Dinner went well. I found Tanya to be unique and rather enjoyable company compared to most women I came across. In those cases, all they cared about was the money I could offer them. They were blinded by it, but Tanya seemed to care about something more. She was grateful for even the smallest of gestures, to a point where she was far more genuine than I thought possible.
Her assistance earlier in the day was invaluable. I needed a way into that server room, and she blazed a trail for me. Even when it seemed that the illusion would shatter, she deftly handled the situation. Were it not for her, I would most certainly have been caught. As technology marches onward, my trade becomes more and more obsolete. I am being replaced by computer programs and hackers who do my work from the comfort of their home.
If I was to continue, and at this point I had no other choice, I would need her assistance. As we were seated at the restaurant, I thought about how I would broach the subject after dinner. I had to be delicate so as not to scare her off, but I also needed it to be worth her while. Perhaps it was just me, but I felt a chemistry brewing between us. There was a connection there, one that I could use to convince her.
I couldn’t help but notice the way the dress she was wearing complimented her body. I was a man of exquisite taste. An abundance of wealth seemed to do that to a person. I was extremely discerning when it came to women, and most often our revels were not fueled by something as poetic as love. No, typically my women were only interested in the luxuries that my lifestyle could afford, and the physical ecstasy that came with it.
Passion, true passion, was an emotion foreign to me. Could Tanya perhaps be the one to show me what it was like?
You of all people should know not to mix business and pleasure. The two could co-exist, but they had to be mutually exclusive. When you let your feelings bleed into your work, you start making bad decisions.
We ordered drinks and food. I decided on the stuffed lobster tail. Tanya was unsure of what to order. I recommended the bacon-wrapped scallops, to which she agreed. All was going well, but I could tell she was nervous. Normally that wouldn’t bother me, but I knew how valuable she was. I had to make her feel more comfortable.
“I want to thank you for earlier. You didn’t have to cover for me while I was in the server room, but your assistance made my job a lot easier,” I said.
Tanya took a sip of her wine. “Of course. I just figured that people should respect you. Obviously you wouldn’t be stealing information, that’s just ridiculous.”
“Right, of course.”
I took a large swig of the wine from my glass. I couldn’t remember the last time a woman made me nervous, but Tanya seemed to cut right through my resolve despite her hesitations.
“So, how long are you in town for?” she asked.
“Until tomorrow, I have a flight that leaves in the afternoon.”
Tanya seemed offended by my answer. She averted her gaze for a moment and I saw her lips tighten.
“Is something wrong?” I asked.
“I’m just trying to figure out what the angle is here. You invited me to dinner, bought me a fancy dress, and mentioned something about an opportunity, but you’re leaving tomorrow?”
“I just wanted to thank you for your help earlier,” I said.
Tanya shot me a gaze that tore through my white lie.
“We both know it’s more than that.”
“Yes, I suppose it is. I wanted to wait until after dinner before we discuss business,” I said.
“I think we would both enjoy our food a bit more if you just told me what’s going on now.”
I nodded. “Very well, I can’t argue with your logic. The truth, Tanya, is that I was stealing files from those servers.”
She sat up straight and leaned back into her chair.
“You’re kidding, right? That’s illegal!”
I placed my hand over hers across the table. She didn’t pull back, so I still had a chance.
“Please, keep your voice down. I’m fully aware of my actions, but I also think it should be illegal for them to pay you as little as they do and treat you like dirt. Wouldn’t you agree?” I asked.
Tanya shook her head. “Those are two very different things.”
“Are they? Businesses ruin the lives of people like you. Meanwhile, they cash their massive checks and remain unpunished? It’s time we leveled the playing field, don’t you think?”
Tanya seemed to be curious, I had her attention now.
“So what exactly is it that you do Zhang?”
“I can’t tell you here, it’s not safe. What I can tell you is that I need your help,” I said.
“You want me to help you do something illegal?” she asked.
“Don’t look at it that way. I’m onto something big Tanya, and with your help I may just be able to achieve it. I assure you, every need or desire you have will be taken care of. You won’t have to live like this ever again. You don’t need to answer me now,” I said.
The waiter arrived and placed the dishes in front of us. Tanya seemed to be in shock. I couldn’t read her or predict what she would do next.
“Listen, Zhang, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I don’t know how to take all of this.”
“I understand, I only ask that you take some time to think it over,” I said.
Tanya cut into one of the scallops on her plate and took a bite. I hesitantly took a bite of my stuffed lobster tail. Normally I would relish in the flavors, but in that moment I was only focused on Tanya, on what she would say or do next.
“Perhaps we can talk about something else?”
Tanya nodded, but she didn’t say a word.
“Do you have any family here? A brother or sister? Perhaps parents?”
Tanya shook her head. “No siblings. My mother and I don’t speak; I haven’t heard from or seen her in almost ten years.”
“What about your father?”
“Never met him.”
I finished my glass of wine and took a large bite of the dish in front of me. Sweat was pooling on my forehead. I could tell she was conflicted and her stress was bleeding over to me. I wasn’t incapable of empathy, but I never saw the need for it until now. Why was she affecting me like this?
“What about you? Anyone else in on this game of yours?” she asked.
“No, it’s just me. I’ve never trusted anyone enough to let them in,” I said.
She softened a bit; perhaps more of my story would give her the context she needed.
“I was born in Hong Kong, but I never met my parents. I grew up an orphan,” I said.
Tanya paused for a moment and took a sip of her wine. She looked up at me and our eyes met. Curiosity was taking hold; I could see it reflected in her gaze.
“How does one get into your line of work, Zhang?” she asked.
“Well, let’s just say it’s not something I applied for. The type of work I do is something you fall into. The wrong place at the wrong time as it were. I’m just trying to make the best of the situation,” I said.
We finished our meals and another two glasses of wine between the two of us. The drinks seemed to soften Tanya’s sharp edges. She was less reserved and more reasonable.
“Did you leave room for dessert?” I asked.
“No. I’d like to go home now if that’s alright with you.”
“Of course, just let me get the check.”
I waved the waiter over and paid for the food. I wanted to ask her for an answer, but I didn’t.
Not yet.