In all the years she worked alongside her uncle, all the places they had traveled, Keiko had never been subjected to something like this. Her uncle taught her everything he could about business. She was taught to use her wit and intelligence to broker deals, explore new entrepreneurial ventures, and grow their company. When her uncle departed this world, she found herself under the thumb of his two sons. Older than she was, educated in the best schools, and balls of slime.

Like Jumin, she'd found herself on a number of these "dates". Instructed to charm these businessmen into impossible deals. They were often pigs, only interested in making a…different kind of deal…with only her. They'd go on and on about all the properties they owned, all the exotic locations they frequented, their personal planes and limousines. Well, those who weren't drunk before the entrée arrived that is. If they were interested in listening to her, it was because they saw her as inferior. A gullible woman they could manipulate into revealing company secrets. None of them saw her worth the way her uncle did. None of them took her seriously. She was a twenty-three year old woman with no formal education outside of highschool.

She was not their equal and was not worth their time.

"I…don't really want to be here."

She wasn't sure what made her say it. Rather, confess it. Maybe because after all of these "dates" she just couldn't take it anymore. But there would be repercussions for her actions. Anytime a deal fell through, it was her fault. She didn't do enough. She failed. This was the biggest deal her uncle's company had tried to make for a long time and after the damage her cousins had caused since his death, they needed a deal to be made if they were going to get their heads above water again.

But if they failed…would that mean she wouldn't be stuck in this life anymore?

The smile that spread across Jumin's lips brought a soft blush to her cheeks. He was considerably younger than the men she usually found herself sitting across the table from and handsome. Still, she had a feeling smiling wasn't something he did often. He seemed…cold…somehow.

"I appreciate your honesty Miss. Carlisle." He held up a hand to excuse himself, "Keiko."

The relief that washed over her from hearing his words was clearly written in the smile she gave to him. "Well then, while I'm being honest," she shifted in her seat and prepared herself to ruin this date entirely, "I am not pescatarian. My cousins tell people that because they believe it to be an elegant diet and therefore it makes me more appealing. Appealing to the gentlemen," she motioned to him, "they often set me up on dates with hoping I can charm them into making deals. I'm less picky about my food than I am about my wine, which I prefer red. I like to pick my wine first and plan my meal around it as opposed to matching my wine to my food." Jumin's eyebrows raised, and he bit back a smirk, afraid that showing too much expression would make her stop. "They aren't my brothers, they're my cousins. My parents died when I was young, and my uncle adopted me. It's an honest mistake of course, as he started referring to me as his daughter the moment my mother and I left Korea to go live with him. My father, his brother, was also his best friend and he considered it an honor to raise me in his stead after he passed." She paused to give Jumin the chance to interrupt her, but to her surprise, his gray eyes stayed on her, and he didn't make a move to stop her. "My uncle treated me like a valuable partner and often compared me to my father. He would never ask me to sell myself in this way. He would have never told me to try charming a man into giving me what I want instead of working for it and showing him that our company is worth his time and that I am worth working with. That…I am worth…something." She sighed and sat back in her chair again, "I guess…I just can't do it anymore."

He watched as her brown eyes moved to the table. She looked…defeated?

He only spoke when he was certain that she was done, "I didn't want to be here either," he said smoothly, and her eyes lifted to meet his again. He…liked that. Having those deep brown eyes on him and only him. "I also prefer red. Had I known…" he voice trailed off as he looked to the bottle in the bucket.

Keiko's heart sank. "I've insulted you," she spoke softly, "You did such a kind thing in considering my diet and ordering that for us."

"I don't feel insulted in the least," he assured her. "And it wasn't so much kind as it was, me trying to impress you as instructed. In hopes of softening you up so we might broker a deal with your company," he smirked now, and it brought a small smile out of here.

He liked that too. Liked that he could make her smile.

"So, you were sent here to do this as well?" Keiko asked and Jumin nodded slightly. Knowing that meant this nightmare was over finally. That she wouldn't have to sit through another one of these "dates" feeling like nothing more than a piece of meat for those men to stare at and fantasize about. "Well than," she slowly she got to her feet and motioned for the maître d', "I'm sure you're a very busy man. I won't keep you."

Jumin stood with her, "I've got a meeting with a friend in a few hours. Otherwise, my schedule is clear," he said quickly, not wanting her to go. What if he never had a chance to see her again? He held up a hand to stop the maître d' that was bringing her coat. "I haven't eaten…have you?"

Her eyebrows pulled together, and she slowly shook her head, curious to know what he was up to. "I haven't…no."

"Then may I buy you lunch Miss…Keiko," he corrected himself. He motioned to the bottle, "I'll even get us a new bottle of wine. There is one that pairs well with the beef bulgogi they serve. I recommend trying it if you'd like."

She was skeptical, not trusting that this wasn't some sort of trick. "You still want to have lunch with me after what I just said?"

Jumin nodded, "It's refreshing having a conversation with someone who is so honest. I have very few people in my life I can enjoy something like that with. I hope you'll stay so that I can learn more about you. I'm…curious."

