'I can't believe that this would be my first undertime in history.'
A satisfied smirk decorates Ein's face as he passes through the lobby of Hotel Citron, the clattering of his brogues were rhythmic as he jaunts across the marble floors.
Monique and Seori took over most of Ein's deliverables for the day while he recovered in the health centre. Arnaut also encouraged Ein to go home early after treating the bump on his head. All of them insisted Ein to clock out early so he could get some quality rest.
As Ein exited the lobby through the main entrance, London's noisy rush hour greeted him.
His smile flattens as he spots the congestion along the main avenue and its sidewalks, it was crowded with commuters and vehicles. The blaring of car horns and a queue of occupied cabbies moved at a snail's pace.
Ein glimpsed at his wristwatch, it was 4:49 PM, it was the start of the evening rush hour and the office workers of Southwark were on their way home.
Ein groans as he contemplates how he should go home today.
'If I take the bus, there's a 70% chance of me being mugged or robbed in this attire. If I take the train it would probably be at 50% but I don't feel like squeezing into the cabins and the standing after would make me tired. If I take the cab now, I'll probably be comfortable but it'll take me an hour to get home.'
An exhausted sigh escapes from Ein's mouth. He then pulls out his smartphone to book a private car, he waits for a bit to see if there were available drivers on his app.
'Oh come on… get me a driver please.'
Unfortunately after several tries and fifteen minutes later, he fails to secure a ride. His face scrunches in frustration as he sees the failed bookings on his app.
"Maybe I should get a bike instead…" Ein sighs. "I guess no choice but to take the tr-"
A black sedan pulls up from the hotel's driveway and stops just a few paces in front of Ein. The window rolls down and an elderly gentleman donning a white shirt and aviator shades greets him.
"On your way home Ein?"
It was Emery, his voice was upbeat and it looked like he was going to take a holiday.
"Yes."
Ein noticed a man sitting beside Emery in the passenger seat, he was wearing a black, crew neck shirt and navy trousers. A towel covered the man's head, it looked like he was exhausted and was fast asleep.
"Are you thinking of commuting during rush hour?" Emery raises an eyebrow.
"Well... all the cabbies are occupied and I'm having a hard time booking a ride." Ein shrugs his shoulders. "Not much of a choice but I'll need to take the Tube."
"Are you mental?" Emery scratches his head. "You've just got back from collapsing a few hours ago." He groans and gawks at Ein.
"Hop in, I'll drive you home."
"But Emery, I can't impose on you and your companion. Vauxhall is just a few stations away so I can bear with it."
"Poppycock! Just get in you cheeky lad!" Emery unlocks the rear passenger doors.
"Alrighty then." A tired groan escapes from Ein's mouth.
Ein opened the door and boarded. He settled in the right side of the rear passenger seat and fastened the seatbelt. A few seconds after, Emery drove away. He opted to use the hotel's private roads and passed through the driveway at the rear of the hotel to avoid the traffic.
There was an awkward silence as they cruised along the streets of Southwark. It was stifling and Ein decided to break the ice.
"Where are you heading off to Emery?"
Emery glances at Ein's reflection on the rearview mirror. "I'm on my way to Heathrow to return this car and catch my flight tonight… Oh and drop off this kiddo too." Emery points at the exhausted man beside him.
"Who's this anyway?" Ein lightly taps the sweaty face towel. "The night is young and he's fast asleep too."
"Henry here was given less than five hours to master the recipe of Hotel Citron's Shepherds Pie. He got knackered after we finished making an entire batch for dinner rush. Haha!" Emery cackles.
"He is impressive though. He managed to do the impossible in a span of a few hours. This kiddo made me grow goosebumps outta nowhere!"
"Well… at least it's a good sign that his CV can be proven with factual data." Ein taps Emery's shoulder. "I'm thankful you endorsed a capable successor, Emery."
"Ein, stop analysing people, we're not at Citron anymore." Emery groans.
"Sorry, bad habits are hard to remove, Emery."
"You should loosen up you know!" Emery winks at Ein through the rearview mirror. "Though I heard from Monique you'll be on leave tomorrow since it's your Birthday so, I guess welcome to the 40's club!" Emery snickers as he gave Ein an advanced birthday salutation.
Ein sneers at Emery, it was the first time that he took a jab from him. "Says the person who's taking advantage of the senior citizen discount."
"Hahahaha! Well, at least I have a discount. Everyone's getting old so you'll get yours too in a few years time."
Ein groans, he knew it was useless to counter Emery's bantering.
He throws in the towel and turns his attention towards the view outside the window. They were driving through the Albert Embankment and the sunset view of the River Thames was mesmerizing and it helped Ein unwind.
"By the way… Where in Vauxhall do you live again, Ein?" Emery's voice sounded curious.
"St George's Wharf, near Nine Elms Lane. You can drop me off at the corner of Parry Street and Nine Elms, I can walk from there."
"Wow! What a coincidence! Henry here lives in St George's Wharf too! I guess I can drop you both since your place is also within the area."
"Wait, wha-"
Ein was suddenly taken aback when Henry's arms suddenly twitched and moved.
"Ugghhh, Are we there yet, Ems?"
Henry removes the towel covering his head, exposing his long and messy platinum blonde hair. His cheeks were slightly flushed and there was a bit of flour on his face. Henry then notices a passenger seated on the rear seat.
"Just in time! Kiddo, your flat is along St George's right?"
"Yeah." A long yawn escapes from Henry's mouth as he massages his face and wipes off the flour stuck on his forehead.
"Ein says he'll alight at the corner of Parry and Nine Elms, we'll be arriving in Vauxhall in 4 minutes, so tell me where should I drop you-"
Upon hearing Ein's name, Henry quickly turns his head and sees Ein sitting behind Emery. His ears became flustered as he fixed his posture.
"Ah… G-good afternoon, Ein." A bashful smile forms on Henry's face.
"You mean good evening? It's already sunset, you know." Ein chuckles.
Ein was amused to see Henry's dishevelled look, comparing it to his composed demeanour when they first saw each other that morning, he found it refreshing to see a distressed Henry.
Henry fixed his shirt and tied his hair up."A-anyhow! Ems, you can drop me off at Nine Elms Lane too since my apartment is just a few yards away from Parry."
"Alright then! I'll leave you both near Tesco, at the edge of Wandsworth Road."