Just after six in the evening, Luke got off work on time.
He walked down from the detective agency building, pondering what to eat tonight.
Approaching his Mercedes, he saw a stunning figure standing beside the car, a tall stature with long legs and a slim waist—it was Orty from Pinkerton Detective Agency.
"Isn't this Miss Dean? What a coincidence?"
"I specially came to express my gratitude, and I was just about to call you," Orty said, shaking the cellphone in her hand.
"Gratitude for what?"
"The last time you warned me about the thief, I did some checking, and that guy indeed had issues.
You helped me, and I wanted to thank you personally."
"It was nothing, I appreciate it, but let's skip the meal."
Orty said, "I've already made a reservation at the restaurant, surely you won't let me dine all alone."
Luke guessed his colleagues would be getting off work soon and didn't want to get entangled with Orty any longer.
Though it wasn't anything secretive, he didn't want too many people knowing about his connection with the Pinkerton Detective Agency just yet.
"I generally don't accept last-minute invitations, but for Miss Dean, I'm willing to make an exception," Luke said as he opened the passenger door with a welcoming gesture.
"I'm honored," Orty replied and sat down in the passenger seat.
Little Black came downstairs and was about to greet Luke when he caught this scene; his hand stopped mid-air...
What's this guy's deal? And who's that knockout? A supermodel?
Oh my god, he's picking up chicks behind my back again?
Envy showed on Little Black's face, and then he shook his head, "I'm a family man now, not scoundrel."
There's nothing to envy.
I don't envy him one bit.
Inside the black Mercedes.
Luke didn't notice Little Black's expression, and it wouldn't have mattered if he had.
In this world, you can't have it all, people can't hog all the benefits; if you choose the stability of a family, then you must say goodbye to the glitzy outside world.
"Where's the restaurant?"
"It's just up ahead in the next block, a Venezuelan place called Cariga. Do you like Venezuelan cuisine?"
"I've been wanting to try it."
"The one I'm taking you to is the most authentic in Los Angeles; the owner and chef are both Venezuelan. It's hard to find this elsewhere."
Luke drove to the restaurant, where Orty had already reserved a table. The server was a curvy Latin woman—not as beautiful or well-shaped as Orty, but definitely model material.
Can't help it—it's genetic gifts.
The two sat by the window, and Orty handed the menu to Luke, "What would you like to eat?"
"Whatever you recommend, you decide."
Orty opened the menu and listed a few dishes, which to Luke sounded similar to Mexican food.
Soon enough, his assumption was validated.
The dishes served included corn cakes, fried plantains, fried dumplings, braised beef, seafood rice, and steak bone soup.
The food wasn't particularly beautiful but was hearty and tasty.
During dinner, Luke didn't bring up the matter of the thief; better to mind his own business, as he didn't want to take on additional work.
Seeing Luke stay quiet, Orty lifted her glass, "Deputy Luke, I toast to you, and I thank you again for your help."
"Miss Dean, you've already treated me to a meal, let's not mention thanks anymore."
"You're right, we'll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate in the future, so I won't stand on ceremony," Orty said, sipping her red wine.
Luke still didn't respond.
He always felt that there was more to this woman inviting him to dinner than met the eye.
Since they didn't converse much, the meal concluded rather quickly.
After dinner, the two left the restaurant.
Luke made no offer to drive her home.
Not that he was pretending to be noble, who doesn't like beautiful women?
But if she was that easy to date, some other guy would have scooped her up by now, and she wouldn't have come to him voluntarily.
Orty, however, didn't seem to be in a hurry to take a cab and instead went straight to the passenger seat.
After getting into the car, Luke felt it would be rude to ask her to leave, so he inquired, "Miss Dean, do you want to go home now? I can drop you off."
"Actually, there's something else I came here to discuss with you today."
"This afternoon, I received a client's task. The case isn't complicated, and the commission is quite attractive. You were the first one I thought of, thinking it might be a good fit for you to try."
Luke laughed, "What's the commission?"
Luke declined tactfully, "I've been quite busy lately and don't have the time to take on cases. Let's talk another time when there's a suitable opportunity."
Orty didn't give up and asked, "Are you not satisfied with the commission?"
Luke realized that without clarification, she wouldn't give up, "That's part of the reason. I expect the commission on tasks to be above 50,000 US dollars."
Orty said, "There are larger commissions, but they are relatively rare."
"I'm willing to wait." Luke didn't consider his asking price high; a 50,000-dollar commission meant a 30 percent cut for the agency and then taxes, leaving probably just over 20,000 US dollars in hand.
Orty tried to persuade, "Deputy Luke, you may not be very familiar with our industry. Some tasks with a lower commission are easier to investigate, and the effort versus reward is actually more cost-effective."
"Money is one aspect, but ordinary tasks don't offer me much challenge," Luke was not easily swayed.