Subtle Endearment

16. A Date

Kira

Rising and turning in the bed, I reach for my phone opening my eyes to see that I'm not in my room. That's right, I didn't go home last night. I should go find Ian. It's already nine thirty. I wake up to find my clothes are washed and neatly folded on the night stand beside me. I quickly change into them then wash my face and fix my braids into two large braids.

As I walk down the staircase I catch a glimpse of someone who's definitely not Ian in the kitchen. He doesn't live with anyone else does he? He made it seem like he lived alone...

"Why'd you stop," a calming voice says from behind. "I think there's someone in the house," I whisper as I turn to go back up the stairs. "That's impossible," Ian says, his eyebrows furrowed. "Stay here and I'll go check."

As he descends the steps the wariness he'd had in his eyes quickly disappears. "What are you doing here, Landon?" Ian asks. "Well you see, I was going to go back but I heard from a little birdy that you might've brought a certain someone home," Landon says gesturing with a spatula to me. Ian seems more irritated than anything so I meet him in the kitchen as he continues to scold Landon.

I wonder what they're relationship is for them to live together and work together. It seemed like most people at FixedTech avoided him but here Landon was basically around with him like a friend. "You met Landon at FixedTech the other day," Ian says rubbing his temples. "Yeah, I remember him," I say awkwardly letting my eyes drift to the concoction he'd made on the stove. "What did you make?" I ask pointing to the food. "Well since we have a guest it's only right for me to cook something. I took it upon myself to make breakfast" he says showing off the pan of half burnt eggs.

"How do you mess up eggs?" The words meant to be thought slip out of my mouth. Landon frowns in response. "You know you can't cook, give me that," Ian says snatching the spatula out of his hand. "I'll make breakfast but after this you need to get out. You have business to attend to tomorrow," Ian states sternly. "Yeah well you're increasing my workload the more you act out," Landon responds offering a fake smile. Ian hesitates for a split second then finally responds. "Just stay out of the way," he says grabbing the pan of eggs and scraping them in the trash.

Landon walks back to the work room where Ian had been just yesterday and Ian watches him as he goes. The door clicks indicating Landon had closed the door and Ian begins cracking eggs into the pan adding spices. I sit at a bar stool pressed up against the counter. "How long have you known Landon? You two seem pretty close," I ask the back of Ian's head. "He was the first person I met when I moved here," Ian says. "Did He help you build FixedTech," I question. "No, Mada- you ask a lot of questions for someone who just woke up," Ian says clearly trying to change the subject.

In an attempt to not come off as pushy I drop the topic. "So where are we going today?" I ask. "It's still a surprise. I actually added another stop to the itinerary," he says smiling as he moves the pan of partially cooked eggs onto the back burner. "Okay, I'm looking forward to it then," I say. Ian takes several things from the cupboard above him including onions and chili peppers. I watch as he cuts the ingredients quick and precise like a professional. "I'm guessing you've never had Akoori," Ian says as he mixes the ingredients together. "No," I respond.

"Well get ready to taste my Akoori. I won't disappoint," Ian says. A couple minutes later Ian puts the finished product onto three plates alongside toast. Ian places a plate in front of me and another beside me. He leaves the third plate on the counter. "This is really good," I say between taking bits of the Akoori. "I'm glad you like it," Ian says digging into his dish. "I hope you didn't forget about me too," Landon says coming from the hallway and scanning the kitchen for food.