Brian Starks arrived at the Samson residence at exactly seven o’clock. Not seven minutes late. Not seven minutes early. Exactly seven. The black sedan stopped in front of the entrance, and a driver stepped out to open the door. Brian emerged wearing a charcoal suit, his dark hair neatly styled, and an expression that suggested he had better things to do than attend a family dinner. Jason had once told him that he looked permanently dissatisfied with the world. Brian had replied that the world gave him enough reasons. Tonight was no different. He entered the house, where Margaret greeted him with a polite smile. “Mr. Starks, welcome.” “Thank you.” Before she could announce his arrival, Nicholas appeared from the hallway. “Brian.” Brian glanced at him. “Nicholas.” “You’re early.” “I’m on time.” “Same thing to people who lack excitement.” Brian walked past him. Nicholas followed. “Have you prepared yourself?” “For dinner?” “For Annie.” Brian stopped and turned his head. “What about her?” Nicholas grinned. “Nothing. I just thought you should know she has already threatened to leave if you’re boring.” Brian stared at him. “Why would you tell me that?” “Because I care about your emotional preparation.” “You should find a hobby.” “I have one. Annoying you.” Before Brian could respond, footsteps sounded on the stairs. Everyone turned. Annie appeared at the top of the staircase. She wore a deep purple dress that fell just below her knees, with a fitted waist and simple silver earrings. Her purple hair was loosely tied at the back, leaving a few strands framing her face. She had chosen the dress herself. Eleanor had suggested something more elaborate. Annie had refused. She descended the stairs slowly, one hand resting on the railing. Her gaze moved across the room until it landed on Brian. She paused. So this was the terrifying man everyone had been discussing. He was handsome. Annoyingly handsome. Tall, broad-shouldered, and composed, with sharp features and eyes that seemed to notice everything without revealing anything. Annie disliked that immediately. Brian, meanwhile, studied her in silence. He had expected someone spoiled by her sudden return to wealth. Perhaps a nervous young woman eager to impress the family. Instead, he saw a woman standing on the staircase as though she owned the building. Her expression suggested she was judging him. Brian found that unusual. Annie reached the final step and looked at Nicholas. “Is this him?” Nicholas nodded. “The Devil himself.” Brian’s gaze shifted to him. “Nicholas.” “What? I’m introducing you.” Annie looked Brian up and down. “You don’t look like a devil.” Nicholas covered his mouth. Brian’s expression remained unchanged. “And what does a devil look like?” “More dramatic, perhaps. Horns. Red eyes. A tail.” “Disappointing, then.” “Very.” Eleanor hurried toward them. “Annie, this is Brian Starks.” Annie held out her hand. “Hello.” Brian looked at her hand before taking it. His grip was firm, his palm warm. “Annie Samson.” She pulled her hand away. “You know my name. That saves us time.” A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes. Eleanor looked relieved that neither of them had immediately started arguing. “Why don’t we go to the dining room?” Annie turned toward the table. “Excellent suggestion. I’m starving.” Brian followed them. Jason had warned him that Annie might be troublesome. He had not mentioned that she seemed to regard conversation as a competition. Dinner began peacefully. That peace lasted approximately three minutes. Annie examined the dishes arranged across the table before turning toward Brian. “Do you always eat this quietly?” Brian lifted his eyes from his glass. “Yes.” “Why?” “Because I’m eating.” Annie nodded thoughtfully. “Interesting. I usually talk while eating.” “I noticed.” “Then you should consider yourself fortunate.” Brian looked at her. “Why?” “Because silence is expensive when I’m around.” Nicholas immediately laughed. William gave him a warning look. Annie reached for a serving dish, but before she could take it, Brian passed it to her. She glanced at him. “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” She served herself, then leaned slightly toward him. “Are you always this polite?” “When necessary.” “Am I necessary?” Brian took a sip of water. “Dinner is.” Annie stared at him. Then she smiled. “Oh, you’re going to be difficult.” “I wasn’t aware that I was required to be easy.” Nicholas lowered his fork. This dinner was better than television. Eleanor watched the two of them with cautious interest. William, however, appeared to be calculating how long it would take before either of them caused a problem. Emily sat beside her mother, quietly observing. Linda remained on the opposite side of the table, her attention fixed on the conversation despite pretending to be interested in her food. “So, Brian,” William began, “how has business been?” “Busy.” “That’s what I heard. The acquisition of the Hanwell Group has been completed.” “Yes.” Annie looked between them. “Do you people only talk about business during dinner?” William smiled faintly. “It’s a common topic.” “That sounds exhausting.” Brian glanced at her. “Not everyone finds it exhausting.” “Perhaps not everyone has interesting hobbies.” “What are your hobbies?” Annie paused. She had not expected him to ask. “Sleeping.” Brian’s eyebrows rose slightly. “And?” “Eating.” “Anything else?” “Complaining about people who interrupt my sleep and eating.” Nicholas laughed so loudly that he nearly spilled his drink. Brian looked at Annie for a moment. Then he said, “A demanding schedule.” “Exactly. I’m very busy.” A faint smile touched his lips. Annie noticed it. She pointed at him with her fork. “There. You smiled.” Brian’s expression