Leandra’s next date with Atsushi came unexpectedly; there had been no prior discussion of an upcoming night out before he sprung the invitation on her, after one of her shifts. He could have asked her out five minutes before the date was to begin, and she wouldn’t have hesitated to agree; she had been dying to know when her next truly private time with Atsushi would come, and it couldn’t have come soon enough.   He hinted to her that it was another night to dress up (though she supposed that she shouldn’t have expected anything less), and she went all out this time around, enlisting the help of Ehrielle to pick out the perfect dress to see him in: a sage green dress with a twisted front and asymmetrical straps. Her hair framed her face in glossy, fluffy curls and her wrists, ears and neck were adorned with simple, sparkling jewelry; as she looked herself over in her mirror she envisioned herself standing at Atsushi’s side, and wondered how they looked as a couple – if it wasn’t so silly she would ask for just a glimpse of them together side by side, in a mirror; a picture was certainly not in their best interest to take.   He was punctual, and she was anxious to see him; there wasn’t much time spent before her front door was opened and they were face to face. In the wake of his slow onceover she took a step back and allowed him to look, feeling ier with each passing moment under his gaze.   “I hope that you didn’t go through too much trouble to put together this outfit,” he said by way of a greeting. Leandra felt herself smile.   “And if I did?”   “I’m certainly not worth so much effort.”   “Do you like it?” Leandra inquired of him.   “I love it.”   “Then that’s all that matters, right?” Atsushi chuckled, nodding his head.   “I suppose you’re right.” He waited while she locked up her apartment and they headed downstairs together, hand in hand; the Bentley was waiting for them on the curb again, sitting like the star of a commercial against the back drop of the street and city.   “I was thinking that we could pay a visit to Onyx tonight,” Atsushi said as they pulled away from the curb, naming a lounge whose name she had heard on several occasions, especially since beginning work at the Empyrean. “Do you like lounges?”   “Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been to one,” Leandra admitted; people her age were always at clubs and house parties – she doubted the lounges even showed up on their radar. Atsushi chuckled.   “I think you’ll enjoy this one.”   Onyx was a half hour away from Leandra’s apartment, and was a lot bigger than she had imagined it to be, housing a restaurant on the second floor. Everything was dark and sultry, with intricate modern chandeliers that took up the entire ceiling, dark floors, wine red seating and dimmed mood lighting, paired with a pulsating sensation from the flickering candles. Different songs were playing in different rooms, and Leandra recognized Maxwell, Brandy and Boyz II Men as they ventured further in, as well as the presence of scores of beautiful, brown and dark skinned women. It was something she had never experienced before, but somehow she felt right at home.   Atsushi was clearly an important guest here; he was recognized on sight and they were given immediate access to the most exclusive VIP section she had ever seen, which housed celebrities that she never would have dreamed of seeing in person.   “First impressions?” Atsushi inquired of her, turning and nodding at the approaching waiter as they took their seats.   “This is…surreal,” Leandra said after a moment, making Atsushi laugh. “You do this kind of stuff all the time?”   “I don’t spend much time out when I’m away from work,” Atsushi allotted. “But this is a very special place for me.”   “Do you own it?” Atsushi shook his head.   “Not this one, no,” he answered. “One of my brothers owns it.”   “Oh, really?” Atsushi nodded. “Are you all this successful?”   “With the kind of work experience that we’ve had, I don’t necessarily think that failure would be an option.”   He had ordered drinks for the both of them, and they arrived shortly afterward; with a smile of thanks Leandra accepted the drink from the waiter’s tray, taking small sips.   “I think it’s about time we started talking about you,” Atsushi said suddenly, surprising her.   “Me?”   “Don’t you think so?” he went on to ask. “You’ve been very curious about me; don’t you think I’m curious about you?”   “I’m not nearly as interesting as you are; I can tell you that no