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— Intentions —
8# - Forewarning
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"The time will come when a realization says it all."
― C. Lomer Abia
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— U. Takumi
"I'll call you back later," I straight away replied in my phone before hanging up, not breaking my attention from the lovely sight waiting at the threshold of my door.
Eyes wide open, she probably didn't realize it but the way her pupils were dilated told me long on how she was enjoying the view in front of her. And she was totally enticing in that little dress. A short sleeved, and laced to the shoulder black dress. The hem fell right above her knees and nicely followed her curves. Luscious lips parted just the slightest bit as she stared up at me, they were like a damn invitation, pleading me to ravish them.
I had to snap out of it, else, all my hard work would go to waste.
"See something you like?" I joked, hoping to pull her out of her stupor. She eyed me back into the eyes, feigning disinterest as she shook her head no. Unfortunately, a red blush crept up her cheeks, shredding to light every bits of her act. Her apprehensive demeanor was slowly edging me to my limits.
If only I could do all the things I wanted to... Like... Right now.
I gently smiled back at her, hoping to soothe her a little bit. "Want to wait in? I'm sorry I'm not totally ready yet..."
No please.
Say no please.
Else, I wouldn't know how this could end up like.
"Uhh..." Her voice was barely audible, struggling a little bit as her gaze wandered on anywhere but me and finally landed on the doorbell next to my door. "I will wait here, take your time." Inwardly, my mind exhaled with relief though the lustful beast inside of me just wanted to haul her up my shoulder and have its wicked way with her.
"I'll be ready in a few," an apologetic smile on my face, I nodded at her and earned back a quick smile before closing the door. I couldn't help but feel thrilled, and that probably showed on my face. Her reaction just then was way too satisfactory and promising. Did I also mention adorable?
—
Several minutes later, I was finally dressed and proper for public exposure. I found her leaning back against the wall, eyeing her phone with flat interest. The sound of the door opening caught her attention, making her look up to me.
"Seriously? Seven minutes for a dress shirt?" She forced back a laughter, as she straightened up, walking towards the elevator. "You take even more time than me," she jeered as she spun on her heels, eyeing for my reaction.
"Really?" I stepped next to her and bent down to her ear. Her cocky grin slowly faded away. "I am certainly interested in a private lesson then..."
She incredulously stared at me. And blinked. Twice.
"Wh..what—" She probably caught my pretense then because she suddenly pointed her finger at me all the while stuttering. "You!... you are so... ugh..."
I smirked down at her, quirking my eyebrow and taunting her for a comeback. She only spun back, and silently made her way to the lift, her face flushed.
She asked for it, after all.
In the second we stepped in the empty elevator, some kind of tension began filling the air. I was standing about a step behind her and I could feel her shoulder stiffen right away. Coincidentally, I both liked and hated her feeling that restless for just standing alone in the elevator with me. The gentleman inside me was frowning while the predator soaked up in her distress with delight. But despite it all, even though our encounter in here wasn't the best it could have been, I still wanted her to be relaxed with me no matter when.
I stepped closer to her side, triggering a wary look from her. My heart clenched at the prospect. I fisted my hands into the front pocket of my slacks before stepping ahead of her, leaving her behind me as to let her know she had control of the situation. For now.
"So, where are we heading?" I casually asked, hoping to relieve the pressure a little bit. And that, along with my reassuring gesture, probably worked because her voice was back to her usual and relaxed one.
"Truth be told, I'm not really familiar with any decent restaurant around here..." She hesitated, and finally admitted, "So... You should lead the way tonight. I'm still the one treating of course."
Yeah, right. If she really thought I'd let her pay, she was way too far down the wrong path.
"I know a few," I confirmed and leant back, craning my neck to look at her. Taking my precaution, I made a neutral face before attempting further, "But then, we are taking my car, alright?" And when she snatched the bait, I quickly turned back to face the door, concealing my smug smile from her.
"Why not," she noted. "After all, you're the one knowing the direction."
When we finally reached the ground floor, I walked out, waiting for her to do the same. Her steps were guarded as she strode out, and when she thought my attention was elsewhere, she threw a leery glance at the waiting sofa that sat in the middle of the reception lobby. I think she noticed my curious gaze because she waved me off with an "it's nothing," before making her way to the parking lots.
I took her to my car, a night black Mercedes SL 350, parked a little deeper down in the parking. When they said that men took pride in their car, they weren't so wrong. I cherished my car. It was delivered from Germany, and yes, it cost me a little fortune. I wasn't much of a money spender; I wouldn't and couldn't buy a whole hotel or any private planes like haughtily rich people, but I could say that I had enough to get what I really wanted.
Nothing too extravagant, really. Only slightly on the fancy side, I guess.
Just as she did, weeks ago, I gestured her the seat across from the driver's one as I slipped inside. The musky smell of the leather invaded my sense as I relaxed into the seat. This was life.
When she finally slammed the door shut with a little more strength than I would have liked, she beamed at my frown.
"Oh, sorry." Clearly, she wasn't so sorry. I was pretty sure she was trying not to laugh. I'd have to punish her for that later.
