Opposites Do Most Certainly Attract!

He's a wealthy Italian! What did you expect?

Seated at a lovely table at the farthest corner in an Italian restaurant Scarlett would have never stepped foot in hadn't it been for Dante Valenti and his 'very very very important person' status, she smiled at the waiter who almost choked on his own spit when he noticed she was looking at him. It could also have been because Dante was looking at him as well. The duke had an imperious and commanding look to him that probably made it really difficult for most people to look him right in the eye, or, to remain calm and collected when he looked at them.

"¡Beunas tardes, Señor Valenti! Señora." the waiter turned to Scarlett with a nod, "Here's the menu for your perusal, perhaps you'd like a moment to decide what you'd like to eat?" he proffered with a little bow that Scarlett found so entertaining and Italian. She smiled again, looking at the waiter she said, "Thank you, we'll do that." the waiter discreetly moved away.
And then she realised Dante hadn't said a word since the waiter had arrived - she turned to look at him. "Is there a problem?" she asked, wondering at the bemused look on his face.

"Two things," he began, "First, the waiter didn't have my time after he saw you - that has never happened to me and secondly, I've never seen a woman so in charge - you answered for the both of us. I always do that. Always." he laughed and shook his head at her confused look. " I'm usually expected to decide for myself and the person I'm taking out, no questions asked." he explained.

"Seriously? You mean, you take a woman out somewhere, decide where you sit, what the both of you eat and drink? And these dates don't say anything? Really?" she put the menu aside, this was very very serious.

He smiled like he didn't see anything wrong with what she'd said and leaned back, "Yes, Scarlett. It's the way of things between men and women. We're usually expected to take the lead especially in matters that require a decision that encompasses both partners." And at the word 'partners', Dante suddenly remembered. Carmella Giorgio! His fiancé! Whom he'd entirely forgotten about. He ought to mention that he didn't take dates out anymore -

"In which alternate universe did you hear this? I'd never allow a man to make such decisions for me because I'm out with him, it's just so, so, archaic!" she stared wide eyed at him, wondering if it was because he was stinking rich, a duke or because he was so hot that women allowed him to do as he pleased. Must be because he was disgustingly rich. That usually renders most women deaf, dumb and stupid when it comes to pleasing such men. "Besides, what if I don't like what you've ordered? Or I don't like the restaurant, or where we're seated? Wait, don't answer that. I totally understand." she finished with a shake of her head in amusement.

"You don't understand. It's written allover your face." Dante said with a smirk, enjoying her disapproval and disgust with things she couldn't control. "Remember when I said I was impressed?" he asked and she raised her eyebrows in question, "This is another moment like that. Because never in my life did I ever meet a woman who could contest anything that came from my mouth. It's interesting..." he said with a hot look at her face.

"Spoken like a true blue blood. Heaven help the woman you 'decide' you want to marry. Oh wait, she'll probably be too excited and grateful to notice you didn't ask her to marry you but just 'decided' it was time you married." she said with a flat voice, going for a very bored look that would show how unimpressed she was. Dante simply continued looking at her like she was a specimen from another planet - a very captivating specimen until something in the distance caught his eye and he frowned, checking his watch for the time. They hadn't even ordered yet. What had happened? Scarlett turned to look behind her but didn't see anything out of the ordinary but distinguished diners seated at their tables.
"Damn it. I'd forgotten I'd given my bodyguards a particular time to wait - they didn't know about this." he sighed, shaking his head and taking his phone out of his pocket to type something. After sending it, Scarlett noticed five men stand up and walk out of the restaurant.