The First Date

Natasha stood in front of her closet, glaring at the mess of clothes spilling from hangers, shoes scattered across the floor, and a growing pile of rejected outfits on the bed. Her heart thudded in her chest as she yanked a blouse off a hanger and held it against herself in the mirror.

"Nope," she muttered, tossing it onto the heap.

'Why am I freaking out? It's just lunch.'

She rifled through her clothes, searching for something—anything—that felt right. It wasn't like she was going on some glamorous date. It was just a casual lunch with a guy she'd met online. A guy who might not even look like his profile picture. A guy who could be a total creep.

But still, she felt nervous. The last time she had gone on a date had been with David, years ago. The memory of those early days still stung, even if she didn't want to admit it.

Pulling out another blouse, loose, flowy wityh a "girl next door" type vibe. She held it up and squinted at her reflection. "Too casual," she muttered before throwing it on the bed.

'Get a grip, Natasha. It's not that deep.' But her heart didn't get the memo, pounding faster the closer she got to the time she was supposed to meet Bryan.

She didn't know why she was overthinking this so much. It wasn't like she had any real expectations. For all she knew, Bryan could be one of those guys who uses a five-year-old picture of himself and shows up looking completely different. She'd half-expected that would be the case when they first started chatting. But as time went on, she couldn't help but notice he wasn't like the others she had met online. He didn't just bombard her with compliments about her looks or give half-hearted responses. He actually asked about her work, her comic, and seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say, it was like he actually cared.

And now, here she was, agonizing over what to wear for their first date.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of indecision, she settled on a pair of skinny jeans that hugged her curves just right. She grabbed a yellow, off-the-shoulder blouse that contrasted beautifully against her dark skin. It was one of those pieces that always made her feel confident, even when she wasn't feeling it inside.

Natasha glanced in the mirror, pulling at the fabric, trying to convince herself that she didn't look half bad. She turned slightly, catching a glimpse of her back before adjusting the blouse again.

'It's just lunch. You'll be fine.'

Satisfied enough with her outfit, she moved on to her hair. She gathered her natural curls into a high, loose ponytail—a "pineapple" style that kept her curls intact and gave her a playful, effortless look. A few stray curls framed her face, softening her features. She dabbed on some light makeup, just enough to enhance her natural beauty without feeling overdone and added her favorite gold hoop earrings to complete the look.

She took a deep breath and looked at herself in the mirror one last time fanning her face in a anxious manner. "Okay Nat. You've got this."

Bryan Lee was early.

Natasha spotted him standing at the entrance of the café, checking his watch with an expression that was just as serious as she assumed he'd be from their chats. He looked exactly like his profile picture—maybe even better, which only made her stomach churn with nervous energy. His black hair was neatly styled, his posture impeccable, unnervingly erect. He was dressed in a crisp white button-down, the sleeves rolled up slightly exposing strong forearms, and paired with tailored dress pants that screamed business casual.

As Natasha walked toward him, she couldn't help but feel underdressed. Her off-the-shoulder blouse and skinny jeans, while stylish, felt too casual next to his polished appearance. She tugged at the hem of her top, trying to shake off the nagging feeling of inadequacy that was quickly creeping in.

'Is this how he looks for lunch? Seriously? Dammit should've worn that dress..'

She paused for a moment, considering turning around and making some excuse to leave. Maybe she could tell him she wasn't feeling well. Or that something came up with her work. Anything to get out of this. But then she thought about all the time she had already put into chatting with him, and how much Sienna had pestered her about getting back into dating.

'You're here now. Just get through this one date.'

"Natasha?" Bryan's voice broke through her thoughts. He stepped forward, his expression polite but a little stiff. He pulled out a chair for her before she could say anything.

"Uh, yeah. Thanks," she muttered, taking a seat and feeling her face heat up. 'Was he always this formal?'

He sat across from her, his posture plank straight, as if he were attending a board meeting rather than a casual lunch. His light brown eyes locked on hers and for a moment, she wondered if he could see right through her nervousness.

"It's nice to meet you in person," Bryan said, his voice smooth but lacking the warmth she expected.

"Yeah, same," Natasha replied, trying to sound casual but feeling like every word was being scrutinized. She fidgeted with the silverware, her fingers restless. 'Why am I so awkward?' She thought.

The conversation stalled for a moment, the awkward silence stretching between them like a ch Natasha cleared her throat, desperate to say something, anything, to break the tension.

"So… you don't look like a scammer. That's a surprise," she said, flashing him a half-smile.

Bryan raised an eyebrow, clearly not understanding the joke. "A scammer? I assure you, I am quite real."

