Kind blue eyes. Short floppy black hair. A soft smile. The man in front of her is definitely her type. In most other situations she would have been very interested in him. Yet...
"It's not going to work, okay? So, you should really just give up already." Neon crosses her arms, looking away as he sits down.
"Is it because I'm late?" Nate frowns, tilting his head in an attempt to catch her eye. "I'm really sorry about that. I promise I'll make it up to you by the end of the night. Is that alright?"
"No." Neon squeezes her eyes shut, refusing to spare him even a glance. "I just told you that this is not going to work out. No matter how many promises you make."
"I understand. I always prefer showing over telling too." He reaches out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, hand brushing past her cheek.
Neon jumps out of her seat, slapping his hand away. "What the--" She steps back, glaring at him. "--hell is wrong with you?!"
Nate looks mildly offended for a moment, before schooling his face into softer features. "I'm sorry I--"
"I. Don't. Care." Tears cloud her eyes. "I don't care about what you think I want, nor do I care about what my father thinks is good for me."
"Neon--"
"No." She grabs the edge of the table, leaning forward to stare straight into his eyes. "Neither you nor daddy actually give a shit about what I actually want. So, stop pretending that you do. I don't want to be on a date with you and-- and that's the end of it."
Nate stands up before she can run away, grasping her arm and gently pulling her back. "We are not allowed to leave before the time's up. You understand the consequences of breaking that rule, don't you?"
Neon freezes.
"We can just sit and eat, alright?" His voice hardens, though his anger remains undirected at her. "I won't attempt to touch you or even try talking more than you'd like me to. Better?"
Neon gives a curt nod and he lets go, the pair sitting back down.
Nate picks up the menu, stealing a discreet glance at his surroundings as he does. "Let me know when you're ready to order."
Neon picks up the menu as well, flipping through pages of the exquisite dishes offered at the restaurant. As her nerves settle down, she decides to be grateful for the lack of people in the hall. She knows a multitude of bodyguards surround the exterior, but at least here, there is no one save for the two of them.
They would be watching through the security cameras though, she reminds herself. Are there microphones hidden around too? Of course.
Her stomach recoils. They must have heard everything. She can only imagine the consequences of such an open display of weakness. In front of her father's rival no less.
Shifting in her seat, she decides to switch her worry to her meal choice. What else was she supposed do about those advances, anyway? Just take them? In their eyes, yes.
In the end, she settles on her favourite, ringing the bell before he can. Not like anything can reverse the damage done.
Nate shoots her a look as the waiter arrives from a door on the far wall, which she ignores. She doesn't need someone to tell her that what she's doing is very stupid and childish. She already knows.
"Excellent choice, ma'am." He notes down her order. "And you, sir?"
Nate only stares at him, eyes cold and calculating. The waiter straightens up, opening his mouth to repeat his words before--
In less than a second, Nate is behind him, unhooking the gun from a holster hidden in the waiter's suit. Pressing the muzzle against his temple, he flashes a dangerous grin. "And what exactly were you planning to do with a weapon here, hm? Sir?"
Neon covers her mouth just in time, successfully suppressing a yelp.
Nate waits a moment, before--
Neon yelps, ducking her head under the table as he pulls the trigger. The gunshot echoes around the vast hall, before being reduced to a sharp ringing in her ears.
"Neon." Nat grabs her arm, his grip firmer than the last time. "We're leaving. Now."
Neon pulls back, brows furrowed. "My father--"
"No." With his one swift movement, Neon finds herself in his arms, being carried bridal-style. "Your father is too far away at the moment. Besides, his presence may have already been compromised. I can't let your safety depend on such variables."
As he breaks into a run, Neon wraps her arms around his neck before she can fall over. An unexpected blush creeps over her face as the world passes by, a teary blur.
They burst out of the back door and, instantly, loud confusing noises swallow her whole. She is nearly hyperventilating by the time he sets her down on his bike with a quick "less conspicuous and the closest too".
A helmet is over her head and he has settled down next to her. "Hold tight." He orders and she obliges.