Everette's car smelt like honeysuckle and fresh rain. Mattias nervously slid into the passenger seat and buckled himself up, as Everette went around to the driver's seat.
"So where do you live?" Everette asked.
Mattias gave his address, which Everette typed into his navigation system, then he slowly pulled out of the parking lot and into the traffic.
The drive started out fairly silent. Everette was trying to think of something to say that would make Mattias feel more comfortable when Mattias blurted out, "so what's your favourite colour?"
Everette found his lips curling into a grin, pleased that Mattias spoke first. "Yellow. What's yours?"
Mattias was a little embarrassed he managed to find what might be the lamest conversation topic ever, but he still answered, "Blue. Green is a pretty close second though."
Recently Mattias has been finding green a little more pleasing than blue. Especially the particular shade that reminded him of a certain pair of intense eyes. But how's not the time to think of such things. He still needed to think of a more intelligent conversation topic.
"So have you lived in the capital city your whole life?"
Everette nodded. "I've always lived in the capital, though I often have to go on business trips overseas."
"Cool."
Everette glanced at Mattias, who was fiddling with his hair nervously. It seems that this was the most conversation he would be getting out of this man. He appreciates the effort, and a slight feeling of fondness welled up inside him.
Everette started talking about the differences between their country's customs and others. Mattias had studied in a number of different countries, and so they were able to compare their experiences.
"Hmm yeah I really like that practice too. It keeps things so organised," Mattias said.
Mattias sighed. "I don't know what it is but I always find it so refreshing to talk to you. You just make me feel comfortable."
Everette could feel the force of Mattias' sweet smile without even having to look. He cleared his throat, feeling oddly emotional.
Thankfully the street that Mattias' apartment was on came into view. Everette pulled over to the side of the road to let Mattias out.
Everette looked over at Mattias and ended up locking eyes with him. Mattias' eyes were a light brown, but at the moment they caught the light from the street lamps so they turned into pools of gold.
Everette cleared his throat again. He didn't know why he kept getting distracted lately. "You should go."
Mattias jolted. He had become a little entranced by staring at Everette's face. He quickly averted his eyes, cheeks dusted with a light blush. "Yeah. Of course. I'll see you later then?"
Everette looked at Mattias' nervous yet hopeful expression. He knew that it was just a casual comment, a way to say goodbye, yet he promised himself to try and find another excuse for them to meet soon.
"Sure. See you later."
Mattias stumbled into his apartment, still feeling a little stunned. He dazedly went through his nighttime routine, finally landing in bed with a thump.
Just lying there Mattias found a giddy grin creeping its way onto his face.
"I don't even know why I'm happy though."
He giggled and rolled over. Who cares why he's feeling happy?
Back in the city centre Everette slowly pulled into the car park underneath his city apartment complex. He was about to take the elevator up when he got a notification from his work phone.
Being after hours, he knew that he would only be contacted on his work phone if it was serious. He sighed and turned around to hop back into his car.
Inside the car he viewed the message, then frowned and called his executive assistant as he pulled the car out of the parking lot.
"I'm currently heading back to the office," Everette said as soon as the line connected. "Prepare a conference room and all the necessary materials in the next 30 minutes. We need to get a handle on this before it spirals out of our control."
"Yes sir," his assistant said.
Everette arrived at the office at 8:30pm, getting out of the car quickly and rushing up to the conference room. His core executives were already seated, each with a tense expression on their face.
"What do we know already?" Everette asked as he took his seat.
The director of the law department stood up and presented the information they currently knew. It was a case of embezzlement done by a director of an overseas branch of Xner Technologies.
Not only is there a significant loss of the company's funds, but the embezzlement has affected the quality of products produced for this next quarter. Unless another solution can be found, all the products will need to be remade. Not to mention the effect on the company's image if this case gains too much traction with the public.
This was definitely something that needed to be handled with the utmost urgency. Looks like Everette won't be getting to spend any time with Mattias in the near future.