16 Knocking Him Down a Few

"...you really think you are worth 12 million?" There was a sneer on his face as he answered her but she could care less.

If she were in his place she would have probably had the same reaction, it was reasonable even. Yet, none of this 'logic' mattered at the moment. The man in front of her was not someone she knew, respected or cared about but he was a man she'd like to knock down a few. There were flashes in her mind warning her to stop now and just retreat from the situation entirely. Truly speaking, if he had not looked down on her and if she had not been walking on glass shards for the past 24 hours then this would not have bothered her as much. The straw on her figurative camel back was broken and there was no way to go but forward.

Placing down the bags in her hand, she used her now free hand to tie the handkerchief around her face. Holding it tightly against her face was a nuisance, especially since she was entering this battle. Adding on that it muffled the volume and clarity of her voice when it was pressed over her lips. She could see his confused glance as she was tying it tightly to cover half of her face, thankfully the material was in a dark brown to cover her features. It look less than a minute to wrap it in a bandana fashion and from her nose down to her chin were hidden from view. She was angry but the minimal reason left within her told her to hide her identity. Without knowing this man's entire background it was not safe for her to completely reveal her face. There was always that lingering thought that he could send people after her or look at the CCTVs to find her but she truly found that pathetic. Seeing how he radiated the "I am above you peasant" vibes he would also feel it beneath him to look into a "rich spoiled young lady" that he assumed she was. Finishing her tie she looked back at him with a mocking glance that held a twinge of her anger.

"I think the question is...can you even afford 12 million? I had said that number casually but your reaction seems a little.....broke?" Even without her mouth being seen she knew that the smirk she held was evident. Within the minute she used to tie the handkerchief she had multiple rebuttals run through her mind. From "do you think YOU are worth 12 million" to "you look like a jiggilo with a debt over their head." However, she felt that for a stereotypical man there were two things at the core of their ego - money and sexual ability. Hit either of the two and they were always ready to flare up.

As she expected, his sneer dropped even further and became a frown with his eyes swirling in irritation. "Miss do you know who I am? I would suggest to end your games here, my patience is thin."

"Should I know who you are? Considering you're a man with such a fickle temper, I'm not sure its worth finding out. Your patience is being run thin by me? By a harmless young lady and a couple of words...?" The mockery intensified in her voice. 'Look at the way he's acting, its like I've offended his ancestors. Hmph, get angry! Get so angry you need to go to the hospital! I want to see it!"

Her eyes practically screamed her inner thoughts as she stared directly into his eyes. She knew that he was not expecting her to maintain eye contact for so long. It was probably a long time since someone had dared to challenge him like this, judging by his reaction and the caterpillar that appeared between his eyebrows.

The sound of a quiet chuckle made her body freeze as she took in the sound. The man she had seen being angry had now started laughing in front of her? The chuckle was a deep baritone noise that sounded pleasant to hear but held a dangerous note. Even if it was a normal laugh she could not help but feel a foreboding in her. Maybe it was because of all the novels and dramas she had seen but usually when the villain laughed it meant something bad was going to happen. It also emphasized their psychotic image which worked perfectly with his maroon coloured suit. He did not speak as he took a couple steps towards her in a casual manner. The sudden increase in distance made her uncomfortable but she refused to back down. She kept her spine straight and her eyes trained on him daring him to touch her. One move and she would hike up her knee to his 'special part.'

He stopped a few inches from her and towered over her for a couple moments before speaking again. "I'm not sure what your intention is but I'm done with this conversation. You're playing with fire, I am indeed not a man with a good temper. So I would suggest you leave now and save yourself from further ruin. Out of consideration for your help I'll let this go for now but there -"

Rolling her eyes she cut him off, "but there will be no second chance. Is that it? Do you men not having anything else to say? Or is there a universal book where all of you pull your threats out of? That's a one star from me just for lack of originality, the one is being generous frankly."

His eyes narrowed as he looked into her eyes searching for her purpose or proof of her insanity. It was obvious he was doubting her mental stability since every word was meant to provoke him.

"Lack of originality...? So you're saying you prefer new threats, I'm sure I can do that. Especially since you asked so nicely. Let's start with you being banned from this mall and dragged out by the guards."