Blade stopped outside the doorway, so that he wouldn't be seen. He seemed to be talking with two of his men. One of them sprayed something in his mouth and the other held a mirror in front of him so that he could look all right before he went in to dine with Alex. With a quick adjustment of his black Red Dragon coat, he cracked his neck to each side and then walked into the tiny room.
Alex sat there still waiting, but growing somewhat impatient. She didn't want to sit here all night and after that guy at the bar sent her that drink, she didn't know what to do. He was kind of good looking, but Spike was cuter. She sat waiting a little longer until she heard noises from outside. She didn't pay much mind, but with some mumbling outside of the room, she became slightly nervous. She shifted in her seat and then took a deep breath. She heard a crinkling sound from the doorway and then the curtain was pulled aside to allow Blade to enter. His appearance somewhat shocked her, he was thin and looked so tired. As soon as he had entered, she quickly stood with her hands clasped together nervously.
"Alex my dear, how've you been?" he asked with a sickening smile. What was wrong? His smile usually brightened up her day instead of making her uneasy.
"Blade, it's good to see you. You look wonderful." She said forcing a smile but keeping a formal tone as he did for her. He could only smile.
"Ah, not as wonderful as you. You look absolutely magnificent." He said as he took her hands. With a nervous gulp, she forced another smile. His hands were ice cold, it sent shivers racing down her spine. "Don't be so formal my dear, we're only dining in a formal atmosphere. We're still old friends as always!" Blade was right, so his appearance had changed, big deal! He was probably still the same old playful Blade McGowan she grew up with.
"I'm sorry, it just feels so businesslike. What took you so long anyway?" she asked. One of the men outside the door cleared his throat loudly as Blade shut his eyes to think for a moment.
"I had some…err, business to attend to that couldn't wait." he said smiling once again. He led her back to her seat and had her sit back down. "Please have a seat. These are for you." He said as he handed her the bouquet.
"Blade, this is very sweet, thank you!" she said as she inhaled their sweet scent deeply. Blade walked around the table and sat beside her. With a simple snap of Blade's fingers, one of his men entered and stood at attention.
"Grim, take Miss Bondora's roses and place them in a vase for her." he said. The man walked up to the table and took the roses as Alex handed them to him. He disappeared through the doorway, leaving the two alone once again. "So Alex, how is your career going? Any new songs that are possibly making their way towards stardom for you?" he asked as he rested his right cheek on his right fist and looking at her. There was something attractive about him when he looked like this.
"Not many, I've written them, they just need to be set to music. It has to be one of the hardest parts of the business." She said folding her hands neatly in her lap and then looking at him with a smile. The curtain was opened again and Grim entered the room again. As he placed the vase on the table, Blade looked up at him.
"Grim, please do me the favor of taking all the escorts back to our building. I wish to dine privately with Miss Bondora." He said.
"But sir, what if..." he began protesting his request.
"Grim, do as I say or there will be consequences. Just be sure that Joyce remains outside with the limousine incase we need it." Blade ordered coldly with an angry glisten in his eye. The man sighed and left the room. Alex watched as five men slowly walked towards the door of the restaurant. They hesitated to leave, but eventually did.
"What was that all about?" Alex asked confused as to what was going on.
"Nothing, just some…internal political issues is all my dear." He said with a relaxing sigh.
"Um, okay." She said. She knew something was up, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. A waitress entered the room and gave each of them a menu.
"Would you like to start off with drinks?" she asked looking to Alex first. She was about to order a glass of water but Blade cut in before her.
"We'll have your finest bottle of wine please." He requested. She nodded and scribbled on her palm-sized computer. Alex looked to Blade who was smiling at her.
"I'll be back with your drinks and to take your order." She said as she walked away.
"The finest wine? Blade, you don't have to…"
"Nonsense, you're worth it. You deserve the finer things in life." He said wrapping his hand around her chin with a grin. She couldn't help but smile at the way he pampered her with fancy restaurants and the best wine. Why was he doing this though? Taking her to such a high-class place for a dinner that he could have at any other restaurant?
