June 14^th, Abel was in his bedroom, getting ready for his date with Marlene. He was looking in the mirror, checking his slicked back blonde hair and fixing his sunglasses, wearing a grey dress shirt, black dress pants, and black dress shoes. As he was putting on his belt for his dress pants, he heard heels approaching which was Erika walking into his bedroom. She felt jealous that he was getting dressed for the date. Despite her jealousy, she kept her composure.

“So… what time are you going to come back, Abel?” She asked.

“Whenever I want to come back, Erika.” He replied coldly.

Erika was angry that Abel was going to dinner with Marlene, who she thought was not worthy as her to have Abel’s attention. She deemed herself worthy for him ever since they became partners, getting them to where they are now. She also thought of herself as his queen since they have been intimate multiple times over the course of two years. Abel, on the other hand, thought of her only as his business partner, not as his queen. He also thought of her as a horny partner that he has to deal with almost every night. And since Erika was the only woman close during the nights of working, he would oblige to relieve his stress until he was finished.

When Abel saw that everything was in order on him, he puts on his black suit vest, walks out his bedroom passing Erika, went downstairs, and walked to the front door.

“Abel!”

Erika called from the stairs, making Abel stopped and turned to look at her before he could open the door.

“What?” He answered coldly.

“Do you wish for me to stay here when you come back?”

Erika was hoping she could have some time with him when he got home from his date with Marlene, but Abel was not going to deal with her tonight.

“No. I intend for you to get out of my house and go home. Your work is done here.” He replies irritated.

He opened the door and signaled Erika to exit his house which she did, coming down the stairs and quickly walking out the house. She went to her red Lexus and left out his driveway angrily. Abel then locked up his house and got in his silver Mercedes Benz to head to Marlene’s house.

.   .   .

At Marlene’s house, she was getting ready for her date with Abel with Nikita’s help. Nikita finished Marlene’s hair which was done in waterfall curls. Marlene was putting on black eye shadow, mascara, and lip gloss.

“Are you sure the eye shadow is necessary?” Marlene asks unsurely.

“Of course.” Nikita replies while smiling. “There’s nothing wrong with eye shadow. It shows more depth for your eyes and matches with the dress.”

Marlene was wearing a black dress that stopped above her knees with spaghetti straps over her shoulders and it hugged her body’s curves.

“Perfect.” Nikita commented happily.

For the finishing touches, Nikita did Marlene’s nails with gray French tips, and Marlene wore black 4-inch heeled shoes. Nikita was happy at how her twin sister looked.

“Are you sure this isn’t too much?” Marlene asked sounding concerned.

“You look just fine, Marlene. Don’t worry.” Nikita reassured her.

They hear the doorbell ring. Marlene quickly went upstairs to get her things and Nikita went to get the door. She opened the door and saw Abel with one hand in his pocket with an indifferent look on his face. Seeing Abel’s eyes through his sunglasses made Nikita feel a shiver down her spine wanting to flirt with him, but she was resisting as hard as she could.

“Why, hello, Mr. Wilson.” Nikita greeted, smiling.

Abel nodded his head in response.

“Hello, Ms. Rosa. I’m here to pick up your sister.” Abel said with a light smile.

“Of course. I’ll get her. Please, come on in.”

Abel walks in and sits down on a love seat couch in the living room, while Nikita went upstairs to get Marlene. He looks at the décor of the living room. Flat screen TV on the wall, beige walls, white carpet matching the ceiling, a large circular brown rug in the center, a fireplace that was adjacent to where the flat screen was, and a bigger couch that is identical to the love seat, was between the fireplace and the love seat.

‘A fair and simple setup for a living room.’ Abel thought.

He heard high heeled shoes coming from upstairs that reminded him of Erika. Besides seeing Erika, he saw Marlene in her black dress which calmed him down with Nikita behind her. As Marlene walked downstairs, Abel stands up and was stunned at her beautiful appearance. Marlene looked at him with a nervous smile when he came into view, blushing at how his suit looked, simple with style. Abel came out of his stupor, wanting to break the silence.

“So…are you ready to go, Marlene?” Abel asked her.

“Uh… Yeah. I’m ready.” She replied nervously.

Abel and Marlene start walking out the front door with Nikita walking behind them to close the front door.

“Have fun, Marlene.” Nikita said in a sing song voice.

As Nikita closed the door, Abel and Marlene were outside walking to his car, Abel couldn’t help but look at Marlene’s figure in her dress. To him, it looked perfect just like the last dress she wore the week prior. Marlene looked to him.

“What’s wrong, Abel?” She asked wondering why he was staring at her strongly. ‘Why did Nikita have to talk me into wearing all this makeup?’

She thought the makeup was the problem as well.

“Nothing is wrong. You look beautiful.” Abel assured Marlene.

Marlene blushed when Abel said those words and looked to see Abel’s car. He opened the passenger side door to let Marlene in. As Marlene got in, Abel closed her door, went to the driver’s side, got in, started the car, and drove out the driveway onto the road.

.   .   .

While Abel was driving, Marlene was in awe when she looked at the design inside the car. Several minutes into the drive, Marlene was silent; scared that she would say something embarrassing to Abel on accident. Abel noticed how uncomfortable she was looking from his peripheral.

“Is there something troubling you, Ms. Rosa?” Abel asked Marlene.

“Oh, no. Nothing’s wrong.” She replies uneasily. “I… I’m just a little… nervous. This is my first date, actually.”

Abel raised a brow hearing this.