immediately returned to normal. “No, I didn’t.” “You did.” “You imagined it.” “I have excellent eyesight.” “Then you should have seen nothing.” Annie leaned back. “Interesting. You’re not only difficult. You’re also a liar.” The room fell silent. Then Brian let out a quiet laugh. It was brief, but unmistakable. Annie blinked. She had not expected him to laugh. Neither had most of the people at the table. Jason had once claimed that Brian’s laughter was an endangered species. Nicholas looked as though he had just witnessed a historical event. Brian noticed everyone staring at him. His expression darkened. “Eat your dinner.” Nicholas immediately lowered his head. Annie smiled into her glass. After dinner, Eleanor suggested that Annie and Brian take a walk through the garden. Annie nearly objected. Then she noticed her mother’s hopeful expression. She sighed. “Fine. But if he starts discussing business, I’m returning inside.” Brian stood. “I have no intention of discussing business.” “Good. We’re making progress already.” They walked outside together. The garden was quiet, illuminated by small lights along the stone pathway. A cool breeze moved through the trees, and the distant sound of the fountain filled the silence. For almost a minute, neither of them spoke. Annie looked at him from the corner of her eye. “So.” Brian continued walking. “So?” “Are you always this quiet?” “Yes.” “That must be convenient. Nobody can accuse you of saying the wrong thing.” “I’ve been accused of worse.” Annie glanced at him. “Such as?” “Being arrogant.” “Are they wrong?” “No.” She stopped walking. Brian turned toward her. Annie folded her arms. “You admit it?” “I don’t see the point in denying an obvious fact.” She studied him, then laughed softly. “At least you’re honest.” “Occasionally.” A silence settled between them. This time, it was not uncomfortable. Annie looked up at the night sky. “Why did you agree to dinner?” “My mother asked me to come.” “Ah. So you’re obedient.” Brian turned his head. “Careful.” “Was that a threat?” “A warning.” Annie smiled. “Those are usually the same thing when men say them.” Brian looked at her more closely. “You’re not afraid of me.” “Should I be?” “Most people are.” “Most people probably have poor judgment.” He almost smiled again. Annie noticed. “You keep doing that.” “Doing what?” “Trying not to smile.” Brian looked ahead. “You talk too much.” “And you don’t talk enough. Together, we balance each other.” “I doubt that.” “Then you’re not very optimistic.” Brian stopped beside the fountain. “Annie.” She turned toward him. His expression had become more serious. “I want to make something clear.” Annie raised an eyebrow. “Already? We’ve only been outside for five minutes.” “I’m not interested in pretending to be someone I’m not.” “Wonderful. Neither am I.” “If your family expects you to pursue a relationship with me, you should know that I won’t be pressured into anything.” Annie blinked. Then she nodded. “Good.” Brian seemed slightly surprised by her answer. She continued, “Because I’m not interested in being pressured either.” “Then we understand each other.” “Not entirely.” “What do you mean?” Annie stepped closer to the fountain and rested her hands on the stone edge. “I still don’t know whether you’re boring.” Brian stared at her. She smiled. “But I’m willing to conduct further research.” For the first time that evening, Brian had no immediate response. Annie turned toward the house. “I’m going inside. The dessert looked good.” She walked away without waiting for him. Brian remained beside the fountain, watching her retreating figure. He had met countless people who tried to impress him. People who measured every word, laughed at his jokes, and carefully avoided challenging him. Annie Samson did none of those things. She had looked at him without fear. She had insulted him without hesitation. And somehow, instead of irritating him as much as she should have, she had made the evening less tedious. Brian placed one hand in his pocket. Then his phone rang. He answered without looking at the screen. “Speak.” Jason’s voice came through immediately. “So? How was dinner?” Brian glanced toward the house. “Loud.” Jason laughed. “You sound interested.” “I’m not.” “Did she insult you?” Brian remained silent. Jason’s laughter grew louder. “Oh, she did.” Brian ended the call. Inside the house, Annie was already seated at the dessert table, eating a slice of chocolate cake. She looked up when Brian entered. “You took too long.” “I was on the phone.” “Excuse accepted.” “I didn’t ask for forgiveness.” “Then you’re welcome anyway.” Brian looked at the cake on her plate. “Is that your third slice?” Annie covered it protectively with her hand. “No.” He glanced at the empty plates beside her. Annie narrowed her eyes. “Don’t judge me.” “I didn’t say anything.” “Your face did.” Brian pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down. Annie looked at him in surprise. “You’re staying?” “For dessert.” She considered this, then pushed the cake plate slightly toward the center. “Fine. But don’t take the chocolate shavings.” Brian looked at the plate. “Why would I want them?” “Everyone wants the chocolate shavings.” He said nothing. But when Annie turned to reach for her water, Brian took one. She noticed immediately. “Hey!” Brian calmly ate it. Annie stared at him in disbelief. Then she pointed at his face. “Mr. Starks, I’ve changed my mind.” “About what?” “You are a devil.” Brian leaned back in his chair. “Finally, some accuracy.” And from the doorway, Eleanor watched them with a smile she had not been able to hide. Perhaps dinner had gone better than she expected. Perhaps, for once, the future would bring something neither family had planned.

The Devil at Dinner