Natasha snorted, her nerves starting to settle. "Yeah, I can see that now. I just figured someone like you would be too good to be true. You know, 'cause you're way too handsome for this app."

His expression remained neutral, as if he wasn't sure how to react to her comment. "I see. Well, I'm glad I've surpassed your expectations."

Natasha laughed lightly, though it was more out of politeness than genuine amusement. 'This guy is serious,' she thought. 'Way too serious.'

For Bryan, this was just another step in the mission.

He watched Natasha carefully, analyzing her reactions, her body language, the way her hands fidgeted slightly when she was nervous. She was guarded, skeptical of him—rightfully so, given her past relationship, which he had learned about during his data-gathering phase. But that worked in his favor. Her loneliness made her a suitable candidate, someone who would appreciate the attention and companionship he could offer, even if it was only for the sake of his mission.

Bryan—or rather, Zunleon—had no personal attachment to her. This was simply a task, another part of his infiltration plan. Find a human spouse, gain intergalactic citizenship and access to Earth's resources, and report back to his superiors on Verdenz. He had calculated the risks, adjusted his behavior to mimic human customs, and chosen a form that would appeal to the average Earth female.

But despite his best efforts, there were still moments where the human ritual of dating confounded him. The emotional complexity of it all, the way humans placed so much weight on simple gestures and words—it was all so foreign to him.

His eyes flicked back to Natasha, who was now smiling awkwardly at him, clearly trying to figure him out. He needed to break through her skepticism, to gain her trust. That was the next logical step.

When the waitress came by, Natasha ordered a chicken sandwich, something simple and safe. Bryan, on the other hand, stared at the menu for a little too long, his brow furrowing slightly. It was clear he had no idea what to order.

"What do you recommend?" Bryan asked the waitress, his tone overly formal for the setting.

The waitress furrowed her brow in thought, her smile faltering slightly under his intense gaze. "Oh, um, the jambalaya is a house favorite. It's got a bit of a kick to it, though."

"Kick?" Bryan repeated, looking confused.

"Spicy," Natasha clarified, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

Bryan considered this for a moment before nodding. "I'll have the jambalaya."

Natasha looked at him curiously. "So you like spicy food?"

"I suppose I do" He said cryptically.

The food arrived shortly after, and Natasha watched as Bryan carefully picked up his fork, studying the jambalaya like it was some kind of alien dish—though to him, it probably was. He took a bite, his expression neutral for a split second, then it shifted.

His face flushed bright red. His eyes widened slightly in shock, and he quickly reached for his water, downing it in a few gulps.

Natasha burst out laughing, unable to contain herself. "Oh my God! Are you okay? I thought you liked spicy food?"

Bryan nodded stiffly, his face still red from the heat. "I believe… I underestimated the "kick.""

Natasha snorted, shaking her head in amusement. "Yeah, that much is obvious. Be honest, You don't really like spicy food, do you?"

"No," he admitted, his tone serious, " and it's quite… different then what I'm used to."

Natasha laughed harder, her shoulders relaxing as the tension between them finally began to ease. For the first time since the date had started, she didn't feel quite so on edge. Natasha found herself smiling more easily.

"Next time, maybe stick to something milder," she teased, still grinning as she took a bite of her own sandwich.

Bryan nodded, his expression remaining composed despite the obvious discomfort from the jambalaya. "That would be wise."

Natasha chuckled, her earlier anxiety melting away. "You're really serious about everything, Arent ya?"

He blinked, clearly not expecting the question. "Serious? I suppose I am… direct."

"Direct? Well that's one way to put it." She sipped her water, watching him over the rim of her glass. 'Though most people would call him stiff or a tightass' she thought dryly. "You know Bryan, you are different from most guys I've seen on dating apps."

"In what way?"

"You're, I don't know… less casual? Like, most guys just try to come off as super laid-back, but are also Loud, trying hard to seem strong and just peak male I guess, but you're more... formal, and understanding It's kind of refreshing, actually."

Bryan tilted his head slightly, as if processing her words. "I see. I suppose I approach things with… purpose."

Natasha raised an eyebrow. "Purpose, huh? What kind of purpose are we talking about?"

Bryan hesitated for a brief moment, the question clearly catching him off guard. "I believe in being intentional with my actions," he finally said, though his answer felt rehearsed.

Natasha smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Well, whatever it is, you've got me curious."

There was a lull in the conversation, but this time it didn't feel as awkward. Natasha found herself relaxing into the odd rhythm of the date, still cautious but more intrigued by Bryan's odd behavior. Yes, he came off as stiff, shy and abit boring, but also like he was… trying. Maybe a little too hard, but trying nonetheless.

