Uriel was running late as usual, only this time it wasn't because of his habit of waking up late but because he had to take the public transportation to get to Dolminico's restaurant and he got lost. Although it was a popular restaurant among the college students since it was relatively close to campus, it was also a high end place in the upscale part of the city and Uriel wasn't familiar with the place.
The front face didn't look like much, if anything, it looked like a pre apocalyptic historical building. It didn't look modern at all, but that was precisely its charm. It was built with reinforced concrete and actual glass windows, it looked really different to the usual alloy buildings made in mass.
Uriel feared not being able to get inside the restaurant since he wasn't dressed for the occasion, but fortunately for him the dress code was somewhat relaxed due to the fact that it was a place wealthy students use to frequent.
After showing his hunter card which identified him as a first class citizen and explaining that he had been invited he was led to the table where the woman he had previously spoken with on the phone was already waiting.
Uriel followed the receptionist but didn't make it to the table because a firm hand grasped his shoulder keeping him on the spot.
"Where are you going so fast Urinal?" Mark said as he held on to his shoulder with the enhanced strength of an ascended human.
"Ouch! Mark, what are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here? What are YOU doing here? If you're looking for a job this place is out of your reach." Mark scoffed.
Although Uriel wasn't actually looking for a job, he didn't really know what he was doing either so he didn't know how to answer so he ignored Mark and attempted to keep walking, but Mark tightened his grip as he smirked.
"Mister Jacobson, If it's not much to ask..." The female employee that was taking Uriel to his table attempted to calm Mark without much success, but she wasn't ready to give up yet. "Please, if only you let me explain the situation." She begged. In any other circumstance, any other day, she wouldn't have minded Mark's rude behavior as he was one of the best customers on the restaurant, but the guest waiting for Uriel couldn't be ignored and she had been waiting for a while now. The poor woman couldn't decide what to do because no matter what she did, she would offend a customer.
Noticing this, Mark realized that if he made trouble now he could end up being kicked out of the restaurant. Bullying Uriel or teasing the waitresses was within the accepted range of behavior, but bothering other customers wasn't allowed. That's why he immediately shifted his demeanor.
"I'm sorry for causing trouble, it's just that this guy is a friend of ours and we'd like to invite him over to our table." With this words, Mark let the receptionist know that he wasn't willing to let Uriel go but, at the same time, that he would avoid to make a scene in front of everyone and she had no choice but to shrug her shoulders and let him do as he pleased. However, she headed towards the table where the woman was waiting for Uriel to let her know that he had ran into some 'friends' and would probably be late.
"Leave me alone Mark, this has nothing to do with you." Uriel said, still attempting to release himself from his grip.
"Ohhh, Careful Mark, don't forget he's an evolved now. If you're not careful he might kick your ass." Tom, one of Mark's goons joked.
Mark's table was already full since he was having dinner with Tom, Bert, Will and also with Cassandra the heavenly 'Sword' who was also Luna's sister.
Resigned to probably being embarrassed in front of her, Uriel sighed and stopped struggling. Of course, Mark didn't bother in getting a chair for Uriel and left him standing and ignored him completely. They were currently in a meeting to decide some details about an expedition, but since Cassandra belonged to the army now it was difficult to set a scedule.
She did recognize Uriel, but she didn't mind at all if he was being bullied in front of her. Not only she didn't care, she also wanted to see how would Uriel react. She expected him to ask for help or at least discretely speaking to her letting Mark know that he knew her from before, but being accustomed to this treatment Uriel simply remained silent.
It wasn't unusual for a bullying victim to have their character diminished to the point where they wouldn't even bother speaking up or fight back, but Luna had depicted her friend as a smart and reliable companion that ultimately saved everyone's life and Cassandra was disappointed to see Uriel cowering in front of Mark.
After a couple minuted of Uriel standing awkwardly in front of the table, in complete silence and embarrassment after being forced to stay standing and ignored someone came hurriedly to the table. It was the most gorgeous brunette, no, the most beautiful woman Uriel had ever seen in his life. To say he was impressed would have been an understatement, her long silky red dress with a side slit emphasizing her beautiful long and toned legs left him in a daze and her sunkissed skin made her look impossibly pretty and exotic at the same time.
"Why didn't you answer the phone all this time!? Don't you have a heart!?" The hot brunette scolded.
"Do you know her?" Bert asked Mark, to which Mark did nothing but shake his head.
"I'm sorry?" Uriel managed to say under his breath, not knowing if she was actually addressing him despite her looking him straight in the eye.
"You should be sorry! You don't know how much trouble you caused me." She said in a sorrowful pout after recognizing Uriel's voice from the phone. "This is an extremely urgent matter and here you are playing hard to get. You even made me come all the way here, if you really wanted me to come there are other ways..." Realizing her blunder, the woman suddenly fell silent. The heavy contrast between her mature charm and her shy demeanor made her a true sight to behold.
"Hey miss, I think you're mistaken, you must have confused this loser with someone that actually matters. If you want to hang out you could join our table and get to know each other. My father is the owner of the Jacobs company, I'm sure someone of your caliber has heard of it." Mark stood up and said with his chest puffed out, both in pride and in an attempt to look more manly.
"Dude, Mark is so awesome, just look at him go." Tom whispered in awe, to which Will replied, "Yeah, he's such a ladykiller. I wish I had his charisma."
"Mister Sage, do you know this guy?" The woman asked him with sharp eyes that could freeze someone on the spot. Mark couldn't bear the thought of 'Urinal' being addressed as 'Mister Sage' by a beautiful woman, especially after she completely ignored him, but there was nothing he could do without further embarrassing himself in front of Cassandra.
"I- Uhm..." Not knowing what to answer, Uriel's tongue got stuck. For a glimpse of a second he was about to nod, but he thought it better. "No, he's no one to me."
"Then I have nothing to discuss with you." She directed an indifferent gaze towards Mark, then continued speaking with Uriel. "If you're so kind to accompany me for dinner I'll tell you everything about the Mapple corp. expedition we're planning." Said the beautiful young woman with a mesmerizing smile.
Now that Uriel met her in person, even if she was a saleswoman after his money he would have felt inclined to listen to what she had to say, but Uriel wasn't the only one present and Mark was able to hear her mention something about the expedition.
"You should have said that you wanted to go to the expedition before. If you have dinner with me I'll let you in on this incredible expedition planned by the Mapple corp."
"Oh really? And who even invited you? I work for the Mapple corp. and I've never even heard of you before." The brunette scoffed. "Let's go Mister Sage." She said turning her back on Mark, walking arm in arm with Uriel leaving everyone present stunned in place. Especially Mark who now was reddened in both anger an shame.
"That went well..." Cassandra laughed at Mark's failed attempt to flirt with the brunette.