A soft clink echoed when our glasses touched. We both took a sip. The champagne was so sweet, I got flashbacks to the milkshake incident. It wasn't an alcoholic beverage; it was runny molasses. I immediately put my flute down. Levi was quite busy, indulging his sugar addiction.

"I take it you're not pleased with the aroma," he remarked, while watching the bubbles in his drink.

I glared at him. "Aroma isn't the issue; I'm going into a sugar coma."

Levi chuckled brightly. "Accept my apologies. I chose the champagne a month ago. I did not know your preferences then. Rest assured, I will make a note of it."

"You chose it a month ago?" I asked, with disbelief.

"Of course, its name reminded me of you." His eyes gleamed with the bubbles rising in his glass.

"We met a week ago?" I placed my hand on my face. "What—just tell me from the beginning; it's confusing to listen to you."

"It would be a really long and tiring conversation. Let us be served the food first." He flicked his hand to a waiter to order. The waiter scurried away, obviously. Asshole. Everyone in the room was licking his boots, including me.

Food was being served by two waiters at the same time. Practiced manners, soft voices—all the sophisticated bullshit was suffocating me. I wanted an honest conversation with him.

A server presented the food. "Good evening, sirs. Mr. Blake has selected a curated menu for this evening's dining experience. We will begin with Spiced Lamb Tartare, followed by Roasted Rack of Lamb with Harissa glaze. Side dishes will include Spiced Chickpea and Lentil Stew. For dessert, Mr. Blake has chosen the Dark Chocolate and Chili Mousse. Should you require any alternative beverages, please inform me." The waiter's voice was smooth, his gaze lingering briefly on my glass before returning to Levi. "We will begin serving shortly."

Oh my God. This bullshit again. Everything felt calculated, each word a rehearsed act. Dreading it, I forced a small, polite smile as the first course arrived.

I leaned in closer to Levi and whispered, "If we keep this up with this aristocratic, noble bullshit, I'm going to drop dead within a month from anxiety." I pleaded with him. "Can't we just ditch? I know you don't like this or this food either."

A gentle smile lingered on his face. Shit, he's plotting; I know that light in his eyes. "When have I ever not indulged you? But surely, this change of plans requires measurements," he replied, while folding his napkin back with precision. "We must have a good enough reason to leave in the middle of our dinner, for sure."

I watched him slowly get out of his chair and silently approach me. The lights in the restaurant were dim, but his shadow was, as always, pitch black. He leaned in closer and cupped my face with his cold hand, then placed a kiss on my lips.

I caved at the moment he kissed me. There was the taste of the overly sweet champagne, slowly entrapping my mouth. Then, a rustle of fabric, followed by a sharp, metallic click. Something cold and unyielding slid onto the ring finger of my left hand. Levi's lips, still close, brushed against my ear. "It is highly uncouth to present a ring in this manner, but..." He drew back slightly, his gaze fixed on mine. "I simply wish not to delay our union."

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Don't be swayed, Raphael. He kissed you here because he wanted people to lose their shit so he could take you out of here. And this ring thing? It's him being a scheming asshole again. Levi stood up completely. "Shall we leave?" he asked with a bright smile. He fully knew what he did, how he beguiled me with a simple kiss.

I nodded. There wasn't anything to say here. Levi watched my face for a little while, then placed a money envelope on the table. He extended his hand for me to hold. I took his hand, without defiance. His hand was even colder, the lingering temperature from the champagne flute.

…

The back entrance of the restaurant was used as a garage by the employees, mostly illuminated by moonlight and distant streetlights. The ring Levi sneaked onto my finger was a gold band with an elaborate seal in the middle, surrounded by tiny, sparkling diamonds. The ring itself was heavier than an average marital band.

He was still holding my hand when I asked, "What is this seal?"

Levi glanced at my face. "It is a signet ring, practically a family heirloom."

I wasn't sure what feeling washed over me. Was this his way of showing me how much power I had, or was he branding me like cattle?

"It's hideous, though. The seal," I said, my voice laced with dry, almost bitter humor.

"I completely agree." Levi's eyes flickered to the ring, a hint of disdain in his gaze. "It is overly excessive. But, it is a tradition for my family and nobility to share signet rings. If it doesn't please your eyes, you can just throw it away in the bin." He gestured towards a grimy metal trash bin overflowing with crumpled paper and discarded rags.

"You don't care about any of those things. Why did you bring me this ring?" I asked with suspicion.

"Oh? Because it is the most expensive ring I was able to find." He simply shrugged, as if the price didn't mean anything.

"The most expensive ring... you could find?"

The most expensive ring Levi Blake could find. It is scary to think about how much money it might have involved.

"Yes, Raphael. If you ever find yourself in trouble, you can use the seal as a pass. It is essentially a seal to sign documents. If I were the heir of my household, you would be the one responsible for our internal affairs."

"Damn nobility. Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl," I said, my voice thick with disgust. I couldn't imagine myself hunching over a desk, buried with papers, my life dictated by their ancient, archaic traditions.

"Mine too." Levi's eyes, usually cold and distant, flickered with a hint of something that might have been amusement.

There were times in the short week we spent where I wanted to just take a look inside his brain, so I could tell whether he was just a ruthless maniac or someone who was deeply hurt and trying his best to make sure no one ever suffered the way he did. I wanted to get to know him better, even though it meant for me to be heartbroken.

The rational thing would be to run far away. Far. Away. But, he was still holding my hand in this dumpster. Maybe, just like me, he desperately wanted someone to be with him, in the darkness he masterfully crafted.

In order for me to get close to him, he needed to shave down some of his undesirable traits.

"Okay, there is something I have to say. Think of it as the owner of a signet ring." I held up my left hand, the heavy gold band glinting in the dim light.

"Sure, I am listening."

"Stop micromanaging me, okay? You bought me socks, Levi. Socks! And what's up with choosing a dinner menu without even asking me? You might think you're being considerate, but it feels... disrespectful. Condescending."

A silent chuckle rumbled in Levi's chest. "Raphael," he said, his voice a low, almost seductive drawl, "you have already learned the basics of negotiation. But you already know my response, isn't that correct?"

"Yeah, I know. I'm kind of sick of you saying it."

"As you wish, Raphael."

Damn, I hate how amazing it feels to hear him say it with his deep voice. A laugh escaped my lips, a sound of self-loathing and reluctant surrender.

After that, we left for the house.