Valentine’s Date

The holiday left Cyrus bored and irritated. The girls had gone around giving chocolates, making the work environment awkward. Anita had been an upset mess after eating with Norman. The breakroom camera showed they had a nice lunch after Shasta had over spiced Norman's food, leaving Cyrus confused as to what the problem was. Miles and Ramona were awkward teenagers. These young people were annoying, and their relationships were a bother. The only good thing was the chocolate Anita had given him, which he had been adding to his coffee all day. Maybe he could try eating it with the alcohol he had at home when the day was over.

All was quiet in the restaurant, not even a single customer insight. If they didn't have an hour left to work, Cyrus would have dismissed everyone for the day. Strangely enough, no visit from Linda. She usually tried, even at odd hours, to give him something for Valentine's Day. Not like he expected it since they broke up years ago, but it was sweet friendship chocolate.

Sierra threw open his door and tossed a pile of clothes at him.

"Change clothes now," she commanded before slamming the door.

Confused, Cyrus rechecked the monitor for any suspicious activity from his underlings. Ramona seemed to be setting up a table, and Sierra had made a beeline for the kitchen after leaving him. He couldn't find Oliver or Miles on any cameras.

He then heard a knock at the door.

"Sierra said if you don't get ready in the next minute, we have to help," grumbled Oliver.

Cyrus didn't want to find out what Sierra meant by sending the two waiters in. He scrambled to stand, pulling an overcoat over his dress shirt and putting on a tie around his neck.

"I'm working on it," he yelled back to assure the boys. Why the sudden get up, he couldn't guess. He hoped his black loafers were passable for whatever the crazy cook had planned. Leigha must have influenced her to take action against him for no good reason. He opened the door. Oliver was quick to fix his tie while Miles straightened the jacket.

"Ready," Miles yelled before he and Oliver pulled Cyrus to the front.

They shoved him into the waiting area and Linda's personal space. When had she shown up?

"Table for two?" asked Ramona, grabbing two menus. "Follow me."

The stunned couple followed her to a corner of the restaurant. The table had already been set, including a red carnation in a cup for decoration.

Cyrus gestured for Linda to sit with him opposite her. He looked around to see the staff minding their own business, but sneaking glances. Cyrus looked back to Linda, who was shifting in her seat, uncomfortable by the attention.

"Good evening, my name is Miles, and I will be your server this evening," introduced the waiter. Cyrus frowned at the strange introduction. He knew Miles and Miles knew them. He didn't need to introduce himself like they were at a classy restaurant instead of Tormino's.

"Can I get you both started with something to drink?"

"Um, tea, please," requested Linda, grabbing a menu off the table.

"Same for me," responded Cyrus, pulling up his menu to browse.

"Thanks, I'll get that out for you in a moment."

Miles turned on his heel, leaving the two adults in their cozy corner of the room. Cyrus looked back at everyone, who immediately pretended to be busy. He then looked to Linda, who was hiding her face behind the menu, but she already knew what she wanted. Cyrus looked back over to the staff, seeing the waiters gesturing in their direction. Until they noticed that he had noticed them. They started smiling before going back to work.

Cyrus raised his head in skepticism before looking back at the menu; he didn't even need to bother reading. Maybe Linda had planned something special for them, why he didn't know since they were only friends. Was this the ten-year Valentine's since they had broken up? Cyrus made a face at the menu, not wanting to admit he was getting older.

"So, you haven't come around for a while," he commented, lowering the menu. Linda peeked over, lowering her men, too, but it was still covering half her face.

"Work has been pretty busy, especially today with the holiday," she offered with a sweet smile.

"Rough day at work?"

"In a way." Linda pulled down her menu so she could see Cyrus, her cheeks still pink as she looked out the window. "Lots of people visiting loved ones. Luckily, most people brought flowers instead of chocolate but a few visitors didn't get the memo. Nothing against chocolates or the holiday, but visitors are not allowed to bring outside food in unless authorized by staff."

Cyrus could imagine Anita trying to give her soulmate chocolate in the hospital, only for several nurses to stop her. The image in his head was funny so he had to stifle a chuckle before responding with, "That's unfortunate."

Linda gave Cyrus a quizzical look, folding up her menu as she did.

"What?"

"It's nothing."

"You can tell me."

Cyrus pressed his lips into a tight line before speaking again, "Was imagining Chouteau visiting a hospital and trying to give her soulmate chocolate." Cyrus glanced down, ashamed of his statement when he heard a familiar laugh.

He looked up to see Linda laughing. "I can imagine that. There was a girl today as obsessive as she could be. It took two security guards to pull her out of the room." She continued laughing, Cyrus joining in the mirth. The other employees smiled at each other, glad their plan was going well.

"She did come back with a stuffed animal. But she was giving the security guard such a hard time over the chocolates," Linda chuckled, her laugh calming down to a giggle.

"I needed a good laugh today. Thank you." Linda breathed once she had finished her jovial noise. Cyrus relaxed in his seat, happy this was going well. Whatever it was, he didn't care.

"You're welcome. I have to admit this is nice." Cyrus gestured to their fancy arrangement.

"Well, it is nice to see you in the seat across from me rather than standing. Although this needs to change."

Linda reached over the table, loosening the tie until it was off. Cyrus could feel his face heat at the intimate contact. He never did well with close contact, even when they were dating.

"Much better." Linda set the tie beside him on the table before returning to her seat. As she did, Miles returned with their tea.

"Have you both decided what you'll be having this evening?"

"Yes, I'll have the Cheese Omurice with Gravy sauce," announced Linda as she handed Miles her menu.

"I'll have the Curry Udon," ordered Cyrus, handing back his menu.

"So one Cheese Omurice Rice with Gravy and one Curry Udon?"

The couple nodded.

"Thank you. We'll get that started for you."

Miles nodded before leaving, barely having a chance to catch Ramona before she fell again.

Linda giggled as she watched Ramona thank Miles before scurrying off.

"They are cute together."

"Disgustingly cute," grumbled Cyrus as he poured his tea into the cup before taking a sip. He didn't need romance ruining the work standards. So long as their romantic lives stayed outside of the diner, he was content.

Linda chuckled again, well aware of the older man's distaste for sappy romance.

"I know it may seem a little cliché for a holiday, but I got you something."

Linda opened her purse, pulling out a box of chocolates.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Cyrus." She smiled her ever warm smile as she handed him the box. Cyrus' jaw slackened as he took it in hand.

"Thank you." He looked up at her. Linda was still smiling. "For all this." Linda tipped her head to the side.

"The chocolates, the dinner. I forget sometimes that it's nice to get out of the office."

"Right."

They heard a slam and both turned to see the waiters smiling at them. Oliver's bangs had gotten messed up as a red spot grew on his forehead while Miles' curls were on alert. In the kitchen, Shasta moved about in a flurry, Sierra was following and trying to calm him down.

"Your staff is a little odd, aren't they?" questioned Linda.

Cyrus nodded, sighing as he sipped his tea. He didn't understand them either.