All my life is was told to fear my inner darkness, admittedly everyone has a dark side most people, either indulge in it or run from it. I feared my own for the longest time.

Well, that was until you came into my life. Like a beautiful tornado spinning my head around, too fast for my common sense to make sense of it.

I left home for a week away with my best friend, traveling to Portugal in a small mildly undiscovered town, where the main food dish was fish as the town was on a fishing pier. Sadly, the only problem was that both of us were vegetarians so that meant no fish for us.

The plane ride was okay I was seated away from her next to another passenger, one who loved my blanket and pillow more than the ones he currently had, that's the only way I could see it because as soon as I sat down in my seat he asked if he could take mine blanket and pillow.

Normally, I would've politely informed him he could get another set from the attendees but I was too exhausted to argue with him.

Everyone on the plane was asleep, except me. I can't really sleep when I'm traveling especially airborne or in water, I don't like the lack of control. The fact that I could be sleeping while this plane malfunction disturbs me.

I get up and walk over to the service area where the drinks and snacks are, a woman possibly in her mid 20 gets up to greet me. She looks so exhausted and I feel bad for her, I can't explain why I just do. Maybe it's that I disturbed her peace.

"Can I help you with something?". She asks me sweetly.

"Could I please have a glass of water"? I answer and wait while she pours the water in a cup and hands it back to me. Before I can leave she speaks again.

"Wait, one moment please". She says before going into a small cupboard, leaving me there with my now empty cup of water. You know when people say curious minds are dangerous, I always laughed, but I should've taken it as a warning. I still believe I haven't learned my lesson at times.

I watch where the attendee is to see her walking down the other side of the plane towards the other service area, I don't know why she wanted me to stay here while she wondered off herself but I brush off that thought and begin to give in to my curiosity, as I look through cabinets and draws to see what else they have, I know that they keep more food, snacks, and drinks than they actually offer the passengers.

Halfway through me poking my nose in the private drawers a voice pulls my attention.

You know those over cliched versions of people, like how everyone has this ideal person they imagine they will eventually be with, I'm not saying they don't know that person will have flaws, of course, that person will because every single person has flaws, no one is born perfectly we're all works in progress.

"Could I get a bottle of sparkling water?". The voice holds authority, but for the person, they don't know that I'm not a member of staff.

I mean to anyone else it would probably be obvious but this person sounds like they get everything they want with a snap of their fingers.

"I could get you a bottle of water, or you could actually move yourself a little more and get it yourself". I reply while turning around to face this most likely wealthy and snobbish person.

As soon as my eyes land on you, I can't think straight.

My mind chanting the same phrase over and over again

Okay, time to abort.

Stand there looking at this beautiful stranger while arguing with my inner self.

I don't need to leave I have done nothing wrong, I was told to wait here by a member of staff, who seems to have magically disappeared, so I'm staying.

"Do you always make it a habit to gawk at people when first meeting them?". The insult in his words doesn't go unnoticed by me, I just don't see the point in feeding into it. From his demeanor, he seems like the type of person who loves getting a reaction out of others.

Well, I'm not going to give you that satisfaction.

"I was waiting for your response, dear. And are you always a jerk when first meeting people." I throw one back.

He smirks at me, I would be lying if I said it didn't add to his physical appearance. We don't say a word, looking at me as I'm looking at him.

"I'm sure you can get yourself a drink, not every person you meet is going to fall at your feet, no matter how good you look." I smile at him, before pushing past him and making my way to the other service area. In hopes of finding the attendee that hasn't returned.

Before, I can make it to the other service area someone pulls me into the toilet.

"Fuck me". I sigh annoyed, all I wanted was a drink and now I'm trapped in a small bathroom with a creep because a flight attendant couldn't wait to become Houdini.

"I intend to." He says I assume to my earlier words, not realizing that I don't literally mean screw me.

"Okay listen here you creep, I'll break your bones, if you try anything," I say in anger, before turning the lock to unlock the door and go back to my seat.

A hand grabs my arm again, before turning me around so that I am facing the culprit who has me trapped in the bathroom.

Oh, I swear this guy has a death wish, first he acts like an entitled prick and now he thinks he can just drag me into a locked room and everything is justified.

"Look you entitled egotistical jerk let me go or I will happily break something that you need. I'll make sure you won't have any children." My anger flaring more than before.

It's something to treat me like a flight attendant, treating me like I'm below him, I mean I am presumably money-wise, but he doesn't need to know that.

He lets go of my arm "I'll be seeing you soon".

