January 24, 2021: Cafune

After deciding on an arrangement that benefitted both of them, the two lingered for a couple more minutes beside the lake before they returned to the vehicle.

As of the moment, they're preparing to leave the vicinity of the lake, much to Syn's dismay. However, she made sure to hide the disappointment that she felt, considering that she had already taken too much of the man's time.

"Where do you want me to take you? Back to that condominium?" Konrad asked Syn as he inserted the key to start the car's engine.

The lady merely lowered her head, the anxiety coming back to her conscience.

'What if Larry is waiting for me there? Even at the cafe? I can tell that he had conducted a background check on me.' Syn deliberated, her mood swinging to a complete opposite of her earlier wonderment.

She abruptly raised her head once she realized what she had thought.

'A background check? If that is the case, then he knows my family!'

Konrad noticed the perturbation in the lady's demeanor, and he had an idea of why she was disturbed. Still, he had no idea regarding what could console a woman whose source of trauma was still fresh in her mind.

"What seems to be wrong, Miss Rosenfeldt?" He simply asked Syn.

He then turned to face Syn to be able to listen to her concerns properly.

"I'm afraid to go back. I'm pretty sure that Larry knows everything about me. I- I don't know what to do if he attacks me again." Syn uttered with all of the anxiety she could muster in her voice.

Instead of replying, Konrad gently removed the cap that was covering her head. He set the cap on the lady's lap, proceeding to comb her tousled hair with his fingers. While he was doing that, the lady looked at his countenance as if she was hypnotized.

"Do you want me to stay with you for the rest of the day? Let's figure out what you can do. Or, you can give Mr O' Connor a call. He might be able to help you more than I could." Konrad talked in such a way that would assuage Syn's unease.

The man held her right hand with his as he let Syn process what he said. To Konrad's delight, the lady soon nodded her head.

"Yes, I will take up your offer. Please stay with me for a while, Sir Konrad. Just until I think of a place where I can stay." She uttered, gripping his hand tighter.

Syn met Konrad's gaze, and that was the only thing she needed to be relieved.

"Have I told you before that your eyes are remarkably awe-inspiring?" The man spoke, immersed in the depths of her unfathomable irises.

"No? The colours of my eyes are common. What are you-"

All of a sudden, it struck her that she had forgotten to wear her hazel brown contact lenses. She hurriedly redirected her attention towards the view outside of the window.

Konrad was a tad stunned by her reaction, so he assumed that she didn't like his compliment.

"Did I offend you or something? I apologize, I won't do it anymore."

"No, you did not."

"Pardon?" Konrad inquired once more since Syn replied in a soft manner.

"I said, no, you did not say anything offensive. It's simply a conditioned reflex whenever I try to hide my eyes. After all, they're ugly and different, something that's not welcomed."

"Why do you think they're ugly?"

"Why? For the reason that they are. Nothing is beautiful about being different."

Konrad was quite taken aback by how Syn had described her eyes. Withal, he recognized that it's not always that his opinions would be shared by other people. Though it's not as if he could let the matter pass.

"Would you mind if I add another condition to our deal, Miss Rosenfeldt?" 

"I do not, so go ahead."

"Can you have confidence in yourself? Do you not believe my words that you are, in fact, as gorgeous as the scenery in front of us?"

Syn quickly glanced at Konrad once she heard how dejected he sounded. She then looked at the frozen lake ahead, a small smile now on her countenance. 

"I can't win against you, Sir Konrad." She replied as she peered at him.

"I'm going to dismiss the fact that you agreed out of responsibility. I'm satisfied."

Thereafter, he squeezed the lady's hand one last time before fixing his position.

"Where do you want to go, Miss Rosenfeldt?"

"My agency has an office building that is far from the condominium. It might be safe for me to stay there. I'll point the directions once we cross the bridge."

"I see. What is the name of the agency? Perchance, I am aware of where it's located."

When Syn harkened his query, she immediately shut her lip out of embarrassment owing to the nature of her job. She didn't want Konrad to look down on her. 

"Uhm, well, is it fine if I don't tell you?"

Lamentably, her response only made Konrad even more curious. But he chose to hide his wonderment, considering that he and Tristan were in a game. 

"I have no problem with that, Miss Rosenfeldt." He said as he gave her a smile.

Following the end of their conversation, Konrad started the car. No sooner than a minute, they had abandoned the lake that brought them a tad closer. 

Their journey was filled with a quietude bordering comfort and awkwardness. Aside from the sporadic instruction giving of Syn, purely the clamor of the city landed in their ears.

Ensuing several minutes of silence, they arrived at the establishment where the agency was located. Konrad promptly stopped the car afore the unbarricaded area of the pavement to allow an easy way out for Syn.

The lady put on her cap and fetched the face mask that was in her pocket. She was about to take Konrad's coat off, but the man beckoned her not to.

"You can return it to me when we meet again. Now hurry up, or someone might spot you."

"Thank you so much. I'll make sure that I won't let our appointment slip out of my mind. Please have a safe trip." Syn uttered her gratitude, bowing her head once prior to finally exiting the car.

In the interim, Korad just stared at the lady's retreating back until he couldn't see her figure anymore. Shortly, he departed the area.

A minute into his journey, a rather treacherous grin was seen plastered on his countenance. His eyes appeared to be harnessing a maleficent intent.

'Tristan O' Connor, I thought you hated escorts? What are you doing with a prostitute?'