Serious Business (Closed to Samantha)

[longterm]

The meeting between Cesare and Samantha had gone well. Surprisingly well. Cesare had promised her money for her centre, some large donations had been made and now all that was left was seeing how Samantha felt about the deal.

Not intending to waste time, Cesare sends Samantha a text the morning the payment goes through: Dinner? -C . Normally he would sign off with both of his initials, but he thinks now is a time to invite Samantha to be on first name terms with him, if she would like.

He invites Samantha to dinner in his hotel, in a half power move, half attempt to give them some privacy. It would be unfortunate if the two of them were seen together and rumours started. As such, they're in a private dining room with their own set of waitstaff.

Their conversation goes well and Cesare enjoys it, but they don't talk business. It's only when the two of them are sipping their nightcaps, looking over the night view of London that Cesare finally mentions something.

"So have you thought about my offer?"

Comments

[longterm]

Amusingly enough, Cesare does invite friends over for dinner. A lot. He enjoys fine dining and showing off, which means his pals get invited around often.

"Good point. Not in private rooms. You're a special guest," he replies with a smirk and a nod of his head. The fact that it's so late in the evening, though, is definitely not lost on him. He's very aware of that indeed. "We can still get along, though, can't we?" Cesare is game to get along with her very well indeed.

[brightwitch]

A special guest. She smiles at his phrasing. Guess she might as well find out just how hospitable he is.

Samantha stands up, smoothing the front of her dress. "I don't know. As a special guest, do I get a room to myself? I might have forgotten to check in."

She hasn't booked anything here, of course. It wouldn't do for her name to be on the record.

[longterm]

"Ah. Hmmm. That might be a problem. You see, I'm not entirely sure we have the space. You are more than welcome to join me in my suite though..."

His excuse is a poor one. The hotel is large enough to have at least a few spare rooms almost certainly. But it's about time he put his cards on the table, he thinks. He's interested in her - of course he is - and he might as well make that clear. They've courted each other enough by now, surely? And they get along well. They're both adults here and Cesare isn't looking for anything serious. He suspects Samantha has a similar mindset.

[brightwitch]

That's bullshit and they both know it, but she doesn't mind. If she's going to plot with a vampire, why not go full hog? The offer earns him another smile and she holds out her hand, inviting him to take it.

"A generous offer, as ever. I accept." There's a teasing tone to her voice, but all in good fun. "Lead the way, signor."