ENCOUNTER.

CHAPTER 2

Wynter's eyes widened in incredulity as she forcefully withdrew her hands from his. "What the hell do you think you're doing, sir?" she retorted, her anger palpable.

Malvern knew he'd overstepped, letting his emotions cloud his judgment. "Oh, I apologize... just a slip of the tongue," he whispered, adjusting his shirt.

Wynter's laughter was laced with disdain. "A slip of the tongue? I call that an assult ? You can't just grab someone's hand without consent!"

Malvern offered his most charming smile, taking the seat opposite hers. "I've apologized, Miss. Why are you still upset?"

Wynter found his smile repulsive. "What do you think you're doing, taking that seat? It's reserved!"

Malvern extended his hand. "Hi, Wyn. I'm Black Bird."

Wynter's eyes sparkled with amusement. "So, this is it?"

Malvern remained unfazed. "Good day, Wyn. Sorry to keep you waiting, and sorry again for my earlier behavior."

Wynter's voice was soft, measured. "So, it was you?"

Malvern smiled. "My name is Malvern Archer. That's me."

Wynter maintained a straight face, sipping her fruit juice. Malvern was taken aback – this wasn't the reaction he typically got from women. Because whenever he's around girls he doesn't need to make the move ,but instead they do , girls, women, Ladies,they crowd , around him.

He was about to say something,when a waiteress, brought a dish ,in tray right in front of Wynter ,and he could guess she ordered it .

“You ordered , for food already?"He asked, giving the waiteress his own order .

"Do I need to starve myself because of you?" she asked, her tone icy.

Malvern was taken aback, but her words struck a chord. "That's a fair point," he thought, "but her delivery is harsh."

"Sorry I took up your time; something unexpected came up," he stammered, surprised by the weakness in his own voice.

"I don't need your insincere apology," she retorted, her voice still frosty.

Malvern discreetly clenched his sweaty palms, feeling trapped and uneasy. No woman had ever spoken to him like that before, and his usual charm seemed lost on her.

"Have I wronged you in some way?" he managed to ask.

"What's your name again?" she asked, her tone firm.

Malvern sighed deeply. "My name is Malvern," he replied softly.

"Look at me, really look at me. What do you see?" she asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

He locked eyes with her, his gaze sweeping across her upper body. He couldn't deny her beauty – her long hair, sparkling eyes, small round face, and curves that caught his attention. However, his instincts told him she wasn't seeking compliments.

"I don't understand what you're getting at, Wyn," he muttered.

"How old are you?" she snapped.

Malvern hesitated, knowing most people disliked discussing their age. Still, he wanted to please her. "I'm 27, Wyn," he replied.

Before he could finish, she cut him off. "I'm 19, Mr. Malvern!"

"Mister ?,Why the formal title?" he whispered.

"When I asked you to take a good look at me, you said you saw nothing," Wynter said angrily. "Now, I'm telling you – what you're doing right now is borderline predatory,a child abuse!"

Malvern was taken aback. "Predatory? How so, Wyn?" he asked.

"Because I'm nineteen, and you had the audacity to ask me how much I charge for a night!" Wynter retorted.

Malvern realized he had misstepped. "You're still seeing yourself as a teenager, but I'm only twenty-six – that doesn't make me old," he replied.

"Do you know why I came here?" Wynter asked, her voice rising. "I came to give you a stern warning: not every woman you meet will tolerate your inappropriate advances!"

Malvern's smile faltered. Wynter's anger was palpable.

"She looks adorable when she's angry," he thought to himself.

Wynter, however, was seething. "Do you find this amusing?" she asked, her voice icy.

"No, Wyn, I'm not taking your words lightly," Malvern replied. "My mind was just preoccupied with something else."

Wynter stood up, grabbed her bag, and headed to the counter. "Where are you going?" Malvern asked, following her.

Wynter ignored him, walked up to the cashier, and paid her bill. Malvern was taken aback.

"Why did you pay the bill?" he asked.

"I'm not broke, and I won't wait for you to pay," Wynter hissed, walking out of the restaurant.

Malvern followed her. "Why are you doing all this?" he asked, trying to stop her from hailing a taxi.

Wynter turned to him. "You don't know?"

Malvern sighed. "Okay, I understand what I said yesterday was wrong, and I apologize. I didn't mean it."

A sly smirk crossed Wynter's lips as she walked away. Malvern followed her, grasping her hand from behind.

"Wyn, can you –"

Wynter landed a forceful slap on his face, cutting him off. "Next time you lay your filthy hands on me, you'll regret ever crossing paths with me!"

Malvern stood frozen, clutching his face. Never had he been treated this way by a woman – let alone a nineteen-year-old girl.