When they reached the restaurant, Eliora led Troyi in and towards their reserved seats. The table was placed in a cooling area where the cold would not affect the warmth of the food. Troyi settled down with Eliora and looked at the menu.
"Judging by how well you maneuvered your way in this restaurant, I suppose you are a regular customer here, am I right? What do you suggest for me to have then?" Troyi couldn't resist giving her a cheeky smile.
Eliora shook her head, the end of her lip lifted as she glanced up to Troyi.
"How observant. As expected from a Private detective. I recommend the Shepherd's Pie, the flavours are strongly balanced and the portions are sufficient for one man unless you have a huge appetite."
"Shepherd's Pie with some coffee. That seems delicious. What will you be having?"
Troyi placed the menu at the side of the table before glancing at Eliora who was still contemplating what food she felt like having.
"I'll have some fish and chips with tea. The late afternoon seems fitting to have it."
Once the waiter took their orders, Troyi was playing with the utensils, forgetting that he was neither with his sister nor alone at the moment. Despite being a detective, he didn't notice Eliora holding her hand to her mouth, holding a laugh back when she was watching him.
"Troyi, how old are you again? Or do you do this and pretend it's the suspects?" Eliora asked.
Troyi looked up to her, his eyebrows furrowed and tilted his head at her words, though it only made her laugh more. He paused for a second before looking down to his hands where he held the utensils in a mocked argument and quickly placed it back down.
"Umm.. pardon me, it's an unconscious habit. I don't usually dine with others so…" A shaky laugh came out of Troyi's lips as he rubbed his neck.
Hearing his response, Eliora raised an eyebrow.
"You mean, you rarely dine out with others? Not with your friends or, maybe a girlfriend, or boyfriend if you swing that way?"
Troyi's cheeks warmed up, making him wave his hands and shook his head. "No no I mean, well I don't really have the time for all those… commitments? I have friends but we only dine out for-"
"Business purposes?" Eliora finished it for him.
Troyi let out a sigh, nodding in defeat.
Internally, he does wish that he could dine out with others normally, or maybe even bring someone out on a date, but time doesn't permit him and his life is constantly on guard. Eating out with Eliora just for work was also a risk, he simply allowed it to get to know her and not to make himself feel like an odd one out, even though he is showing it unconsciously.
"Well then Troyi," Eliora started. "Till this case ends, you shall have lunch with me, maybe if you're lucky, after the case we can have dinner and while we're at it, tell me what is your life like. If you don't mind?"
Troyi tilted his head looking at Eliora, he leaned forward and rested his cheeks on his palm, lips forming a small pout as he thought about the question and how to answer her.
"Hmm, what is my life like? I'm not sure if you accept the terms ordinary? I just work case by case, help my sister at home, eat and sleep." He trailed.
"No hobbies? Weekend plans or partying?" Eliora asked. "When you said ordinary I didn't actually think you meant literally ordinary."
Troyi shrugged at Eliora with a smile on his face. He received that reaction multiple times and he wasn't sure how to respond to it anymore. He simply can't figure out what he needs to do or gain to fill up the blank space in his life.
"Well, it is indeed ordinary. Maybe after this case there will be something sparkling in my life." Troyi gave a toothy grin to Eliora who leaned in and gently tapped his head.
"How cheeky." A small laugh escaped from her lips.
Their food soon arrived and the two detectives dug in, but of course, they didn't eat in silence.
"Well Troyi I didn't know at this very age your sister has to nag at you as if you're a toddler."
"Hey! To be fair it's easy to misplace the tiny stuff you have. You told me you yourself also forgot where you placed your phone during the crime scene when someone was playing dead." Laughter erupted from the two. Troyi didn't expect to get along with Eliora easily, from her friendliness to her smile, being around her made his life brighter.
"Hey Eliora, do you know-" Before he could continue, Troyi felt his body stiffened, his hand clenched his fork as he stared at his food. Everything around him became louder and when he looked up from his food, a pair of dark eyes met him. His heart raced and his breath swallowed.
Why are those eyes… so familiar… Troyi felt his heart sunken, a feeling that he never wanted to experience again.
"...yi? Troyi?" A hand on his shoulder jolted him lightly back to reality. He noticed Eliora's pulled face, making him quickly replace his discomfort with a smile as he shook his head.
"Sorry I might have been a little distracted by how good the food is!" Or so he hoped he would be able to cover it with the food. It was delicious either way.
Of course, he knew Eliora wouldn't buy it since she's a detective like he was, however he hoped she would get the message that he didn't want to talk about it…at least not yet. Even if she asked, he wasn't sure how to explain it to her…
No… he couldn't be the next target right?
Eliora's hand left Troyi's shoulder as she eyed him worriedly and was about to ask Troyi when she noticed someone who had a very familiar cologne scent, approaching their table.
"Hello, pardon me but are you Private Detective Troyi?" A deep voice greeted them. Both Eliora and Troyi turned to the man. A warm yet hidden smile loomed over the man's face, his auburn hair neatly pushed back without framing his face too much. "And you must be Detective Eliora Canmore."
Eliora raised her eyebrows at the man, eyeing for any suspicion that reeks off him. As friendly as his demeanor is, Eliora didn't feel right. Before Troyi could respond, Eliora took the lead the instant Troyi gave his welcoming smile.