"Colt!" Kai added a jab to his fifth call, annoyance evident in his tone.
"What? I'm almost done, are you feeling attention deprived?" he added in a slightly distracted tone.
"You barely made it to your chair with your head in that book... did you... what do you think about the office assistant?"
"Who?" looking up briefly to offer a blank stare to his friend he looked back down, missing the relieved smile on his mouth.
"It doesn't matter. By the way, Linlin texted asking if we could help her at the shop this evening, her part-timer slithered away again so I'll be heading there soon as the day's over and you can catch up later when you're ready to take a break from obsessing over the case." a chuckle and a light punch followed.
"Speaking of which we should be heading out to scout this golf club, it's difficult to get in and everyone is tight lipped... shall we ditch the badges and dress the part to throw them off?"
Two mischievous smiles mirrored one another, Colt grabbed the umbrella he kept at the office, a habit he developed since the rain came down often without warning in the city. Turning to Kai who had shrugged on a bright white jacket which further accentuated the yellow shirt he almost squinted.
"Perhaps you don't need to change; you look every part the rich kid"
"Hey, unlike you the rest of us have to rely on external factors to brighten up our countenance"
"Those are quite a lot of words trying to cover up the word 'showy'" Colt grinned as they walked out.
Ria made her way back to the kitchen, her steps pausing as she caught sight of the back of the golden haired detective. She wasn't sure what it was but he had some sort of pull, something that made her want to get closer to him. Unfortunately his brown haired friend did not seem to like her, as she watched his disappearing back in the midst of their bickering she entertained the thought that there were some romantic feelings involved between the two but immediately brushed the thought aside, "even I can tell that brunette is a womaniser".
Turning toward the kitchen she almost collided with a scrawny man, holding on to his upper arm she side-stepped and with a gentle pat continued on her way missing the red ears of the man who had yet to move.
.....
The two young men parked outside a yellow painted vintage looking store owned by Layla, who also happened to be Chief Barnes' sister in-law. Hearing the jingle of the bell a red haired woman turned to welcome her customers, her blue eyes sparkling in joy when she realised who it was. "Well look who decided to come and pay me a visit!" her friendly voice carried the familiarity of one speaking to a family member, as did the warm hugs she gave each of them, her four inch heels barely bringing her small frame up to their shoulders.
"Layla, you get more and more beautiful every time we visit" Kai said before planting a kiss on her rounded pink cheek.
"Humph, and you get more and more charming. What do you need this time?" she asked while straightening out random clothes on some racks bear her.
"Something that says 'new money rich kid looking for some fun'" Kai said already holding up a purple jacket with gold shoulder pads.
"I think your current look already has you there, but maybe lose the pants for something more casual"
Ignoring the chortle from his friend Kai accepted the clothing and left to change, emerging in a pair of white shorts that stopped right above his knees, his bright yellow shirt tucked into them. Picking up a pair of gold framed glasses with transparent lenses from the counter he made his way to the mirror to view the complete look.
"If this doesn't say rich kid..." he said to no one in particular just before his friend joined him in front of the full length mirror wearing a pair of metallic silver pants and matching short sleeved shirt with the first two buttons left undone to reveal a gold chain holding a black and gold ring, he opted for a pair of black reflective glasses and finished the look with a black gemmed pinky ring.
"Now that brings back memories" Kai commented and immediately regretted his words.
In his memory a young blonde boy who at the time was no more than a slightly distant acquaintance sat facing him in a tree with drooping heavy leafed branches that kept them hidden from the rest of the school, his eyes pooled with tears that he tried to hide by keeping his face down, his one leg hanging off the branch as he kept his eys focused on his twiddling fingers.
"Apparently I'm too soft" he began hoarsely, "and that coupled with the way I look means cannot bear the title as the head of our family, or even try... My uncle's son will most likely be the one taking up the title" he spoke quietly, his voice though laced with sadness carrying no hate or bitterness, instantly tugging at his heart.
Taking off the family heirloom that had long been handed to him by his grandfather he took the right hand of the boy sitting across him and placed it on his middle finger, the black and gold accentuating the paleness of his milky white skin. After that, to his utter horror, the tears that pooled the bright blue eyes fell.
"You used to be such a cry baby"
"Hey! I didn't even provoke you!"
Kai's clouded eyes cleared at the statement and he put an arm around the friend, leading him to the counter to pay for the clothes they bought.
"I hope the receptionist is a pretty girl" Kai said with a wolfish smile, causing both Layla and Colt to roll their eyes.
"You two visit more often just to say hi, and don't forget you still owe us a dinner" handing over the receipt for the payment Layla smiled and waved them off, her heart warming at the memory of the first time the two had stepped inti her shop, one charming and talkative and the other with eyes like still lifeless waters under a dark sky. "So much has changed" she smiled as she started to reorganise the new arrivals.