Falling in Love with a Sociopath

Tori rushed out her door with her Chanel purse in one hand and phone, keys, and portable tea mug in the other. She ran to her building elevator to go down to the lobby and catch her Uber to her boutique. Tori owned a trendy woman's apparel boutique in SoHo, New York. “Good thing I made that move to New York” she thought to herself. Tori is a jersey girl, born and raised but with her new clothing store commencing in the fashion capital she thought it would be appropriate to move to the big apple; and a fresh start as well. Furthermore, she was late for everything. Her vicinity from her apartment to her store made her transit much easier in the morning. She hopped in her Uber and made her way to ‘Bawdy’. As she climbed out of her Uber she bumped into a slim man carrying big empty boxes. Her chai tea fell on the floor as well as all of his boxes. “Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I'm always rushing” she apologized astounded. He looked at her reverenced “no that's okay. I wasn't looking” he said to her as he picked up her portable mug. “I'm Chad. Do you need more of that? You spilled it all” Chad asked as he handed her the portable mug. She smiled at him as they both gazed at each other. “No thank you. Sorry about that again!” She quickly ran off to open her boutique doors and left him staring at her butt. She could feel his eyes on her back as she entered her boutique and set up for the day. Tori was on the computer taking in inventory when she heard a man’s voice “I didn't know exactly what you like but here” Chad put a cup of Starbucks chai tea on her store counter. She grinned at him locking into his gaze “Thanks!” “Yea, so what's your name? You never told me” he persisted. “Tori” she put her hand out for him to shake. “Chad” he said holding her hand delicately. “There's this restaurant around the corner from here that we could go to for your lunch break.” She was taken a back at his confidence. She giggled “what kind of food do they have?” “All kinds of food…” She looked down at her computer to see her progress on taking in inventory and what time it was. “hmmm, I close the store at ten tonight. You could pick me up from here if that works” she replied. In all candor, Tori ran the store herself hindering her from leaving her boutique throughout the day. “Alright, I'll come for you tonight” he said putting his business card down on her register counter, he made his way to the door “I'm excited to see you tonight” he confessed in a sweet tone before he left her store. She felt the butterflies in her stomach fluttering. She couldn't find words to come out, only a big smile and a blushing pink face. Chad took her to a trendy Italian restaurant. Chad was awkward and quiet. He seemed uncomfortable and uptight. But she remained polite and tried to keep the conversation going. His choice of discussion was money, he advised her on how she could make money by saving money and keeping a side job. It was very odd to her, something she wasn't used to. Most men rave about how beautiful she is and try to manipulate her into their bedroom. Although he was awkward and weird, Tori appreciated that he wasn't rude or effusive. “So how long have you been working at that boutique?” He asked. She giggled “Well I recently opened my baby earlier this month” Tori boasted. His eyebrows raised as he jerked back in his chair. “Oh yea?!” She raised one eyebrow up, offended at how shocked Chad was. “What? You've never seen a woman own anything?” “oh no, no” he let out a light snicker to play it off. “What do you own?” “A lot of property! I own a real estate firm” he was being modest, he actually owned one of the biggest real estate company's in New York. Tori presumed he wasn't the bumptious type due to his rugged appearance. Chad had minimal facial hair only on his chin and upper lip. He had a very oddly shaped big head that he tried to cover with his hat and by the way he talked and his movement she insinuated he had bad teeth. His appearance didn't deter her from going out on this date with him. Tori was drop dead gorgeous but she didn't want to date a man for physicality and or wealth, solely. Tori wanted substance and virtues in her life companion. Although he was weird she thought maybe he was a good person on the inside. The timid, good guy Tori optimized. Tori enjoyed the muscles and her favorite dessert, crème brûlée. Chad didn't eat much of his food and mentioned how he didn't enjoy spicy or authentic foods. Making sense as to why he was so skinny. “I’m a picky eater. I like to eat the same foods that I know” Chad explained “I can tell” Tori said. After he paid for their dinner they walked outside “okay so I’m going to call you later” “oh okay” Tori replied confused at his conclusion to their date “you're okay?” He asked as confirmation to leave. “Yea thanks” she turned around and walked towards her new Manhattan apartment. When she got home she felt perplexed by Chad and his true motive. Although it was refreshing to not date a guy who was solely about sex, his mannerisms were confusing nonetheless. She opened her Mac book air to do some browsing for her store to end her night.The next morning, she woke up to a text message from Chad ‘good morning beautiful’. Instant smile to start her day.