“Is that so, Ms. Rosa?”

“Yes. Nikita is one of the sisters that goes on dates; along with some of my other sisters, but not me. Me and one of my younger sisters, Rika, are the ‘study first, date later’ types.”

“I see. So, you have… how many sisters?”

“Six other sisters. I’m the second out of eight.”

“Interesting...”

It did not take long to reach their destination. The location was a fancy, beautiful, well known 5-star restaurant called The Blue. Marlene was surprised that they would be eating at a restaurant so luxurious. Abel parked in the parking lot, got out along with Marlene, and locked his car. Abel held out his left arm for Marlene to hold. She nervously did and they walked to the front door of The Blue. When they came in, Marlene was amazed of the restaurant’s interior, authentic art, and a luxurious design. They walked to the welcoming desk where a host was standing nearby.

“Hello.” The host greeted. “Welcome to The Blue. Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes. Under the last name ‘Wilson’. Table for two.” Abel replied.

When the host found his name, he took two menus from the desk, signaled them to follow him to the table they would be eating at for the night. Their table had a nice view of the moon and starry night sky, and a glass door leading outside to the balcony. On the balcony, there was a dance floor with speakers and a small stage for a singer and for a small D.J. booth. As the host puts the menus on their table, Abel pulled out the chair for Marlene for her to sit. Abel then sat in the other chair.

“Okay. Someone will come in a moment to serve you. Have a nice meal.” The host said as he was leaving their table.

As Abel and Marlene looked at the menus, a waitress came to their table.

“Hello, and welcome to The Blue.” The waitress greeted. “May I start you two off with something to drink?”

Abel looked at the wine section of the menu.

“We would like some water and a bottle of your best wine.” He replies.

“Sure thing. Have you both also decided on what you would like to eat?”

Abel looks at Marlene to see if she decided, she nods and looks to the waitress.

“Yes. I would like to have the grilled salmon with asparagus.” Marlene replied.

The waitress typed her order down on a mini tablet.

“And for you, sir?” The waitress asked him.

“The American wagyu. 6 oz. Medium well with the steamed vegetables.” Abel replies expressionlessly.

The waitress typed down his order on her tablet and sends the orders to the kitchen.

“Okay. Your water and your wine will be coming up soon, and your food will come shortly after. I will take your menus and I’ll come back with your orders later.” She informs them.

Marlene and Abel gave the waitress the menus and she walks away. As she did, it became silent between them for just a couple of minutes.

“I’m sorry. I don’t have much to talk about.” Marlene speaks nervously.

“Don’t be. It’s fine. I have that effect on people.” Abel reassures her. “I know I look difficult to talk to. Don’t be scared. You can talk to me about anything if you want.”

Marlene began to feel a little eased when Abel said those words.

“Well, I’m curious about this, Abel.” She starts. “You… just met me. What made you want to do this?”

Abel puts his hands together and looks dead in her eyes.

“Because there was something I saw about you.” He replies. “Like I said before, you reminded me of a familiar face back when I was young. Also, you’re right. Our eyes are the same.”

“Well, is there a reason for our eyes?”

“Yes, but I need to see if my hunch is correct, so I’ll tell you another time.”

Moments later, the waitress and a back waiter came to their table with their water, wine, and their food. The waitress puts their food in their respective places and the waiter gave them two glasses of water, two glasses for the wine, and the wine bottle in a bucket of ice to the side of the table.

“There you go, you two. Enjoy your meal.” The waitress speaks with a smile.

As she walked away with the waiter, Abel and Marlene start eating. Marlene then looked to Abel; wanting to start another conversation.

“So, Abel… What is it that you do for a living?” She asked.

“I… work as a scientist.” Abel replied.

“Well… is there anything that you’re working on that’s groundbreaking?”

Hearing curiosity in Marlene’s voice made Abel smile.

“Well, last week, that meeting was for funds I needed for my work, but it’s nothing interesting. It’s just for simple things. But it might be a cure in the future.”

Marlene looks to him surprised.

“Really? For what?”

“I can’t tell you that. That is classified. But you will see it eventually.”

Noticing Abel truly meant it was classified, Marlene decided to not ask any more about it and started to sip the wine, enjoying its sweet taste.

“What about you, Ms. Rosa?” Abel asked. “What do you do for a living?”

Marlene instantly stopped drinking her wine and looks to Abel.

“Well, I work part-time as a nurse and I’m a cellist. But on some occasions, I do play the violin.” She answers.

Abel was intrigued to hear about her occupation and talents; knowing she was able to juggle them both.

“So, a cellist, a violinist, and a nurse. You are a musical type along with being in the medical field. An interesting flexibility.” He compliments.

Marlene began to blush a little and smile.

“In which hospital are you a nurse?” Abel asked.

“Hope Hospital.” She replied. “I’ve been a nurse there for a few years now.”

“Oh. And where did you learn to play the cello and the violin?”

“Gabriella’s School of Music for 4 years. And even from my mother… when I was younger…”

 Marlene zoned out which made Abel grow concerned.

“Ms. Rosa?” He calls to her.

Marlene came back to reality, feeling saddened, but she composed herself by pushing the memory from her mind.

“Sorry…” She speaks lowly. “Um, do you play any type of instruments, Abel?”

“Well, Ms. Rosa, I do play the piano, but it’s on rare occasions.” He replies.

“Oh. Not much spare time on your schedule?”

Realizing Marlene is teasing him, Abel chuckles at her questions.

“You could say that.” He answers.