Darcy knew at this point she was in deep shit.

"I am SO, so sorry. Really, I-" Darcy apologized as she reached to clean off his chest, making things even more awkward than they already were.

"-DON'T. It's bad enough that your clumsiness caused this mess. Who know what could happen if you were to actually touch me," He practically barked at her, eyes fixed on the splotches of hot coffee splattered across his white button up shirt, trickling down onto his dark blue straight leg jeans, and finally the droplets making their way onto the tips of his hand made, calfskin oxfords.

Darcy, slightly startled, pulled back almost instantly. He may have had the richest voice with the crispest English accent she'd ever heard, but he was still beyond pissed and she didn't want to rock the boat.

"I-I'm sorry, I just wanted to help."

"Well, I think you've already done quite enough." The mysterious stranger spoke as he finally met her eyes, his expression changing from furious to, for him, a more mild tone: all-knowing judgment.

Darcy wasn't necessarily shy, but the weight of his gaze was almost too much to handle. She felt practically naked despite the fact that she was as covered up as humanly possible, with her baggy, oversized, cable knit sweater that fell past the behind of her dark wash skinny jeans. She began ever so slightly shifting on her converse covered feet as she tried to push her unruly hair behind her ears, making sure to not bump her glasses or accidentally knock off her maroon beanie. The last thing she needed right now was to be even more clumsy.

But what she didn't know was that he was practically an expert at not only pinpointing nervous habits and insecurities, but using them to his advantage. In fact, it was his job. It was what he was studying for. It didn't help that he'd learned the tricks of the trade from his multi-million business mogul father, who was an expert himself at manipulating people, situations- you name it -until he got what he wanted. She was right in the palm of his hands, and she didn't even know it.

"Um, is there anything I can do?" Darcy asked, hoping this simple question would bring a peaceful ending to this stressful day, even though, she knew she'd done more damage than she realized. "I mean, I know I can't exactly fix the mess, but could I maybe buy you a latte to make up for it?"

Just then, a sparkle flickered into the mystery man's eye as a knowing smile spread across his face.

How cute. She has no idea who she's talking to.

"Actually, yes," He answered, his mood seeming to catch a mildly flirtatious tone, all while maintaining his altogether aloof attitude, "there is something you can do."

Darcy felt a slight tinge of relief at his words. Maybe this day won't be so bad after all.

"Anything! You name it! I'll wash your car, but, I mean, like not in a bikini, cause like, I don't know you that well. But if you have a dog, I'd walk it! Although, you really do strike me more as a cat person, or maybe a ferret person-do you like rabbits? But, anyways, you name it, I'll do it! Except sex favors, because, like I said, I don't know you, and that's just not a thing a girl gives out to some Joe-schmoe that she spills coffee on, if you know what I'm saying. Not that you'd ask for that. But I mean, I don't know, maybe you would. Maybe you're some psychopath like Christian Grey with some obtuse red room of pain and pleasure or something, but hey, I'm not here to judge. If you're into that tie-me-up tie-me-down stuff, that's your business, not mine. And man, I'm rambling, aren't I?"

"Yes." The man spoke with a firm tone, but nevertheless amused all the while.

"Sorry, bad habit."

"I can tell," He drawled. Maybe with that mouth sex favors will be a request. Hm. Maybe. If she's lucky. And learns to dress with a little more class.

"So, um, anyways, what is it you want? Name your price."

"I want nothing, for I have everything I need. However," He waiting in anticipation for a moment, "what I'd greatly appreciate for the ghastly disaster you've caused is simple. The stains in my shirt is an easy fix, but my shoes are not. They are handmade, genuine leather, and a simple dry-cleaning job just won't do. So, my price is simple. You buy me another pair of shoes, and we'll call it even. Deal?"

"You want me to buy you…shoes?"

"Yes."

"Like any old shoes, or that exact pair?"

"This exact pair if you don't mind."

