Her steps were marching on the floor with more force than needed as she reached their table. She snatched her jacket and was already heading for the exit without glancing back to check if she was being followed or not. She checked her wrist watch and realized how late it was. She didn't intend to stay this long. She thought it was an easy task but he sure knew his way around her.

Chilly wind gushed at her, swaying her hair all over her face but that didn't stop her. Her steps were light like they were taken absentmindedly. Her heart was still drumming crazy in her chest.

She looked left and right and there weren't any public station in sight. Only cars were driving in and out of the parking spaces the restaurant provided for customers. She glanced over her shoulder and Theo was indeed not behind her.

Her brain scoffed.

Just like we thought!

She looked around, not paying attention to whatever her head was saying.

The neighbourhood around the area didn't bother much with headlights. The only source of light was the restaurant's name, 'Oishii ie.' Which was made of golden neon lights.

She felt a pang of disappointment; she had been hoping to take the bus home but now it seemed very unlikely. Her body did the occasional shiver as she stared into space.

It took her a long while for her brain to reboot before she knew she had to call a taxi.

She dug into her purse for her phone, unlocked it and logged into her go-to-go ride.

Her whole attention was on her phone as she inputted the necessary details needed to be located and picked up and dropped off at her house.

She was relieved to know that the nearest ride wasn't that far away and could pick her up in less than a few minutes.

''... why are you standing here?''

Her shoulder jumped but then she quickly composed herself and faced her left to the source of the question.

''Waiting for my ride.'' She said with the pleasant smile to the man questioning.

His expressions hardened. ''I didn't know I was supposed to make a U-turn and park right in your face for you to get in.''

She was taken aback by the formal tone he used with her. ''No need to be sacastic about it. I wasn't planning on riding with you guys anyway.'' She replied coldly, unable to hide her irritation.

He eyed her from head to toe then back up again. Her jacket was hung on her arm instead of her wearing it. And the way she looked like a lost puppy when he approached her made him doubt all was well with her.

''Mr. Stein said you should wait in the car.''

Claire cocked her eyebrows. ''You say it like I rode with you guys here. I came by myself and I'll be leaving by myself.'' She bit out, scowling at him.

The way he was staring at her was very uncomfortable. ''Better watch those balls or I'll gauch them out.'' She growled at him.

''How long are you planning on standing here? Come in while we wait for him.'' He obviously didn't take any offense from what was said.

''Eh? Wait for who? You did not get what I said, Chad. I said I was waiting for my own ride. How on earth do I...''

A yellow simple car came into view. ''Oh here it is, tell Theo to have a good night.'' Even if that wasn't her ride there was no rule stopping her from hopping in as long as she paid for the service.

''Hold on for a minute! Miss Weber. Where are you going?''

She continued her way to the car as she lashed out at him. ''What does it look like to you?''

Chad groaned behind her going after all.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

''Mr. Stein said you should wait in the car for him.''

''That's what he said. Doesn't mean I have to do it.''

''He should be out in about twenty minutes.''

''Well you have to get a hammer to nail me for that long.''

He knew little to nothing about coercing a woman and even if he did, he doubted he was in any position to do it.

She could hear him jogging behind her. So, she clunched her purse tightly to knock the self-centered prick out if he tried to block her path or even tried to restrain her.

But to her confusion he jogged past her without trying to restrain her movement. She stopped not knowing what to make of it anymore.

Chad went over to the taxi and gave him a euro note. That was when she realised what was happening.

She quickened her pace towards them but the taxi had already started the engine to drive away.

''Warte! Warte! Warte! Warte! (Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait!)'' She hurried over banging on the windshield.

The taxi man had the decency to wine down his glass. ''Tut mir leid! Ich wunsche dir schone Nacht. (Sorry. Have a wonderful night).'' With that he drove away.

''Bastard!'' She glared at the departing car before turning to Chad.

''Bastad!'' She cursed yet again. ''What did you give him?''

''If you must know, all it took him to leave you stranded was 100€. You don't expect him to turn down such a generous offer for 15€''

''Bastard!'' She walked past him heading down the road.

''And where are you going?''

''Walking on my way home, if you can't tell''

''Don't be ridiculous!''

