Black Rose

Chapter 5

Before they knew it, Saturday had rolled around and the girls were now standing outside of Pine Sun, the most upscale Chinese restaurant in New York City.

"This is by far my favorite Chinese restaurant. I'm so glad we came here," Valerie said excitedly. "What should I order? How about the sesame chicken and wonton soup?"

Valerie had not stopped talking since they had arrived. Sure, the restaurant had exquisite food and comfortable dining, but Valerie made it seem like they were sitting in for a casual dinner, not a business meeting of sorts.

Suddenly, as the girls were pondering whether they should go in or wait for Harry to approach them, a man walked up to them.

"He is waiting," the man said cryptically. Kate examined the man in front of her. The first features that stuck out to her were his tall frame and slight Southern accent. She also took in his mop of caramel-colored hair that looked as if he had not combed it yet.

Valerie was struck by his dazzling smile, the perfectly straight teeth, and the small flush to his cheeks. The first word that came to her mind was handsome.

"Thank you," she replied simply. Before Kate could protest, Valerie sauntered into the restaurant, not once looking back at the unnamed man and a confused Kate.

∆

Pine Sun, however fancy, had dim lighting that made the search for Harry Black more difficult. Kate joined Valerie by her side. After Valerie had rushed inside, Kate had quickly followed, thanking the man.

Without warning, the same man who had approached the girls outside stepped beside Valerie and nodded once. "Right this way."

Kate and Valerie followed behind the man, who led the girls to a four-person table. Sure enough, another man, presumably Harry Black, sat with his hands folded, staring at the girls expectantly.

Kate turned to thank the man but he had disappeared. Without any other options, Valerie and Kate took a seat across from this stranger.

"Hello girls. You must be Kate and Valerie," the man said, looking pointedly at each girl when he said their name. His knowing smile told Kate that he did indeed know who they were.

"Who are you?" Kate asked carefully, taking in his easygoing attitude, sandy blond hair, and tan skin. She felt uncomfortable that the man knew more about her than she knew of him.

"My name is Harry Black, the owner of Black Rose," Harry introduced himself. He sat there looking at the girls in silence.

When she realized that he would no longer be providing commentary, she asked, "Who was that man leading us to your table?"

Harry raised one eyebrow knowingly. "That was Garret Hernandez. He is part of the spy organization as well. As a matter of fact, he was one of the first spies to be recruited."

Kate nodded. She had a multitude of questions, so many that she did not know where to begin. Harry continued, seeming to read Kate's mind.

"I understand you have many unanswered questions, but you will learn more about the history of Black Rose once you arrive at the headquarters," Harry Black explained.

The whole time Harry was speaking, Valerie was just staring at him. Harry either didn't notice or ignored her. He mainly spoke directly to Kate, who had his full attention.

"Where are the headquarters located?" Kate asked, curiosity lacing her voice.

"Why don't we go right now?" Harry asked, answering the question indirectly.

Kate hesitated and glanced at Valerie, who was examining her nails, seemingly uninterested with the conversation at hand. It was certainly dangerous and sketchy to follow a middle-aged man to an undisclosed location, but... well, what other choice was there?

The search for answers overpowered her sense of reasoning. This is what prompted Kate to speak.

"Okay. Lead the way."

Kate stood up at the same time as Harry, both of them pushing in their chairs politely. Kate nudged Valerie, who scrambled up immediately, nearly colliding with her glass of water.

Harry made his way towards the exit. Kate watched him walk away, taking in his confident walk and professional posture.

With a barely audible sigh, she followed Harry Black out of the restaurant and awaited her fate at what she would soon call her new home: the headquarters of Black Rose.