MAFIA BOY and MASK MAN: Live to Love

CHAPTER #18

Since that explosive night when Mr. Crane had visited with the twins and his daughter, he hadn't contacted Qihe again. His second enforcer confirmed that his son had shown up for his security jobs and completed them without problem.  He didn't regret coming down on Qihe so hard, because the boy had needed to be taught a lesson in hierarchy and manners. The men reported that Qihe was much more respectful to them than in the past, even if they teased him by using the nickname Mafia Boy. Boss Crane decided to make his son go on a date. The pretty girl wasn't part of a business deal this time, but he thought she could rein in Qihe's fighting because of being elegant and educated.

When Qihe received the details of the date, he almost disobeyed, but decided he'd pushed his father's patience enough lately.  So he contacted the girl to pick a day to meet.  From their texts and the picture she sent, this date might not be too bad.  He decided to keep an open mind, even though it was a girl that his father had chosen. They decided to get lunch together and then maybe a movie. Wearing a black and white pin stripe suit, with matching shirt and tie, he had his father's driver drop him off just outside the restaurant.

"Call me when your date is done and I'll drive you two home," the driver explained.

"Thanks." Qihe leaned against the wall, near the entrance doors and waited.

The girl arrived and he took interest in what he saw. She was well put together; not too much makeup, hair all styled and controlled, carrying a purse that matched the dress and heals.

"Hi are you Mafia Boy, I mean Qihe Crane?"

"Yes, and you are?"

"Daiyu, please to meet you." She held out her hand to him.

First removing his mask, he took the hand and gave it a kiss, then put it on his arm and escorted her into the restaurant. He opened the door for her and even pulled out the chair, at their reserved table.  After she was seated, Qihe did so too, unbuttoning his suit as he sat.

"Do you like French cuisine?" Daiyu asked, while looking over the menu.

"I'll try anything at least once, what about you?"

"It's one of my favourite types of food, but I usually only have it when I'm with my parents.  I'm not the best at reading French, could you pick me something?"

He'd read her bio, as his father was always thorough with the files on the girls. Qihe knew she was fluent in reading, writing and speaking French. So this was the game she was going to play, which he had expected. "Of course."  When the waiter arrived, he order the same thing for them both. "Pour commencer, nous aurons une soupe à l'oignon. Pour le plat principal nous aurons du saumon en papillote." He looked at her, "from the pictures, show him which dessert you would like to try."

She pointed to the hazelnut dacquoise cake and asked, "what about you Qihe?"

"I don't like to eat sweet things."

"We can skip dessert if you want."

"No, I wouldn't stop you from enjoying something you like."

Her smile showed off her perfect white teeth. "When you get to university, what will you study?"

"I'll probably take over for my father eventually," he replied. "What do you plan for your career?"

"Business administration or I might become a diplomatic translator."

"We both have big ambitions."

The soup arrived and Qihe decided he didn't like it, but showed nothing on his face to indicate that.  He had 75% of it and then stopped.  His hope was that the salmon would be better.