''Actually, I am that ridiculous and don't follow me. I'll just have to order a taxi where you can't interfere.'' She began typing on her phone as she made it down the road.

''But he'll be out any minute now.'' He said glancing at his watch.

''I'm not getting into his car. Tell him that.''

''Will it make you feel better if I tell you it's my car?''

''Nah, I'll pass. Oh! I recall you saying that you weren't anyone's personal chauffeur. And I know for a fact that it was directed at me. I'm not dumb you know.''

''Forget I ever said that. Please let's go back now. He might be wondering where we are.'' He looked like he was coming down with a headache.

''You never listen, do you? I don't like it...''

''If you keep being stubborn, I will have to carry you myself.''

''Chad you wouldn't dare!''She gritted out. However, she was reluctant to take another step. In fact her body tensed.

With Chad, she had learned not to take his world lightly. He would use whatever method he deemed effective to solve any bothersome situation.

''What are you two doing here?''

They both turned to the man right behind them.

Her body relaxed when she saw who it was.

Theo handed Chad a package he had in his hand and walked over to Claire. Without a word, he took her jacket and spread it behind her urging her to slip her arms into them. His expression was hard as he patiently waited to either comply or refuse.

She faced away and silently obeyed. It was a cold night but her brain forgot to put on her jacket.

''What's going on here? Why aren't you two in the car?'' He directed the question to Chad.

''Ask the woman not me.'' There was no politeness in the way he replied. ''I don't get what this is all about but hurry it up. I'll be waitingin the car.''

He eyes the woman beside Theo before leaving them for the parking space, carrying what was given to him.

She didn't get why he was cold to her. Just now he was pulling petty tricks to make her stay per Theo's order but now Theo was here he behaved as if nothing mattered.

''Sorry about that.'' Theo smiledat her, his hand wrapping around her waist loosely.

''Now do you mind telling me why you're out here cold?''

''That's if you let go of me first.'' Theo nodded, shoving both hands into his pocket and giving her the space she wanted.

''So what gave you the impression that I would ride with you? I just made it clear we needed a break.''

''I never agreed to it. We started dating only a month ago and you need a break already? This is something we should discuss more. ''

She glared at him. ''I'm done discussing things with you. I told you my mind and if you can't do something as simple as that then forget we were ever a thing.'' She folded her arms.

''Okay, I'll think it over.'' The glimmer in her eyes dimmed at how lightly he took the situation..

''Why don't we continue this in the car?''

She brushed past him continuing her way down the road. ''No need my second taxi will arrive anytime now.

''Second taxi?'' She didn't bother glancing his way let alone explaining.

Just so you know, we're officially over!

That was what her brain and her emotions were feeling at the moment, but she kept that fact to herself, thinking it was better if he caught on to it himself.

Theo was lost for words. He didn't understand the change in her tone but his instinct told him that he was at fault. He went over and stood in her path.

''Forget about the taxi. We'll drop you off, okay?''

She studied him for a second. There was no harshness in his tone nor did it sound like he was commanding her. She sighed. ''You don't need to worry. It's only just a few minutes to midnight, and besides it's not like anything could happen. This country is totally safe.''

''Please let us drop you home.'' He didn't understand why she was hesitating. Literally minutes ago, she was his girlfriend, and now she was treating him like a total stranger, who needed to be kept at arms length.

Claire glanced at him. By the way he was looking at her it was apparent that he wouldn't back down easily.

As if right on cue a crimson sedan drove and stopped right over them and not long the windshield wound down revealing a stoned faced Chad.

He didn't bother saying anything. All he did was tap a few buttons and the doors automatically opened.

''If you still insist on taking a taxi, I would have to join you then.''

''No you won't be doing that!'' Chad snapped at Theo.

If Theo wasn't staring at her earnestly she would've told Chad to go screw himself up and leave them behind.

She sighed. As much as she wanted to do that, she would have to refrain for now.

Theo was already giving her puppy eyes. ''Fine! As long as you keep your hands to yourself.'' She didn't wait for a reply and got in the back, sitting at the far end of the other side, establishing a clear distance between her and Theo.

He smiled innocently at her but refrained himself from flirting with her.

But who said he would keep a promise he never agreed to?