"So, what do you do for work?" Natasha asked, shifting the conversation from casual chatter to something more purposeful. "You never mentioned it."

Bryan paused for a split second before responding. "I'm… between jobs at the moment. I've been focusing on new opportunities since arriving here in Illinois."

"Ah, that explains the whole "new to town" thing." Natasha nodded, deciding not to press further. She could tell he wasn't one to offer up a lot of personal information right off the bat, which was fine with her. She wasn't looking for someone to pour out their life story on the first date.

Still, there was something about him that didn't quite add up, and her natural curiosity itched to dig deeper. But she held back. After all, it was just a first date, and she didn't need to overanalyze every detail.

For Bryan, the date was progressing as expected.

Natasha seemed more at ease now, her earlier wariness dissipating. That was a good sign. He needed her to feel comfortable, to trust him. Once that bond was established, convincing her to marry him for "citizenship" would be a straightforward task. Of course, she could never know the real reason behind his proposal. She would never know that her role in his mission was simply a means to an end.

As he observed her, cataloging her expressions and reactions, he found her sense of humor thought provoking. Human females seemed to find amusement in small, nonsensical things—like his reaction to the spicy food. It had been a simple miscalculation on his part, yet it had elicited a strong emotional response from her.

'Humans are driven by emotion far more than logic', he noted mentally. 'That fact would be useful in the long run.'

The conversation continued in a comfortable ebb and flow, with Natasha asking questions that he answered carefully, always keeping in mind the mission at hand. He didn't need to share much—just enough to maintain her interest without raising suspicion.

Natasha found herself laughing more as the date went on, surprised at how much she was enjoying herself despite the awkward start. Bryan was strange, sure, but not in a bad way. He was different from the typical guys she'd met online, and while she couldn't quite put her finger on it, there was something oddly endearing about his seriousness.

"So," Natasha said, as they finished their meal, "I have to ask—what made you swipe right on me? You seem like the kind of guy who's got women lining up for him."

Bryan's expression didn't change, but there was a slight pause before he responded. "I was drawn to your profile. You seemed… interesting."

"Me? Interesting?" Natasha laughed softly. "You've got odd tastes then"

He nodded, as if that settled the matter, but Natasha was still curious. There had to be more to it than that, right? A guy like Bryan didn't just go for random girls like her unless there was something else going on. But maybe that was just her own insecurities talking.

"You're hard to read, you know that?" she said, watching him closely.

Bryan tilted his head slightly, considering her words. "I suppose I am."

Natasha smiled, deciding not to push the subject any further. She was enjoying herself, and that was all that mattered. The fact that he didn't seem interested in just superficial things was refreshing. This date wasn't as bad as she had feared.

The waitress returned, dropping off the check, and Bryan immediately reached for it before Natasha could reach out for it.

"I've got this," he said, his tone final.

"Oh, you don't have to—" Natasha started to protest, but Bryan cut her off with a polite, yet firm, shake of his head.

"I insist."

Natasha smiled awkwardly, not wanting to argue. "Well, thank you. I appreciate it."

After paying the bill, Bryan stood and held out his hand, helping her up from the table. Natasha was surprised by the gesture, unused to such old-fashioned chivalry, but she appreciated it nonetheless.

They stepped outside into the warm afternoon, the sun casting a golden glow on the streets. Natasha stuffed her hands into her pockets, unsure of what to say now that the date was winding down. She didn't want to leave things hanging awkwardly, but she also didn't know if this was the point where they would part ways or make plans for a second date. It had been so long since she's done these things, she's rusty.

"So, uh…" Natasha began, trailing off as she searched for the right words. "I had a good time."

Bryan nodded. "I'm glad to hear that."

There was a brief pause, and Natasha shifted on her feet. "Do you, uh, want to do this again sometime?"

. "I would like that." Bryan said with a soft smile.

Natasha let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Okay, cool. I guess we should, um… trade numbers?"

"Of course."

They exchanged phones, inputting their contact details. Bryan handed her phone back, putting his away as he watched her.

"Well," she said, slipping her phone into her pocket, "I'll text you, I guess?"

"I'll be waiting," Bryan replied in a deep, even voice.

Natasha smiled awkwardly, giving him a small wave before turning to head in the direction of her apartment. As she walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling that something about Bryan didn't quite add up. Maybe it was his overly formal way of talking, or the fact that he seemed just a little too perfect.

' God, Why do I get the feeling this is just the beginning of something weird?' she thought, casting a glance over her shoulder at Bryan, who was still standing at the entrance of the café, watching her leave.

She couldn't deny the truth because as much as she was cautious, she was curious as well.