Big Corp Inc. (G/T)

Part 26: A Real Date

Martin stood back up to his full, extraordinary height, still holding Candy in his hand. "Um... okay... what would you like to do? I'm guessing you probably wouldn't want to go out to dinner, considering what happened last time..."

Candy hadn't eaten since she had her instant oatmeal for breakfast, since she had missed lunch while trapped in the vending machine. "Actually, I am hungry," she admitted. "I think it will be okay, as long as we don't go to Bucky's again. Maybe we could go to a place you're more familiar with? I think as long as nobody takes me away from you, we'll be fine."

"Gosh, Candy, you're so brave! I really admire you!" Martin confessed, blushing. "If I was in your position, I'd be paralyzed with fear, to be honest."

"It's not easy," Candy remarked softly. She knew, if she wasn't so desperate, she probably would not have had the courage to stay. "Having you with me gives me strength." Her cheeks turned pink. If she was honest with herself, Martin gave her some very strong motivation to stay too. Without him, she probably would have given up, but he gave her a compelling reason to come into the office, despite the hazards she faced. Candy, as a hopeless romantic, was guided more by her heart than her intellect.

Her words touched Martin, making him smile. "I'm glad to hear that." He brushed her side with his thumb. "I'll take you to a little pizza place near my apartment. How does that sound?"

"Pizza sounds great!" Candy said. "Although, I don't know if I could eat a Giant-sized pizza, even if it's just a single slice."

Martin laughed. "If not, we'll figure something out." The Giant headed out, keeping Candy safe in his hand. Clouds were rolling in, obscuring the sun, and another gust of cold wind made Candy shiver, with her skimpy office clothes that were plainly insufficient to keep her warm. Martin closed his fingers around her so only her head was sticking out, sheltering her from the wind and enveloping her in warmth. Candy snuggled up to his warm, soft skin. She was so comfortable, like being wrapped up in a blanket in bed, she felt as if she could fall asleep in his hand.

Martin came up to the restaurant, which was a cozy, old-fashioned place with the name "Pan's Pizza Palace" written in green letters next to a goofy cartoon satyr holding a slice of pepperoni pizza. Even though Candy knew she was safe with Martin, she began to experience a swell of trepidation at the thought of entering another Giant restaurant, with the reminder of being eaten by the manager. She trembled, and Martin held her tighter in his hand.

"Are you still cold?" he asked her, oblivious to her fright. She didn't want to ruin their date a second time, so she shook her head and smiled up at him. He gazed down at her lovingly before the seating hostess addressed him and took them to their table, failing to notice Candy with only her teeny head poking out of his huge fist. The temperature was warmer indoors, so Martin released Candy onto the table and opened the menu in front of her so she could see her food options.

"What kind of pizza would you like?" Martin inquired. "Obviously, it would be best for us to share." He chuckled as he imagined Candy trying to eat a whole pizza by herself. A solitary piece of pepperoni would be larger than an entire human pizza for her.

"You should choose, seeing as how you're going to be eating most of it," Candy pointed out. "What do you usually get?"

"My go-to is typically a large meat lover's, extra cheese, thick crust. But with you, I should probably get the thin crust. Might make it easier for you to eat," Martin noted. Candy approved of Martin's decision. The waitress, a young Giantess who appeared to be barely out of high school, stopped at their table to take their order. She was relatively pacific, until she saw Candy.

"Is that a HUMAN? Oh. My. Gosh! She is sooooo cute!" the waitress gushed. Candy flushed slightly as the waitress bent down to get a closer look at her on the table and squealed with delight. "I've never seen a human in real life before! I didn't know she'd be that small! She's like an adorable little doll!" Martin was annoyed by the waitress's intrusive behavior, until he saw that Candy was charmed from being fawned over. Candy, with her simple uncorrupted mind, liked the extra attention and didn't find it to be patronizing or condescending at all. Martin was amused by this development. He loved her even more for her sweet innocence. Anyone else would have been irritated by the waitress's ignorance, but Candy didn't interpret any malice and took the compliments at face value. Candy helped Martin see the world in a new light, free of cynicism and judgement, and he liked what he saw.