Conceited (Crimson Elite 3)

Tom called the office Monday morning for our second meet-up. I tried to avoid it until my boss got wind of it, and made me call him back to set up a time and place. If I had a choice I wouldn’t see him again, but alas, he holds the key to the information we need to make our story stronger than what it already is. So far, over the weekend, it’s our most viewed story, ever. The emails and the comments on social media have been next-level. So, my boss is even pushier for me to get more. If I had a choice I would avoid him altogether.

My leg bounces as I wait at the same restaurant for him. The moment Tom arrives I know automatically, without even looking back to see him behind the curtain. His name is shouted and people are talking loudly about who just walked in. I stand when he steps inside, his bodyguards following him and taking their designated seats.

“Ariel, I was going to wait until next week. But I just couldn’t.”

I fake a smile as I sit down while he sits opposite me. I asked the waiter to let me order my own food, and cancel any pre-ordered food they may have had for me. She gave me an odd look, but listened and let me order what I wanted.

“I’m excited for what you have to say, our conversation was cut short last time.”

The first round of food comes out and he lifts the fork to his lips.

“Was it?” he asks smiling. “You had questions, is that right?”

“Yes.”

“Is that the only reason you came tonight?”

I want to tell him yes, but I’m afraid he’ll walk away knowing that I don’t want to be here for him. So, I put on my best smile as I answer, “No, of course not. But it’s an added bonus, for sure.” My cell bings, alerting me I have an email.

“I’m glad to hear, it would be god-awful to have to cut our time together as I enjoy spending it with you.”

I want to barf.

I need to get through this dinner and hopefully, he will tell me what I need to make my editor happy.

“So, I wanted to ask… do you remember what the guy who approached you looked like?”

He pauses his hand mid-air before it can reach his mouth, looks to me then places it back down. “Can this not wait?”

“Of course,” I apologize. I don’t mean it. He’s stringing me along, and I’m starting to dislike him more and more with each passing second.

I glance down at my cell in my lap to try to make the time go faster as he eats and see the arrival of a new email.* * *Dear Miss,* * *I see you haven’t been taught your lesson. I do hope you shall learn fast. I should hate to see such a beautiful thing go to waste.* * *Yours sincerely,

Concerned Reader* * *I shiver as I reread it again and again. Zoning out, and not hearing when Tom starts asking me questions.

“Ariel.” I look up which seems to make him happy, then he continues talking. I zone him out again and look back to my cell. The emails don’t make me feel safe, and I’m wondering if I should tell my boss about these or if I should just forget they exist. Which is hard, considering this person seems to know where I am and what I eat.

“So, do I take that as a yes?” I look back up to Tom waiting for an answer. One I clearly can’t give him because I didn’t hear a word he said.

“Sorry?”

“Would you like to do this again? Maybe next time you could come to mine?”

I attempt to hide my disgust at that thought. I’m sure he doesn’t get any form of rejection so he wouldn’t know how to take mine. Pity I can’t give him that, either, considering if I don’t get this article my boss may very well fire me. Maybe.

“If you could answer some questions for me, I may consider it.”

He sits back in his seat. “Touché,” is all he says then nods.

“What did he look like?”

Tom looks toward the curtain then back to me. “He was model material. Cocky. Dark hair. Fit. And he had this thing about him. Like he was in charge of every aspect he was near and could control all outcomes.” He looks back to me while his hands brushing the back of his head like he’s nervous. “Weird, I know, but I had also never met someone like him before.”

“You would call him powerful?”

A simple nod is all he gives. “Yes. I was nothing to him. Most people can’t stop looking when they meet me. He didn’t even care. It was like he knew all my secrets and wasn’t impressed. He’s not someone you should be around, Ariel.” I look down and start typing it on my cell. “He was dressed in a suit, a blue one.” He finishes when I don’t bite on his comment. Falcon flashes in my mind, but he wasn’t up there when I saw him, he was down annoying me. So, it couldn’t be. And what colour was his suit? Shit! I don’t remember, he makes me angry and horny at the same time so everything else is muffled. Falcon is in business with the boys, so there’s no way in hell Falcon could keep a secret this big, he has the biggest mouth. Plus, he would sleep with all the workers, so that would never work. I dismiss the thought that it could be him.