A Wolf in the City

17. Oh dear Universe.

Raven.

Amazement and dismay swell within me as I stare at the last man on earth that I wish to encounter. I am starting to think that there is some sort of invisible cord that somehow puts us together a lot of times. But then again, knowing this psychopath, I will not put it past him to be stalking me even.

He sits there in all his evil glory, in the very restaurant I am in, looking up at me with that same mocking smile I have come to loathe.

Oh dear universe, why are you tormenting me this way? Why? Just why?

"Raven?" Kai's worried voice breaks into my thoughts. I reluctantly tear my eyes away from Dante and look at him, seeing the worried frown on his face.

"Are you okay?" Kai asks again while I look from Kai and back to Dante.

My dismay melts only to be replaced by anger. Anger at Dante for somehow managing to ruin yet another perfectly good evening for me. It now seems to be his fort and personal vendetta against me. How the hell did he even know I will be here? Is this part of his master plan to ensure my complete and utter humiliation? I feel like I can just murder the psychopath.

"I'm fine." I finally force the words out through clenched teeth, even as I shoot murderous glares at Dante. To my dismay, he still appears unfazed, if anything he looks highly amused at my reaction, the golden green eyes dancing in mirth as he studies me.

"We have got to stop meeting like this, princess," the Psychopath drawls out, his eyes moving over my body in a way that leaves me shaky without my own approval. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were stalking me."

"Don't even dare call me that!" I snap back at him. "And I should be asking you why you're stalking me, not the other way around because we all both know what a psychopath you are."

"Darling, I would always call you that because it is what you are, and as for stalking you, that is just hilarious because I am simply having dinner with this lovely woman here," He spares his companion a look, one that looks so beautiful, fit and into him. "I do have more important things to do than to chase your little rude arse around, you know." He adds as he turns to Kai who is watching the scene in bewilderment and confusion.

"You must be the lover boy then? The one who kept our delightful Raven so entertained this morning that she even lost track of time and came to work so late? Let me guess, you guys did it all night long causing her to be tired and so wake up late?" Dante asks with a mischievous smirk on him.

It is obvious that even Kai is caught unawares by such a intimate question because he takes some seconds before he somehow gets himself back to reply "I do not-"

"Please, don't even bother to answer that." I quickly cut in, laying a hand on Kai's arm. I then shoot a baleful stare in Dante's direction, hating him with every fiber of my being at that moment. "My personal life is none of your business, you psychopath." I say through gritted teeth, wishing that I could strangle him with the lemon coloured tie hanging from his neck.

Dante's brow shot up in mock surprise. "Oh! So he's not the one? Oh my, you must be the kind that go through men quickly, I can not help but think that it’s a family trait."

My cheeks flamed at the insult. Oh, so now, he does not even bother to beat around the bush but instead resorts to blatant insults. Even more humiliating is the fact that he has done so with an audience present. For heaven's sakes, even the staffs and the couples at the other tables are watching and listening with rapt attention.

I can see the fleeting look of triumph that crossed Dante’s face and it dawns on me that he deliberately said those words to hurt me, a normal feature of his psychopathic self. Does this man just loves to watch me being embarrassed and hurt or something, is it some sort of his favorite passing time to make me miserable whenever he can?

I grit my teeth, wishing that I can just choke him till his eyes go red. But no, I will not give him the satisfaction of knowing how much those insults affects me. I will take the high road and simply ignore him, let him stew in uncertainty for the rest of the evening. Giving him the reaction he obviously longs for will mean that he gains a upper hand over me and that alone is yet another form of win for the crazy man.

After taking a deep calming breath and slipping my arm through my bewildered date's, I paste an indifferent expression on my face and then turn to look at the black haired beauty sitting opposite Dante, the same astonished and confused look on her face as on Kai’s.

"Enjoy your dinner or choke on it, whatever you deserve." I say with a fake smile on my face though my heart aches from the humiliating experience.