"Blade?"
"Yes?"
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked. He looked at her like she was an idiot or something.
"What do you mean? Can't I have dinner with you at a nice restaurant?" he said with a slight giggle in his voice.
"Blade, this isn't just a nice restaurant, this is a very expensive, high-class restaurant. You know me better than to have me dress up and go out to a place like this." He shook his head.
"Listen, all I know is I'm trying to be nice and take you out to dinner before I probably never see you again. Can't I even do that without you getting suspicious?" he asked her. She felt bad now. He was only trying to be nice and she was just jumping down his throat.
"I'm sorry Blade, this just isn't like you at all. I'm used to little diners and restaurants that could care less if you were wearing nothing but jeans and a t-shirt." She said feeling ashamed.
"No, you have every right. A lot has happened to me in the past few months and it's even hard for me to believe sometimes. I can understand where you're coming from because I felt the same way when I was approached with the opportunity to lead this syndicate."
"Syndicate?! Blade, don't tell me you…" Alex said frantically and wide-eyed looking directly at him. His eyes had wandered to the table since they couldn't reach the ground. His silver hair shrouded his face, but she could tell he was disappointed in himself for not only slipping, but also bringing her into his problems.
"Alex, they came to me and I didn't want to give up something I didn't know a whole lot about, so I did it. When they gave me the only thing they had of my father's, I couldn't say no." he said. Her head was racing with thoughts. What was going to happen to him now? What did Blade get that belonged to Vicious? How did the Red Dragon find him? Despite the loud talking from the rest of the restaurant, she heard something drop onto the table. She looked over to see Blade shedding tears.
"Blade, what's wrong? I'm not mad at you or anything hun, don't cry." She said wrapping her arm around his shoulder.
"No, I just didn't want to drag you into this, but I had to. Alex, we've known each other since we were kids and you are the closest friend I've ever known. It's so hard to keep up this guise of a cold-blooded killer. The only thing that keeps me from going insane is the thought of you being happy. I go to sleep at night and see the people that I've killed but they all disappear when I see you holding me. I miss seeing you every day and hearing from you as often as I used to when we were kids." He said as he dried his eyes and took her hand. His cold eyes looked up at her, still glistening with tears. With his free hand, he removed a buckle and placed a large katana on the table, sheathed in a black scabbard. "This belonged to my father and it was the only thing of him that anyone could find. They didn't even find his body." He said as he ran his fingers over the smooth finish. Alex could feel the tears welling up in her eyes now. She couldn't stand to see Blade this way.
"Blade, I'm sorry." She said as she threw her arms around him and held him tight.
"It's alright, I should've said no and refused to go with them." he whispered into her ear. He softly kissed her neck below her ear and nuzzled into her. She wasn't sure what was happening, but suddenly she felt the same love for him. A voice in her head was telling her to be with him, but another was telling her to remember Spike. It wasn't lust; it was love talking to her. She knew because she felt the same way about Spike. She was so confused about what her head was telling her, fighting between Spike and Blade was giving her a headache. "Alex, I love you. I know I've told you before and I know you probably don't feel the same, but I've really needed to tell you. It's been eating at me inside for so long until I was able to just come out and say it now."
"Blade, I… I…" she stuttered. She could feel her face flushing bright red and her heart beat faster as she pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. Were steel blue, but she could see his soul in them. He put his index finger to her lips.
"Shhh." He said smiling weakly. He brought his hand to her face and placed her cheek in his palm. His fingers wrapped around to the back of her neck he pulled his finger away and pulled her close with his other hand. Knowing the potential consequences, his lips touched hers and he kissed her softly. As he began to pull back, he forced herself to lean towards him and she kissed him back. Knowing that their feelings were mutual, they kissed each other and gradually deepened into one another. Despite the loud crash from the bar, they continued to kiss as the man that sent Alex the drink stood, dusted himself off, and told the bartender to pour him the strongest he had.
