Zhu Li had been his live-in assistant for three years, and since then, the only time she had ever requested time off was when her grandfather had passed away. Other than that, she had never demanded a break, never wanted a day to herself. It was something Varrick liked in an employee: availability. And Zhu Li was always readily available for any of his schemes.
That's why he was shocked and a little confused when she put in for a Friday night off.
"Wha- Why?" he asked, baffled.
She stood in front of his desk, hands clasped in front of her, and avoiding eye contact with him. "I have… uh… obligations."
He eyed her suspiciously. "Obligations?"
"Erm… yes. You see, Shin from research and development has invited me to a seminar on the science behind the Satomobile, and how it can lead to more scientific advancements. I thought it would be very informative." She shifted.
"Oh, is that all? I thought it was something serious. By all means, go. I'm not doing anything tonight."
She bowed slightly, her face straight. "Thank you, sir."
He thought nothing of it, until he saw his little assistant spending an unusually long amount of time in front of the mirror fixing her hair. He leaned against the bathroom door, observing her preparations. When she started putting on mascara and eyeliner and other girly face things, he was especially baffled. "Zhu Li! You never put on that mask stuff!"
"Makeup, sir."
"Whatever. The point is, you never put it on! Why now?"
Her face straight, she replied, "There will be many influential and intellectual people there. I'd like to look presentable."
"Ah." Losing interest, he walked into the living room, and flipped through a newspaper until there was a knock on the door. The butler answered it, and then went to the living room.
"A Mr. Shin for Zhu Li, sir."
Varrick nodded, and Shin was escorted into the room. He was shorter than Varrick, with black hair cut short, green eyes, and glasses pushed so far up his head, they seemed a part of him.
"Shin! How are you?" He grasped the man's hand and shook it firmly.
"Very good, sir. And you?"
"Good, good!"
Shin opened his mouth to say something, but his eyes focused past Varrick to the staircase behind him.
Varrick turned around, and his mouth dropped as he saw his assistant descend the staircase. Her hair was down, and curled, cascading down to just past her chin. Her eyes were smoky, and her lips a bright red. Her dress was a bright green, fell past her ankles, and hugged her small curves nicely. Her heels were also green, and gave her slender body the height she lacked. In other words, his serious, silent, and mousy assistant looked absolutely gorgeous.
Varrick felt his heart thump against his chest, and a grin starting to form on his face. But just as quickly, he noticed Shin approach the staircase, and take Zhu Li's hand, pressing a light kiss on it. Zhu Li blushed lightly, a smile crossing her face.
It then dawned on Varrick. Spirits, how could he have been so oblivious? This was a date! The dweeb from research and development and his assistant were about to go on a date!
Shin nodded at Varrick, holding Zhu Li's hand, and his assistant avoided his gaze and said quietly, "Goodnight, sir."
Then, the two left, closing the door behind them in a certain finality. Varick woke up from his shock and ran to the window, peeking out of the curtain just in time to see Shin pressing a light kiss to Zhu Li's cheek, and her giggling. Giggling!
He felt a fire flare up in his chest, and at the same time, noticed a pang in his heart that he could not place as a single emotion.
Leaving the window, Varrick wandered into the kitchen, wondering whether he had any hard liquor.