Late

Sunday went by smoothly and due the busy work schedule, Richard found himself at Monday evening, sitting in Gusto Divino waiting for a girl who was already five minutes late. Punctuality and manners were something he was definitely going to have to teach her depending on how the night went.

Gusto Divino was a less formal but still higher end restaurant that served above average in Richard's opinion Italian food and a large variety of it at that. Thanks to the fact that it was less formal compared to other restaurants that he frequented, he didn't have to worry about being asked to give up his seat because some girl was late to meet him.

Richard Has also decided to dress professional but less formal. Since he was going to be eating with someone who wasn't a business client or of great importance, he had decided a dark dress shirt and loose slacks would be suitable for the occasion.

He had never understood the point of choosing to a wear suit to any event that had what he considered "messy food". It was pointless. Nine of ten times he had observed that someone spilled food or wine on their suit, most of which required expensive dry cleaning to be taken care of which to him was a waste of money when one could look just as good in an outfit that was easily cleaned at home.

After nearly ten minutes and having to wave the waiter off twice over if he was ready to order or not, he finally saw the girl he was waiting for appear in the entrance looking rather flustered but well dressed.

"I'm sorry I know I'm late. I tried to tell my friend, but she insisted I couldn't leave until she was satisfied." Juliet apologized, feeling rather awkward and uncomfortable in what her friend had chosen for her.

"Consider this is an impromptu occasion and only the second I'm meeting you, I'll accept the apology." Richard replied. "You can look at the menu and order first before we get to talking." he told her picking up his own menu.

"Thank you I guess." Juliet murmured, hiding her face behind the menu as she looked over it. She was going to have a lot to say to her friend the next time she saw her.

"I didn't take you as someone who cared to dress to impress." Richard said looking the other over after they had ordered their meal and the waiter had filled their wine glasses.

"I don't. My friend decided I should dress this way." Juliet replied feeling a bit offended. She had told Maria it felt a bit too much, but her friend insisted. She only could assume that whatever her friend had found out about the man in front of her had directed her fashion.

The only thing she won on was keeping to pants rather than a skirt or leggings. Maria had made her wear a black blouse that was cut a little lower than she would've liked, a black choker necklace with emerald earrings. Her had been partly straightened to take out some of the curls so it could flow nicely over her shoulders. Juliet hated dressing like this because although it was professional, it still felt like she handing out an invitation to something she wasn't interested in.

"Hmm. It's rude to make someone because of your lacking sense of time." Richard commented as the waiter brought there good. Juliet had chosen a pesto pasta dish with roasted tomatoes and a salad while Richard had caprese chicken and had also for calzones as the appetizer. They looked good but Juliet was too nervous to start eating.

"And you don't think it's rude to force someone to come to a dinner against their will?" Juliet retorted, feeling herself getting defensive again.

"Forced against their will? Those are some rather strong words to use." He said it in such a tone that made it sound like he was chiding a child. "I don't believe I forced you into anything."

"You threatened me!" She hissed, trying to keep her voice down so she didn't attract too much attention. Looking up from his food, Richard fixed her with a thoughtful look.

"Did I now? I'm pretty sure I offered you two and you're the one who chose this one as preferential." She could feel herself really wanting to hurt this man, but knew it wouldn't do her again good and just and up putting her in a worse position than she already was.

Maria couldn't find out much about the person in front of her beyond his name, the fact that he frequent the club although he seemed to have a day job. He also seemed to be on good terms with the owner of the club which let Juliet know he'd follow through on his threat to expose her if she didn't follow through with this.

"Did you just ask me to come here so you could antagonize?" She asked trying to keep her temper in check as she started to eat her own food in hopes it would help calm it.

"No. Although you do provide proof for the claim that red heads do have worse tempers compared to others, Little Ember." Richard murmured the last part so she couldn't hear what he said.

"My temper is only bad when people incite me. I would really like to get over with whatever it is I'm sitting her waiting for so I can get back to my life once we are done."

"Very well. Depending on how things go, it's actually more likely that you'll be coming back to the club with me so that we can finish up there." Juliet saw something shine in his eyes when he said that that made her uncomfortable. If something ended up happening tonight, she was going to have more than words to share with Maria.