Give Me Your Heart Or I Will Take it

part 1

Their eyes lock unintentionally through the handheld mirror she uses to touch up her makeup.  She had a soft pretzel on the table in front of her and a drink from Starbucks next to it. 'She's perfect' he thinks to himself. He takes a moment to admire her white fur coat and designer handbag on the chair next to her, her hair tied back into a small messy bun, and even the way she sits just screams of luxurious living - exactly what Tobias is looking for.

Knowing he has to make his move now while he still has the chance, he hurries over to an adjacent register, taking his eyes off of the woman at the table only to address who he is speaking to. She is still focused on her makeup.

'This is good. She's not on her phone. Just go over there and do your thing, Toby,' he thinks to himself.

"Can I get a coke, Em?" The enthralled young man asks while he pulls out the exact change necessary for a small soft drink. He spends a lot of his time at the mall. So much so that he happens to be on a first-name basis with most of the employees at the food court.

"Here you go," Emily hands the drink to Tobias with a handful of napkins and a knowing smile on her face. "Knock 'em dead Toby"

He gives Emily a nod while dropping a 20 in the tip jar and turns his attention back to the woman.

Charlie notices the young man coming towards her with a familiar look in his eyes. She is already annoyed- another person unwilling to leave her alone. She wanted some peaceful time away from the prying eyes and the cameras, but she knew that was too much to ask for. Fame just ruins private life-

Charlotte Is quickly and harshly brought back to the present moment as she watches Tobias waste a perfectly good soft drink... all over her 12,000 dollar handbag.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me" she groans.

"I-I'm sorry! Here let me help-" Toby stutters about wiping at the mess he made of Charlie's bag.

"No no, it's fine" She sighs, yet when he continues, she insists, "That's enough," She watches him back away with his hands in his pockets. Toby has a look of pure embarrassment on his face.

"What were you coming over here for, dear? An autograph?" She asks, ignoring the ruined bag. 

"Huh?"

She cannot read his face.

Does he not know her?

Then why did he walk over here?

Was he trying to court her?

Despite her apparent physical beauty, she hadn't been with a man since her divorce three years ago. She has entirely forgotten the emotions that surface when being hit on. However, this encounter was not invoking any special feelings in Charlie- other than annoyance.

"I just saw you and thought you were - I'm sorry it doesn't matter now, I already messed up any chance I would've had. I totally ruined your day and I'm really sorry I just-" he blabbers on and on, and all the while, Charlie's gaze softens.

'He's cute,' she thinks to herself. An honest mistake made by a cute teenage boy wanting her number is nothing to be too peeved about.

Oblivious to Charlotte's sudden interest in him, Tobias finishes his rambling and goes to make his leave.

"Hold on, what's your name, dear?" Charlie pipes up - her interest piqued.

Toby turns around reluctantly and responds, internally panicking, "John," he does not want this conversation to continue. The quicker he gets out of there and the less she knows, the better.