Charles couldn't explain the mix of anger, and disappointment that filled him up, as his hopes crashed like the waves of the sea. Without knowing, he bit his lip, and squeezed his phone, still staring at the message that seemed to spoil his day. *My Apologies, but I do not think we will be able to meet due to unforseen circumstances. However, you need not worry, as I'll find ways to return your system back to the way it used to be. It seems the recent upgrade may be too high for you, and we may need not meet again.* After all his anticipation, and boiling questions, was this what he was expected to settle with? He bit his lip harder and stuffed his phone into his pocket. All the million questions that had surfaced in him due to knowing there could be answers—what was he supposed to do about them since the stranger didn't want to meet up anymore? He didn't even mind that the system was being degraded, as the heat of all his unanswered questions seemed to make him angrier by the moment. How did the system get there? Could it ever be removed? When did the system get there? Could it ever be dangerous or harmful to him? Were there sides to it he hadn't seen? The questions were just too much! Charles began to walk, but anyone passing by could see the scowl on his face. They didn't want to come too close. The most annoying thing about it was the fact that he couldn't even track the stranger if he wanted to because he was obviously a damned tech expert, who was more skilled than James or than anyone he ever knew. Maybe he was even the manufacturer of the system in his head. Slowly, he took in deep breaths, and took out his phone from his pockets, walking towards his car. Maybe if he texted him, and told him he had other reasons to see him, he would reply, and decide to meet him. *Can we please meet? I think I need the meet up more than you do. I have some questions, but they aren't any questions to make you feel uncomfortable. I've just been wondering a lot about myself.* Charles read the words he typed into the text box thrice, wondering if it was good enough, needed a few edits, or needed a total clearing. He decided not to think too much, and sent it immediately. Charles waited carefully, staring at the chat, waiting for a response. There was none. He leaned against his car, and kept on staring. After fifteen minutes, he got into his car, and continued waiting, and hoping he was going to get a response. If not a response then at least a notification that the tech expert had seen it. ~ Vera walked in to her hours, and was a little shocked to find a smile on her face. Why was she smiling? Could it really be due to the stranger she had just met? She walked straight to her room, dropped her bag on the little sofa there, and kicked off her shoes, as she walked straight to the wardrobe. She took off her suit jacket, and hung it, before proceeding to dump the white shirt into the laundry basket. With a camisole and her suit pants, she went down the stairs, setting her hair free, and having it bounce around her shoulders. Hours ago, she thought all she wanted to do when she got home was sleep, but at the moment, she didn't feel like sleeping at all. She was giddy with excitement. She threw her fridge open, and smiled as the light was cast coolly over her face. For some reason, seeing coffee made her recall the handsome stranger she had met that day. She took out a bottle of red wine, and a glass goblet before going to sit on one of the sofas, placing her legs on the table. She opened the bottle of wine, and poured it richly into her goblet, before setting it on the floor in front of her. As she drank, her thoughts drifted fully to her handsome stranger. There was just something about him that was so easy. He made her feel comfortable even when he was flirting with her. She knew she didn't like him, so naturally she was supposed to feel uncomfortable with his flirting, so why did she feel comfortable with it? She placed her goblet against her lips, and left it there, still thinking. He was interesting, and had a mysterious feel about him. He was also a car dealer, so he wasn't a jobless man. When last had she had a man to make her laugh, or maybe she should say: When last had she been treated like a lady? Ladies were stared at with smiles, ladies' words were paid attention to… Men regarded them as beings to be pleased. Being treated like that even for a night left a beautiful feeling blooming in her chest. Vera was used to being stern, and keeping a straight face. She knew it, and she had definitely not been welcoming to the stranger. She had been honest, and a little brutal with her words, but even with that, he had still been interested in her. Was she that interesting?—Interesting enough for him to stick around? Then she realized she hadn't even taken the sip of wine she wanted to take. Her glass goblet had been resting on her lips for minutes, and she had been lost in thoughts. "Wait… why am I thinking about him?" She asked herself, taking the goblet off her lips. "Chill Vera, it's just because it's been a night different from all your nights." She said, giving herself an explanation. She raised a brow to question her own explanation, but shrugged afterwards. Just then, a text came in on her phone. She peered at it next to her on the sofa, and saw little of the message. She sat up straight, dropped her goblet on the table, and reached for her phone. She opened the message fully, and read it. *Tonight was a fun and beautiful night. I can't remember the last time I laughed that much. I hope we get to see each other more often, Vera.* If felt like she could hear her name roll off his tongue softly. She could also hear him saying those words out loud with his easy smile, and his eyes looking into hers intently. Then after a while, she realized she had been staring and smiling at the text, and rereading it. Why? She asked herself but… Not a single explanation came.