"Are you alright FuXi?" I asked, in my usually soft voice.
He looked up, "Yeah! I am good thanks, you just startled me a bit," he told me.
"Sorry, I do have that effect on some people," I told him, "I only came to see how you were getting on as I haven't seen you in a few days," I asked.
"Yeah I am doing alright, just doing a few samples in different sizes. I just needed to see it so I have a better idea what goes and what doesn't. I was going to show you tomorrow and talk about them," he explained to me with such enthusiasm, to the point it actually sent chills down my spine, the kind that would cause goosebumps on a mundane.
"Yes I noticed that you had started experimenting and I love what you are doing so far, but don't over do it. Why don't you finish up and go home, get some rest and like you said you can present these to me tomorrow," I suggested, though I realised it sounded more like an order.
He then attempted to cover up his yawn, so I told him again to pack-up and make sure he stows-away any samples and designs in the safebox that Tang Cai had brought. This was to avoid any unwanted prying eyes.
o0o
I waited for him as we were the last ones out and I offered to buy him dinner, then take him home. He did seem to hesitate but to my surprise he accepted. This left me speechless for the first time in a few hundred years, I stammered slightly.
"Well… perfect… erm … I'm going to take you to a restaurant that does a really nice hotpot, it's actually not far from here," I told him.
He was quiet, but the way he stared at me felt really intense.
"Yeah sounds great, at least it's not far for me to go back to my apartment," FuXi answered eventually, breaking the intensity.
I smiled and it wasn't long before we arrived. I tried to move quickly to open his door but he was already out of the car. I escorted him in but there was a queue. The people at 'Beijing HotPot' looked at him then at me and escorted us straight inside.
As we sat down, the manager came.
"Ah Mr Astello, good to see you again. Would you like the usual tonight? I see you have company. Would you like to make it for two?" The Manager asked, not even handing us the menus.
"No, not this time. My friend will order tonight," I told him. He turned to face FuXi. FuXi looked at him. Fuxi then started rambling off a list of foods and the manager smiled before leaving. I smiled at this point.
When the food started coming in I just went with it and let FuXi show me how it's done.
"I thought you said you've been here before?" He asked me.
"Well I have, but not for this. It's usually a bowl of beef ramen," I told him.
"OK! Well this tastes way better as we cook it ourselves. I hope you're hungry," He told me.
"I can eat," nodding my head as he handed me a lettuce leaf filled with pork and veg and some sort of spicy sauce. I finished rolling it and took the first bite. This made my eyes open wide, I enjoyed it that much that I ate the rest in one. Many people believe that vampires can only consume blood, but it's not the case. We can eat food. It's just not essential for us to survive, like the mundane, but we can appreciate when something is delicious.
"Wow ok then, have some more or do you want me to make them for you?" He offered.
"No it's ok I can manage. You carry on eating," I told him.
o0o
We literally ate to our stomach's content, he even wanted dessert so I paid for the meal and he took me to a dessert place. We shared a bowl of fruit on shaved ice and chocolate ice cream. He offered to pay but I told him I would pay again. He looked at me weirdly and walked off.
"FuXi! FuXi? Wait for me," I called out to him. I ran, but didn't realise he had stopped and I crashed into him causing the both of us to trip, fortunately I kept my balance and caught him just before he hit his head.
"Wow! Nice reflexes, thanks!" He said.
"No problem. That could have been messy though," I responded, I picked him up and we headed to his apartment.
We stopped at his door and there was a moment, I unknowingly leant in and I think he did slightly too, but nothing happened.
"It's getting late. Thanks for dinner, I will see you at work in the morning," He broke the moment then closed the door behind him.