"Do you mind if I take a seat?" Shanks asked turning from the coffee bar.

You jolted dropping your phone on the desk having forgotten the stranger in the lobby with you.

"Make yourself at home." You recovered with a warm smile.

He plopped down on the leather sofa silencing his phone.

Sake8zero: I know you're upset
Sake8zero: I'm extremely sorry for saying something so jarring and disappearing. You have every right to not speak to me

Shanks peeked up from his phone to watch you read his messages.

With a huff and, in his opinion, an adorable pout, you began to type.

Pyt07: I don't recall you being this dramatic before
Pyt07: Don't be ridiculous. I would have expected you to at least wait for me to respond.

A knot formed in his throat while a soft smile played across his lips.

Sake8zero: Can I ask what that response would have been?

The lobby door swung open starting you and the redhead.

"There you are yoi." Marco huffed, "Why are you sitting around in the lobby? Pops has one more bottle of sake to crack open."
"Just needed peaceful moment." The redhead flashed a brilliant smile rising to his feet.
"Oh, hey F/N, this is Shanks," Marco gestured to the redhead, "He owns the vineyard in South Bank."
"Oh, nice to meet you." You nodded.
"Pleasures all mine." He replied with a wink and turned back to Marco, "Do we have any of the '98 left for F/N to sample?"
"Oh, thanks but I can't while I'm on duty." You interjected.
"I think one glass would be fine yoi." Marco chuckled.
"Then it's settled." Shanks chimed making his exit.

Pyt07: I would have said we should wait.
Pyt07: And I have no intention to cut off contact.
Pyt07: .... It was weird not talking to you

Sake8zero: Awe, you missed me?

Pyt07: don't get ahead of yourself

He wished he'd still been in the lobby to see you type that.

"The you are lad!" Newgate boomed as Shanks and Marco entered the conference room.
"I just needed some fresh air." Shanks smiled, "So, how long has F/N worked here?"

Benn glanced at his boss sideways.

"You've got to stop trying to steal our staff." Thatch rumbled.
"I don't think he wants her to work for him yoi." Marco wiggled his brows.
"Honestly Nami is cuter...and has a better attitude." Ace commented earning a glare from the redhead.
"Don't be rude." Newgate swatted the youngest, "F/N is a charming young woman, you just aren't used to dealing with a mature adult."

Ace puffed his cheeks at his father.

"Some things never change." Thatch laughed.

Shanks found the bottle he was looking for and a clean glass.

"Where are you going?" Benn asked crossing his arms over his chest.
"Marco cleared F/N to have a sample. They can't sell a tour if they haven't tasted the product right?"
"Except F/N works nights." Ace mumbled.

Shanks ignored him swiftly walking back to the front desk.

With a small frown bending your lips you locked your phone and slid it across the desk.

"Am I interrupting something?" Shanks asked merrily.
"Ah, no sir." You straightened yourself out getting a better look at his smiling face as he approached the front desk.
"No need to be so formal." He chuckled placing a wine glass on the counter and filling it, "You seemed to be enthralled in your phone earlier."
"Just chatting with a friend." Your flush didn't go unnoticed, "I think he's fallen asleep though."
"What a lucky friend you have." He pushed the glass toward you.
"Sure." You shrugged reluctantly taking the wine, "So, you really own the vineyard?"
"Is it hard to believe?" He asked resting his chin in his palm.
"You just look a little young to have a business that big."

A hint of pink dusted his cheeks before a playful but serious expression washed over his face.

"I'm almost forty." He chuckled.
"Exactly." You nodded bringing the glass to your lips, "It's sweet."
"It's a port." He smiled, "I thought you'd like something sweeter."

Of course, he already knew you preferred sweet things.

"Is that...blackberry?" You went for another sip as his smile widened.
"It is. You're good at this."
"Definitely not." You smirked, "It's just a flavor I happen to like."
"Boss, if you're finished Newgate would like you to come back to finish that sake." Benn leaned in the doorway.

Shanks' bottom lip jutted out just enough for you to take notice.

"Fine." He sighed glancing up at you, "Have a good night F/N. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon."
"Good night." You murmured feeling a bit of heat rush to your face.

What's with this guy?

You felt a bit guilty for finding him so attractive while you had your online...friend?

Shanks walked out of the lobby feeling guilty for not just saying who he was. But you weren't ready, what was he supposed to do?