Chapter 9

Another chapter! To make up for the long wait of the last one! Please let me know your thoughts and if you're still reading, as there is a bug with fanfiction and cannot see any views! And if you haven't seen it yet, I've also posted chapter 8! So read that one first if you haven't already! -an

Friday had arrived, and it was a hectic day at Tris's job. The demands of her work seemed never-ending, and the weight of her responsibilities bore down on her. She knew she had a blind date to look forward to in the evening, courtesy of Christina's well-intentioned meddling, but at the moment, all she could think about was the mountain of tasks on her desk.

Tris was known in her law firm, Simmons & Associates, for taking on pro bono cases, especially those that pitted the underdogs against corporate giants. Her passion for justice fueled her drive to make a difference in the lives of those who couldn't afford high-powered legal representation.

Today's case was no different. She had been assigned a particularly challenging pro bono case that had been causing headaches for weeks. The legal battleground was set in the world of technology patents, and the stakes were astronomically high.

The case involved a small, innovative tech startup named Quantum Innovations, which claimed that their groundbreaking artificial intelligence algorithms had been unlawfully copied by GoliathTech, a Silicon Valley titan. Tris was determined to fight for Quantum Innovations, as they represented the embodiment of innovation and entrepreneurship against the corporate behemoth.

As she questioned Dr. Robert Anderson, GoliathTech's lead software engineer, Tris maintained her trademark composure and sharp legal acumen. She carefully dissected his testimony, exposing inconsistencies and raising compelling arguments. The tension in the room was palpable, with the fate of her client hanging in the balance.

Hours passed like minutes, and Tris felt the mental strain of the deposition taking its toll. The pressure to perform at her best was relentless, and she knew that any misstep could cost her client dearly. Dr. Anderson's lawyer, a formidable opponent with a reputation for aggressive defense, wasn't making her job any easier.

Finally, as the clock approached noon, Tris wrapped up her questioning. She knew she had gleaned crucial information that could bolster Quantum Innovations' case, but the battle was far from over. The courtroom showdown awaited, and she needed to continue her preparations.

Her assistant, Cara, handed her a much-needed cup of coffee as she exited the conference room. "You did great in there, Tris," Cara offered with a reassuring smile.

Tris appreciated the encouragement but couldn't shake the weight of the impending trial. "Thanks, Cara. But this is just the beginning. We've got a long road ahead of us."

The afternoon stretched on with back-to-back meetings, strategy sessions, and document reviews. Tris collaborated closely with her colleagues, including Tori, who had become a trusted friend and ally in the legal trenches. Their shared dedication to their clients and pursuit of justice had forged a strong bond between them.

At one point, they found themselves huddled in Tori's office, dissecting the intricacies of the case and brainstorming legal maneuvers. Tori's office was a sanctuary of legal knowledge, filled with towering stacks of documents, reference books, and a whiteboard covered in complex diagrams.

"I can't believe we're going up against GoliathTech," Tori mused, her brow furrowed in thought. "Their legal team is notorious for playing hardball."

Tris nodded in agreement. "It won't be easy, but we have a compelling case, and the truth is on our side. We just need to make sure the jury sees it that way."

As the workday wore on, Tris's exhaustion began to creep in. She knew that she couldn't let up, not with such a high-stakes trial on the horizon, but the weight of her responsibilities felt particularly heavy today. She yearned for a brief respite, a chance to clear her mind before the evening's blind date.

During a brief break, Tris confided in her colleague and friend, Tori, about her upcoming date. Tori, ever the candid and straightforward confidante, listened intently as Tris shared her reservations.

"I don't know why Christina insists on setting me up," Tris sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I mean, I appreciate her efforts, but it just feels like one more thing to stress about right now."

Tori leaned back in her chair, offering a sympathetic smile. "I get it, Tris. Dating can be a lot, especially when you're swamped with work. But who knows? Maybe it's a fun guy and you can just enjoys some drinks with him and take the edge off."

Tris raised an eyebrow, skepticism clear in her expression. "I highly doubt it. Christina's track record with setups isn't exactly stellar."

Tori chuckled, her laughter infectious. "True, but you never know when you might stumble upon a pleasant surprise. And hey, even if it doesn't work out, at least it's a break from your usual routine."

Tris couldn't help but smile at Tori's optimism. "You're right, Tori. I shouldn't be such a downer about it. Maybe it'll be a nice distraction, even if just for one evening."

Tori patted Tris on the back in a reassuring manner. "That's the spirit! And who knows, maybe this guy will turn out to be charming, or at the very least, a good story to tell."

With renewed determination, she returned to her work, ready to face the challenges of the day and the uncertainty of the upcoming blind date.


After a long and demanding day at the office, Tris was both eager and anxious about her upcoming blind date with a guy named Matt. The idea of a blind date had always made her somewhat apprehensive, the uncertainty of meeting a complete stranger adding a layer of unease to her anticipation.

