Mei ordered a very fancy drink Randy had never heard of before. He just asked for normal black coffee and got looked at like an alien from everyone within an ear shot.

"It's ok Randy!" Mei nudged him. "Order whatever you want."

"That's what I want. Coffee." He looked at her confused as she continued to look at him confused. "They got all sorts or fancy creamers and sugar here. Thanks."

Mei nodded as the cashier finally took her credit card and accepted their order. The two made their way to a lone table to wait for their order. "I really apricate you coming here with me. I was hoping we could talk about some things."

"Shadow." Randy said as he rolled his eyes.

"Yes." Mei sighed as she tried to position herself more forcefully for their conversation. "He is a good man, but hard to understand."

"Mei!" Randy finally sat up straight and grabbed her hands. "I'd love nothing more than to move away from yer prisoner. Yet, as Sandy let me know, she's told ya about how worthless of a person I am. I'm trying. I don't wanna be there… I don't want her ta be there, but… I've had my fill of being a punching bag."

"Punching bag?" Mei questioned with worry in her eyes.

"It don't matter none! It's my own fault. I need ta get better. I need ta be better." Randy pulled his hands away from her feeling ashamed looking back on his life.

"Order for two, Mei" The bistro called out.

Randy found this a perfect time to change the subject so he pushed his chair out and stood up to retrieve the drinks. He returned to the table with a few add ones for his own drink. Mei accepted the drink after he put it down in front of her. He took his seat again across from her. "Thanks for the coffee. It means a lot."

Mei watched Randy pour the sugar in his coffee as she took a few sips of her latte. "Do you have plans for dinner?" She asked carefree.

"No, I don't, but I know what yer doing." Randy placed the lid back on his coffee as his face twisted in disappointment. "You want ta keep me away from them fer the night. Ta help their relationship, and that's find and all, but ya lying ta me about it isn't alright." Randy looked at her coldly. "I really enjoyed our time together taday, but yer just using it to help yer employee. The least ya could do was be honestly, and not play with my head!" Randy took a chug of his coffee before placing it on the table and standing up. "Don't worry I won't bug them anytime soon." Randy was about to take off before she spoke at him causing him to look at her questioningly as he never thought she could be the loud.

"Wait!" Mei shouted as she stood up, and grabbed his arm. She coughed briefly before speaking again in a normal tone. "You're correct, yet you're not. Please Randy. Take a seat and hear me out."

Randy looked at her doubtful but took his seat again ignoring the people around them now looking in their direction due to her outburst. "Alright." He calmly stated as he complied to her demands.

"I want to see the best for Shadow and Sandy, but I see good in you. I would like to help you if you'd allow me to." She placed a hand on his arm that was now on the table.

"Fer them."

"And for you." She gripped his arm tighter. "I don't know you, but from what I've seen in the mess of what today was, you don't seem like a bad person. What if I could get you a job?" Mei asked hopefully.

"A job?" He questioned very surprised as he took a drink from his coffee cup, yet still keeping eye contact with her. "I'd hate ta put yer name on the line fer da likes of me."

"Then don't let me down." Mei pulled back from him grinning as she took another sip from her drink getting a very obvious blush out of Randy.

"You obviously have a lot riding on them two making it." He started to laugh as he took another drink. "A job would be nice, but I'm guessing it's… pitiful. Very suiting fer me." He grinned at her again.

"I've read your skill base Randy and it's very impressive, but it's unfortunate you never acquired the certifications to go along with all the work you've done. Most companies won't even look at your resume if you don't have the proper certificates. Maybe with this job you can work on those on the side." She smiled at him hopeful but still giving way to the fact she knew full well at that pay he'd never pull off school with paying for living arrangements in this city.

"Oh yeah. I'll sign up fer school right after I buy that hill top mansion." he snickered at her.

"Randy, at that pay you could easily get assistance." Mei protested.

"So now I'm so low I have to take handouts?" He questioned his anger starting to give way.

"You've been jumping from family member to family member, so it seems to me you already have been." She replied carefully.

Randy just continued to look down. Not paying mind to anything around him. His breathing had picked up and he had seemed to start to sweat. "Yer right. I'm already worthless."

"I never said that!" Mei corrected him loudly but getting no reaction from him.

"Thanks, fer being nice ta me, but I'd like to leave now. I won't go back ta bug 'em tonight… I'll find a place on the street ta sleep. It's ok. I've done it before." He gave her a nod of appreciation before heading out the door as he ignored her words of protest. She had already gotten deep enough into him he almost started to cry in front of her, so there was no way he was going to hang out longer and get more attached. He knew full well how this sort of thing always played out for him… He was broken enough, so he didn't need another woman breaking his heart to make it worse.