"Over here!"
Andrew acknowledged Stephen's waving hand and made his way over to the booth, where he sat opposite him.
"Thanks fer comin'." Stephen said
"Are you kidding me? This is the first time Stephen Farrelly is actually buying breakfast. I won't miss this for the world!" Andrew said
As soon as he finished his sentence, a waitress came up to them.
"And what can ah get the both of yer, today?" She asked
"I'll get the scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. Oh, and a cup of coffee please." Andrew replied
The waitress nodded at Andrew before looking at Stephen.
"Ah'll have the same." Stephen said
She nodded and said, "Ah'll be right back with yer breakfast."
She gave the both of them a smile before sauntering off to put in the order. Andrew was watching her go when Stephen stepped on his foot.
"OW! What the fuck was that for?" Andrew exclaimed
"Ah need yer to focus. And right now, yer not focusin'." Stephen said
Andrew frowned a little from the pain from his foot and muttered, "What is it?"
"Alberto is in town." Stephen said
Andrew's frown disappeared as he leaned forward, "Are you sure?"
"Ah'm sure. Ah saw him last night. There must be something big happening for him to come down himself." Stephen said
"But what? It's definitely not about Rosa running away. That's something he will let Hunico handle." Andrew said
"Exactly. So whatever it is, we have to get him before he does it." Stephen said
Just as he said that, the waitress came back with their order. Andrew thanked the waitress and gave her a wink which seemed to make her happy as she left.
Andrew sipped his coffee, "So? How's life like living with Jasmine?"
Stephen looked at Andrew before looking at his breakfast, "Nothin' much. It's fine."
Andrew smiled, "You like her, don't you?"
Stephen chewed a piece of bacon, "No… What we have is strictly business. Ah have a duty to fulfill and that is all ah'm doin'."
Andrew nodded, "Yeah… Sure."
Stephen sighed and sat his cutlery back on the table, "Okay, maybe ah do like her. But ah'm pretty sure she doesn't share the same feelings."
"How do you know? You never even tried asking her out." Andrew said
"And how do yer suggest ah ask her? Hey, ah know this isn't the right time but ah like yer. Will yer go out with meh?" Stephen said
Andrew laughed, "That would do."
"Ah'm serious, Drew. Ah can't just ask her out." Stephen said, "Besides, if ah do ask her out, ah'd be breakin' dozens of rules."
"Fuck those rules. Just because you're on duty protecting her doesn't mean you can't romance her at the same time. It's not like you're interfering with anything by asking her out." Andrew said
"It's called a conflict of interest." Stephen said
"Okay, but no one would know. It can be a secret or a cover! Yes, you're undercover!" Andrew said
Stephen shook his head and went back to his breakfast.
"Look, Stephen, you're my buddy. I hate that you always shut yourself out from dating because you're worried about putting them in danger if it gets serious." Andrew said
Stephen looked at Andrew as he continued, "You like this girl so give yourself a chance. Besides, if you don't, I might go after her instead."
Stephen gripped his fork tight, "Yer won't dare."
Andrew smiled mischievously, "Maybe I would."
"Back off, Galloway. Fine. Ah'll ask her out for lunch today." Stephen said
Andrew beamed, "Atta boy!"
Jasmine had tons of files and papers strewn all over her table just as the clock struck 12. She sighed to herself, realizing that it was lunch time. She heard a knock on her door and looked up just as Stephen stepped into her office. Seeing him in her office made her heart leap a little as she got up from her chair.
"D-Detective Farrelly? What brings you here?" Jasmine asked
He smiled, "It's Stephen. Call meh Stephen. Ah-Ah came to ask if yer'd like to go for lunch… Together."
"Lunch? Isn't Estella at school?" Jasmine said
Stephen gave a shy smile and rubbed the back of his neck, "Estella is at school. Ah was thinking of a lunch with just the both of us?"
Jasmine looked at Stephen and blushed as she put together the real meaning behind his presence.
"Detec—Stephen… Are you asking me out on a lunch date?" Jasmine said
"Yeah… Unless yer don't want to." Stephen said
"Oh, no! No! I want to! I mean… Yes, I'd love to." Jasmine said
Stephen smiled and Jasmine blushed as she tried to arrange the papers on her table.
"Just give me a minute and we can go." Jasmine said
Stephen nodded and waited by the side for Jasmine as she searched for her bag. Just as she found her bag, Teresa stepped into her office.
"Jasmine? Are you heading out for lunch?" Teresa asked
She looked up, "Uh… Yes… Why?"
"William just asked the both of us to join him for lunch. He needs to discuss the details for his daughter's birthday party." Teresa said
"As in Mr William Regal? Didn't he say he was going to send someone to pass me the details?" Jasmine said
"Yes… But he wanted to thank us for accepting his request." Teresa said, "Why? Did you have an appointment?"
Jasmine looked at Stephen before looking back at Teresa, "Yes… I was going to go for my lunch date."
Teresa looked at Stephen, "Oh! So sorry! I didn't see you there. Do you mind postponing it to a dinner date or something? This is pretty important for both of us."
Stephen gave Teresa a polite smile, "Sure… It's okay… We can postpone it."
Teresa smiled happily while Jasmine looked at Stephen, "Are you sure?"
Stephen nodded, "Yeah… Maybe ah'll call yer later?"
Jasmine smiled, "I'd like that."
Stephen smiled back just as Jasmine moved from behind her desk. Since the lunch date was postponed, Stephen decided to head back to the station. Together with Teresa and Jasmine, they made their way out of the museum.
Jasmine gave him a small wave before she followed after Teresa towards a big, black limousine. He watched her walk to the limo and just as the door opened, he got a good look at the person inside but, there was another person sitting next to him. Stephen tried to squint to get a better look but he was at a bad angle to try and make out the person. Knowing he shouldn't stand there any longer, Stephen headed back to his car. Just as the car drove off, he realized that the person he got a good look off looked rather familiar. Knowing the name of that guy, Stephen decided to forego grabbing a quick lunch and instead, head back to the station to get the answer.
