He'd done it. Alfred had swallowed his sudden shyness, and asked her out on a date, sort of. A date. Dates were easy, he'd gone on loads of them before. You dress decently, pick up the girl, complement her until your lungs run out of air, and then complement her some more, make sure she's happy, and then take her home, maybe kiss her goodnight. A simple algorithm to a successful night.
But that basic, mundane shit wasn't going to cut it for her. Sophia had been placed on a pedestal by Alfred. There was every girl in the world who would be satisfied by the same routine - with a tweak here and there for the more difficult ones - and then there was her, regarded by Alfred as the most sophisticated and respectable woman of all (not that other women didn't deserve respect, of course).
Alfred had made his way through life as a people pleaser. His parents were made happy with his good manners and respectability, his teachers with his high performance, his peers with his mainstream interests, and his brother with the attention that Matthew was never given from others. He knew what people wanted, he knew how to give it to them. Sophia was more than people.


Alfred stared at himself in the full length mirror, a rare frown of frustration on his face. "Matt?" He called, voice spiked with uncertainty. "Can you come in here for a sec?" After a few anxious moments had elapsed, his bedroom door was pushed open, and Matthew stood in the doorway, his hair pulled back into a loose ponytail with a few stray strands framing his inquiring face. "Does this look okay?" Alfred stood awkwardly as his brother regarded his attire from behind oval-shaped glasses.
"Depends on where you're going," Matthew shrugged in a poor conclusion.
"The French place on Frith Lane." A silence fell between them for a moment, before Matthew raised his hand in a way that said 'give me a minute,' and left, soon returning with a pastel blue shirt.
"Wear this one instead. I know you like the bright one, but let's be honest, it's tackier than the things that keep up the posters on your wall." Alfred threw a rude gesture, which only broadened Matthew's smile. "Come into the living room when you've changed." The door closed, and Alfred changed into his brother's shirt, thankful that they were so similar in height and build. The shirt was only a little tight on his chest and shoulders, but it was disguised well with the suit jacket. Alfred stepped out to the living room, and flourished his arms as though he were a game show prize. Matthew gave a nod of approval. "Much better. Especially for a classy place." He paused for a moment. "You really like her, huh?" Alfred shrugged, knowing that Matthew's point was that this was much more effort than he usually put into a first date.
"Well, I guess... Kinda? Yeah," he answered in an uncommitted manner. Matthew gave a knowing wink to Alfred, before turning his attention back to his videogame.
"So when can I expect you back?" The elder asked.
"Depends on how well it goes, I guess," Alfred called back, grabbing his wallet. "See you later!"


In his haste and excitement, Alfred had left about an hour early. He used the spare time to stop by McDonalds and get a pre-dinner snack of a Big Mac super size meal and a large chocolate milkshake. Have I mentioned that Alfred's stomach has a capacity similar to that of a whale's? Really, don't be surprised if there's a sentient puppet in there, along with a strange, lonely Italian man.
After eating (and taking advantage of the free wifi to pester Toris on Facebook for a while), he got back to his car, and began driving to Sophia's house, his phone's navigation directing him to the address.
He couldn't help but notice how, well, fancy the houses were getting. He'd come from a small apartment building to detached houses with two storeys, and he wondered again why a woman with this much wealth and talent needed a job in a coffee shop. Soon, he had been directed to park outside a decently sized house, with a well kept garden, even for late November. He walked up a pathway lined with winter shrubs and alpine flowers to a door with a golden number eighteen just above head height. A split moment of hesitation struck Alfred before he pressed the doorbell, and let out a nervous breath. Behind the door, a melodic tone was emitted by the doorbell, and moments later, there was the sound of movement.
Alfred stood back from the door, quietly surveying the street as he waited for her, but she did not take long. He heard the door click open, and turned to greet her, though, his words were cut short when he saw her. She wore very little make-up, just enough to highlight her cheekbones and bring out her breathtaking eyes, and her normally wavy hair had been carefully styled into loose curls which cascaded down in a carefree manner over a deep red cocktail dress which sat just below her knees. Her red painted lips curled into a brief smile.

"You look very handsome," Sophia all but purred, barely suppressing a light laugh when Alfred began to blush slightly.
"And you look as elegant and beautiful as ever," he grinned, being generous with the charm he was known for as he took her hand, placing a gentle kiss onto the back of it. She gave a smile, and lightly squeezed his hand before she turned to close and lock the door.
"So, where are we going on our date, Alfred?" She asked as she stepped down from the doorstep, raising a brow in confusion when Alfred responded by shaking his head, and grinning widely.
"You'll find out when we get there." Sophia considered this for a moment, before she nodded once.
"Very well, Mr Jones. You may lead the way." Together, they walked to the car, her black heels clicking on the pathway with each step.


There was a little small talk as they travelled to the restaurant, though it died away quite quickly. Had they not been working together for quite some time, the silence may have been awkward. On the contrary, it was a comfortable silence for both as they sped past the bright lights of the wintery city.

