Siren Song - 172 No Need

“Only for five days, so after yesterday I have four more. My boss-slash-boyfriend couldn’t stand to have me be away for any longer than that. It was kind of a surprise offer from your grandfather, I almost thought it was a hoax at first since he contacted me over the internet. I’m so gladit wasn’t and I got this chance to see you!”

“Me too.” After shopping around in the indoor giant mall, she purchased him a few outfits for the next few days, one of which he promptly changed into for comfort. Once he was suitably clothed in a polo and black jeans, they got him a few daily necessities before heading out into the crowded outdoor complex.

The crowds were especially high on a Saturday in the outdoor areas and it was slow moving getting anywhere. In more open areas artists performed their arts live adding to the already crowded traffic flow.

“Hey, where can we get some food around here?”

“I was already planning to take you somewhere, I had a feeling that you would be getting hungry soon. After that I was planning on taking you to the Musée d’Orsay.”

“Ooh I Iove art museums! You’re right I am, do you mean you’re not? It’s almost one. You didn’t even have some of the coffee or croissants he bought you.”

“Maybe a little but-” As they were walking she felt a light pressure in her purse and narrowed her eyes.

She turned quickly, surprising the pickpocket and Justin. She quickly grabbed the man by the hand near his thumb and pinky and twisted his wrist back and up, causing them to instantly drop the small beat-up leather wallet he was holding.

The man went into a partial crouch crying out in the pain in his wrist. Her eyes looked down at him coldly as he reached for his tortured wrist.

“You should really choose another profession.”

Twisting his wrist up a little more putting pressure on his shoulder as well before she pushed him away a few steps. The man looked at her ruefully as he rubbed his aching wrist.

“Get lost.” The failed pickpocket had no need to be told twice and took off,disappearing withing the folds of the crowd.

“Wow that was so cool, I didn’t know you could do something like that.” His eyes shining while looking at her, Justin then noticed what lay on the ground. “I can’t believe you still have this old thing.” Bending down he picked it up and handed it to her.

Chang blushed while accepting the wallet, stowing it away back into her purse, rezipping it.

“Yes, it’s kinda special to me, couldn’t bear to get rid of it.”

“Sure, why not, I’ll let you know though if the place is any good.”

“Sweet, sounds good.” Whipping out his phone Justin sent a quick message before browsing slowly making a good show of looking through a list.

Hanging back a good distance from them Liang Jian Amal watched everything that happened with a dark look on his face. He had been following them from a distance for most of the day, and when he saw the pickpocket he thought he would have a chance to help her and show himself “coincidentally.”

Seeing her place the man into a firm hold almost immediately after sensing his presence, Liang Jian Amal realized she had been training herself. She had become stronger and had no need for him to come help her.

Slightly disappointed while proud, he felt a buzz in his pocket and he saw that he had received another message from his accomplice.

‘Hey were looking for a good place to eat in the area, might be a good time to make a reservation or something..’

‘Hmm.’

Looking on his phone he expeditiously found a restaurant near where they were and called ahead to save them a table.

As soon as he secured it, he sent the name of the place back.

“How does ‘Le Nid Oiseaux’ sound?

“Hehe, I was actually planning on taking you to there, it’s a really nice place to eat.”

“Oh really, it was actually one of the top place that came up for near here, let’s go there!” Justin linked arms with her again and led them with his phone to the location pushing through the crowd as necessary unlike Chang had been doing.

The two of them made their way to the restaurant fairly quickly with Justin leading them to the crowd and saw a line figure sitting at a table.

Chang stiffened once she saw who sat there and turned to Justin with an apprehensive look.

“Let’s maybe go somewhere else -”

“Hey look who it is, what a coincidence, hey Jian! As if he didn’t hear her start to speak, Justin rushed up and started to chat with the man and waved at Chang to come over.

“Hey he’s already got a table, let’s join him instead of waiting for another table.” The place was fairly busy for the lunch rush, but Chang felt awkward about sharing a table with him.

“That’s OK, we can get our own.” Flashing down the host she found out there were no open table to sit at.

“It will be at least a 30min wait madame, if you wish to wait.”

Hearing that she pursed her lips, while considering her options when she saw Justin staring at her with large puppy dog eyes.

“A half hour is so long, please let’s just join him for lunch, I’m starvin Marvin!”

“Please let me treat you think of it as an apology for my untoward behavior this morning.” Liang Jian Amal stood seeing her still in a state of indecision and pulled out a chair for her.