A few days later

I slumped on the couch, exhausted after a day of work at the office. It was still exciting, being an apprentice for the Cabinet, but since the police charity ball, it’s been different. For starters, my father has been conspicuously absent. I hadn’t seen him since that night, really. He sent messages from home, though, still giving me advice and guidance, though I picked up his slack in the office. It was almost like he was taking a step back so I could leap forward. I wondered if it was part of his plan, forcing me to step up while he was still there to catch my mistakes, if necessary.

I was pleased to say that the mistakes on my part were minimal, and I felt like I was excelling. My colleagues were quick to note on my proficiency, and how quickly I’d been spun up on the job. Though, I had been preparing for this my whole life. If I didn’t take to it, it would be strange. I’d expected this for years, to one day resume my father’s political burdens. I just thought he would be by my side when I began to do so.

I’d heard little from Mea, just enough to know that Pa’ani was okay, out of police custody, and that nobody had been charged. It was nothing short of a miracle, to quote Mea, as Pa’ani allegedly had a stash of stolen goods on her person. Apparently, she had been nicking pocket goods out on the street when she’d been apprehended. It took several WaComm calls from me and promises of further donations to ensure her safety and quick release, a fact I had decided to keep from Mea for the time being.

I’d called the police department as soon as Mea had left my place, and made sure Pa’ani would be taken care of. But I wanted my involvement in her safety to be a surprise to Mea, one to couple the gift I’d bought her. I wanted to give it to her in a special way, something that told her how much I cared about her. I wanted to ask her to make it official, to ask if I could call her mine. I dreamed of taking her out to a fancy, luxurious five star restaurant, spoiling her with presents and fine dining, and ending the evening by making her truly mine.

I eyed the impeccably wrapped box on the counter that held Mea’s new WaComm. I had bought it for her the day after she had come to see me, hoping she’d be able to message me more often with a new WaComm. Of course, I understood she was busy with important things to do, but then again, it was the same with me and I still had time to message her. Clearly, a new WaComm would fix the problem. She was just hung up on using that old piece of junk.

The evening was promising to be dull. It was Wednesday, late enough in the week to be too tired to repeat another day, yet too early to be excited for the weekend just yet. It wasn’t as if I could stay up late going out on the town, as I knew I had to be up early in the morning. Yet, I felt antsy; I needed some socialization that wasn’t work related. It seemed that was all I had done as of late, was talk about work.

I decided to invite Sheen over, typing out a quick message and sending it. Before he could respond, I also added a request to bring some takeout if he could come.

Fortunately, he agreed to both coming over and to bringing food; a fact I rejoiced in. There was something special about sharing cheap regional food with your best friend. Maybe I could unload some of this stress on him, or hear something about what he was up to. HE was a busy man too, but I knew he still had time to woo his Ha’ana. I was eager to hear an update about that.

It wasn’t too long before Sheen was at my door and then in my apartment. The traditional Arugan fare he had brought steamed, the water vapor burning the eyes with the promise of a heavily spiced meal. My mouth watered.

“What’s up, fucker,” Sheen greeted me cheerfully as he plopped the crinkling bag filled with spicy goodness on my counter.

“Give me some of that,” I said, rushing over to dig into the bag.

Sheen smacked my hand away. “Get away, peasant. That there’s mine. I bought it, fair and square.”

“I paid for half, dickwad.” I shoved my hand back into the bag, searching for my portion. I pulled out a Styrofoam container filled with noodles.

We devoured our food in approximately four minutes and thirty-two seconds. Sheen timed it.

“Dude, you’ve got issues,” he said after I’d beat him.

“You’re just a sore loser.”

He sighed. “Ugh, I’ve been feeling like one lately, I’ll tell you the damn truth.” He settled in on the couch, flopping onto it haphazardly.

“Why’s that? Work got you down?”

“Yeah,” he said heavily, tossing his head back to lean against the cushions. “Nobody listens to me over there. I know I’m still kinda new, but all they care about is money.”

“Eh, I mean, that’s what jobs are for. Money.”

“Well, I guess, but this is research, ground breaking research! Aren’t you supposed to care more about the science than just securing another contract?”

I shrugged. “You get paid though, right?”

He sighed again. “Yes, there’s that. I just… I just wish there was more emphasis on the importance of our work, and less on the financial side… my bosses kinda suck. Well, you know them.”

“Yeah?”

“You keep forgetting that I contract under AUT, don’t you?”

“I would never forget that.”

“Fuckin’ liar,” he laughed. “Anyway, speaking of AUT… how’s Alyss?”

“Haven’t spoken to her since that day we got brunch and I turned down her dad’s deal.”

“Not a peep?”

“Not a whisper.”

“You didn’t even tell her you were turning it down?”

“She knew we weren’t like, anything exclusive. We weren’t dating. I’m sure she found out from her dad. Why would I have to say anything?”

“Uh, to be a fucking gentleman, you coward sack of shit?”

“Dick,” I said, smacking his arm. “What are you, the expert in the arts of women?”

“No, but apparently I’m better at it than you.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Oh, shit dude, you’ve gotta tell me what’s been going on with you and Ha’ana. You meet her kid yet?”

“Yeah, actually. Went better than I expected, too. She’s funny. But yes, since you asked, Ha’ana and I have been really doing well. I’m going to ask her to be my girlfriend.”

“No fucking way! I’m planning on asking Mea the same thing!”

Sheen just laughed. “You’ve got your work cut out for ya. That woman sure knows what she wants, and how to get it. She’s a loaded gun, that one.”

“What do you meam?”

“Exactly what I said. You’re lucky, if what she wants is you. From what I’ve heard from Ha’ana, Mea is a badass bitch who doesn’t take shit from anyone. Which you probably already knew.”

I thought back to my encounters with Mea. Sheen wasn’t wrong. “You might be right, Dr. Fisher.”

“Of fucking course I am.” He paused for a moment, the silence growing between us. “Hey man, how’s your dad doing?”

I took a deep breath before answering. “Not great, I don’t think.”

“You don’t think?”

“Well, I’ve not actually seen him in person for a while. He hasn’t been into work, just like messaging me instructions and stuff. He didn’t look good when I last saw him though, and he’s definitely sick. I just hope he gets better soon.”

“Have you told him about turning the AUT deal down yet?”

“No.”

“What are you going to do if he finds out by accident?”

“I’m hoping I’ll be able to tell him in person, like someone who isn’t a cowardly piece of shit.”

“You’ll be able to. Go see him next weekend, maybe. I bet he’s just resting up at the estate, with Cerise.”

“Yeah, I should do that. I’ll go see him this weekend.”

Just then, I felt the notification signal from my WaComm. It was Cerise.

“Hey Cerise, how are you?” I said politely. It was strange for her to be calling me in general, let alone this late on a Wednesday evening. “What do you need?”

“You need to come to the hospital, now. It’s your father.”