The next morning Elara apparently had no memory of the night's events—or so it seemed to Jim. But that afternoon, while she was helping him out with some busywork, she said shyly, "Thanks for the rescue last night, Jim."
He glanced at her with an embarrassed expression. "Sure," he replied.
Elara noted that she had unsettled him and quickly changed the subject.
The following two days went by in a blur for the young president. Melfina, Gene, and Jim went about their usual daily tasks, and Elara helped wherever she was needed. This came as a surprise to Gene, for he had figured she would have been a snob as a result of her high position in society.
That evening, at about five o'clock, Elara walked into the kitchen where Melfina was just getting out food to make dinner with. "Mel, would it be all right if I took you three out to dinner tonight?"
She looked up at the girl from her kneeling position next to the refrigerator. "Have you ever heard Gene say no to food?" she replied with a smile.
"Good point. If that's the case, then allow me to take you there as well."
"Where would we be going?"
Elara told her. "But…but isn't that the most expensive restaurant in the city?"
"Hey, money is no object for me. Look at it as a minor repayment for all that you have done for me over the past few days. I'll go tell Gene and Jim."
Melfina watched her leave, smiling softly. "I'm glad you've opened up so much, Elara," she said aloud to herself. "If I had to heal you again, I do believe that a lot of the dark feelings you had floating around in your mind would at least be subdued somewhat. I hope you'll stay for a while." She sighed and began to put the food she had taken out back where it belonged.
Elara walked up the stairs to find Gene lying on his back on a bench, hands behind his head, looking up at the ceiling. "Is something bothering you?" she asked, leaning back against the wall and waiting for an answer.
He moved his head to look over at her, but otherwise remained motionless. "I don't know. Sometimes I wonder…ah, nevermind."
"Wonder what, Gene?"
He sighed and closed his eyes. "Don't you ever wonder if you did something different when something happened in your past, if things would be different now?"
"Yes, I do."
Gene opened his eyes and sat up to face her. "Like what?"
It was Elara's turn to sigh. She closed her eyes and said, "Like when my brother was killed by space pirates."
"Your brother was killed by space pirates? When?"
"About eight months ago."
There was silence for a moment. Gene leaned back down and closed his eyes. "My father was killed by space pirates when I was just a kid."
Elara glanced over at him. "How did it happen?"
He looked up at the ceiling, his hands behind his head. "We were being attacked when all of a sudden we heard a thud and were boarded by them. They came dashing through the ship and my father hustled me to an escape pod. He made me escape, then, a few minutes later, I saw the ship explode. Ever since then I've had an irrational fear of space. Only in the Outlaw Star do I really feel secure while in space."
"Gene, that sounds way too much like what happened to me. We also were boarded, and my brother also hustled me to an escape pod. The only difference was that as my escape pod took off, I saw him…shot to death by two different pirates with machine guns."
Gene slowly sat up and stood to walk over to stand next to her. He leaned back against the wall and asked, "How old was your brother?"
"Twenty-six. Even though he was so much older than me, he still treated me as if there were only two or three years between us instead of eleven."
"You're sixteen now, right?"
"Yeah. My birthday was about five months ago."
"Wow. How do you manage to handle an entire company at such a young age?"
"I honestly don't know. As my uncle says, it must run in my family's blood."
He walked over to stand by the window and looked out at the street. "Elara…what did you come up here for, anyway?"
"Oh, it was to tell you that I'm taking the three of you out to dinner tonight."
He glanced over at her quizzically. "You're taking us?"
"Of course. It's all on me."
"Where are we going?" Gene's eyes lit up in anticipation.
She looked at him with a sly grin. "You'll find out when we get there." Without another glance she walked down the hall toward the room where Jim was working, leaving a quizzical Gene behind. "What the hell was that all about?" he said aloud to himself, scratching his head, forehead furrowed in puzzlement. He shrugged. "Like she said, I'll find out when we get there. Hope it's got good food."
Elara walked up to the closed door and knocked twice. "Who is it?" Jim called out from his desk.
"It's Elara," she replied.
"Come in."
She opened the door and walked inside, closing it behind her. "Almost finished?"
"Yeah."
Elara walked over to stand behind Jim's chair. "What do you think of the idea of me taking the three of you out to dinner tonight?"
He looked up at her with a surprised expression on his face. "Sounds good to me. But you don't have to."
Her laugh was tinged with silver. "So? I want to. Besides, I'm sure you'll like where we're going."
"So…where are we going?"
"Oh, no. You get to stay in the dark just like Gene does."
"Elara…" he said imploringly.
