Fates that we contrive

We both stopped short and under the dim streetlight, I noticed worry smeared all over his face. 'You?' He exclaimed. Before I could answer, a knife-armed hand reached out from his blind spot, I had just enough time to stop it mid-air, barely two inches from his person before twisting it backwards, a cry of anguish came from the owner of the hand followed by a cracking sound. I might or might not have used too much force. Hurried footsteps of two people running away could be heard in the anxious seconds that followed. With respect to the scene before me, I was enlightened that there had, in fact, been more than one person and thanked my Gods that they were cowards. Turns out both me and my acquaintance had been subject to a similar predicament. My acquaintance managed up another 'You!',this time with the addition of astonishment and mild wonder in his tone. By the time he recovered from the shock, I turned to check my surroundings. To look for the person at my heel, I had this premonition that he would turn out less cowardly than those two. The dark alley lay clear , with no sign of that person. 'You know martial arts?' He sounded surprised. 'No, no,' I brushed it off,'just some slight self-defense here and there.' It wasn't exactly a lie. That move could be easily mastered by people with no martial arts and low physical strength. 'Well then, I suppose I should thank the heavens that I met you here.' It surprised me how quickly he regained his composure. He continued,'This is the second time we meet. Miss, do you believe in fate?' By the familiarity in his tone, i had the annoying realisation that we were both under the tacit understanding recognised each other and the demon inside of me itched to break that . 'I'm sorry, but have we met before?' I played dumb. He seemed momentarily aback, then much to my displeasure, continued with no sign of giving up'We met at an exhibition before, but it's fine if you don't remember. Actually, it saves me a lot of trouble meeting you here like this. Also, I know a few shops in this area ,would you mind if we spoke somewhere.' He said while suspiciously, eyeing his surroundings. 'I don't think that would be necessary.' I stated firmly. 'I dont see why you would want to speak in this eerie place. The bill's on me if that's what you're worried about.' As it turns out, he missed my point by quite a few degrees. 'You misunderstood. What i mean is that I'm rather busy and can't see any subject of possible importance for us to speak on.' If it took rudeness to brush him off ,then I'd very much resort to it. In the latest decade of my life, no one but my clients have needlessly occupied my time for so long, and I have no intention of entertaining him any longer given the fact that young men are a rather curious lot, their minds often running in twisted directions. Without waiting for a reply, I walked past him, into the darkness, my feet dragging me to I know not where. I had marched not more than five steps when his voice rang out again, but this time, the conventional bright tone was replaced with the cutting edge of sharp cold metal, almost sounding malevolent. 'I'm afraid there is more to the world than what meets the eye, Averna Vivian Lane, or should I say Black frost' The last two words were menacing with a sardonic undertone, those syllables which I never expected (nor wanted) to hear again. I remember the sickly feeling settling in my stomach. Even as I wanted to run, every fibre in my body recoiled and grew numb as if they had a mind of their own. Turns out I miscalculated the danger all along. It was standing right in front of me. Cornered
My hands fidgeted on my lap, eyes glued to the person sitting opposite to me—a desperate attempt to search his face for any signs betraying the extent of his knowledge about the skeletons in my closet. His face never for once any of the cold menace in those words that still echoed in my ears. No, none at all while choosing from the menu, not even when he ordered two cups of latte did the facade drop. He had all the genuine air of a chivalrous gentleman while speaking to the waiter, which was definitely not lost on him as it was on me. Only when the waiter left did he turn his gaze fall upon the anxiously agitated creature, which was me. 'Since I know so much about you, it is only fair if I introduce myself. My name is Vittore Luigi Viscontini, heir of casa Viscontini' He paused with an air of aristrocratic emphasis as if that fact itself was enough to enlighten me, a commoner. 'Never heard of it,' I heard myself say. Some of the self-important demeanour seemed to have been squashed under the weight of my blatant indifference 'Well, naturally, the name is less popular with the present generation,' He muttered under his breath but audible enough for my hearing. 'Enough about me, pray tell why Black Frost has resorted to such a mundane lifestyle,' he spoke in a low voice, hands folded on the table, eyebrows slightly knitted. So this was it, the extent of his knowledge, relief washed over me like a bucket of soothing warm water, but I could not allow him to realise that. 'What is it to you and how do you know about that' 'Easy there with the questions, answer mine first' 'No reason in particular, it was not the kind of job one likes to keep' 'Fair enough, but do you know what surprises me? It is that your record is too clean, apart from working in the underground that is' he animated his features, Hazel eyes glinting against the lighting. 'Most people working there have interesting origins, if you know what I mean' 'How is that of any importance to you, or wait, are you with the police?' I asked suspiciously even though the answer was rather obvious, the police don't work in such round-about ways. I was determined to appear as dumb as could be. 'That i am not,' He said, throwing his hands up in a gesture of surrender.'You're right, it is of no importance as of now. I come to you for business, to hire you' 'What?!' An expression of confusion took over my face before I could stop. 'Details of the job will be disclosed upon your arrival at your workplace' 'And what if I refuse?' 'Then the details of your past profession will be disclosed to the police' 'You ask me to work for you and your shady business and threaten me with the police upon my refusal' 'Hipocrisy, isn't it? You'll soon realise that is a trait I've mastered quite flawlessly.' He mocked as if the person in question was someone other than his own self . 'The address will be emailed to you by midnight. Be there by 6 p.m. tomorrow. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm a rather busy person ' Then he got up and left just as he had done at the exhibition, leaving me dumbfounded once again. In the end, I had to pay without having touched the coffee , lactose doesn't sit well with my stomach.