Rushing to her apartment building, she couldn't shake the flutter of nerves that had taken residence in her stomach. She knew she had nothing to worry about; Matt seemed like a nice guy from their texts, and her friends had reassured her that he was a great catch. Still, that persistent nervousness nagged at her, fueled by the fact that she had no idea what to expect.

Upon entering the building, she greeted Victor, the friendly concierge, who had a curious look in his eye as he stopped her. "Tris, a delivery came for you," he said with a warm smile.

Intrigued, Tris quickly approached him. The bouquet of flowers he held was enormous, almost obstructing her view. Her initial thought was that Matt had sent her this romantic gesture as a prelude to their date, a move to impress her. She imagined him as a thoughtful and romantic guy.

However, her heart took an unexpected twist when she discovered the note attached to the flowers. It read, "Thank you for being my lifesaver, x Four." The unexpected act of kindness from Four left Tris genuinely touched. She hadn't anticipated this side of him, and it added a layer of complexity to her emotions.

With a mixture of gratitude and surprise, Tris found herself smiling. The act of receiving flowers from someone like Four, who wasn't known for such gestures, was both heartwarming and thought-provoking. It briefly distracted her from the anxiety of her upcoming date.

As she read the note and felt a genuine sense of appreciation for Four's unexpected gesture, she received a text from Christina, her close friend, advising her to dress attractively for her date. Christina's words snapped her back to the reality of the evening.

Checking the time, Tris realized that she was running out of it. She needed to get ready quickly and prepare for her blind date. Despite her nervousness, she knew that opening up to new experiences and meeting new people was essential. She hoped that this date would be a positive step in that direction.

Tris changed into one of her favorite dresses, the blue floral one, which she paired with a comfortable jean jacket and flats. A light application of makeup enhanced her features, and she found herself feeling a bit more confident. But her nervousness still lingered as she knew that the unknown awaited her.

With her heart pounding, she hailed a cab and headed to the bar, the agreed-upon meeting place. The bustling atmosphere of the venue, filled with people, only intensified her anxiety. Her hands trembled slightly as she imagined the moments ahead, wondering if her blind date, Matt, would be the kind of person she could connect with.

The thought of meeting a complete stranger for a date, while exciting, was also inherently nerve-wracking. Tris knew that the uncertainty and unpredictability of the evening were part of the adventure, but it didn't make her anxiety any less real. Tris arrived at the bar, a few minutes early before their agreed time, her heart still fluttering with a mix of excitement and anxiety. She entered the dimly lit venue, the chatter of patrons and clinking glasses surrounding her. As she looked around, she noticed that the bar was already quite crowded, with people enjoying drinks, laughter, and animated conversations.

Tris found a spot at a corner table, her heart racing a bit faster as she realized she would soon be meeting Matt. Her anxiety was already on edge due to the blind date, as she had ordered a drink and had been their for a little bit, matt hadn't arrived yet and as she checked her watch, she noticed it had been a good fifteen minutes since their agreed meeting time of 5:30.

For the first few minutes, Tris tried to remain calm and composed. She sipped on her drink, trying to distract herself by observing the other patrons in the bar. However, as time ticked on, her nervousness began to intensify. She couldn't help but wonder if Matt was running late, or perhaps if there had been a mix-up in their plans.

Tris occasionally glanced at her phone, hoping to see a message or receive a call from Matt, but her phone screen remained disappointingly blank. Her heart began to sink as she realized that more than twenty minutes had passed, and he was still nowhere in sight. She had tried calling him and left a few texts, but no response.

The bustling atmosphere of the bar was in stark contrast to her growing sense of isolation. She felt as though she were the only person there waiting for someone who might not show up. The waitstaff, recognizing her and her empty table, began to ask if her companion was coming, adding a layer of awkwardness to the situation.

Tris couldn't help but feel a mixture of embarrassment and disappointment. She had mentally prepared herself for this date, and the anticipation had been both exhilarating and unnerving. The possibility of being stood up was a daunting thought, and she couldn't shake the feeling of unease as she nervously looked around the bar for any sign of Matt.

Tris waited for what felt like an eternity. Forty-five long minutes passed, and there was still no sign of Matt. The initial excitement and anxiety had slowly transformed into disappointment and embarrassment. She had given him plenty of time, and the reality of being stood up was becoming undeniable.

With a heavy sigh, she knew she couldn't wait any longer. Tris felt a wave of self-consciousness wash over her, sitting alone at a table in a crowded bar, waiting for someone who clearly had no intention of showing up. She had been ready to give this blind date a chance, but she wasn't willing to endure the awkwardness any longer.

Summoning a cab, she hastily gathered her things and made her way to the exit. The bar staff, who had seen her waiting all this time, couldn't help but offer sympathetic looks, further adding to her feelings of embarrassment. Tris hailed a cab on the bustling street outside and climbed into it, ready to leave the disappointing evening behind.