Alex sat there still waiting, but growing somewhat impatient. She didn't want to sit here all night and after that guy at the bar sent her that drink, she didn't know what to do. He was kind of good looking, but Spike was cuter. She sat waiting a little longer until she heard noises from outside. She didn't pay much mind, but with some mumbling outside of the room, she became slightly nervous. She shifted in her seat and then took a deep breath. She heard a crinkling sound from the doorway and then the curtain was pulled aside to allow Blade to enter. His appearance somewhat shocked her, he was thin and looked so tired. As soon as he had entered, she quickly stood with her hands clasped together nervously.
"Alex my dear, how've you been?" he asked with a sickening smile. What was wrong? His smile usually brightened up her day instead of making her uneasy.
"Blade, it's good to see you. You look wonderful." She said forcing a smile but keeping a formal tone as he did for her. He could only smile.
"Ah, not as wonderful as you. You look absolutely magnificent." He said as he took her hands. With a nervous gulp, she forced another smile. His hands were ice cold, it sent shivers racing down her spine. "Don't be so formal my dear, we're only dining in a formal atmosphere. We're still old friends as always!" Blade was right, so his appearance had changed, big deal! He was probably still the same old playful Blade McGowan she grew up with.
"I'm sorry, it just feels so businesslike. What took you so long anyway?" she asked. One of the men outside the door cleared his throat loudly as Blade shut his eyes to think for a moment.
"I had some…err, business to attend to that couldn't wait." he said smiling once again. He led her back to her seat and had her sit back down. "Please have a seat. These are for you." He said as he handed her the bouquet.
"Blade, this is very sweet, thank you!" she said as she inhaled their sweet scent deeply. Blade walked around the table and sat beside her. With a simple snap of Blade's fingers, one of his men entered and stood at attention.
"Grim, take Miss Bondora's roses and place them in a vase for her." he said. The man walked up to the table and took the roses as Alex handed them to him. He disappeared through the doorway, leaving the two alone once again. "So Alex, how is your career going? Any new songs that are possibly making their way towards stardom for you?" he asked as he rested his right cheek on his right fist and looking at her. There was something attractive about him when he looked like this.
"Not many, I've written them, they just need to be set to music. It has to be one of the hardest parts of the business." She said folding her hands neatly in her lap and then looking at him with a smile. The curtain was opened again and Grim entered the room again. As he placed the vase on the table, Blade looked up at him.
"Grim, please do me the favor of taking all the escorts back to our building. I wish to dine privately with Miss Bondora." He said.
"But sir, what if..." he began protesting his request.
"Grim, do as I say or there will be consequences. Just be sure that Joyce remains outside with the limousine incase we need it." Blade ordered coldly with an angry glisten in his eye. The man sighed and left the room. Alex watched as five men slowly walked towards the door of the restaurant. They hesitated to leave, but eventually did.
"What was that all about?" Alex asked confused as to what was going on.
"Nothing, just some…internal political issues is all my dear." He said with a relaxing sigh.
"Um, okay." She said. She knew something was up, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. A waitress entered the room and gave each of them a menu.
"Would you like to start off with drinks?" she asked looking to Alex first. She was about to order a glass of water but Blade cut in before her.
"We'll have your finest bottle of wine please." He requested. She nodded and scribbled on her palm-sized computer. Alex looked to Blade who was smiling at her.
"I'll be back with your drinks and to take your order." She said as she walked away.
"The finest wine? Blade, you don't have to…"
"Nonsense, you're worth it. You deserve the finer things in life." He said wrapping his hand around her chin with a grin. She couldn't help but smile at the way he pampered her with fancy restaurants and the best wine. Why was he doing this though? Taking her to such a high-class place for a dinner that he could have at any other restaurant?