The car began to slow, and surprise was etched upon Sophia's face. "I didn't expect such a classy location," she mused out loud. Alfred's grip on the wheel tightened.
"Is it too much?" He asked with an embarrassed grimace. "I mean, I thought you'd like places like this, but if it's not in your comfort zone we can go somewhere else. I'm sorry, I didn-"
"Alfred." Her voice was firm, but caring, and it silenced Alfred; a rare feat by anyone's standards. "I am very much in my comfort zone. I'm just a little surprised, that's all." Sophia was glad to see Alfred's smile return as he parked the car.
"Right, wait, I wanna do this properly!" He announced as she unfastened her seatbelt. She watched with thinly veiled amusement as he took three hasty attempts to unfasten his seatbelt, before leaping out of the car, and rushing to the passenger's side to open the door for Sophia. "Alright, now you can get out," he grinned proudly, offering her his hand. Sophia chuckled softly to herself, and took his hand as she got out of the car.

"Just like a real gentleman," she said approvingly. Alfred could feel his cheeks flushing pink. "So, where are we off to?" Sophia questioned as Alfred closed and locked the car.
"It's the French place just down this street." He cocked his head to the side to gesture down the street, his heart swelling at the overjoyed expression on Sophia's face.
"Oh, it's wonderful!" She exclaimed passionately. The couple began to walk towards the restaurant while Sophia described her previous experiences with it. "...Their salads are so crisp, with the most delicious dressings, and they serve the best creme brulee that I have ever tasted! Oh, an-"
"Um, Sophia? We have a problem," Alfred grudgingly interrupted. They had come to a stop outside the promised location, which was darkened and void of movement. With a small frown, Sophia went to the door, and tried it, finding it to be locked. Looking up and down the street, Alfred found all the other restaurants to be open and busy.
"Closed down for health and safety violations," Sophia read with from an official paper on the glass of the door. A soft sigh left her, and Alfred's heart broke to see her so disappointed.
"Hey, there are plenty of other great places around here, want to check out one of those?" Alfred offered her with a gentle smile. She looked to him, and nodded her response, returning the smile.

They checked the rest of the street, and the only place with an available table was a Chinese restaurant a little further up the street. They were seated quickly, and Alfred was so glad to see a smile back on Sophia's face as she looked over the menu, musing over the combinations of flavours. "You really know your food, huh?" Alfred noted fondly. A light blush was evident on Sophia's slim cheeks.
"My mother was a professional chef, and I love baking. It comes naturally, I suppose." Alfred nodded, fascinated by Sophia.
"So, what can't you do?" He teased lightly. "A talented baker and musician, that's pretty amazing. Why aren't you in some kinda big orchestra, or running a bakery?" His heart almost stopped as the smile fell from her face. "Oh, it doesn't matter," he corrected himself quickly.
"No, it's alright," Sophia assured him. "I suppose I just want to see the world outside of my social circle. My family is rather, ah, affluent." That much was evident, Alfred thought. Everything from her rich, glossy hair to her beautiful clothes and even her expression wouldn't look out of place for an aristocrat. Her voice with that smooth, flowing accent brought to mind the period dramas that Alfred's mother watched so often. Sophia Edelstein was like a dream, yet here she was. "I have dreams, but they are for later." She closed her menu.
"You'll do it," Alfred smiled. I know you will.


They ordered their dinner, which came along quickly. Alfred had been eating enthusiastically until he paused, and looked to Sophia, who was looking at her plate, awkwardly holding her chopsticks in one hand.
"Somethin' wrong?" Alfred asked with concern. Sophia blushed, and hesitated.
"How do you, erm... Use chopsticks?" Her embarrassment was clear, though Alfred offered a kind smile. He reached across, and gently repositioned her long, talented fingers around the thin sticks. Drawing his hand back, he nodded.
"Try it now." Alfred watched as she moved the chopsticks to her food. Her wide smile when she picked up some rice made Alfred's heart swell with pride.
"Ah! Thank you, Alfred," she exclaimed happily.
"No problem," he nodded, going back to eating. The smile on her face was thanks enough.


"I've had a wonderful night," Sophia told Alfred on the doorstep of her house.
"It was a pleasure to give you such a good evening." The two stood, facing each other with almost shy smiles, hands still entwined.
"I think we should do this more often," she murmured with a sly smile which only grew when Alfred's eyes widened. "Give it a bit of thought?" She ended her question with a gentle kiss on the cheek which broke Alfred's trance.
"S-sure!" he stammered out. "I uh.. I'll see you later?" She nodded, and with a brief exchange of 'good byes', she went back into her home.
Alfred got back into his car, and began to drive back home. He could still feel the gentle kiss she had left upon his cheek. His fingers ghosted over it, touching the near invisible red print which blended with the unfamiliar blush. Another date was definitely in order.


"Matthew, you are not gonna belie-" Alfred stopped in his tracks. He stared in shock at the scene before him, before walking back out the front door of his apartment. After standing outside the door for a moment, trying to process the scene, he stepped away, and walked back to the staircase to the ground floor. He slid his phone from his pocket, and dialed speed dial 3, holding the phone to his ear.
"Toris? You're up, great! Hey, I'm gonna need to stay over tonight... Yeah I think Matt is fucking our boss... I know cause I saw it, Toris. Prepare the couch, I'll be there in ten."