Private Finished Dinner, Debts and Other Dastardly Designs

"You sure you don't want us to come in with you, boss?" inquired a somewhat thin, blonde man who wore a clean black suit and had his hair slicked back. "Bet we could get the money out of her real quick if all three of us go at her, heh."

The person he spoke to, a somewhat peculiar fellow with bandages peeking out from the sleeves and collar of his dark gray suit, didn't even look back at the lackeys that were following him as he replied. "Matsuda, I know you're used to the old boss's way of doing things, but I like being a little more... tasteful with my approach." Kakeru glanced over his shoulder momentarily, flashing Matsuda a smile. "Not to mention, I don't think the Volkovs would appreciate me bringing my lackeys to their place. I'd rather lay low."

With a nod, the blonde went silent.

When they arrived at the staircase which lead up to the Wolf's Den, the three suited men who had been following Kakeru remained outside, and their boss, with a nod of approval, stepped inside.

Upon being approached by a hostess, he took his hat off and held it to his chest. "As much as I would love to be seated by someone as beautiful as you, I already have someone waiting for me. Don't worry, I can find them on my own - wouldn't want to keep you from other customers." He threw in a gentle smile, then made his way into the bar.

It didn't take long for him to spot the person who was "waiting for him". The bar had its fair share of people who dressed elegantly, but it was never difficult to spot the big company CEOs. And, well, he studied her photos well before setting out on this task.

"Excuse me, ma'am," Aisuke said as he approached her, trying his best to appear friendly. "I couldn't help but notice you're sitting here on your own, and I thought it's a shame that someone as lovely as you would have to drink alone," he smiled warmly, putting on his charming voice. "And well, given I came here alone too... perhaps I could join you for a drink or two?"

'Ah, the boyfriend's on his way. Better make this quick,' Kakeru thought, doubting that Broen would appreciate her drinking with a complete stranger.

"I would love to," he replied to her offer, hanging his coat on the back of the chair before taking the seat. As he sat down, he glanced towards the entrance he came through, just to make sure his lackeys hadn't come in yet. "But a boyfriend, huh? That's a shame, but I guess I should've expected someone as sweet as you would be taken." He gave her the classic wink n' smile, and quickly brushed over his blatant flirting by calling over a waitress.

Once Aisuke had ordered one of those obscure drinks that even the bartenders haven't heard of, he turned back to look at the woman across the table from him. It was time to get started.

He leaned onto his knuckles, still with a charming smile on his face. "So, seeing as we're already going to be sharing drinks, I don't think it'd be rude if I asked for your name?"

“Oooo...” Aisuke said in wonder at the Spanish pronunciation of her name. “Exotic. I like that. But I feel like if I try to pronounce it, I might offend you. European names aren’t easy for a foreigner like me.” He let out a lighthearted chuckle, then turned to look at the waitress, who had now arrived with his drink.

After receiving his beverage, Kakeru gestured for the waitress to lean down. Once she did, he whispered something in her ear, then pulled away and gave her a wink. She blushed, before nodding and heading off.

“Seeing as that is a special name... where exactly are you from? Or are you native to the island?” He took a sip from his drink, subtly glancing towards the entrance once more as he waited for her answer.

It wasn't difficult to spot his lackeys who had decided it was time to head in after their boss, and were currently speaking to the hostess with a fairly aggressive demeanor.

'Ugh... why can't they be more subtle?' Kakeru thought in irritation, seeing as they were sticking out like a sore them. 'In any case, that means I've not got much time left...'

When Zora finished answering his previous question, the man put his cup back down and suddenly snapped his fingers, with a look of realization on his face. "Ah, I suddenly realize why your name sounded familiar," he told her, despite never mentioning that it had been familiar. "Do you happen to be from the Del Bosque family?"

“Well, it’s an honor to meet you. You’re well known in the world of business,” he said to her with an admiring tone, somewhat brushing off the question of “why.” “As a bussinessman myself, your work with Woodland Imports is truly inspiring. Who would’ve thought it’s possible to make an empire in such little time?”

As Aisuke spoke, he spotted the lot of his lackeys coming in from behind Zora. Quickly, he signaled with his eyes for them to take a seat in one of the empty tables that were out of their target’s sight. Once they were seated, he continued.

“Honestly, though, you shouldn’t sound so surprised! Your company has been featured in countless business magazines and news articles.”

Staring down at the drink in his hand, Kakeru gently moved his wrist in a circular motion to stir the ice and alcohol inside. “I’ve heard about everything, from your massive successes to your struggles and, well...” He brought the cup up to his lips again, gulping down the contents.

“The darker dealings you’ve had.”

Aisuke remained silent as Zoraida froze up at his words, still smiling as if he hadn't mentioned something that could be taken as a personal attack. Initially, he ignored her asking for his name, preferring to focus not on his identity but on the matter at hand.

His silence was uncomfortable. Frightening, even, as Kakeru stared down at his cup quietly with the same gentle smile on his face. It wasn't the kind of quietness of someone who didn't believe what she said - rather he knew that it wasn't quite right.

After a few moments, his voice pierced the pseudo-quiet with a casual tone. "Ah! I don't doubt that you run your business cleanly. I can't see someone with a pretty face like yours being dishonest..." It seemed like he wanted to add a "but" to the end of that sentence, however, instead, he suddenly changed the topic back to her question from before.

"Right, I haven't shared my name yet, have I? It's Jay Porter, but I'll give you special permission to just call me Jay." He gave her a quick wink.

With that introduction out of the way, he returned to the important matter. "I am curious, though... if I've heard correctly, you've recently taken over some of your brother's companies. I was wondering if you're aware of the dealings he's had before you took over?"