In the amount of time that she had been gone, one would think it was a week. The amount of work Saith had done in a mere four hours was more than impressive. Though, looking at his spectacular marks, it truly wasn't that impossible to believe.

Saith managed to finalize the floor plans for one of the wings. It was something Mae started but never got to finish due to likely being jerked in numerous directions. He also sampled some of the various DJs and organized them in order from best to worst (it should be noted that he did burn a few sample disks too as they were absolutely dreadful and unworthy of Mae's angelic ears). Drow also found time to call some of the theme studios to get prices on their exhibits. Some were just too high to even consider whereas others had the quality and price that met the budget limitations. Saith thumbed through possible photographers and actually opted to hire students from the school--both alum and currently enrolled. If Mae objected, he would simply remind her that the school was to encourage school spirit and pride and how better to capture such moments than students who attend(ed). Lastly, he spoke with some of the student teams and helped give them more direction. They were thankful and couldn't wait to dive into the tasks he presented them with.

Perhaps Saith's favorite decision of the day was catering. The idea of finding food for such a large populous would seem overwhelming but the drow loved his cuisine. He liked to think of himself as a "foodie" as the human proclaimed it--those who enjoyed food and found the artsy side of it to be truly breathtaking and wondrous.

It was hard to request samples on such short notice, but Saith made it work. As a drow, he had no shame in conning one company after another into delivering samples in a very urgent manner. All he had to do was 'accidentally' name-drop a competitor, and the companies were eager to oblige. Naturally, Saith would make note of these kind accommodations and do his absolute best to get at least something from these companies. He did do his research after all--the five final companies all had glowing 4 to 5 start reviews AND fell into budget.

The food arrived right on time, too. Helping scurry it into the room where he and Mae would slave away until the sun rose the next morning, the drow found his sense of purpose again. The game was on. Mae was his mark and he was going to do all he could to impress her. Even if it all failed, at least he could say he tried. And then, naturally, revert back to his less than noble (and dare I say simpler) ways of wooing women.

Laying out fine linens on the table, Saith made quick work of tiding the place up so it no longer looked like a working office, but rather an exotic room for wining and dining. Candles adorned the table center and mood lighting was installed (he changed the bulbs so they had a dimming feature). Lavish, elegant tassels were tied around the curtains and used to pull back the rich drapery which now veiled the once-hideous chairs.

There's a rumor that all men have this uncanny ability to do one 'queer' thing. Saith? Well, his was obviously his ability to transform such a bleak, barren room into something one would see in a bridle magazine. More flowers donned the tables and lined the edges of the room, sprucing up the place while giving it that delicious rosy smell. Romance, as cheesy as it sounded, was in the air.

He made no effort to change for he knew Mae wouldn't be privy to knowing what she was going to walk into. Saith knew she would show up. There was no way she would shy away from this. Besides, duty called! She would need to flock back here to grab work.

Charming grin on his face, he shook the hands of the men who delivered the food. "It all looks so... pristine. I'm not sure I even want to eat it." With laughs filling the air, Saith found his soul warming up to the occasion that would soon follow.

Just 30-minutes until Mae might arrive. Would she be on-time? Late? He didn't care. He was ready, despite the fact that his heart was beating a mile a minute. He tidied papers up and made certain everything was perfect. Not a flower peddle would be out of place and the curtains would be drawn just enough to make a warm, inviting glow visible to the outside world.

Deep crimson roses, lavender, summer white clematis, orchids, and lily of the valley flowers were placed in smokey black vases. Crimson to seduce. Purple for mystery. White for perfection. He picked each his flowers to convey a certain message. The original bouquet from the morning was just out of courtesy but upon seeing what he started, the drow figured he might as well build on it and cement what he began.

Letting out a sigh, he closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. There was no way he would walk out of here knowing that he had 'sealed the deal' with her. Mae was a different kind of woman. One that wouldn't give herself away on first night. He had to keep telling himself this. He wouldn't move in for kiss unless she invited or initiated. He wouldn't let his hands dance down her spine as he nibbled lightly on her neck and ears. There would be no subtle undressing nor the moaning of pleasure. It would strictly be getting to know one another, unless Mae strongly hinted or demanded otherwise!

