Umaric

Ezekiel ignored the sudden, unwanted shivers that Anora’s gaze sparked in him. His eyes narrowed as he noticed her attire. How could she be so stupid? Her foolishness was testing his patience. He pressed his mouth together and leaned back in his chair, waiting for her. When Anora’s eyes adjusted to the dim lighting in the cafe, she noticed the well-concealed spark of anger in his eyes. She fought back a smirk. While he might think he knew best of how to behave in the Poor District, Anora would give him no illusions of controlling her. Especially now that he was to court her. Ezekiel watched as Anora carefully made her way over and sat down in the chair facing opposite him. He pushed his coffee cup toward her with a raise of his eyebrow. "Coffee?" He couldn't help the small smirk that formed on his mouth. She narrowed her eyes. She thought they had come to an agreement the previous day, yet here he sat, as smug and as condescending as ever. Anora thought of several new choice phrases to call him, but she only took the offered cup and downed its remaining contents in two swallows. "Thank you," she replied curtly. "Good afternoon, Anora. It is a pleasure to see you again." Ezekiel was successful in hiding his humor over the coffee. He hadn't expected her to drink it. "However, until breeches become popular with the women of this country, I would advise you to make sure no one but me sees you in them." He took a deep breath and continued in a more serious voice. "I don't want to see you get hurt, Anora." His eyes met hers. He could see a spark of resentment in her gaze. "Mr. Thoris, please understand that I consider this to be a business relationship. We both have something to gain from this, and I am aware of the risks, just as you are." It was clear that whoever was behind the letters did not make idle threats. "We shall have to trust each other, but I have no intention of making a friend out of you," Anora said, looking away from his intense green eyes. It was almost as though he was staring straight through her. She began to stare instead at the elderly couple trudging across the street outside her window. "And please understand that I am not the same girl you met years ago. I am quite capable of making my own decisions and of facing the consequences." "Of course, Anora." Ezekiel muttered. It was just as he expected. She had no intention of becoming friends. It was the complete opposite of what he wanted. Ezekiel frowned to himself and let out a small chuckle. Who would have thought that he would want to be friends with Miss Anora Russell. "We need to discuss how and when we will fulfill the letter’s demands." They might as well move on with things since Anora was so inclined to treat this meeting as business and nothing more. Hmm...nothing more. Ezekiel wondered what it was that was bothering him so much. He looked at her expectantly, his green eyes blazing.