When Shun Met Tatiana

He chuckled to himself.

"Until next time, then..."

She turned to glare at him again.

"No! No next time! You made me late. Next time I really will spray you in the face with pepper spray--how dare you ask me out!"

Shun chuckled.

"I really am sorry."

"If you're sorry, never talk to us again," she huffed.

"I wish I could," he replied sincerely. "Once you pay us, I'll disappear from your life."

She sighed, shaking her head.

"...What if I do say yes, to your stupid proposal? What do I get if I agree?"

"If you agree, then consider your debt for the month...gone," he replied, smiling at her. "And that's just for one date."

"...You'll leave my brother alone while I'm gone?" she asked, glancing at the ground. She couldn't believe she was considering this scumbag's offer.

"Of course," he replied, smiling brightly. "Just one date."

"...When are you proposing we go on this stupid outing?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"At your earliest convenience," he replied brightly.

"...I get off of work tomorrow at six," she replied, pulling at her jacket sleeves. "I will meet you somewhere, I suppose. Somewhere with lights, and people."

"You choose the restaurant," he offered. "I'll pay for everything."

"The Olive Garden on Fifth," she said after a moment of deliberation. "I will be there by 6:30."

He nodded to her.

"I'll see you then," Shun replied, turning to leave.

-x-

Tatiana stood outside the Olive Garden, shivering like a leaf in the wind. She tightened her scarf and blew on her fingers to warm them.

That stupid Asian mafia bastard had better get here soon; she was growing tired of waiting. Worse, if she was out too late, she would worry poor Maxim.

When he arrived, he stepped out of a rather nice car. Shun smiled, handing her the beautiful bouquet of flowers in his arms.

"These are for you," he said, removing his sunglasses. "I'm sorry business ran late. Let's go inside."

She tossed the flowers into the trash can on the corner.

"Thank you," she said, shrugging. "I would just like to eat and leave."

Shun chuckled, not at all perturbed. He had expected that anyway.

"Let's go, then," he escorted her inside, got the server to take them to the reserved table and sat across from her. "Order anything you'd like."

"I'm not hungry," she lied, even as her stomach grumbled. "Why did you ask me here? What do you want from me? I have no more money to give you than I did yesterday. We have to survive, you know."

"I think you're quite pretty," he smiled at her. "I like a girl who can hold her own against a man. You're quite feisty."

"...What?" she asked, giving him a weird look. "You mean this is an actual date? You actually thought it was a good idea to ask out someone you've been hassling for money?!"

She leaned over the table, running a hand through her hair.

"You are either crazy or stupid...I cannot tell."

"Crazy," he replied, grinning. "Definitely crazy.

"I can't help myself, when I'm attracted to someone, I can't pass up the opportunity. Certainly not one as beautiful as you."

She shook her head.

"I don't think you understand--this is awful," she insisted. "You are some crazy man who would hurt me and my brother for money. What about in January, when one of you gave Maxim a black eye and sprained my wrist? I cannot just forget all the awful things that have happened because of one nice dinner!"

Shun gave her a blank stare.

"...excuse me?" he deadpanned. "Who was it? What did they look like?"