A Word of Praise

Kiara got to the coffee shop earlier to grab a bite to eat. She was in practice all day and was eager to reward herself with a nice meal. The place Carina suggested was really cute and had an extensive menu of light and healthy options. The girl must have thought she was all into healthy food, being a circus artist and all. Kiara snorted at the idea, thinking about her undying love for good food in all its forms and shapes.

She chose the avocado toast with smoked salmon but asked for a poached egg on top to make it more interesting. It was still healthy, but at least it tasted like proper food. If she had to eat another bitter melon, quinoa, and black beans mix with no seasoning whatsoever, she'd kill someone.

Halfway through her dish, she heard the door opening and hoped Carina had arrived, preferably with her bag attached to her arm. When she turned around, the small piece of avocado that was halfway through her oropharynx decided to avoid her esophagus, falling straight into her trachea.

She started coughing so hard, the entire establishment quit their activities to pay attention to her. She would have hated the commotion if she were able to think about anything other than preventing the encounter of her once cherished food with her lungs.

The server that helped her out before coming to the rescue, giving her some water, and patting her back, but as soon as she could go a second without coughing, she told the girl she was fine, motioning for her to leave. Her teary eyes caught sight of a moving male figure approaching, and she almost wished the choking had been her ticket to the afterlife. Death would outclass that encounter.

Unfortunately, her struggle subsided in a few seconds and she was left to face that gorgeous man who would most certainly accomplish what the toast failed to do.

"I believe you have something that belongs to me" His voice was deep, and she could see he was struggling with something. Probably the urge to murder her. "Likewise" She retorted, unable to hold her tongue.

"What?"

"I suppose you have my bag, considering Carina is not here"

"How dare you..." his voice rose, causing Kiara to uncomfortably shift her weight. People were staring.

"Stop yelling, you are calling unnecessary attention. It's clear we have some business to discuss, so let's do it outside" The street was not deserted enough to make her scared to be out, but not as crowded as the coffee shop where people would hear the fallout.

"Don't you dare..." She had already left a few dollars on the table and proceeded to the exit, leaving him no choice but to follow her.

Finally outside, she took him out of the passage and stood in the open parking lot, where people wouldn't hear them out.

"Where is Carina?"

"You don't get to ask questions here!" His fists clenched, and his face was turning red, but somehow, she wasn't scared of him. Despite the clear depiction of anger, he seemed in control. Just in case, she grabbed her keys between her fingers. "I just want to know she's ok. It wasn't her fault, we never met before." She felt the need to explain, hating the idea of getting the girl in trouble because of their association.

"Of course she is ok, who do you think I am?" His voice was outraged, and she felt her assumption truly offended him.

"I have no idea who you are"

"Yet you had no problem taking something that is mine"

"Damn you, I saw your house, I saw that drawer full of jewelry. What difference does a single ring make?" She knew she was wrong but couldn't help trying to defend herself. "It is mine, and I need it back."

"Fine! Jesus, what is it with you rich people? Don't you have enough already?"

"You don't know what you are talking about" She expected him to be mad, they always were when she attacked the lifestyle of the one percent.

"Whatever. I don't have it with me right now. I can give it back to you tomorrow"

"No. We will get it now." There it was again, that commanding tone that both she and Michael noticed. She began to think it was his standard voice. He didn't ask for things, he simply demanded them. Well, she wasn't one to comply that easily.

"I won't take you to my house, I don't even know your name"

"Chris"

"Christian?"

"Just Chris"

"I bet it isn't. Rich people are never called 'just something'. What is it?"

"You are a fucking pain in the ass"

"Is it Christopher?"

His silence gave her the answer. Christopher. It suited him, though she really preferred just Chris. It didn't matter though; she was still not willing to let him push her around.

"So, Christopher, I won't bring you to my house. We can meet tomorrow, and you can keep my bag as collateral" She was searching her memory for the negotiation talk her father once taught her and was glad to remember a few terms. "That ring is worth a thousand of your bags"

"Maybe, but I want the bag back" and she'd never sell the ring or any of her prizes. That would mean she was a thief, stealing for money. She wasn't, they were just her private collection. Still, he didn't need to know that. "Fine"

"I need my cellphone back"

"No" His voice was final, but she was not one to let people impose their wishes upon.

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"I need it to call you, so we can set the exchange" She knew it was reasonable enough to pass, but the truth was she just wanted to win over him. He was already getting his ring back; she needed a victory of her own. "You are so damn annoying"

"Thanks. Can I have it now?"

He sighed heavily and walked towards an Aston Martin Vanquish she was almost certain came from one of the James Bond movies. If her memory didn't fail her, it was the one from Die Another Day. What? She hated the rich, but she sure as hell loved the richness.

"Here," he spat, putting the phone in her hands. She noticed how big his hands were compared to hers and wondered how she escaped his grip the night they met.

"What is your number?"

"What?"

"I'll call you so you can save it. Then you text me where we can meet."

"Oh, right" He seemed a bit uncomfortable ever since he agreed on giving her the phone back. She couldn't help the satisfied smile that reached her face. Good, a little taste of his own medicine. No doubt he enjoyed making people uncomfortable with his tough attitude.

He hissed the number, and she immediately called him. She saw his phone vibrating and headed off, despite enjoying the view of that dominating man so off his game.

"You didn't tell me your name" He shouted when she was already a few feet away "Kiara" She shouted back, shooting her signature wink.