Undecided

4.

Alice felt sick to her stomach as she slowly padded her way over to her handsome stranger. The alcohol barely helping her repress her anxious mind. His stare was so intense, she could feel herself shrinking under it. Usually, alcohol took away most of her social impairments, but not this time.
The dark haired girl finally approached the table where he sat, "Hi, um.." Shit. She didn't even know what to say to him, she hadn't had the chance to think that far, the inside of her head had just been raging chaos. "Mind if I sit?" Was all she could manage to come up with.
"Of course not, dear." He replied. His voice was smooth with the hint of an accent she couldn't quite put her finger on. Alice slips into the seat across from him, and peaks at the book he's reading, "The Mysterious Stranger?" She asks, surprised by his choice of reading.
"Mmhm. You've read it?" He questioned, his eyebrow lifting as if the conversation amused him.
"I have. It's actually one of my favorite books." She replies, "I'm really into those types of philosophical ideas, they bring me comfort. That everything is just an extension of you."
He smiled and silence fell between them for a moment. She took the time to study his face as he quietly read, taking sips of his drink here and there. His face was almost unnaturally pale, and as still as marble. Long lashes framed sharp, fox-like deep brown eyes, that appeared nearly black like the long curls that cupped his cheeks. He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen, and his uncanny likeness to her previous lover made her heart ache.
He already knew the contents of her mind, and all the emotions at play, so he took his time to progress the scene at hand. After all, they had all night if things went as they should. He was never wrong about these things.
Although, he did wonder how long he had before her friends came to join them. Samael had a perfect view of them poorly concealing the fact they were watching like circling hawks in the sky. He could find out if he truly wanted, but where's the fun in that? Maybe it could prove useful. People, to him, were like pieces on a chessboard and he was no stranger to how they worked.

The silence they sat in was comfortable, it eased her anxious thoughts a bit. It gave her space to clear her head, and take the pressure off her shoulders. She didn't have to feel like she was being hyper-focused on.
"So, can I ask your name?" Alice questions.
He closes his book gently, and sets it on the table. It was his intention to give her the time to feel comfortable. Though he indulged heavily in her anxious energy, he needed her to feel safe.
"My name is Samael, and yours?" He replied, simply.
"I'm Alice."
"Well, Alice, it's nice to meet you. I'm glad you came over, I was wondering if you ever would." He smirked, locking eyes with her.
She swallowed hard, embarrassed. "Oh, yeah. I don't really think I had a choice in the matter. I doubt my friends would've let me live it down if I didn't. I'm sorry for staring, it's just," she paused, not sure if she should say it, but the alcohol was making her a little more honest than she would usually be, "It's just, I'm sure you're aware how attractive you are." She finished, with an awkward chuckle.
"Oh, you think I'm attractive?" He teased, resting his cheek on his hand as he leaned toward her across the table.
Alice could feel how warm her face was, and she quickly followed up, "I don't think I'm doing a good job at hiding it. I blame the shots," she playfully sighed in defeat.
"Well, I have those shots to thank, it seems, and your friends." He replied, "Can I buy you a drink?" He asked. She realized he had finished up his glass. Samael didn't get drunk. He wasn't capable of being under the influence, but he did enjoy the taste of bourbon.
"O-Oh, you don't have to-" She stuttered, but he shook his head.
"It's no problem, darling. I insist."
She didn't know how to receive things like this, she never knew the proper way to act, or if she could truly express her gratitude. She didn't want to seem rude.
He motions to another bartender that she hadn't noticed before, and they quickly make their way to the table.
"Could I get another bourbon, and for you, dear?" Samael inquires.
"I'll have the 'Persephone' drink," She finishes for him. She would have the drink in an IV if she could.
The bartender nods, and they both thank him before he leaves to get their drinks.
"Speaking of your friends, as much as I love having you to myself, I would hate to keep you from them. You are more than welcome to call them over, I wouldn't mind."
She smiled, she knew Anna would lovveee to speak to him, and didn't blame her at all. His interest in her friends swelled her heart.

Alice had been so wrapped up in him that she hadn't checked her phone, or even looked back toward them since she got to the table. She was sure they were practically bursting with curiosity about the whole thing. The brunette looked over her shoulder to see them both watching, unapologetically. They weren't even trying to hide it at this point. She now understood why he had called attention to it because he had a front row view of them the entire time. She shook her head, "I'm so sorry. They're... definitely something." She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.
"No need to apologize, love." He gestured to them, sending a welcoming invite with just the single signal, an entrancing grin breaking across his face. His canines were abnormally sharp, he could honestly be a vampire straight out of a fantasy novel and she wouldn't be surprised in the slightest. Not to mention, he was just incredibly charming from his accent to his endearing pet names.
Anna and Alice glanced to each other when they saw him call them over. They wasted no time grabbing their latest drinks and high-tailing it over there. Both of them couldn't wait to meet the mysterious, beyond handsome stranger who sat with their friend.
"Won't you join me over here?" Samael asked Alice, so her friends would have a place to sit. He preferred she sat by his side. She nodded, clumsily making her way beside him before Alice and Anna got to the table.
She hadn't realized how tipsy she actually was until she had moved. Her head swam just slightly.
Anna and Alice slid in the booth across from them, setting their fresh drinks on the table.
"Well, howdy there, Mr. Stranger Man," Anna greeted, "I'm Anna, and I'm just dying to know who you are," Anna's accent was full-on now that she was certainly intoxicated.
"And I'm Elena," the blonde said with an apologetic laugh, picking up her drink.
"I'm Samael, and I thank you both for sending Alice my way." He introduced himself, "Looks like I'm in your debt."
"Oh, it's no problem. If I can help it, you'll be coming home with us too," Anna winked.
"Anna!" Alice gasped, her face turning tomato red. She playfully footsied her under the table, their feet wrestling together lightly.
Elena was having a laughing fit, little snorts even escaping.
Anna had the kind of confidence Alice admired deeply. She was never afraid to speak her mind or be herself. Samael took advantage of this trait. It wouldn't be out of character for Anna to say something like that, especially under the influence. Her energy was also very easily manipulated in the drunken state she was in. She was his key to pushing Alice out of her comfort zone, so he intended to push these thoughts into Anna's head because he knew she'd say them, and make it happen.

The bartender returned to set Samael and Alice's drinks in front of them.
"Thank you." They both said in unison, and Alice shot Samael a smile as a quiet 'Jinx'.
The bartender gave a small bow, and left.
Anna hadn't taken home someone from a bar... ever. She's had a few flings here and there, trying to feel something again after Aidan, but that phase was short lived because it always just left her feeling more empty than she was before. Something about Samael felt different though, she felt a pull toward him she couldn't explain. Beyond him just resembling her ex, he felt so familiar. Maybe she would give it a shot, not to mention, he was incredibly handsome. Even if it led to nothing, maybe it would take her mind off things. Anna always tells her to let herself live a little, and maybe she should take the advice.