She crossed her arms and shook her head. "Uh-uh. It's a surprise." Elara turned and headed out the door, leaving Jim behind shaking his head. I wonder what she's up to now…I hope she doesn't see this as a repayment of any sort. He shrugged and returned to finishing up his work for the day.
About thirty minutes later a limousine arrived at the warehouse. Melfina walked down the stairs just as it pulled up.
"I like the outfit, Mel," Elara complimented her.
Melfina was wearing a wine-colored sleeveless dress complete with matching shawl. The dress came down to a few inches above her knees, outlining her slender figure.
"You look nice too, Elara," she replied, smiling.
Elara was wearing a lavender gown, also sleeveless, that fell down to her ankles and swished as she walked. A scarf worn about her elbows was her dress's accent, and gold earrings and matching necklace completed the outfit.
"Why, thanks, Mel. Are you guys ready?" Elara called up the stairs to them.
"Yes," Gene replied with a grumbling tone as he walked down the stairs fussing with his tie. "Why do I have to wear this stupid thing, anyway?" he complained with an annoyed jerk on the fabric.
"Gene, come on—it's just for the evening. I know you can handle this for a few hours, considering what you've faced in the past," Melfina said.
"Yeah, well, at least I was comfortable then."
Elara chuckled. "Is Jim coming down anytime soon?"
"I'm here, I'm here," he said as he came down the stairs, his tone the same as Gene's had been a moment earlier.
She looked over at Melfina. "What is up with these two? You'd think they never cared about what they wore or how they looked." Elara frowned and appraised the two. "Then again, maybe that is the case. Have they ever worn anything nice before?" she asked the other woman.
Melfina smiled. "Not for a while, at least. Notice how old and starchy their clothes look?"
"Uh huh."
Gene's look was pained. "Can we please get on with this? I want to get out of these clothes as soon as possible."
"Me too," Jim agreed.
"These two are impossible," Elara groaned.
"I know," Melfina concurred.
"Well, come on, then. However, I believe you will forget about your clothing once we get to the restaurant," she told them, a secretive expression on her face.
Elara led them out the door to the limousine, where she came in last after issuing instructions to the driver. Then they rode through the streets of the planet's capital in high style—each enjoying every minute of it.
"Wow—I've never been in something this nice," Gene said as he felt the velvet seats and looked around the spacious seating compartment.
"It is fairly nice, isn't it?" Elara replied.
"Well, since you're used to it, you must excuse those who are not so fortunate," he told her with a twinkle in his eye that betrayed the fact that he was teasing her.
She sniffed at him, yet her eyes also sparkled. "Mister, keep in mind that I am the one paying for your meal tonight."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," he waved her off.
"Fine—you starve," she proclaimed, sticking her nose up in the air and crossing her arms.
Jim started laughing at the devastated expression on Gene's face, who also began to laugh. Soon the two young women joined in, and they laughed the rest of the way to the restaurant.
After the driver had walked around, opened the door for the foursome, and let them out, Gene and Jim froze on the sidewalk, stunned. "You're taking us here?" Jim asked in a small voice, staring at the sign that read "The Jaded Garden" above the elegant marble steps leading up to the deep red double doors.
"Of course."
"But…but…it's the most expensive place on the planet!" he whispered in awe.
"So? Come on, you two. Gene, close your mouth. It's unbecoming for a patron of this place to walk around with their mouth hanging open."
Blinking, he did as he was told.
"Now do you two see why you needed to dress up?" Melfina asked them pointedly.
They nodded mutely in unison. Then Melfina took Gene's arm and Elara took Jim's. He glanced over at her with a startled expression.
"This is the proper way for a group of our type to enter this restaurant," she pointed out to him.
"Oh," he answered, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
They walked up the steps arm in arm and through the doors that were opened for them by the doormen. Inside the place looked like a palace. Bright, elegant, golden chandeliers hung down from the extremely high ceiling, infusing the huge room with a pleasant glow. The floor was carpeted in a rich red color, adding warmth to the atmosphere.
Elara walked up to the registration podium with a slightly haughty air.
"Do you have a reservation, miss?" the suited man behind it asked her pleasantly.
"I believe you have one under 'Alcyone,' do you not?"
The man's eyes widened slightly. "Of course we do, Miss Alcyone! Right this way," he told them, leading them through the main hall past all the other tables into a small room off to the side. "Your usual room, ma'am." He then proceeded to seat each of them around a medium-sized round table set elegantly with the most sophisticated silverware, wine glasses, and lit candelabra. Each place also had set before it a menu, allowing guests to peruse the available dishes as soon as they had been seated.
