The restaurant was upscale, dimly lit with soft jazz playing in the background. It wasn’t Roman Sionis’s usual scene—too tame, too predictable—but he figured a blind date deserved at least some effort. After all, his reputation didn’t leave much room for normality.

He adjusted his cufflinks as he entered, his tailored suit impeccable, the gleam of his shoes catching the light. Roman was always meticulous about his appearance; after all, first impressions were everything. Yet beneath the polished exterior, there was a flicker of irritation. A blind date—really? It wasn’t his idea, but after persistent badgering from an associate who claimed he “needed to meet someone outside his usual circles,” here he was.

The hostess greeted him with a polite smile. “Mr. Sionis, your table is ready. Your guest hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Of course, she hasn’t,” Roman muttered under his breath, following the hostess to a secluded corner table. He slipped into the chair, resting his arms on the pristine white tablecloth, his sharp eyes scanning the room.

Blind dates weren’t exactly his style. He preferred control, knowing everything about the people in his life. But this mystery? It intrigued him, even if he wouldn’t admit it.

He ordered a drink—a neat bourbon—and leaned back, tapping his fingers against the glass as he waited. When the door opened again, his eyes instinctively darted toward it, sizing up the person who stepped in.

“Let’s see if this was worth my time,” he murmured to himself, smirking faintly as he prepared to meet the stranger who was about to walk into his world.