V Day Ch 10

Yup, here we go again, me apologizing for never updating… sorry. Again.

Paine didn't realise quite what she'd done until the car turned the corner and she noticed that it really was just her and Baralai. On the pavement.

Technically, now should have been the time for her to hit him, with or without a Rikku battering ram. But instead, she apologized, surprising both of them.

"Why?" Baralai asked. "You haven't done anything wrong."

"I just threw a drunk unconscious Rikku into the back of your very expensive limo."

"Ah, true." He paused, then smiled apologetically. "Consider us even then. For this morning."

Paine nearly smiled herself, but stopped herself just in time. After all, there was still a slim chance that Rikku wouldn't puke in 'Lai's limo. She shouldn't forgive and forget so easily.

Of course, when she said as much, Baralai's look of horror returned.

"I'm not planning to pour champagne on your head or anything," she said, and he calmed a little, "But, I think you at least owe me something."

"I hardly did anything! Get Gippal to repay you!"

"He's paying me by the hour, and I don't even have to be anywhere near Rikku."

"Well, Nooj then!"

"He's engaged. I can't drag him around Bevelle without people getting suspicious."

"Well – hey wait, you're gonna drag me around Bevelle as my punishment??"

"Sure. Since you're offering."

"Well, you may not know this, but I'm pretty street wise when it comes to Bevelle. I suggested that club to Rikku – seemed like her scene."

"Baralai?"

"Yeah?"

"Think about what you just said."

And with that, she dragged him down the road. Her favourite restaurant was around here somewhere….

Baralai had been wrong. No street wise man ever ordered Chocobo at a restaurant. Ever. Enough said.

"It's a delicacy, Lady Paine."

"For old people and hobos, sure. For us ordinary folk, not so much."

"Like a hobo could afford this. And what ordinary folk? Look around, Paine!"

Of course, everyone in the restaurant was sneaking looks at them, but Baralai obviously had a different explanation as to why than Paine did.

They all thought they were on a date. Definitely. Two old friends in a restaurant on Valentine's Day – it was the only explanation you could come to.

Oddly enough, this didn't bother Paine too much.

Wait, what?

"….and so, Chocobo meat is ultimately the best meat around-"

"How come you agreed to this, 'Lai?"

"Huh?"

"I've just dragged you here and made you buy me dinner. You could have said no."

"Well…that is….I mean…."

"You really need to learn to stick up for yourself, 'Lai."

And, surprising both of them again, she smiled.

Her feet were starting to kill. Stupid heels.

It didn't help that 'Lai had dragged her into another one of his 'hip new bars', but the fact he had dragged her to the other side of Bevelle to get there was taking its toll. Now, halfway back to her apartment, she didn't see the point in straining her feet anymore – no matter how much fun she was having.

Yes. She admitted it. Paine was having fun.

"Hey, 'Lai. I'm gonna head home now. My feet kill."

"Really? Cus I know a great cinema just down the street – "

"Your car's probably still at my place. You can come with me and pick it up."

Lai seemed a little disappointed, and Paine felt guilty.

"…Or, you could call your driver and get him to take us to the cinema…"

He brightened up immediately.

"That sounds like a fine idea," he grinned, getting out his phone.

Somehow, Paine felt as though this night could go on for a long time.

And somehow, she didn't really care.