"Thank you, kind sir," she said, placing a folded bill in his gloved palm. "Tell the manager the room is excellent."
He glanced at it and his eyes widened. "No, thank you," he answered, bowing. "I will convey your message." He then left the room.
"What did you give him?" Jim asked, noting his reaction.
"Oh, a small token of my appreciation, that's all. Nothing to worry about. Now figure out what you want, and please forget that the prices are even listed. I don't care if you order the most expensive thing on the menu. Just pick out what you want."
When each had opened their menus, all but Elara's eyes opened wide at the expense of even the cheapest dish available. "Elara…this is asking too much," Melfina said after glancing at it for a moment.
She looked over at her. "No, it's not. Please, don't think about the prices. I want you three to get what you want, not what you think is in my price range."
"Man, there is so much on here!" Gene said after a moment. "How will I pick?"
Elara chuckled. "That's something you'll have to figure out for yourself, Gene. I personally find it easier if I first figure out what type of food I'm going to have—such as seafood or steak or chicken."
"That still leaves a lot of choices," he reminded her.
"I know. But we have time."
Five minutes later an older man entered the room.
"Edward!" Elara exclaimed, standing up and walking over to embrace him. "You look well. How have you been?"
"Wonderful, Miss Alcyone," he said, smiling.
"Oh, stop that. You know full well that I want you to call me Elara."
"Whatever you say, Miss Alcyone," he said, his face straight.
She laughed. "Oh, it's great to see you again."
"You're not looking bad yourself, Elara," Edward replied, allowing a smile to grow on his face. He glanced over at her table and asked, "Who are your friends?"
"This is Gene Starwind, Jim Hawking, and Melfina," she said, indicating each as she introduced them.
"How do you do?" Melfina greeted him.
Both Gene and Jim simply nodded, unsure of what else to do.
The two moved off over to one side and talked for a few minutes, during which the other three sat uncomfortably, and eventually they began chatting idly about the menu in order to cover up the feeling.
A few minutes later a tall, sandy-haired teenager walked in. "Hello, Elara," he greeted her.
She grinned at him and gave him a hug. "Hello yourself, Skye. You're looking good. Have you been working out or something? The last time I saw you, you were a beanpole."
He laughed. "I took up playing basketball. I guess it filled me out somewhat, eh?"
"I'll say," she complimented him.
"What brings you to Centennial III?"
"Board meeting. I'm still here because I was attacked out in space, and my ship is still undergoing repairs."
"Attacked?"
"I'll explain later. Hey, can I come visit you guys sometime? When are you free?"
"Tomorrow until four, and same for Friday," Edward told her.
"Great! How about I come by and see you Friday morning around eleven?"
"Sounds good to me. Skye, you don't have practice that day, do you?"
"Nope. I'm free."
"Good! Then it's settled."
"Great. See you then."
Edward left the room, but Skye stayed behind. "Oh, no. Don't tell me you're our server for the evening," Elara glanced over at him with a raised eyebrow as he moved to re-seat her at the table.
"Of course. Doesn't the president of Alcyone Enterprises deserve the best treatment?"
"And I'll get that from you?"
"Hey! I'm not as clumsy as I used to be," he replied, pretending to be hurt. He straightened up and took on an official tone as he took out his notepad and pen. "Are you ready to order?"
Elara burst out laughing.
Skye glanced over at her. "I'm working on it, I'm working on it."
"It's just so funny coming from you, that's all," she told him, still laughing.
The other three had been watching the entire exchange with different thoughts.
It must have been a while since she last saw them, Melfina thought to herself. I thought she said she really didn't have any friends her age. Maybe she forgot about them, and then remembered when she decided to come to this restaurant. It's nice to know that she does have other good friends out there. She caught herself. I'm already including us in that category, aren't I? I hope she is too.
He must be the manager, and that Skye must be his kid, Gene said to himself. I wonder how she feels about him. They're obviously pretty good friends, and have known each other for a while. I wonder why she's staying with us, rather than with them? Oh, well. None of my business.
She and that Skye look kind of close, Jim thought. He frowned slightly. Am I actually jealous of that guy? Nah, it can't be…can it? But why? She's known me for, what, four or five days, and she must have known him for years. Maybe it's because I don't have any friends my age, and Elara does—like I'm not her only friend. Yeah, that must be it.
"Well, are you ready to order?" Skye repeated.
"Yeah. I'll have my usual," Elara told him. "With a strawberry daiquiri."
"Virgin?"
"Yes, please. Oh, and bring a bottle of your best champagne."
