Chapter 255 - A favour, I think a date (1)

11 April, Lake View Cafe, City K

After finishing his shift John had quickly hurried home so he could change and ensure that he arrived at the Lake View Café to meet Lieutenant, no Bronwyn Li.  For some reason he felt nervous.  Could he get her to agree to his request, or was this an exercise in futility?  Did he really want to take her to the Nang Foundation function tomorrow night as a first date, or did he need to plan something different?

The thought of a first date made John stop and think.  Was he being serious?  Was he thinking about this being something romantic or was it just wishing for wishing sake?  Pausing, John realised that he was at least serious in finding out the possibility.  What did he know about Bronwyn Li?  Was she single or was she in a relationship and could he be chasing after the impossible?  Would she be interested in a police officer?  Maybe he needed to just keep the situation friendly and see what would happen.

The one thing he was reasonably sure of, is she would have a similar level of security clearance as to him which would mean that if they ended in a relationship neither of them would have to go through the extensive background checks for them to take their relationship.  In the past, that had always put a break on his relationsh.i.p.s as the women he were involved with refused to undertake that screening.  While he had always been invested in the relationship the one thing was that he was able to get out of the relationship without having invested himself fully in the relationship.

After twirling the glass of wine, between his fingers, looking at the red wine in it, John looked up and noticed a woman, in a simply draping knee length red dress, that looked stunning on her.  From a distance it was difficult to make out too much about it, but he would not be a real friend to Lexi if some of her lectures over the years when she was around and now had not rubbed off on him about what works for people.

It was then he noticed the woman was being led in his direction.  It was in that moment that if hit him that this was Bronwyn Li.  How human she looked dressed in civilian clothes, rather than the harsh image that she portrayed in her uniform.

As she moved closer to the table, remembering the manners that his parents had drilled into him over the years, quickly stood up to await her arrival.  Rather than allowing the wait staff help seat her, John moved to stand beside the other chair, and helped her sit down before resuming his seat and turning to ask "A glass of wine?"

After seeing the nod, John poured a glass and handed it to Bronwyn before placing beside her right hand, and quietly saying "Thank you for coming.  I expected you to say no."

"And miss a chance to relax off base.  Other than a few people on base, I know no one here, so all I can do is wander around town a little."

That made John pause.  Was her posting a temporary matter or was it permanent?  After thinking for a few seconds asked, "So how are you finding it here?"

"It takes some time to get use to, particularly as I have been based in the capital for a few years.  But the change, as permanent as it can be, seems to be growing on me.  I am relieved that I have finally been able to settle in, as it took time for my personal items to arrive."

"And your family?"

"Are you checking me out?"

"Trying to be polite and…"

Before he finished, John was interrupted, and the waiter took their orders.  As the waiter left Bronwyn looked directly at John, who lowered his head slightly not wanting to look her directly in the eyes.  Observing this Bronwyn closely observed John.  His slight motions indicated that he was considering something important to him, but in a few seconds, he quickly steeled himself before lifting his head and looking her directly in the eye.

Bronwyn realised that in those few moments, John had hidden what he wanted and the determination that he would not say anything until he was ready.  While she wanted to know exactly what he wanted a chance to relax off base, with a handsome man, was something that she would not pass up.  So rather than pressing she decided until after the meal she would engage in non-threatening chat until after they finished the meal.

Without thinking too much Bronwyn realised that their meal had come to an end and almost two hours had drifted past without a thought, having had an interesting meal with someone she did not have to check what she could say, given he had top level security clearance.  After the waiter served them their coffee at the end of the meal and left, Bronwyn knew that she needed to ask the question that had plagued her since she arrived.

"John, while I have enjoyed tonight, I am not stupid, there is something you want.  What is it?"

"I wondered when you would ask that question."

"Quit stalling.  While tonight has been relaxing, I would appreciate an answer," came the firm but nonaggressive reply.

"I guess I will not get away without answering that," responded John, who observed a nod from the enchanting woman sitting across the table from him.  Despite having found out she was single; he did not want to push and lose the chance to see what would happen.

"Around twenty years ago my parents established a charitable foundation attached to their business.  While I have nothing to do with the company, I promised that I would attend the foundation events when I told them about joining the police.  I wondered if you would like to come as my guest to it."

Bronwyn had heard about that function tomorrow night, as the boss was bem.o.a.ning having to attend and Colonel Wang was worried about his mother-in-law attacking the boss and his wife as well as what she was forcing his young sister-in-law to.  Watching the face across from her while sipping her coffee, Bronwyn noticed a brief fleeting look of hope pass over his face.

"You know, I suspect you want it to seem like I am going to do you a favour.  But I suspect you want it to be a date, just like this has become…"

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