VI

"Where do you think you're going?" the man questioned when he saw her walking toward the cab rather than toward his car, she simply looked his away and questioned

"Where does it look like I'm headed?" he felt it then, the different air between them, her tone far colder than the past times they've interacted, not that there were many to begin with, however even he knew that she hadn't been as cold when she had insulted him the day she had caught his attention. He himself was yet to understand why he was perusing her, however as he watched the challenging expression remain firm on her face, he thought perhaps it was because she was, whether aware of it or not, presenting him with a challenge.

For he was a man used to getting whatever he wanted, and now it seemed he wanted her, whether for a night or whatever, he knew that her playing hard to get would simply draw him to her more. Even though it didn't look like she was playing hard to get. And that simple realisation made him want to figure her out more,  it also had him baffled, for he was so used to having women fawn over him. It seemed he had finally found one opposite.

"Did you not get my gift, am I to assume you're headed nowhere near Cadallige hall?" he questioned, a knowing look in his eyes. Yet her expression remained unfazed

"I did" she gave a simple reply, not ready to back down he continued

"Then you should have expected that I would be here to pick you up" he states, hands in his pocked,

"Oh really, well I didn't and I already have a ride, so see you there" she said. Except before she could head toward the cab, a hand wrapped around her arm,

"Not so fast, Piccola" he said lightly. Yet the cold, cold is what she felt upon contact and she couldn't help but hiss, her brow furrowed and she turned to look at the man that had been quick to remove his hand from her arm, worrying that he might have hurt her, only to be met with the darkness within her eyes. It didn't matter that their skin hadn't even made contact, or that her stupid heart reacted to the pet name.

"Don't, don't ever touch me. We are not familiar like that, nor will we ever be. I'm not your dear, your lover nor sister, so I suggest you quit it with the pet name." straightening her posture, facing the stormy eyes head on, she continued

"I don't know why you suddenly have this interest in me, what I did to warrant your sudden attention but know one thing, I won't be swayed, so you best look for another target to play with, because I wasn't made in a toy store. Got it? Now, I'd rather not be late. So if you'll excuse me" caring little to contemplate the flurry of emotions she had seen within his eyes, nor regret her words when she saw set determination amongst them, she entered the cab and told the driver the address, and as they pulled out the parking lot. She missed the dangerous smirk that stretched the man's lips as he watched her away.

For all his mind could think, despite his hurt ego, and perhaps heart for, for some reason something about the girl made him want her, crave her like a lunatic, he thought it to be a challenge he would enjoy. Because when he was done with her, she would be singing a different tune.

It had been love at first sight minute she had stepped through the grand theatre, and saw the set up on the stage, and she couldn't help the excitement that cocooned her nerves and she had sat in nothing but anticipation for the show that would prove to be the best she had ever seen.

She had been gone and most enthralled from the very first note of the classical piece that was followed up by an Opera Buffon, and it was just so that she was fluent in Italian for she would have missed the core beauty of the Italianate piece. By the end, she had found herself wanting more, caring little for the empty seat beside her she had come to conclude would have been occupied by Luka.

As everyone had made to exit the theatre, she had found herself smiling as she listened to a few women make comments about the show, and she had found she agreed with their opinions that the players, opera singers as well as the actors had done a splendid job at acting out the heart wrenching musical. She hadn't thought herself a lover of romantic tragedy, but she found she didn't mind it at all.

That had been a week ago and she was glad that Luka Genovese had heeded to her words for she was yet to hear a peep from the man. She let out a curse when Deacon took her down in the video game they were playing, and she heard him chuckle as he won for the fifth time, and she swore to upgrade her game for she would win next time she decided to challenge him over a game she had never played before.

"Now you know to never challenge the master" he said chuckling, as he gloated, prompting her to scoff and retaliate

"I demand a rematch" she said, knowing that she would be better next time. This only made him laugh shaking his head he questioned

"You sure, wanna lose again?" he cautioned looking at the young woman next to him, that had an adorable pout, her hair but a messy bun, in nothing but an oversized shirt and denim shorts, he couldn't help but wonder if she knew just how flawlessly beautiful she was. Bella didn't miss a certain look within his eyes as she glances at him, mouth full of cheese curls as she shook her head,

"Except, I won't lose next time" only to spit few crumbs as she spoke while eating, pulling his face in a humorous expression of disgust

"Whatever happened to Lady etiquette?" to which she rolled her eyes and retorted

"Last time I checked, etiquette was reserved for royalty, and you my friend are nothing but the stable boy, so excuse me if I don't care for manners around you" to which he gave a dramatic gasp

"You wound me" he proclaimed. She couldn't help but let out a little laugh. Forgotten were the affairs of the last week as she felt lighter again, only to be caught off guard when Deacon suddenly said

"Go out with me" it was a sentence said at a speed afraid he would run out of courage to even ask. He let out a sigh after delivering the shocking question only to hold his breath when he saw the look on her face, eyes wide and mouth slightly parted. Gulping, Bella stuttered out

"W-what?' although she knew he liked her, it just never occurred to her that he might come to literally ask her out, hence she found herself caught off guard, out of her element for she had never been asked out on a date before. Therefore, she had no idea how to respond, let alone let down a friend she didn't want to hurt. Perhaps it was why she would come to agree anyway, despite feeling nothing but platonic feelings toward the young man. Clearing his throat, he said more clearly and slowly this time

"Will you, Bella Graneda, do me the honour of going out on a date with me?" he asked. She chuckled in her head as she thought, now who could say no to such an ask? more sarcastic than not, only to think, what are you, proposing a marriage or something?. Cracking a weary smile, she let out a breath and said

"Okay" which took Deacon but a second to comprehend before he asked sounding more surprised than not

"Really?" to which she chuckled with a nod

"Why are you surprised, should I have said no?" to which Deacon was quick to say

"No, I just thought that you might not feel the same way" he spoke truthfully, and he knew that was a case confirmed when her smile slipped

"Deacon, you've been my friend for like a year now, and I don't want to hurt you that's why I'll be honest, you're right, I don't feel the same way, but I'm thinking perhaps if I agree to go out with you, you'll realise it by yourself that I'm not the girl you'd like as a girlfriend more than a mere friend" chuckling he said

"Right, or maybe I might change your mind then" he put up a suggestion of his own, and she merely shrugged and said

"I guess we'll see then" a tight lipped smile, and when her lips opened again, it only to shove more cheese curls into them

"Gosh, do you ever stop?" he questioned highly amused, reaching for the television remote controller so they could watch her favourite show, the Witcher, which he thought to be utterly ridiculous, thinking, who the hell even makes this stuff up?

"Only when I'm dead" was her mere response before she got comfortable on the floor, back resting against the couch. And just about ready to loose herself within the fantastical world of magic and monsters.