The elderly man’s gaze didn’t bother the human, she didn’t mind the fact that it seemed to be falling on her more often than not. A warm smile pressed to her face, the fact seemed to only improve matters. When Alasdair leaned in to whisper in her ear, a low and quiet chuckle escaped from her mouth as she nodded in understanding. “Not an issue, I enjoy the ambient.” Her eyes scanned over the menu lazily while she did her best to keep up with the conversation that Al’s CFO and Mr. Rubenford seemed to be engaged in. The latter seemed to be much more at ease talking to John, Tatiana occasionally flashing him an encouraging smile.
“I think I’ll have the pesto fettuccine” Tatiana voiced, her eyes falling down to the hand that warmed up her thigh. Funny, the slit in her dress exposed quite a bit of flesh – flesh that the demon’s hand was now casually resting over. She wouldn’t deny that the small gesture sent a shiver down her spine – he was, after all, a very attractive man and had the circumstances been a little different, she would have not hesitated in turning a little more flirty. But this was not the time, nor the place. Sweetness invaded her mouth as she brought the glass of wine up to her lips, taking a small sip as her eyes remained ever so subtly focused on the two men. “This is going well.” Tatia mumured into Alasdair’s ear “Mr. Rubenford seems to be far more relaxed than he initially was when we first made our entrance. The tension in his shoulders seems to have loosened up and his jaw isn’t nearly as clenched anymore.. who knows, maybe by the end of it all, he might even find that he enjoyed the oh-so-dreaded business meeting. It looks like the odds are very much in your favor this night, Mr. Rowe.”
Alasdair smiled into the rim of his glass at Tatiana’s words. She was clearly not wrong, the man across the table from them had appeared to relax but he knew it had a great deal to do with Tatiana’s presence. More research. Alasdair had learned the man was generally very suspicious and nervous by other men but when it came to women, he seemed far more relaxed. Was it a worry about being threatened? Alasdair wasn’t sure. Mr. Rubenford had also very much been a mama’s boy as they’re called when she’d been alive. “Let’s hope they stay in my favor. It’s thanks to you considering your presence seemed to help.” He moved to set his glass back down on the table before he leaned toward the other two men himself.
“Mr. Rubenford, if I may interrupt, John here can prattle on for ages and we all might lose years of our lives.” That managed to get John to roll his eyes at Alasdair but the two were close enough that it was hardly more than lighthearted fun. “You’ve built yourself quite an establishment after everything you have been through and for that, I truly thank you. I can imagine that it must have been hard to go through such a thing.” Alasdair knew to himself it was bullshit rose-colored words. People got through hardships every day. People have been through far worse. But Alasdair learned long ago that being the demon he is today requires a certain...empathy that he had to feign. “You’ve done such a wonderful job and I only wish to extend my assistance and lighten the burden on your shoulders. You could finally go on vacation, enjoy your life as you’re meant to, and as evident by my track record, your company will be in great hands.”
Not a surprise to Alasdair, he watched Mr. Rubenford squirm in his chair and tug at the collar of his shirt. He sputtered out a few incoherent words before he took up his glass of water to take a sip from it. “I-I’m very aware... everyone speaks graciously about DIRE Industries... It’s just, well, the company... it’s very... special. My parents wouldn’t have ever sold it over,” the man stammered out, his eyes avoiding Alasdair as much as possible in favor of looking at the table or Tatiana. “I-I d-don’t want... to do an injustice to them..”
Alasdair waved his hand in the air as he sat back in his chair. “Understandably so, they intended for it to be a small company, kept to the family and passed down. But there’s so much potential and I would hate to see it fall short of that. This is why I am offering you twice what your company is worth, Mr. Rubenford. John has gone over the numbers with you, I’m doing what I can to ensure you never have to worry about anything and your company will flourish.” Alasdair’s words were echoed by John, pointing out what they’d gone over before Alasdair and Tatiana arrived. Still, there was uncertainty in Mr. Rubenford’s expression as he squirmed in his seat. “All good and well, Mr. Rowe, I just.... I’m still not sure--”
“What would Elizabeth want you to do?” Alasdair interrupted with a smirk. Elizabeth was certainly not his wife.