The kompromat to order

3.

Monday morning started late for me. Today I can afford to sleep a little longer. When I opened my eyes, I saw a pile of shopping bags, because yesterday I had a successful shopping trip with a friend. I managed to buy something nice for today's meeting.

I got out of bed and pulled out a beige silk skirt and a short black top. In my head, I had already drawn an image in which I should, as if by chance, encounter my order. As a rule, I used to look for girls to introduce me to a client whom I needed to seduce. But this time, I knew the client, and he was interested in me. So I decided to take part in communication with him myself. And the order was responsible and expensive. And this time, I didn't have to sleep with him, the main thing was to gain his trust and get to his house.

Dinner time was approaching. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and, satisfied with my appearance, left the house. Getting into the car, I headed for the restaurant where the client always dined, according to the file I had on him.

Appetizing aromas filled the restaurant's hall, and slowly more and more people were coming in. I chose a comfortable seat opposite the entrance to be as visible as possible. After ordering lunch, I waited. The restaurant, located among business centers, was quickly filling up with managers and directors who could relax and shed their business appearance here, at least for a while.

Finally, through the glass doors, I spotted him. He walked inside and shook off a few drops of rain that had started to fall outside. Looking around the room, he noticed me. Our eyes met, and again my body reacted with excitement. Without taking his eyes off me, he walked confidently toward my table. As he got closer, he stopped and spoke:

- Well, how can you not believe in fate now?

- Maybe it was an accident, - I said flirtatiously.

- I don't believe in accidents, - his every word was filled with confidence, - would you mind if I joined you?

- Please, - I said politely.

He sat down across from me, and a waiter came to our table and brought my lunch. My new companion placed the order and then turned to me.

- Is this your first time here?

- Yes, and how did you guess? - I asked, trying to act naive.

- I always eat here and have never seen you before.

- Sometimes you have to try something new, - I replied playfully.

- Last time we didn't get to meet each other. My name is Robert, you can just call me Rob.

- I'm Emilia, you can just call me Emma, - my words amused him.

He smiled slightly and said:

- It's a nice name, it suits you.

- Have we already switched to first names?

- Yes.

- I don't remember this moment, - I grimace.

- We've already met, so I don't see any point in being formal.

- Do you like to be in charge? - I asked, surprised at how quickly his impudence rubbed off on me.

- Do you mind?

My face instantly flashed, sensing the full implication of his words. I was saved from answering by the waiter who brought Robert's order. When we were alone again, I decided to change the subject of our conversation:

- So you work somewhere nearby?

- Yes. I'm a lawyer at "Babylon" company, - his short answer demonstrated that he wasn't looking to discuss his job.

And this modesty did not suit him, because I knew who he really was. He was just a lawyer... and he chose not to specify that he was the head of a major law firm. But on the other hand, if he is really that good at hiding things, then he is hardly characterized by frankness.

- What do you do? - he continued.

- I'm a student, I'm studying law.

- We have more in common than I thought, - he smiled slyly.

- Have you noticed anything else we have in common?

- We like each other, - his bluntness made my heart beat faster again.

- What makes you think I like you? - his confidence was starting to irritate me.

- Why wouldn't you?

- Do you always answer questions with questions?

- Emma, you know that it's hard to catch a good lawyer by surprise.

- And do you consider yourself a good lawyer? - I asked sarcastically.

- My clients don't complain, so I must not be that bad.

Of course you are. Last night I read a bunch of articles about his professionalism and iron grip. The journalists claim that he has never lost a case, and the firm he created handles the most complex and profitable cases. And among my classmates, I heard more than once that they dreamed of working at "Babylon", but unfortunately they don't take students. I had no idea who the owner of this law firm was.

Suddenly his phone rang. He answered the call. After a few seconds of listening to his interlocutor, he said dryly:

- Yes, okay. I'll be there soon.

Putting the phone in his pocket, he called the waiter, asked for the bill and looked at me again with his dark blue eyes.

- Thank you, Emma, for a wonderful meal, but unfortunately I have to go. Call me tonight, - and he held out his business card.

I was confused by this behavior. Was he not interested in me? After all, men always ask for a girl's phone number, not the other way around. It annoyed me a little:

- What if I don't call?

- Then it wasn't fate, it was just an accident, - he said, smiling mysteriously.

I looked into his eyes and noticed that demons were dancing in them. With all my gut, I felt that something was wrong. On the one hand, I did meet him and I have his phone number, but on the other hand... he is not as simple as he seems at first glance.

After paying the waiter and saying goodbye to me, he went outside, where the first autumn rain was falling heavily. Staying at the table, I replayed our conversation in my head. I had a feeling that something was wrong, but I couldn't figure out what it was. Could Rob really feel traps, as the customer said? It wasn't the first time things had gone wrong with him, and it was really annoying.

My thoughts were interrupted by Kris's call. I picked up the phone and heard her cheerful voice:

- Hi, sweetie, what are you doing?

- I'm sitting in a restaurant not far from where you work.

- Really? I finally got away for coffee. Do you want to meet up?

- Come on, where are you?

- I'm at "Aroma Bar". What can I get you?

- A latte.

- Okay, I'll see you there.

Kris had recently gotten a job. It wasn't a job in her field of study, but she liked the financial independence from her parents and the fact that she had an excuse to skip class. She got a job as an assistant to a top manager and spent three days a week among the sharks of the business. She was convinced that she had made a lot of useful contacts in this job that could be useful in the future. I was happy for my friend because she was doing what she liked.

Unlike me, she hated law, and she studied only because her parents insisted on it. After all, they dreamed that Kris would continue the family business, since her parents were both lawyers. Sometimes I was surprised at how different our fates were. I, who has nothing and dreams of a law degree, and Kris, who has a thousand and one opportunities to become a good lawyer, but avoids it. I could have envied her, but I felt sorry for her because she didn't have the freedom I had.

Lunch was ending, and people were leaving the restaurant to go back to work. I didn't hesitate to leave either. I said goodbye to the waiter and went to meet my friend.