Tris sat in the cab, a mix of emotions churning within her. She felt a deep embarrassment about being stood up at the bar, but beneath that, there was a growing anger, primarily directed at Christina. Tris had never wanted to go on this blind date, and the fact that she had been persuaded into it was irking her even more now.

She couldn't help but think, "Why did I let Christina talk me into this?" Her friend had insisted that it would be fun and that she needed to get out there and meet new people, he was a good guy Christina had told her. Yet, at this moment, Tris couldn't help but feel like it was a wasted effort. She had put herself in an uncomfortable position for the sake of a friend's suggestion, and it had ended in disappointment.

Tris clenched her fists, her annoyance at the situation growing. She was not only embarrassed but also frustrated with herself for allowing this to happen. The cab drove on, carrying her away from the bar, and she couldn't help but stew in her emotions, determined to have a word with Christina about this blind date that she had forced on her.


After the disappointing blind date, Tris returned home, her confidence shaken, feeling both embarrassed and let down. Bailey, her ever-faithful four-legged companion, greeted her with a wagging tail, sensing her mood. Tris decided that a walk with Bailey might help clear her head.

Still dressed in the outfit from the date, she hesitated to change into her comfortable sweats. The evening hadn't gone as planned, and the last thing she wanted was to feel even more disheveled.

As she strolled through the quiet streets with Bailey, the embarrassment of the failed date gnawed at her. Being stood up felt like a blow to her self-esteem, and Tris yearned for the comfort of her home, where she could order pizza and wallow in her sadness in peace.

However, when she returned to her building, something unexpected caught her attention. Her fellow residents were gathered outside, and fire trucks were parked nearby. Confused, she approached the group to find out what was going on.

Most of the residents in her building were elderly people, and they all looked stressed and shaken by the situation. She had hoped that it was nothing major, as she couldn't handle anything else for the day.

"What's going on?" An elderly man was grumbling, but Tris couldn't make out what he was saying. Then Four turned around, and Tris almost thought she could see his eyes roaming her outfit as he blurted out, perhaps without thinking, "Wow, Tris, you look good."

He quickly explained the situation, "Nothing major, the short story is that there is no fire, but some idiot in one of the Airbnbs thought it was a good idea to bring an outdoor fire pit inside the house."

Tris couldn't help but chuckle at his story, some of the people staying in the Airbnb's thought they could do literally anything.. "Well, that's one way to get the oldies out on a Friday night."

Four laughed, a warm and genuine sound, and Tris appreciated his sense of humor. She looked around, searching for Ella, her gaze flicking back to Four.

"Where is Ella?" Tris asked, curious about his daughter's whereabouts.

"Having a sleepover at her grandmother's," he replied, his tone warm and friendly.

Four's eyes returned to Tris's attire, and his curiosity got the better of him. "So where are you going all dressed up?"

Tris simply shrugged, a mixture of embarrassment and resignation in her voice. "Home."

Four couldn't help but probe further, a genuine interest in her story shining through. "Home? Dressed like that?"

Tris felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. She hesitated for a moment, her emotions evident in her voice, then reluctantly admitted, "I had a blind date."

Four nodded, checked his watch, and turned to Tris with a sympathetic smile. "That must have been a short blind date, huh? So what happened, was he a complete jerk?"

Tris's cheeks flushed with humiliation as she replied, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability, "He actually never showed up."

Four's smile instantly faded, replaced by genuine empathy. "I'm sorry to hear that. It's his loss, really."

Tris couldn't help but blush at the unexpected compliment. She mumbled a heartfelt, "Thank you," grateful for his kind words.

As the other residents began to disperse and return to the building, Tris observed that Four seemed deep in thought. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she wanted to engage in a conversation with him.

After he noticed her gaze on him, Four spoke up, his tone friendly and inviting, "What would you say about us going for a bite to eat?"

However, Tris was on edge, her emotions still raw from the failed date. She snapped with a hint of frustration, "No thanks, don't want your pity."

Four shook his head, his voice warm and reassuring. "No pity here, I promise. In fact, you'd be doing me a favor."

Tris stayed silent, a mix of emotions running through her, unsure of his intentions. Four continued, revealing his own situation, his voice sincere, "Actually, I was supposed to go out as well with one of my friends. It would have been the first night out in Chicago again. Ella is spending the night at her grandmother's, so I was kind of looking forward to it, but my buddy canceled on me like 10 minutes ago."

Tris, still wrestling with her feelings, considered his words. A part of her was afraid that Four was merely offering to make her feel better, but another part longed for some company and an opportunity to get to know him better.

"Alright then," she said, her tone softening, "where do you want to go?"

Four's smile returned, and he revealed his genuine intentions, his voice warm and friendly. "I was actually hoping that you would know some nice places. I haven't been to Chicago since I was 18, and my favorites at the time were Shake Shack and Burger King."

And just like that, in the midst of a bizarre building evacuation and a failed blind date, Tris found herself agreeing to an unexpected evening out with Four.