Finding

Chapter 2: Finding (2011)

Shani wasn't sure exactly how she ended up in the 3rd row of some Japanese wrestling show, but DDT was the name on the banner hanging from the ceiling.

Once she made it back to her room after purchasing the video games, she quickly became bored. When she asked the night clerk about a fun show to go to, she guessed something was lost in translation. Instead of going to a play or a movie, Shani ended up sitting quietly, watching two men engage in predetermined fisticuffs.

"This vacation is off to a rocky start," Shani thought to herself.

An hour later, she found herself laughing with the crowd, as some wrestler was having a pretty competitive match with what looked like a blow-up doll. After a brief intermission, the next match began. Shani didn't pay attention as the athletes came down the aisle. It wasn't until the ring announcer started introductions that she looked up to see the curly haired gaming nerd from earlier.

Kenny Omega, as the announcer introduced, was clad in small green trunks; nearly his entire body was on display. Despite herself, Shani drank him in slowly, the thick legs, tight abs, and broad chest. When Shani finally looked at his face it was in that horrible moment that she realized he'd been watching her.

Kenny stared at Shani with the same cocky smirk that he had at the store. Shani looked down quickly, suddenly very interested in her phone, only daring to look up once the match was underway.

Despite her earlier embarrassment at being caught ogling the talent, Shani enjoyed herself. Watching Kenny and his friend Kota wrestle as a team proved to be quite enjoyable. Shani even found herself laughing and cheering, and when the match was over Kenny made sure to look Shani's way. The look he threw her was enough to send a shiver down her spine. If her skin wasn't a melanated mocha brown, she was sure she would have a full body blush with the way her skin was burning hot.

Shani couldn't stop thinking about Kenny on her way to the hotel. After going to her room and taking a hot shower, Shani decided to visit the hotel restaurant for dinner. As the waiter placed the small plate adorned with two oysters in front of her, she heard a familiar voice.

"Once is by chance," Kenny stated as he walked over to Shani's table.

"Twice is a coincidence," he continued as he sat down in the chair across from her.

"And so, should I even ask what three times is, Mr. Omega?"

Kenny picked up one of the half shell oysters in his hand, making the overpriced appetizer look even smaller before swallowing it down. "Three times is fate. Miss...?"

"Jordan. Shani Jordan."

"So, Miss Jordan, what are we having for dinner?"

"Well, you've already eaten half of my appetizer."

"Well, I am paying for it." Kenny grinned.

"You are not."

I'm supposed to pay for the date"

"Who says we're on a date?"

"I did, just now. Don't tell me you're hard of hearing." The grin on Kenny's face seemed to grow.

"My hearing is just fine thank you." Shani pouted. "I'm calling the waiter over."

"Oh yes, I do need a menu. I hope that's not alcohol you're drinking."

"It's a virgin, why?"

"Yes, excellent," he said smugly.

"Why?" Shani repeated, the irritation obvious in her voice.

"Because, whatever happens, tonight, I don't want anyone to able to blame it on alcohol."

"What are you talking about? Nothing is going to happen tonight."

Kenny's smug expression never left his eyes as the waiter came over with water and another menu.

"I'm not a cheap date," Shani replied sternly, as Kenny casually browsed his menu.

"I would expect nothing less."

"This is not a date," Shani announced.

Kenny paused his browsing. Looking over at Shani, even with half his face covered by the menu, she could tell that cocky smirk was back on his face.

"I think I hate you, Mr. Omega."

"That's okay, by the end of the night you won't," Kenny's eyes shined with mischief. Shani wanted to punch him in his unbelievably kissable mouth.

Over the next hour, Shani and Kenny dined on lobster and steaks while equal parts laughing and arguing over the pop culture of their adolescence. When a debate about the quality of Terminator Versus Terminator 2 ended with Shani shrieking as the ice Kenny threw at her landed in her cleavage, the waiter informed them that they must keep the noise down or leave.

At least, that's what the waiter was saying to Kenny in hushed Japanese tones. Shani couldn't really make out any of the conversation but the irked look on Kenny's young, handsome face was so adorable, and that's how she ended up in her current position.

Shani, sitting far too close to Kenny on the couch side of their dining table, mesmerized by the dark sea blue of his eyes as he spoke about dessert.

"When they bring the bill, I'll pay and then follow you to your room."

"Wait, what?" Shani questioned.

"Yeah, I figured we could enjoy the sampler there. We won't have to worry about being shushed by waiters."

"I can't invite you to my room."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't know you. You could rape and kill me."

"First off, who hurt you? Secondly, is that always the first thing you think of?"

"Well, I did just meet you."

"I'm not going to hurt you. If I wanted to hurt you, I'd try to get you to my place. Y'know, where there are no cameras."

"Well versed in the art of sexual assault," Shani said, raising an eyebrow.

"Woman, you are so frustrating," Kenny stated as he handed his card to the waiter without looking at the bill.

"I've been told that once or twice," Shani said, with a smirk of her own.

"I'm sure. Look, I know you want to trust me. How about this, for the rest of the night you act on impulse."

"I could never."

"Shani, you can. I bet I can guess what you do for a living," he said, signing the check and lazily stuffing his card in his wallet. "I'm sure it's some straight-laced job where you have to over-analyze everything you and those around you do."

"I work for the US Government," Shani answered.

"Oh, for fuck's sake. Yes, we need to get that out of you soon," Kenny stated, standing up. "Do you trust me?"

"What?" Shani asked.

"Just go with your gut. Do you trust me?" Kenny asked again, his hand stretched out to Shani like one of the Disney cartoons they had spoken about at length during dinner.

Shani sighed deeply as she steeled herself to answer. "Yes."