Beneath The Surface

Chapter 37: Uncontrollable

"Something on your mind, muscles?" Aika noticed that Nat was deep in thought.

"I think I saw Marco at the mall..." Nat sighed.

"Marco? When?" Aika furrowed her eyebrows.

"3 days ago. I think I saw him when I was with Aly at the shop." Nat had contemplated for a while but he realised that if it was really Marco, it could spell danger for Aly.

"Oh no...did you tell Aly?" Aika was concerned.

"I'm not 100% sure so I didn't want to scare her. But he was literally staring at us and ran away when I called out to him." Nat sighed, unsure of what to do.

"If he's really Marco, he could be stalking Aly...Aly needs to know." Aika wanted to be safe than sorry.

"I'll tell her tomorrow and see if there's anything I can help with. After all, I'm partially responsible for this mess..." Nat knew it wasn't his fault that things had become this complicated but he did have a part to play.

"Do what you can to help, muscles. Within your own comfort zone of course. I trust you fully." Aika assured Nat.

"I love you, sunshine." Nat kissed Aika's forehead as he snuggled her close. His future was with Aika and no one else.

~

"Hey, are you free for dinner tonight?" Nat called Aly the next morning.

"Dinner? Sure!" Aly was pleasantly surprised that Nat asked her out for dinner.

"I'll pick you up from your office at 6pm?" Nat offered.

"Okay! See you at 6!" Aly's excitement was obvious through her voice.

"Sorry I made you wait!" Aly apologised as she entered Nat's car.

"No worries, it's only 5 minutes." Nat gave Aly a smile. He looked around before driving off, hoping that there was no one following them.

"What are we having?" Aly turned to Nat.

"Is Mexican okay with you? I have a friend that owns a small bar nearby." Nat wanted to pick a restaurant that was safe just in case.

"Sounds great already!" Aly nodded in approval.

"We're here..." Nat opened the door for Aly.

"Hey Nat!" The man at the counter greeted Nat as he and Aly walked in.

"Thanks for making space tonight, Justin. I owe you one!" Nat returned the fist bump to Justin, the owner.

"How's Aika doing? You guys haven't visited in a while!" Nat and Aika had been to the bar a few times.

"Aika's been busy lately but she did ask if you could make her your signature tacos...she and Jamie have been talking about it recently." Nat chuckled as he remembered how the two had bugged him to bring some food home. 

"I'll have them ready by the time you're done. Let me just take you and your friend to the table first." Justin ushered Nat and Aly to a table nestled at the corner of the small restaurant. 

"What would you like?" Nat asked as Aly looked through the menu. He placed a cup in front of Aly and filled it for her silently.