Half-hearted

He spent the day half-heartedly doing his work, flipping from his computer to the phone in his lap. Tanya texted him the details of their agreement: she was willing to pay for hotel reservations, food, and anything else to feed his powerful body as long as she got to pick the locations. Aaron agreed to her terms. This was an affair involving a billionaire, she was probably more equipped to deal with the logistics.

< Tanya: Remember to come to the charity. It is on Monday now.

His brows furrowed. "That's still happening?" he asked himself in a low murmur.

< Aaron: i thought it was cancelled?

< Tanya: No, it was moved. My husband planned to invite important figures there. He couldn't afford to have it cancelled.

< Aaron: k

< Tanya: December 13, Monday, at 9:30pm. Please be there.

Aaron couldn't resist the urge to sigh. Now he had to go to a rich people's charity event. Great.

< Aaron: sure.

Hours passed. Aaron left work carrying enough annoyance to show on his face. He sighed as he waited on the roadway, the blaring orange palm of the traffic light stopping him from proceeding. Cars honked and stopped as they came and went for work. It was the time of day where the city was most busy and occupied.

He adjusted his necktie, glanced at his fellow pedestrians, and walked the way when the walking signal flashed. On the other end of the street were fast food restaurants and tea shops, intentionally placed for those returning to work. It was five o'clock and Gotham was beginning to form its evil shadows, the familiar sun gently falling. Aaron's gaze sweeped the shops without interest as his legs moved uniformly as if he had done this thousands of times. A routine with no change or inconsistencies and his brain absorbed by what he would do at home.

He suddenly stopped in his constructed path as he smelled roses.

Aaron turned. Inside the bubble tea shop was a black-haired woman with dark shades and a youthful, gloomy demeanour. She was looking out the store window and sipping on an extra-large drink with the familiar purple bubbles at the bottom. His lips twitched upwards.

'Well, well, well. Look who we have here.'