It was new to him, to be curious. Not just about her and who she was, but curious what these feelings were that she'd unearthed inside of him. He wanted to hear her voice. He wanted to have her eyes on him and know that he was the only one she was looking at. Time was precious, time was money, time was valuable, and he wanted hers.

He just…wanted her to stay awhile longer.

This wasn't normal for her either. She wasn't used to someone wanting her company without having selfish thoughts or needs. He wasn't asking to take her home. He was asking that she stay and eat…and that she tells him more about herself.

"You're curious about me?" she asked slowly, pointing to herself.

"Very," he assured her, motioning to her chair now. "Please Keiko…join me?" Still unsure, she quietly agreed and returned to her chair. Jumin dismissed the maître d' that held her coat, but not before ordering the dish he'd recommended, one for each of them, and a bottle of red wine. He sat down in his chair again, "Thank you."

She nodded once, "You really want to know more about me? This isn't some trick to get me tell you my company secrets?"

He shook his head, shifting in his seat. He was excited. That's what this was right? It was similar to the feeling he got every time he started a new cat business. He was eager to see how the rest of this date would go. "No company secrets. In fact, we don't need to talk about it at all. Just about you Keiko."

She stared at him, he just seemed so…genuine. If what he was saying was true, then she was going to let her guard down a bit and try to enjoy the rest of this date. "Mmm, but that is not how conversations work. You'll need to tell me about yourself too," she insisted.

He nodded and a playful smirk came to his lips, "It's a deal."

The food Jumin recommended practically melted in her mouth and the wine wasn't one she was familiar with, but it was delightful. The pair got carried away discussing their interests. He talked about Elizabeth and his cherry farm. That second one piqued her interest. She shared with him how her mother and her moved from Korea to the US after her father past. They had built a garden together and used the crops to feed the needy. The glow on her face when she spoke of the hours they spent tending to it and seeing how grateful people were to be able to fill their bellies, made her the most beautiful she'd been all afternoon.

He shared with her his newest hobby, collecting rare books, and was excited to hear that it was one they shared. She told him how only a few days before she had heard an out of the way antique store had a copy of Romania Vampire. She had been looking for months for one. When she arrived, a short haired woman in a suit was at the register purchasing it.

They were enjoying their time together even long after their plates and bottle were empty. Jumin's heart sank when he caught a glimpse of the clock on the wall. He would need to leave soon if he was going to make it to his meeting with V on time.

But he didn't want those eyes to leave him. He didn't want that melody that was her voice to stop playing in his ears.

"Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" he asked as he stood and collected his coat from the maître d'. The same man who'd visited their table a number of times and while he was sure to tend to Jumin's needs, he seemed to linger on Keiko and paid little attention to Jumin otherwise. Jumin almost couldn't stand still as the man held Keiko's coat and she slid her arms into it, allowing him to help her put it on. His hands grazed over her perfect shoulders and then gave her arms a gentle squeeze.

"Christmas?" she answered, starting to button her coat, and not noticing the stern look her date gave the maître d'. The maître d' who did notice the look and read it as a warning that he should leave quickly, which it was, and he was happy to oblige. "I found a new book this morning and I thought I might start it. Otherwise, I've got nothing planned. You?" she asked, finally turning around to be met with his soft smile.

"I…" he stopped himself. He could tell her about the charity event and how he'd considered going. How he'd love it if she would accompany him. But taking her there would mean introducing her to the rest of the RFA and…he wasn't sure he was ready to share her with them. "I don't either."

"Oh…" Keiko watched him curiously as they made their way out the door, but he stayed quiet. "So…neither of us has plans than," she pushed a bit, hoping he was just building up the courage to ask her out again.

"It would seem so." He glanced at her, "Do you like French cuisine?"

The butterflies found her stomach now and she smiled a bit, "I do."

"I was introduced to a nice restaurant recently. They had a very elegant wine selection. If you're free tomorrow evening, I hope you would give me the honor of escorting you."

Her face flushed and he wasn't sure if it was the cold or him that caused it, but he enjoyed how cute it made her. They stopped outside and she looked up at him, "I would like that very much." She held out her hand, "May I see your phone?"

His eyes locked on hers a moment as he let her words linger in his ears and he imagined the date she agreed to. A real…date. After a few moments he shook his head, breaking out of his own mind, "Right," he shoved his hand in his pocket to retrieve his phone and unlocked it before handing it to her. "Here."

She added her name to his contacts before handing it back to him. "There…so…you can call me, or text and we can sort out the details," she offered.

Jumin nodded and typed into his phone. Her's vibrated in her hand, "And now you have mine."

Keiko giggled at the emoji that appeared on her screen from his text, "Perfect." They stared at each other a few moments, "I should let you go…you've got that meeting with your friend."

"Oh…right…" Jumin answered, snapping out of his thoughts again. "Do you need a ride? I could drop you off somewhere before I go to my meeting."

"Oh…no that's ok. My hotel isn't far and there's a little shop I want to stop in on the way. I'll…see you tomorrow though."

Jumin nodded once, "Tomorrow."