It's the last thing he says before I rush out of the bathroom. I'm in such a hurry that I don't realize that the attendee is outside the door. Accidentally knocking her over, "Where the fuck were you?" I ask her as she gets up and hands me my pillow and blanket.

"I'm fine, thanks," She says sarcastically before walking off back to the service area.

Well, damn I really hope she gets an award for she expectional customer service skills.

I can feel his presence behind but I ignore it and continue to my seat. Before I can walk away he speaks up again.

"The more you deny what we both know you want the more I'll be here to tempt you." He says before walking away.

I don't why but his words hit me more than they should. Maybe because deep down I know there true there's a pull between us, something I can't explain, something I can't help but want.

I sit back down in my seat, the movie is playing but my mind is distracted, I zone out my mind reeling from his words.

"I was looking for you, didn't know you were here". I don't need to turn around to know who's speaking.

"I am, what's it to you?". I reply, my mind taking snapshots of how he looks right now, he looks good. But of course, ultimately the guy did try to rape me or something, so I have to be a little firm. "And I can see you are a little thirsty. Would you like my cup of water?"

The man blinked and scoffed in surprise at my response. It was clear nobody spoke to him like this before. He paused before resuming his cocky, confident expression. "Feisty. You're not an attendant are you?".

"Wow, they should give you a Nobel prize, for your wit".

He looked at me with an amused expression, his eyes focused on me as if trying to assess me. "Not many people have the courage to speak to me like that. But more importantly, what did you say your name was?"

"Well, clearly it's about time someone put you in your place and I didn't". I look directly at him.

He straightened his back, shrugging his shoulders with the smallest smile on his face. "I'll just have to call you, love, then," he responded. "So are you going to Portugal alone, love?" he inquired, attempting to start a conversation, keeping his eyes fixed on mine.

"How about you don't call me anything? and I don't think that is any of your concern". I brush past him making my way towards the exit, I didn't need to fall deeper into this unfamiliar situation, especially with how this started.

He reached out, grabbing my wrist before I could get too far. There was a small tug of my wrist causing me to stumble back towards him. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I inquire.

"I am trying to change how we met, by staring over again, clearly you don't want that so I thought I'd try my old approach. If I recall that left you mildly speechless and mad. I like you when your angry you look sexy".

I stand there, at a loss for words. I've never met someone who could push my buttons but make me want them at the same time. I open my mouth with a smart comeback.

"Mhh," I hum. "Well you don't look sexy when you're trying so hard to win me over...love". I emphasized the love strongly as if to mock him. To my surprise, he just laughed at my response.

"Well, then I'll have to show you otherwise won't I? Won't you give me another chance?" He almost purred out but released my wrist. His hands moved inside his jacket, fumbling around for something. When he'd found what he was looking for, he pulled out a small rectangular card, a silver outline, and words in golden letters. "Give me a call if you find yourself needing a little thrill. You'll see how sexy I can be."

Before I could respond, he'd handed me his card with a charming wink, passing by me to go first towards the exit.

I look at the card that is now in my hands, looking up one last time to see him leave out of the door. I think about throwing the card in the trash can next to me but second, guess my decision. Instead, I shove it in my back pocket and exit the building, making my way back to my hotel suite. Walking back my mind unintentionally drifts back to my encounters with him. I can't help but get him out of my head.

Days passed and I had forgotten all about the encounter with that cocky, confident, and self-absorbed man. But it was pretty easy when my mind was focused on other things. New places to visit and take pictures with, sights to see, places to eat, and ways to tan. It was great.

But then I had nothing to do. As I was sorting through my clothes, checking the pockets to make sure there was no change or paper - I found the small card and the number. His words echoed through my mind. 'If you need a thrill, call me. I can show you how sexy I can be.' I can't lie I was intrigued.

Before I could talk myself out of it I grab my phone and dial his number. It rang a few times, and as I began to reprimand myself for doing such a stupid thing or actually calling him - I hear a click.

"Hello". His voice sounds deep and raspy, like velvet.

"I thought you'd be more pleased to hear from me?" I tease him, I hear him clear his throat through the receiver.

"I thought you'd thrown my card away, considering I hadn't heard from you in a while". He says in a pleased manner, I was strongly considering it, I think to myself.

"I thought I'd let you suffer a little while longer, you know what they say distance makes the heart grow fonder, well in your case". I reply. I hear him blow out an exasperated breath as I wait for one of his cocky responses.

"Distance makes the heart grow fonder?" He repeated. I could just feel his smirk over the phone as though he was going to say something cocky. "I think you mean absence, my dear. Nonetheless, I'm happy you called."

And there it was. I roll my eyes and just smirk, taking a few steps back until I feel the edge of the bed hitting the back of my knee and sit down. "Happy?" I repeat. "Why is that?"