"Of course. And for you, sir?" he addressed Gene, seated to Elara's left.
"I think I'll have the crab—Dungeness, please, with the shrimp salad, bread, and a rice bowl."
"And to drink?"
"I'll stick with the champagne, thanks."
"Madam?"
"Uh…I'll take the shrimp dish, also with a rice bowl. And I'll have the champagne to drink."
"Sir?"
"The tenderloin steak—hickory smoked, along with salad and a rice bowl. I'll also have a virgin strawberry daiquiri."
"Very good. May I take your menus now?"
They each carefully handed them over.
"Your meals will arrive shortly." He gave Elara a gentle poke on the shoulder as he left. She shook her head. "Silly boy."
"How do you know them?" Melfina asked. "And are the two related?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact. Edward is Skye's father. He owns and manages this restaurant. My father helped him get it going, actually. We've been close to the Winston family for over twenty years now. I had forgotten that the Jaded Garden was here—for some reason I thought it was on the other side of the planet."
"Does Skye just help out in his spare time or something?" Gene inquired.
"Yeah—besides, his dad pays him for it, so he's making his own money on the side. I haven't seen him for, like, three years. They weren't able to make it to my brother's funeral due to Edward's sister's death just three days before my brother's."
"How old is he?" Melfina queried.
"I think he turned eighteen last month. He's going off to the university soon—at least that's what he told me he would do after he turned eighteen."
Elara missed the fleeting expression that crossed Jim's face at the news, but Melfina did not. I wonder what he's thinking right now. That expression isn't normal for him. It would be hard to imagine Jim as being jealous. Maybe Elara has had more of an impact on him than I'd thought.
The conversation switched subjects to that of Gene and Jim's business, and continued along that track until the food arrived. Both of the guys almost gaped at the sight of the meals they had ordered. It came on silver platters covered with matching lids in order to keep the food warm. When Skye revealed the contents to each, it was hard for Elara and Melfina to refrain from laughing at the guys' reactions. They waited for about two seconds before politely diving into their cuisine. The two young women proceeded to eat their food more slowly.
"I think they like the food, Skye," Elara whispered to him before she began eating.
"Whatever gave you that idea?" he asked innocently.
"Gee, I don't know," she said, taking on a vacant expression.
He chuckled. "I'll return in a bit—if they haven't finished at least their salads by then, I'll be very surprised."
"At this rate? They'll be done with their entire meal by that time."
"Good point." He raised his voice slightly. "Do any of you require anything else?"
Neither Gene nor Jim replied—their mouths were full. "I think we're fine, thank you," Melfina told him with a smile.
He nodded and returned the smile. "I shall return in a short while to see if anything else is required by then."
"Thank you," Elara said.
He bowed and left the room. "Well?" she asked.
Gene and Jim looked over at her. "Well what?" Gene replied around a mouthful of crab and rice.
"How do you like it?"
He grinned and gave her a thumbs-up with his right hand, still holding his fork.
Elara shook her head. "Oh, dear. How about you, Jim?"
He swallowed before replying, "It's great, Elara. Thanks." He then continued to eat his food at the same pace as before.
"Do you like yours, Mel?" she asked the other young woman.
"Oh, it's wonderful. I've always liked shrimp, and it is quite excellent here."
Elara laughed. "I'm glad you like it."
For the next few minutes the small room was devoid of conversation due to the somewhat voracious appetites of two of those seated there, and the normally paced eating of the other two.
The evening continued on in a similar fashion, with the conversation resuming once most of the food had been consumed. When Skye returned a third time, he said, "Here is the check, madam."
"Thank you. Mr. Starwind here will be taking care of that for us," she replied with a straight face. Melfina barely was able to keep her own face expressionless as well.
"Very good, madam." Skye bowed and left the room.
Two forks clattered to the plates below. "What?!?" Gene said in shock, blinking rapidly.
"Elara…I thought…aren't you paying for this?" Jim stuttered, his voice strained.
Melfina could not keep it in any longer, and burst out laughing. Elara quickly joined her.
Gene and Jim glanced at them, then at each other, then back at the two young women again. "This isn't really a laughing matter," Gene said indignantly.
That just set them off again.
Jim glanced over at his partner sheepishly. "I guess they really got us that time, didn't they?"
Elara nodded, still laughing. "You…should have seen…the looks…on your faces!" she said between laughs.
Melfina nodded her agreement, unable to speak, she was laughing so hard.
"I'll get you two for this," Gene grumbled.
Skye returned a moment later. Elara handed him the receipt, along with the check she had made out for the meal. She then handed him a few bills as his tip.
