. In our class ranks, we would always be neck and neck, with the exception of another. That being said, I could only imagine and discover that she sought a romantic relationship with me. Being a man who lacked excitement at the time, I entered a relationship with her and it was a rather eye-opening time for me. As you have personally seen by now, I am not the most easily impressed person in the world. However with Regina-" Idris smirks and dashes his eyes to the side, as if he looking off into the distance. "Regina made me feel like I wasn't necessarily alone in my thought process. We both understood the importance of having excellent grades, community service records, leadership roles, and interpersonal connections. We both wanted the best possible future for ourselves and acted accordingly..." An unrecognizable color of red was rising to Idris's cheeks now. "We also indulged in personal hobbies. She and I shared interest in early 20th century symphonic compositions, European Art, and... other things of the sort." He takes a rather unbecoming gulp from his glass, inhales deeply through his nose and carries forward with strength. "She and I found our differences when it came to life goals. She wanted a family in the future. I, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with children. So we diverged our paths shortly after graduation and hadn't seen each other since. Now she shows up here as one of the shareholders for this establishment. Life has a way of constantly showing you how small the world we live in is. Sometimes I wonder if I may be too big for it."

He downs his glass, leaving an opportunity for Marya to speak. Before she does, she searches his faces for a form of guard or his usual composure. However, she can tell he isn't the same man she knew. There was a lost sense of longing in those deep, dark eyes of his. She gingerly reached across the table and touched his hand. "Hey." she uttered "Idris. Pardon me for being curt and invasive in saying this but, I understand how losing someone who actually understands you feels. I can tell that she may be the only woman, if not only person, to give you a sense of surplus serenity. That being said, she also taught you something. She taught you to be better for the future and to further appreciate your experiences. This way you may pass on what you have learned to the next person who comes under your tutelage. I'm here for you if you ever need someone to speak to about the harder things. I give you my word."

Idris sits up fully, looks directly into Marya's eyes and says with utter confidence "I will be sure to keep that fully in mind, Marya. I appreciate your patience in watching such a man before you have a moment of weakness. I-"

Marya cuts him off gently. "Don't say that. It is not a moment of weakness, sir. It was a presentation of vulnerability. Many people hide as many secrets as the possibly can to prevent others from having power over them. Yet, those same people fail to realize, wearing your 'weaknesses' on your chest gives you more power than anyone can take from you."

Idris lets loose a hearty chuckle and happily retorts "Well I'm glad the one who saw my weakness is the same one to teach me how to use it. If you are finished, I am ready to depart for the evening."

Marya grins lightly. "I am beyond grateful for the experience you have provided me tonight. I'm ready when you are."

Idris then motions Tristan for a table exit. Tristan thanks them tremendously and wishes them a well evening. The two head down the stairs and are stopped at the door by a none other than Regina herself.

"Idris." She calls with a hint of playfulness. "I hope that your meal this evening could live up to at least half your expectations. Here's my card if you need to contact me before I contact you." She places the card directly into the inside left breast pocket of his blazer.

Idris straightens himself and deadens his eyes in a show of defiance and responds with a light smile. "I truly enjoyed the work of art your team has put together for us. I don't say this often but, I truly enjoyed myself. Hopefully we can continue amicable business in the future."

Regina lowers her eyebrows and stares directly into Idris's eyes and states with a purr "That and so much more. Until next time, Mr. Regas."

Marya and Idris leave through the doors of the establishment and he whispers to Marya "You are definitely going to have to drive. The Petrus snuck up on me in a way I wouldn't have imagined."

Marya giggled and muttered under her breath "I figured as much." At an audible tone, she tells Idris "Tell me your address and I'll take you there."

The valet is pulling up with the car as Idris shifts his stance so that he's leaning away from Marya. While maintaining full eye contact, he boldly, yet softly says "Only if you make sure I don't choke on my own bile during the night."

Marya steps toward him, calling his bluff. "Are you sure of that sir? We both have work in the morning.

He directs the valet to give the keys to Marya and opens the passenger door. After watching the man her can make or break her future at APSE Inc. slide into the passenger seat, she thinks to herself "Marya, what the fuck have we done now..."