Chapter 106 Date Part 2

Chapter 106 Date Part 2

At Ayala Exchange Tower 1's twentieth floor, the operations hub of Blackwatch Oriental Camp was buzzing with activity. Richard, however, was out in the hallway, opting to wait rather than interrupt the final minutes of Sara's shift.

He could have just walked in, but with only five minutes left, he figured it made more sense to wait outside.

As he stood there, various staff members occasionally popped out from the command center, grabbing quick breaks. Richard seized the opportunity to chat with one of them, looking for a bit of insight.

"Hey, I'm here to see Sara. How's she doing?" he asked.

"Ahh...sir," the staff member paused, slightly caught off guard. "Sara is just wrapping up her work. She's had a lot on her plate today, but she seems to be handling it fine."

"Got it, thanks," Richard replied, nodding in appreciation. He tried to appear casual, but inside, he was counting down the seconds.

The hallway felt a bit stifling as he waited, his mind racing with thoughts of the impending dinner. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the nerves.

As the last minute ticked away, the command center's doors swung open, and Sara stepped out.

"Hello, Richard, I hope I didn't make you wait too long."

"Woah..." Richard let out a sigh of admiration, his eyes gazing upon her. She was not in the clothes she was on earlier, instead it was different.

She was in a pair of snug jeans that highlighted her figure and a chic, white blouse that was casually tucked in, accentuated by a subtle belt. Her blonde hair was styled in an updo, making her look angelic. Her makeup was understated yet effective, enhancing her natural features, and her choice of comfy flats completed the ensemble.

"I thought I'd change into something a bit more comfortable for dinner," Sara explained, noticing his awed reaction.

"No, it's perfect. You look amazing," Richard replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Thanks, Richard. Ready to head out?" Sara smiled, a twinkle in her eyes as she picked up on his flustered state.

"Of course, let's go," Richard said as he led her to the elevator to go to the rooftop where the White Hawk helicopter was waiting.

But—

"I'm Richard...you're walking too fast," Sara said and Richard realized he was rushing a bit too much in his excitement. Slowing down his pace, he apologized, "Sorry about that, I didn't realize."

Sara just laughed lightly, "It's fine. Just don't be nervous. Just keep it cool."

Richard cursed himself inwardly for failing to keep his composure. He nodded, offering a sheepish smile, "Yeah, you're right. I'll try to keep it cool. It's because when I'm with a beautiful woman, I get nervous...especially since this is my first time." n..O-(v)-E()l(-B))I/-n

Sara's cheek blushed slightly at his compliment, and she responded with a playful roll of her eyes.

"Flattery will get you everywhere, won't it?" she teased, her voice light and amused.

Richard chuckled, glad to see that his comment had lightened the mood instead of making things more awkward. "I'm just being honest," he said, giving her a smile.

As they reached the rooftop, the sound of the helicopter's rotors grew louder, and they could feel the gusts of wind generated by the blades. The pilot gave them a nod, signaling that it was time to board.

They put on the provided headphones to communicate over the noise, and once they were settled in, the helicopter took off. The initial lift was smooth, and soon they were soaring above the city, the lights below them creating a beautiful, intricate pattern.

Richard glanced over at Sara, noticing how the city lights reflected in her eyes. She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the experience which is what Richard had intended before the dinner date. Thanks to the gas turbine generator that he had bought in August, the Blackwatch Oriental Camp Skyscrapers were in perfect condition to facilitate such an aerial adventure. Richard had meticulously planned this evening, hoping to create an unforgettable experience for both of them.

Sara was indeed captivated by the view, her face lit up with genuine delight as she took in the sprawling city lights below and the starry sky above. The helicopter smoothly navigated through the air, and the pilot skillfully showcased the city's most iconic landmarks.

Richard looked at her awed face and his heart fluttered on how beautiful she looked from the natural glow of the city lights illuminating her features. He was glad to see her so happy and at ease.

As the helicopter tour came to an end, the pilot then headed to the final destination. Which is a Wilson Mart Mall. Which before the outbreak, was nothing but filled with zombies. When they expanded their territory, the Wilson Mart became part of the Oriental and because of that, they deemed it a priority to clear out the mall of zombies. After all, it has resources and supplies that could be vital for the camp.

They entered the Wilson Mart. The once zombie-infested space was transformed into a bustling marketplace, with various shops and eateries, providing a semblance of normalcy and a boost in morale for the community.

The World's Resorts Manila adopted one interesting system they implemented in the camp. It was the currency system. In order for the survivors to work harder and contribute to the greater good of the community, there must be a reward. And since food is limited in this apocalyptic world, it can't be given to those who are lazy.

Now walking side by side, Richard led her to one of the restaurants nearby. It doesn't matter what restaurant they choose to dine in as all restaurants offer the same, with a unique twist.

They settled in a cozy corner of a restaurant that offered a variety of dishes, all adapted to the available resources in the post-apocalyptic world. Since it's been nearly two months since the outbreak, the fresh foods in the restaurants or supermarkets were either consumed or spoiled. The only food that is left mostly are non–non-perishable goods.

Richard and Sara were handed menus, though it was more of a formality than anything else.

"Okay I will get this and this," Richard pointed at the menu.

"What about you ma'am?"

"This will do," Sara pointed.

"Understood, we will be processing your order right away," the waiter nodded, quickly jotting down their choices before disappearing into the kitchen.