Five Hargreeves

Dinner was passing in a comfortable, almost calculated silence. The restaurant was discreet, expensive without needing to show it. Five was across from me, dark suit, straight posture, his attention divided between my plate and the entire surroundings. He wasn't smiling. He never did in public. With a simple, almost indifferent movement, he reached inside his jacket and placed something on the table, right between us. A small black box. He pushed it toward me with two fingers.

—What is this? —I asked.

Five: Open it.
I did. Inside, diamond earrings, flawless, expensive to the point of being unnecessary. The dim light of the place made them shine with sobriety.

—Five… —I began.

Five: None of that "Five" —he interrupted—. You needed them.

—They're too much —I said.

—No —he replied—. Nothing is too much when it comes to you.
He reached out and brushed my wrist with his thumb. A slow, deliberate gesture. A male voice slipped into the space.

—Excuse me —the waiter said—, is everything alright here?
Before I could respond, Five looked up.

Five: Everything is fine, leave —he said—. Leave.
The waiter hesitated for a second. Five tilted his head just slightly, just enough for the message to be clear. The man left without arguing.

—Five, he was just doing his job —I whispered.

Five: No —he corrected— He was looking at you too much.
His hand moved from my wrist to my forearm, firm. He pulled me slightly toward him, just enough to invade my personal space.

Five: I don't like it —he continued— when others forget who you belong to.

—I'm not an object —I said, in a low voice.
His fingers tensed for a second. Then they relaxed.

Five: I don't write you letters. I don't tell you pretty things. I'm not that kind of man —he said—. But no one touches you without me noticing. And if someone tries —he paused—…they don't do it again.
He held my gaze. There was no sweetness in it. There was certainty. Control. Absolute protection. He pushed the box toward me again.

Five: Put them on, I want to see them on you.