"You certainly caught everyone's attention today. Even the women in the restaurant," Robin commented as they sat together, awaiting a waiter to take their order. They had pre-booked a table at Cantaloupe At Troika Sky Dining, a restaurant that offered a breathtaking view of the KLCC and the Twin Towers through its expansive glass walls. Although it wasn't an overly luxurious or private setting, the majestic views remained unobstructed from their side table.
Cathrin didn't seem to mind the attention and took out her phone to capture some pictures of her dashing boyfriend. Robin had chosen to wear a full black ensemble that day—a formal black shirt, black pants, and shiny black shoes. His outfit surpassed even the stylish black attire worn by the Men in Black.
However, it undeniably made him look incredibly handsome, and the reason many heads turned was not only due to Cathrin's presence but also Robin's undeniable charm.
"You're fibbing. Those women were definitely looking at you," Cathrin giggled, playfully snapping pictures of her boyfriend. Soon, the waiter arrived to take their orders, and they both chose their favorite dishes from the authentic Malaysian cuisine on offer. Robin particularly enjoyed the cuisine of island countries, believing it to reflect the influences of various Asian cultures in a delightful way.
As they sat for a while, Robin couldn't help but notice that both men and women occasionally stole glances at them, with some even discreetly taking pictures.
Robin, having been immortalized by Light, understood that his appearance had undergone a significant transformation. He recalled the infatuated expressions on Emily and Cassandra's faces during their flight, when they had nearly surrendered themselves to him.
However, Robin had always valued loyalty and refused to let his desires dictate his actions.
"The attention... Does it bother you?" Cathrin suddenly inquired.
"No, why should it? Even if you were dressed provocatively, like in a bikini or whatever, and you were with me, should I be bothered? If you were out having fun without me, it shouldn't negatively affect me. I understand that some men are uncomfortable with their girlfriends or wives going out and partying, and I respect their concerns because the world can be a dangerous place. But for me, it doesn't bother me that way. I've always believed that if someone is inclined to cheat, they will do so regardless, and there's nothing you can do except leave and never speak to that person again," Robin replied, his words blunt and unfiltered.
He and Cathrin had been together for a considerable amount of time, and their relationship hadn't been as flawless as it might have appeared. Disagreements had arisen, although they never escalated into major fights, problems occasionally surfaced.
But they resolved their issues through open communication and understanding of each other's boundaries. As their food arrived, they shifted their conversation to other topics, discussing their lives and the changing world. Robin also shared details of their upcoming long trip to Mars and the star system.
While enjoying their meal and drinks, Robin's eyes suddenly narrowed, and he spoke in a low tone, capturing Cathrin's attention. "You will receive a note asking for your number from Table No. 8," he predicted.
Confused, Cathrin, who was sipping on champagne, questioned his statement. "What?"
"In 3...2...1..." Robin continued, and just as he said, a waiter approached from behind their table and said, "I apologize, ma'am. The person at Table No. 8 would like you to have this note." The waiter's eyes couldn't help but be drawn to Cathrin, even the most professional demeanor unable to escape the captivating aura emanating from her.
Cathrin, resembling a deer caught in headlights, hadn't expected Robin to possess such perceptive abilities. Though he had explained his powers to her to some extent, experiencing it firsthand was quite different.
"You were able to do that without JARVIS's help?" Cathrin asked. Robin shrugged, acknowledging her statement. After opening the note, written on a white cloth, Cathrin glanced at it briefly before setting it aside, without even bothering to turn her head and look at the person who had sent it.
Robin anticipated at least a hint of curiosity, but there was no reaction from her.
"He's quite furious about what you did," Robin chuckled, amused by her response. Cathrin merely rolled her eyes and continued to enjoy her champagne, soaking in the scenic views. From the corner of his eye, Robin noticed the man at Table No. 8 seething with anger. He sat at a large table surrounded by other men, all of whom appeared young and intimidating.
"Is what you did something involuntary or do you need to activate it consciously?" Cathrin asked, still awestruck by Robin's abilities.
"No, this comes naturally to me. The Light elements around me help me sense everything in my proximity, covering an area of approximately 200 meters in radius. In fact, I can extend this sensing ability to cover the entire Earth, like an AI, but that would be overwhelming in terms of information processing. The 200-meter radius is a safe distance where I don't have to actively focus, and my mind subconsciously processes the information. Actually, I believe you also have a significant Light element in your body, which might explain why you're hypersensitive to your surroundings," Robin explained.
"Hmm... No wonder I'm hyperresponsive to my surroundings. The other day, I caught a falling bowl from across the room, moments before it would have hit the ground. It's incredible," Cathrin remarked, beginning to realize the additional features that came with her own immortality.
As they approached their car, Cathrin's curiosity intensified as she noticed a mischievous smirk forming on Robin's face. She couldn't help but wonder what had prompted that expression.
The answer swiftly revealed itself as she spotted a group of young men standing in front of their car, dressed formally but brandishing baseball bats, brass knuckles, and belts wrapped around their knuckles. At the center of the group stood a man in a white formal shirt and black pants, casually draping a black coat over his shoulder. Intricate tattoos adorned his hands, reminiscent of a classic Yakuza movie, though this was a different setting altogether. Robin surveyed the surroundings and noticed that the conveniently switched-off CCTV cameras indicated the man's extensive connections.
"Hey, woman," the man called out, his tone laced with disdain. "I asked you so politely for your number, and you didn't even bother to look at me... Don't you think that's rude? But worry not, I'm here now, so you can look at me. Tell me, am I not better than him?" He gestured toward Robin, challenging his presence.
Cathrin was momentarily dumbfounded, but then she burst into laughter, catching the men who had confronted them off guard. Their expectation was a reaction of fear or distress, but her response didn't fit into any expected category.
"Woman... Are you admitting that I am better than you?" the man asked, trying to make sense of the situation, although he wasn't truly bothered. Cathrin continued to laugh for a moment before finally regaining her composure.
"Hahaha... I'm sorry... Hehehe... This is just incredibly amusing..." Cathrin managed to say through her laughter.
The man was intrigued and asked, "How did you find this situation funny?" He could see the carefree expressions on the couple's faces and wanted to understand what made them so different.
"Of all the people in the world you could have targeted or harassed, you chose us. That's why I find it amusing," Cathrin explained.
"Oh... Why? Are you some kind of famous power couple? Because last I checked, you both don't look like Beyoncé and Jay-Z."
"No... We're not... But we're more dangerous than them," Robin replied. Without warning, white tendrils emerged from the walls and ceilings of the parking space, swiftly capturing the hands and feet of the men. The tendrils, resembling white tree vines, lifted the men off the ground before they had a chance to react.
The men went into panic mode, but Robin quickly gestured, causing a translucent sphere infused with light to form around them, effectively containing their screams and cries within the parking space.
Cathrin remained unfazed. She had witnessed Robin sprout angel wings during their playful moments, so this display didn't surprise her. The men stared at the couple in horror, unable to comprehend how these individuals possessed god-like abilities.
"Who... Who... Who are you? Are you aliens? Have you come to invade Earth and take over?" the leader, aware of current news topics, speculated.
"I must say, you have quite the imagination. However, I'm afraid not. We are Earthlings, more specifically, I am the Supreme Leader of North Korea. And the reason I'm telling you this is because you will forget what transpired here and wake up with marks on your hands and feet, never to fade away, serving as a reminder of your crimes for the rest of your lives."
"C'mon.. You can't do this, I want to have some fun too." Cathrin replied and now with a very stern face.
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