But then, she hushed with a tone full of glee, sparks dancing in her hazel eyes, "Nice car you've got there though!" and I couldn't help but smile, temporary leaving her little offence some leeway.
She distractedly ran her finger along the cream colored leather with that pleased grin before she buckled the seatbelt. "I guess, I can understand why you wanted to drive me to work."
"I presume that a fine car is what it takes to get to you, huh?" I chuckled and ignited the engine.
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— A. Misaki
The ride to the restaurant felt different from the one we shared every mornings.
Maybe was it the killer car, the evening atmosphere, or simply that the destination was not work but dinner that made the contrast so blatant. But I admit that I kind of liked the change.
When he pulled in front of the elegant restaurant, I couldn't help but wonder how much this dinner was going to worth. Though I knew I could afford any restaurant with my current account, I also made a point not to underestimate how much they could manage to wound my solid savings. I softly winced before making my way out of the car. We both walked up towards the glassy entry as the valet took care of his lovely car, leading it down the underground parking.
When we made it to the guest hall, we warmly got welcomed by a gentleman handling the reservations and seat emplacements.
"Good evening, Sir and Madam. A table for two?" He offered.
Before I could even answer, he already led us to our table. Almost every seats were taken by couples or basically, there was only couples in the dining room, dressed like royalties. Looking back at us, we were both looking quite decent but very casual at once. At least our attire sort of matched. We finally reached a table that had a view on the night sky, and when I figured out that he wanted to come and pull back my chair for me to sit, I shot him a glare before he could even make a step. He only grinned in retaliation.
Comfortably seated, I grabbed the neatly folded tissue and laid it on my knees. "Do you come here often?"
He shrugged. "Not really," he swiftly sat down, and took the menu that was handed to us. "Not unless I want to impress my guest," the mischievous smile playing on his lips unexpectedly made my heart race. Shifting on my seat to shake the pelicular feeling off, my eyes scrolled down the menu. — French cuisine — and as I thought, the prices weren't in sight. I made the mistake to peer up at him through the menu and met with green eyes holding a hint of a smile in return.
"Is there something on my face?" I inquired.
Still grinning, he let out a husky chuckle. "Nothing going on," he folded back his menu and put it down, sliding it to the edge of the table.
I leant on the table, close enough for him to hear my hushed whisper. "Don't tell me you've already made your choice..."
"Don't tell me you haven't chosen yet," he challenged.
God, I really wanted to swipe that smug grin off his face. He leant back on his seat, crossing his arms across his broad chest before he expectantly raised his eyebrows at me. And in a perfect timing, the waiter came to us to take our order.
"Sir, Madam?" the young man looked at him, before veering his gaze at me. I cleared my voice, sitting straighter on my seat.
I shot the waiter my brightest business smile before turning back to the menu.
"I would like to start with a Dorade de Ligne en Tartare," I kept my eyes on the handwritten characters. "For main course, a Poulette de Bresse à la Rôtissoire ...and...", I closed the menu, folding it back, "for dessert, a chocolate marquise with berries, please." He briefly scribed onto his notepad before approving my order and turning to the man sitting in front of me.
"Certainly Madam, and for you, Sir?"
Easing into his seat, his earlier smirk broke into a full impressed grin now. "Make the full course two." Our gazes were still locked in that silent contest.
"What would you care to drink?"
I looked up at the waiter, and then shifted back to the emerald orbs assessing for my reaction. I pleaded him to take charge of it, slightly making a face and admitting defeat. Because honestly? I had no clue about wines and alcohol. A faint amused rumble escaped his lips before he straightened into his chair and handed back our menus to the waiter.
"Corton-Charlemagne, 2009." The waiter politely nodded, taking back the menus before excusing himself.
"Impressive, Madam," he sneered with his full on grin.
"Indeed, great choice of wine, Sir," I taunted. His mirth was infectious, and we both broke into laughter.
During the whole dinner, we couldn't help but laugh and smile. Really, we had a good time, and I think it's been a long time since I ever enjoyed something that much. The wine was mineral and flinty, its flavor flowing easily in my mouth. Not to mention the whole meal; savory and refined. Perhaps had the wine a share in this kind of merry and light-hearted feeling, but I couldn't deny that the company was playing a considerable part in it.
When the evening dragged into the night, I felt tipsy enough and finally asked for my part of the deal.
"My name? Well, I guess you deserve that much after such a pleasant evening." The low and gravelly rumble in his voice triggered a string of tingle in my nerves.
I bit back the grin that threatened to break out. Needless to say that my control snapped because it came out as a delighted beam, my lips curving eagerly with pure bliss.
"Usui, Takumi Usui," his lips turned upward. "But call me Takumi."
Perhaps was it the wine, or the great evening we had both enjoyed, but when he said his name, the consequences did not dawn on me right then. It was definitely the wine, I reasoned, as a hazy smile lifted my cheeks.
"Pleased to meet you, Takumi."
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Author's note:
Ah... I had never researched French food, wines and sport cars that much in my whole life...