Aiko spent twice as long getting ready as she normally would have. She tried on a handful of outfits until she decided on something fairly casual. It was a short skirt with a tight shirt that showed her stomach and a bulky jacket over the top. It was a look that she’d recently seen popping up in magazines more frequently lately. To complete the outfit she put on a pair of relatively plain black shoes with cream colored leg warmers that went about halfway up her shins. Her hair was put up and styled, then kept in place with a couple of colorful hair clips. After spending ample time observing herself in the mirror, she headed to the restaurant they’d decided to meet at.
Soft voices and the sounds of clanking silverware created a delicate atmosphere. Nicely dressed servers made their way through obstacle courses of tables and guests in the dim setting. It was the kind of place that usually would have required a dress code if it wasn’t for the raw chipping concrete walls styled to look elegantly modern and rustic at the same time along with the music over the speakers which was soft and soothing.
MC and Aiko were seated across from each other and were deciding what to order.
Aiko sipped wine while MC did more looking than drinking with his glass. He felt a little sick remembering what happened the last time he drank.
“I’ve never actually been to this restaurant before,” said Aiko.
“I haven’t either. It’s the kind of place that you pass by every now and then, but never really have the opportunity to go to. I’m glad you suggested coming here.”
“Are you feeling better after getting some rest this week? That boxing match looked like it really took it out of you.”
”Oh yeah, nothing a bit of ice and rest couldn’t fix. What about you? Have you been overwhelmed with things at work?”
Aiko rolled her eyes. “It’s been nothing but busy. I’m sure you’ve heard of representative Eisenhower. He’s the newest talk of the town. Just another politician trying to make a name for himself. He’s been causing quite an uproar in the community lately. Taxes this, money that. Everyone’s conflicted. Our job at the agency is to make sure nothing gets too out of hand along with everything else we already do.”
“Sounds like you guys really care about the city and making sure things stay as calm as they can.”
“That’s a big part of our job. Most of the police units are too overwhelmed dealing with petty crimes and responding to general emergency calls. That’s where we come in and deal with the higher up type of problems which is mainly dealing with The Black Diamond and The Organization.”
“Seems like that could be dangerous,” said MC as he couldn’t help but feel bad that he was a part of the reason for the detectives to work so hard.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“It sure can be. Most of the time it’s boring paperwork and meetings, but once in a while we get tasked with some pretty risky missions. Nothing I can’t handle though,” she said with a smirk.
“You really are something, Aiko. You’re so independent and driven.”
“Oh, stop that!” said Aiko.
“I mean it. I’ve always thought that about you. Even when we were young. You always had such passion in your eyes about whatever you were doing no matter how mundane.” MC wasn’t trying to be over the top with the compliments, they just seemed to flow.
“You’ve always been too nice to me. I’m glad we’ve reconnected.”
They spent the rest of dinner reminiscing over the past and exploring each other's thoughts about life and the modern world. As they finished dinner, MC couldn’t help but feel like he wanted to continue to spend time with her.
“Hey, I’ve got a place I want to show you. Would you mind staying out a little longer?”
“Yeah, of course,” said Aiko, also wanting to stay with him longer.
“Great, it’s not too far from here.”
They drove a short ways and reached the top of a cliff on the outskirts of the city. A short walk across a field of grass revealed a view from above. He placed a jacket down on the ground for them to sit on. The city lights hid the stars, but just seeing all of the lights seemed to be a universe of its own. Highways weaved between buildings creating snake-like trails of light and dotted lines of light were like towers in the darkness.
“I know you’ve lived here your whole life, so you’ve probably seen this view before, but I thought it would be nice to see it together,” said MC.
“It’s never looked so beautiful.”
Together, they gazed silently into the blinking and flowing city and enjoyed each other's company.
At that moment, MC almost felt like they were in a bubble unaffected by the rest of the world. It was a peaceful place so different from the life and the city he knew. His busy mind almost seemed to slow down. The chronically anxious feeling in his stomach quelled itself and he felt his tight muscles started to relax.
It grew late and he noticed Aiko’s eyes struggling to stay open. She leaned over and put her tired head on his shoulder. It was dark, but MC could tell she was smiling.
He enjoyed the warmth of her pressed against him for only a moment before deciding it was time to go home. He stood her up and put his coat around her shoulders. She dozed off in the passenger seat.
The next morning, Aiko woke up in her apartment still wearing MC’s coat. She wrapped it tightly around herself and smiled as she thought about last night.
MC was conflicted. He’d let himself get too close to Aiko. She was too much to resist. He knew that he could never be with her until he finished what he needed to do and left his life of crime behind.
Dad, if you were here. What would you tell me to do?
He spent a good portion of the day working out to clear his head. He lifted weights and poured sweat trying to sort things out.
I need to finish what I started before I can move on. Getting any closer with Aiko would only hold me back. I can’t afford to have a relationship like this. It’s more than just that. Someone like me can’t get involved with someone like her.