"Elara—you don't have to give me this much," he whispered to her.
"Skye—you delivered a wonderful performance, and served us well. If it still seems too much, call it a gift. Go buy something nice for your girlfriend with it or something."
He blushed. "How did you know I had a girlfriend?"
"Your father told me."
"That blabbermouth."
She chuckled. "I'll see you Friday, then, all right? And bring your girlfriend, too. I'd like to meet her."
"Sure. See you then, Elara."
"Bye, Skye." She turned to face the other three. "You guys ready to head out?"
"Yes—after that scare, I need some time to rest my nerves," Gene said with a pointed glance at her as they stood. "Sheesh, that was almost as bad as facing off with a Kei Pirate."
Elara laughed outright. "It was really that bad?"
"Worse," Jim added.
She shook her head at them. "What are we going to do with those two?" she asked Melfina with a sigh.
"I don't know," she responded with a chuckle. "Come on, you two. I think your nerves have calmed enough for you to get to the limousine in one piece."
"That's what you think," Jim said under his breath.
Elara elbowed him in the side. "I heard that."
"Remind me to complain more quietly next time, then."
She grinned at him. "Complain more quietly next time, Jim."
He shook his head. "I should have expected that."
"You should have."
"Oh, stop that. You're just making things worse," he said, exasperated.
"I'm sorry, Jim."
Her sudden apology stopped him from saying more. "That's all right, Elara." He held out his arm for her. She took it, a bit surprised at his chivalry. "Like you said, this is a nice place, and we must act properly here," he reminded her, smiling.
She returned the smile. "Of course," she replied with a highborn accent.
Melfina and Gene had stood quietly to the side, watching their exchange. "If you two teasers don't mind, I would like to get back to the warehouse sometime soon," Gene informed them with a note of impatience in his voice.
"All right, Gene. Let's go, then," Elara acquiesced.
The four left the room and walked out to the steps, where their limousine was at the curb waiting for them. "Elara, how did the driver know to come?" Melfina queried.
"I had Skye call for him once we had finished."
"Ah—that explains it." The four entered the limousine and were taken back to the warehouse. Once they had exited the vehicle, Elara paid the driver, who then drove off.
"Did you three enjoy your time?" she asked once they were inside.
"Yeah—the food was great and that champagne was delicious," Gene told her.
"Everything was great except for the unwanted surprise at the end," Jim added. Gene vigorously nodded his agreement.
Elara and Melfina chuckled. "You two really should have seen the looks on your faces. Too bad we didn't have a camera with us," Elara wished aloud.
"Well, I'm glad you didn't," Gene said a bit crossly. "I'm going up to change out of these clothes and go to bed. I'm tired."
"Me, too," Jim echoed. "See you guys in the morning."
"Sleep well, you two," Elara bade them goodnight.
Once the guys had left, Elara asked the other young woman, "Do you think that that trick was a bit too much? I mean, was it almost unkind?"
"Elara, don't worry so much. They'll be over it in the morning. Besides, couldn't you tell they loved it? They obviously enjoyed the food."
"Yeah," she sighed. "I'd better get up to bed, too. I'm rather tired."
"Me too. Goodnight, Elara."
"Goodnight, Mel." The two split up and went to their respective rooms. Along the way the young president chewed on a lock of her hair, still worried that she had gone too far in teasing Gene and Jim. She then frowned. Why am I so worried about this? It's not like I'm going to see them much after my ship is repaired and I leave. She sighed heavily. I don't want to go back—the grind, the burdens, and Stinson…ah, I was able to almost forget about everything here. What is it about this place?
Elara glanced around her as she entered her room. I feel so…comfortable…and welcome…and safe. I guess that's why I don't want to hurt those two—because I want the atmosphere here to stay the same. But what makes me feel so good here? I mean, the people here are kind, to be sure, but aren't they fairly ordinary? Slipping out of her dress and into her t-shirt and PJ shorts, she shook her head at the thought. No, they're not. But what is it that makes them so different to me? The fact that they saved my life must be a big part of it. But somehow it isn't.
Elara slipped into the bed and turned out the light, but she could not sleep yet. Staring up at the ceiling, she continued her train of thought. They're just special somehow. It takes quite a guy to fall in love with a girl who is an android—and quite a girl to see past Gene's exterior to the softer interior he tries so hard to cover up. How does Jim fit into the equation, then? Now that I think about it, he's got to feel somewhat left out, seeing Gene and Mel together all the time. She sighed again. I'm going to miss him—all three of them—when I leave. Saddened by where her thoughts had led her, Elara turned over and tried to sleep.