"Blade?"
"Yes?"
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked. He looked at her like she was an idiot or something.
"What do you mean? Can't I have dinner with you at a nice restaurant?" he said with a slight giggle in his voice.
"Blade, this isn't just a nice restaurant, this is a very expensive, high-class restaurant. You know me better than to have me dress up and go out to a place like this." He shook his head.
"Listen, all I know is I'm trying to be nice and take you out to dinner before I probably never see you again. Can't I even do that without you getting suspicious?" he asked her. She felt bad now. He was only trying to be nice and she was just jumping down his throat.
"I'm sorry Blade, this just isn't like you at all. I'm used to little diners and restaurants that could care less if you were wearing nothing but jeans and a t-shirt." She said feeling ashamed.
"No, you have every right. A lot has happened to me in the past few months and it's even hard for me to believe sometimes. I can understand where you're coming from because I felt the same way when I was approached with the opportunity to lead this syndicate."
"Syndicate?! Blade, don't tell me you…" Alex said frantically and wide-eyed looking directly at him. His eyes had wandered to the table since they couldn't reach the ground. His silver hair shrouded his face, but she could tell he was disappointed in himself for not only slipping, but also bringing her into his problems.
"Alex, they came to me and I didn't want to give up something I didn't know a whole lot about, so I did it. When they gave me the only thing they had of my father's, I couldn't say no." he said. Her head was racing with thoughts. What was going to happen to him now? What did Blade get that belonged to Vicious? How did the Red Dragon find him? Despite the loud talking from the rest of the restaurant, she heard something drop onto the table. She looked over to see Blade shedding tears.
"Blade, what's wrong? I'm not mad at you or anything hun, don't cry." She said wrapping her arm around his shoulder.
"No, I just didn't want to drag you into this, but I had to. Alex, we've known each other since we were kids and you are the closest friend I've ever known. It's so hard to keep up this guise of a cold-blooded killer. The only thing that keeps me from going insane is the thought of you being happy. I go to sleep at night and see the people that I've killed but they all disappear when I see you holding me. I miss seeing you every day and hearing from you as often as I used to when we were kids." He said as he dried his eyes and took her hand. His cold eyes looked up at her, still glistening with tears. With his free hand, he removed a buckle and placed a large katana on the table, sheathed in a black scabbard. "This belonged to my father and it was the only thing of him that anyone could find. They didn't even find his body." He said as he ran his fingers over the smooth finish. Alex could feel the tears welling up in her eyes now. She couldn't stand to see Blade this way.
"Blade, I'm sorry." She said as she threw her arms around him and held him tight.
"It's alright, I should've said no and refused to go with them." he whispered into her ear. He softly kissed her neck below her ear and nuzzled into her. She wasn't sure what was happening, but suddenly she felt the same love for him. A voice in her head was telling her to be with him, but another was telling her to remember Spike. It wasn't lust; it was love talking to her. She knew because she felt the same way about Spike. She was so confused about what her head was telling her, fighting between Spike and Blade was giving her a headache. "Alex, I love you. I know I've told you before and I know you probably don't feel the same, but I've really needed to tell you. It's been eating at me inside for so long until I was able to just come out and say it now."
"Blade, I… I…" she stuttered. She could feel her face flushing bright red and her heart beat faster as she pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. Were steel blue, but she could see his soul in them. He put his index finger to her lips.
"Shhh." He said smiling weakly. He brought his hand to her face and placed her cheek in his palm. His fingers wrapped around to the back of her neck he pulled his finger away and pulled her close with his other hand. Knowing the potential consequences, his lips touched hers and he kissed her softly. As he began to pull back, he forced herself to lean towards him and she kissed him back. Knowing that their feelings were mutual, they kissed each other and gradually deepened into one another. Despite the loud crash from the bar, they continued to kiss as the man that sent Alex the drink stood, dusted himself off, and told the bartender to pour him the strongest he had.