"Umm, look, I don't know if you're aware of this, but most normal college kids like me are broke as shit and those look really fucking expensive, and I don't even know your name."

"You said name my price. That is my price."

"Right, but, like, that's a lot of money I don't have, and how much do they even cost...?" Darcy trailed off, hoping he'd finish her sentence for her and say his name, "Okay, this is normally when people tell you their name, so..."

"Loki."

"…Loki?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"You don't believe me?"

"Dude, I don't think you're lying, but that's seriously your name?"

"Is it a problem?"

"No! Nope, no. It's all good. It's just…..unique, that's all."

"Such strong judgments from a woman named, ah, wait yes, you haven't told me your name yet."

"Darcy. Darcy Lewis." She stuck out her hand to shake his, and he reluctantly shook it back.

Wow, sorry for being polite. Didn't know handshakes offended you.

"Darcy."

"Yes." Darcy spoke, straightening her shoulders, and pushing her glasses back onto the bridge of her nose.

"What a common name."

"Oh, right, and we're just all supposed to have names like 'Loki'? What kind of origin is that from anyways?"

"It's an Old Norse name, from Norse Mythology."

"So I'm guessing your parents hated you then?" Darcy asked jokingly.

Loki cleared his throat. "Yes, I suppose so. But, I suppose we should be getting back to business, shouldn't we? Here is my number. Do not drunk dial me or call me for any other reason than to let me know you've purchased the shoes. We are not friends, this is purely business."

"Wow, your number. Thanks for your clearly painful generosity."

"Yes, I'll try not to make a habit out of it."

"Yeah, don't strain yourself."

"Oh believe me, I won't."

"I bet. Well, anyways, I need to get going. I'd say it was a pleasure to meet you, but we both know that's not entirely true. But hey, at least I didn't say it was a pleasure to run into you, you know, given the current situation and all."

"Yes, well. I expect to hear from you soon."

"Right. Bye Loki." He let out sort of a snort/grunt combination as he made his way to the door. IT was just then that Darcy remembered she didn't even know anything about the shoes he wanted her to buy. "Wait!"

Loki let out an annoyed sigh. "Yes?"

"How much are those and how the hell am I even supposed to buy them?"

"$450. And you can find them at Nordstrom's."

"Four hundred and fifty FUCKING dollars? HELL no."

"You would do well to watch your language. It's quite unladylike."

"FUCK that. That is so NOT the issue right now. I don't have that kind of money, dude!"

"That is my price. You said you'd do anything. This is anything."

"I didn't mean I'd be willing to use all my savings on a pair of fucking old-ass man shoes!"

"This is the deal we made, and that is ALL!" He snapped at her before storming off into the parking lot.

He wants me to buy him fucking 450 dollar shoes? Oh HELL no. There's no fucking way that's happening.

To hell with what he said.

Darcy had his number now. And he can bet his snobby ass he wasn't getting his way this time.

A/N: Hey, so I suck at updating stuff!

But seriously, I'm so sorry guys. My boss quit in real life at my job back in December, and since then I've been the "stand in manager" and all hell has broken loose and so I have literally no time to write and am stressed to the max and so sleep deprived, so it might be a little bit before I update again.

But, thank you all so so very much for you're kind comments and kudos and support, and thank you all for sticking with the story despite the fact that I really am terrible at posting new stuff in a timely manner.

Also, I'm so glad you guys like this AU idea so far! AU's make me so nervous to write, but I love writing and reading them! :)

So, like I said, thank you so so so much for reading, reviewing, following, favoriting, existing, being you, and I hope you all stick around for the next chapter! :)

-Samiiiiiii

P.S.-Fun fact: the whole thing with the shoes in this chapter was inspired by something that literally happened to a friend of mine which involved an open can of paint, drunk guys not watching where they're stepping and not listening when they were told to watch out, new white shoes, and a full blown adult hissy fit from an ass of a guy. Long story short, my friend was super nice and paid for half, and he paid for the other half, and they're NOT friends now.