He squints and seems to be probing me for a few seconds before nodding. I don't know if he's lying, but honestly, I don't want to piss him off again. Afterwards, I really wonder what his intentions are. Does he do that to irritate me or destabilize me, in any case, it's successful. I no longer know on which foot to dance and I feel totally powerless in front of him. He has this strange gift of making everything around him look small.

My hesitation doesn't seem to suit him, because he smoothes his dark green suit with a dry gesture. I don't know if it's a “decide now or...