I nod at the head waiter of the restaurant to continue on our way and tug on Kai's arm, silently urging him to follow. I can practically feel the psychopath’s eyes burning holes in my back and I straighten my shoulders, determined to not let him see how flustered I am by that encounter. I slip into my seat, grateful to be sitting down. My whole body shakes from the force of my agitation, pulse racing a million beats per second.

I keep my head down,careful to avoid Kai’s curious gaze, even though I can feel him looking at me. But I am just in no frame of mind to answer the questions he is sure to ask if I look at him.

How did the evening - which had started out with so much promise- go horribly wrong? I wonder while studying the floral patterns on the table cloth without really seeing it. What have I even done to deserve this? To deserve this psychopath that keeps on showing everywhere in my path.

"Well, that was interesting." Kai says, his voice tinging with curiosity and concern at my obvious distress. "Is it a bitter ex boyfriend or som-"

"No." I quickly reply. I can’t even imagine being associated with that psychopath like that.

"Are you alright though? I could go back and punch his lights out if you like?" He asks with a tone of humor, obviously trying to cheer me up of course.

"No, but thanks." I reply with a small smile.

He sighs and then reach over, lifting my chin so I can look at him. I search his eyes for signs of anger or embarrassment but find only genuine concern in their brown depths. "Would you like to leave? I completely understand if you don't want to stay and we can go to another restaurant - or simply do this some other day." He asks.

I shake my head. "No, it's quite alright. I actually want to stay," I push back my chair and stand. "But I'd like to take some minutes to freshen up, please."

"Sure, take your time."

In the ladies room - the place thankfully deserted - I stand before the mirror and stare at my reflection. My make up is still intact, but now it does nothing to hide the anger in my eyes.

"Dammit! Why on earth is he doing this? Who is this psychopath? What does he have with me?" I ask my reflection. A million similar questions raced through my mind, but I have no answers to any. One thing I am sure of though. Dante is a devil, a madman with a vindictive edge and extremely dangerous and for some reason best known to him, he loves getting on my toes. I am somewhat his

Heaven help me!

I reach for a paper towel, moistening it with water and dab at my eyes. I re-apply my lipstick and eyeliner, stand back and view the result, pleased at how poised I look. The psychopath could be getting me mad, but I will never let him see that. I will go out there and enjoy myself and Dante can burn in hell.

I pull open the door and step into the dim hall and I retrace my steps. Just as I pass the men's restroom, the door suddenly swings open and I crash into a solid male form just exiting the room. "Oh!" I exclaim, my purse slipping from my grasp as I reach out to steady myself. To my shock, strong muscular arms wraps around my waist and my nostrils fills with a familiar heady scent.

"Careful, princess." He chuckles, his arms like bands of steel around my waist.

"What the hell do you want now?" Enraged, I plant my palms on his upper arms and shove, trying to free myself from his grasp. My heart pounds at his closeness and I feel my mouth go dry. "Let me go!"

"You are the one who crashed into me though." He observes drily, making no move to release me. He smirks when I glare at him, not in the least bit fazed at the silent threat.

"I did nothing of the sort." I snapped.

The psychopath pulls me even closer, his eyes pools of heat. I can feel every inch of his hard body against me, the contact almost turning my legs to jelly. "Are you angry at me? Did our conversation get between you and lover boy?"

"That was your intention, wasn't it? Well, sorry because your fool plan backfired. Kai knows me too well to let something like those petty little insults come between us." My heart skips at the lie, but there was no way I will let him think he has the upper hand.

"So he is really the lover." He looks irritated. Why, I have no idea. Fortunately for me, a woman came down the narrow corridor, heading towards the restrooms. She gives us a curious look and Dante let his arms drop from my waist.

"We'll talk later, princess. Run back to your boyfriend now." He says as he stood aside to let me pass. I grab my purse from the floor angrily and stalk past him, head held high.

Over my dead body will we ever continue any stupid conversation.