"Well coincidentally, I don't have any more appointments this evening. Wouldn't it be just great if the two of us meet up over a coffee? I did promise to show you my attractive side after all," he hummed. "Meet me at Turner Street near the Coffee shop. And if you don't turn up, I'll be quite surprised considering you're the one to reach out."

Sitting on the edge of my bed. I wrack my brain for a reply that would save me from this situation, "absence, distance both make the heart grow fonder, especially when it's something that you want, after all, you yourself just said you're happy I called". I reply

Proving my point". "I can't meet you today, I'm meeting a friend and I'm quite busy and are you sure you mean 'surprised and not disappointed". I nervously chewing the inside of my lip. I know I've just lied to him about both things; meeting a friend and being busy, but whenever I'm around him, I can't trust either of us.

"No, I did mean absence. There has been an absence between us because you chose not to call, but no distance because I presume we're both still in Portugal," he answered, but I can tell he's a little confused at what I've told him.

Maybe there was a hint of frustration? "Because it would mean you're wasting my time. I like your fire, energy, and you're beautiful. But if you just want to play around it won't make up for any quality of yours," he teased, "It for sure won't leave me fond."

There was a pause on the line for a second. I stayed to hear if he had anything else to say.

"Look, I've made my intentions clear. I won't chase anyone. If your friend cancels, then send me your address and I'll pick you up or order you a taxi. If not, then I do wish you the best," he said before there was a click on the other line. He'd hung up.

Should I go? He was quite aggressive and trying to dominate the situation. Or was he trying to lay his cards on the table and it's my turn?

Ugh, he didn't even allow me to respond.

I repeat his words in my head, pondering on what I should do. Should I go or should I stay? Before I can talk myself out of it I send him a text agreeing to him, but informing him that I'd make my own way and we could meet at the cold brew coffee shop.

Instead of waiting for his text, I begin to clean my room a little and begin to get ready, even though I am not sure what time we are meeting I've always been one of those people that liked to be ready before time and only leave the bare minimum to do at the end, like get my shoes and coat on.

I sit at my dresser and look at my reflection, I can't wipe the smile that is plastered on my face, I shake my head at my own childlike giddiness at seeing him again. "You are not going to sleep with him". I look at myself sternly.

MALE POINT OF VIEW

My phone pings, informing me that I have a new text message. I check who it's from, it's from her.
Frowning, at her response.
Why does she have to be so stubborn?

I click on the reply button and begin typing away. I agree to her terms and check the time before informing her that I'll meet her there at 5 pm.

I decided before meeting her I'll freshen up. I pick out my clothing, going for a relaxed but smart option. After making a few more phone calls.

Decide to head out, occasionally checking the time. I reach the coffee shop at 4.45 pm. I like being early, punctuation is key, after all, it's how I've made my business.

I receive another text message, it's from her again. I smile at her words. My mind can't help but think about how we first met and that quick wit and smart mouth of hers.

Being early also gives me the perfect opportunity to familiarise myself with the surrounding environment and ways I could leave if it turned out the fire and wit was just her being a bitch.

I really hoped that wasn't the case. She did seem like someone who would be a lot of fun to have an intellectual conversation with. Or if someone was to give her attitude, rather than meekly take it not to cause a scene, she'd rip off their heads.

That was my type.

I see her walking in. I was sat with my back against the back exit. I wave her over.

FEMALE PONIT OF VIEW

I get there 5 minutes late. I don't think my internal clock has ever got me anywhere on time. I see him waving me over, I make my way over slowly, assessing as much of him as I could from this distance.

I can still make out his chiseled features, as he sits there coolly waiting patiently. Mostly enjoying the view in front of him, meaning me. I pick up my pace as the wind blows a little harsher than earlier today.

"I can see you really couldn't wait to come to see me," I said sarcastically, holding my cup with both hands. I'm wearing my usual white ironed shirt and black trousers.

She also looks quite lovely, wearing makeup to highlight her eye color and enlarge her lips with a shade brighter than her own. "So. What can I get you?"

I take a seat opposite him, I haven't spoken a word since I had walked in. I can't tell if it's the nerves or the fact that I don't know what to say to him.

I decide to ignore his sarcastic comment and respond to his question instead, " I'm fine, thank you for asking but I'm not really thirsty".

What am I doing? What is this?

The only two questions that have been swarming around in my mind ever since I replied to his message about meeting up.

As much as I want to say something to get a reaction out of him I don't. Instead, I sit in front of him just watching him, watch me.

"So what do you do?". He questions me, his demeanor more serious.