Glancing down at his phone, he smirked. It was a good thing he sent texts to her throughout the day to inquire what she liked. It would throw her off her game. She would likely be expecting Japanese or Chinese food instead of this plentiful meal of honey-glazed steak tips, cheddar mashed potatoes with chives and sour cream, and roasted asparagus with tomato wedges and yellow squash squares. Also laid out was juicy salmon caked in a tangy wine sauce, baked potato wedges with lemon-garlic butter, and crispy brussels sprouts set on lean carrot strips. On the final entree plate laid raviolis with a homemade garden sauce beside a lovely beansprout, spring greens, pecan, goat cheese, and pear salad with a sweet cranberry vinaigrette.

Stashed away for later were cheesecake, cookies, and cannolis. The cheesecake was cut into small wedges and came in various flavors like sherbet, cherry, chocolate turtle truffle, oreo, and plain. The cookies ranged from snicker-doodle to the traditional chocolate chip to the festive anise and strawberry creme. The cannolis were equally creative, but Saith dared not read into them for there would be none left to share with Mae when she arrived. The black-skinned man had a sweet-tooth and he wasn't ashamed to admit it.

Pacing back and forth, he glanced at the clock. Any minute now, he told himself. Not wanting to look like a worrying fool, he took a seat on one of the newly covered chairs. They hardly looked like the old, worn out chairs that used to sit in the office. Instead, they were covered with fine black cloth with silver bows and tassels on the backside. The underlying color theme for the night was blacks, silvers, purples, and whites--with a hint of deep red! These were all colors of the night and colors Saith simply preferred.

Mushing his lips together, his ears picked up the faintest of steps. Someone was coming. She was coming.

Door opening, Saith rose in a very chivalrous manner and found himself beside the door. "Welcome, ma'dam," he said while slipping into light bow. "Since I saw no signs of a full lunch, I thought I would offer you a dinner to die for." Letting his hands fly gracefully from the side, he coaxed her into the room.

The moment she entered, she would smell all the delicious meals as well as the faint scent of the lovely flowers tucked all over the place. Even the subtle scent of the wooden wick burning lingered in the air just long enough to quell any nerves.

Saith, sweeping in beside her, guided her by loose hand to her seat across from his place at the work-table-turned-dining-table. Gingerly pulling back her chair, he helped ease the woman in and kindly pushed her forward so that she was now seated properly before the banquet sprawled out before her.

From her once-desk now turned mini-bar, the drow twirled out some champagne glasses. Not sure if Mae would join him, he rose a brow to her. If she nodded, he would tip some of the bubbling liquid into her crystal glass with a silver rim. If she said no, he would just make use of the sparkling grape juice--the kid-friendly version of what he was drinking.

Drinks on the table, the white haired male shuffled some food over to them and took his seat. "Since you haven't had time to sample food, I figured let's bring the food to us. There's all kind of meals available but I went with the traditional three. The meals were prepared by three different companies and the desserts by a fourth. There was a fifth but they only brought appetizers which I... might have had for lunch. I did save some in the fridge for you though."

Pulling off the silver lids, he displayed the three meals. "They didn't make a ton. I might have, uh, hinted that it would just be for two. We'll have to sample a bite of everything but then we can pick our favorite." He gave her a quick glare. "And you have to save room for dessert. I may or may not have tried to kill off the cannolis." Winking, he leaned back to let the lady lead. "You first," he said with that unbelievably dashing smile of his. It certainly didn't help that he was still wearing that form-fitting black shirt from earlier. It wasn't hard to let the eyes draw out what laid beneath that top--from pronounced collar bone to the barely visible (due to the table being in the way) set of abs. His lean, toned arms were now rested properly in his lap and his head tilted to the side to inquire and watch what the elf woman did next.

And those eyes. If Mae dared to look up, would undoubtedly make her squirm. Bluer than ever, they looked just like the clearest of lakes beneath the bluest of skies. They were relaxed yet enticing as they patiently gazed across at her.

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