Grey stumbled slightly. He looked down as some yellow child ran by him. His floppy blonde hair bounced as he ran, a look of determination and joy on his face. Grey look in the opposite direction to see a little white-haired urchin, wearing a pair of saggy green pants and reared back with a water balloon. Grey grinned, if not half-heartedly. He loved kids, but it always reminded him of his childhood. It wasn't that he had any past traumas, but rather that he felt he had wasted it.

      He walked into the cool, brisk air of the building. Had he really squandered his childhood? Many would argue to the contrary. He was one of the world's richest men. He had always been a financially able sonuvabitch, even in his early years. He spent much of his young life toiling over an abacus or something to that nature. He wasn't much for horseplay. It was always business, always planning for the future. It had paid off, most certainly, but at what cost? He stepped into the elevator, and stood awkwardly next to one of his lesser employees. Said employee began to sweat profusely.

      Grey walked into the hall outside his office. His secretary jumped up. "Asilin," he greeted her.

      "Oh, good morning, Mr. Grey."

      He nodded warmly to her, as he entered his office. He hung up his coat on the rack, a nice Mahogany number imported from West Tek. The Coat Hooks were Anchors and Crabs and other Nautical Brick-a-brack. He slumped into his chair. What was the point of it all? It had always been work first with him, no time for to play or socialize with ragamuffins. And where had it gotten him? He was a wealthy man, and a powerful one at that. He was no undoubtedly a good man, but no one could really attest to the fact. No one even knew him well enough to call him a bad man if he were one, and he was surrounded on all sides by sycophants. Grey let out a sigh. He buzzed his secretary over the intercom.

      "Asilin, can you come in here a moment?"

      "Um, yes sir, certainly."

      The wide doors opened, and in slinked Asilin. She was by no means a petite woman, she had a strong build to her, but she was certainly beautiful. A perfect agglomeration of curves cinched up in a soft, red skirt. Her green eyes stood out vividly against her black hair. Grey sat leaning back in his chair, balancing a pencil on his lips. He soaked her in for a minute or so.

      "...um, Mr. Grey?"

      "Asilin, I was wondering," he began slowly, searching for the right words. "I was wondering, if you would like to, um. Christ I'm bad at this. Would you like to have dinner tonight?"

      "Oh, why, Mr. Grey...."

      "I mean, I could understand perfectly if you would rather not, I mean I am a good deal your senior, and if you would rather keep our relationship strictly work-related I can understand perfectly-"

      "I would love to, Mr. Grey."

      "Please, Daran." Grey grinned to her. "How's my place sound, say, after work?"

      "I would be delighted."

      "Faaaaantastic." 

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      The pair walked into Grey's typical Jewish apartment, menorahs everywhere. All shapes and sizes, some hanging from the ceiling like god damn chandeliers. So many fucking candles, it was astounding. Here was a man that the wax lobby simply adored. Asilin stopped in front of the fireplace, and inspected a large hunk of metal. She turned to Grey.

      "Is this ... Jew gold?" Grey laughed.

      "No, no, no, just a replica. I keep the real gold on my person at all times." He reached into his collar and pulled out a small bag on a chord. They both chuckled a little bit. Suddenly a large, black-and-blondee cat slinked out of no where and wound itself around Asilin's legs. She let out a scream and fell flat-ass over. The cat stared into her panicked eyes and twitched it's tail. 
 

      "So, um. Are you sure that he isn't..... feral?"

      "Oh, of course, Benjamin wouldn't hurt a fly. Now, smaller cats, that's a different story."

      The panther made a sudden movement towards Asilin, who jumped, startled. Benjamin licked her thigh gently. She rubbed his shaggy head with a nervous smile and scampered off into the kitchen. Grey stood at the stove, wearing a black apron and sauteing mushrooms.

      "I didn't know you could cook," she teased.

      "Oh yeah, you have to know how when you live the swinging bachelor life I do." He flipped the mushrooms over his back, sticking out the pan to catch them.

      They promptly hit the floor. He and Asilin stared at them for a few silent minutes.

      "You know I like Chinese food, too."

      "Yeah, Chinese food is good." 

      Grey waited for the line to pick up, trying to look as suave as possible. This was not helped by Benjamin nudging him in the knee with a tennis ball over and over. Grey finally gave in and chucked the ball just as the line clicked. Benjamin pattered after his prey, knocking over relatively little for a cat his size.

      "HERRO SARTRE PIZZA CHINESE FOOD TO GO MAY I HAFF YOUR OLDER."

      "Oh hey, you guys make pizza now?"

      "IS GREAT NEW FLAVOR REVOLUTION, PUSH TO SHOVING THE ENVELOPE."

      "Mmhuh. What would you suggest, pie-wise?"

      "MONGORIAN BEEFF IS FANTASTIC ON PIE TO EAT."

      "Yeah, we'll have a small Mongorian-- Mongolian beef pizza, a couple egg rolls, and um-- Hey As! Want anything else?"

      "Get something noodley. With egg :D"

      "Noodles and eggs, my good man."

      "RITE EXCERRENT, GET MAKE COOK YOUR FOOD NOW FOLEVER FAST." 

      Grey was curled up with Asilin on the couch. He was playing with her hair like some kind of DORK. Which he WAS. AND THEN THE DOORBELL RANG. Grey slid off of the sofa and walked with great haste to the door. He was greeted by a blue monster that was probably older than time itself.

      "I thought Chinese food was supposed to be fast, old man," Grey jibed.

      "PIZZA TAKE LONG TIME MAKE COOK GOD DALRAMMNIT."

      "Hey hey, I'm just kidding ya old fart." Grey took the food from the hairy goblin and threw him some cash. "Keep the change."

      "TWO HUNDLED DORRAH!!" Sartre exclaimed as the door closed.

      "Food's ready-" Grey started. Asilin already had half an egg roll crammed in her mouth. "Eager, aren't we?" Asilin punched him in the shoulder. 

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      Asilin was curled up next to Grey, her hand on her belly. A smile of contention was stretched across her face. The coffee table in front of them we strewn with empty dishes. Grey scratched the back of her head, leaning back. This is what he had missed out on. Moments like these, they were better than any sum of money. This shined even more than gold. This was the spice of life or something. He stared into the crackling fire in front of him and began to doze off, into a vague euphoria.

      He awoke suddenly to find Asilin kissing him gently, on the lips. His eyes fluttered for a second, and suddenly she was on him. Eventually, as human nature requires, they surfaced for air. They both grinned lopsidedly at each other, eyes half closed. 
 

      Asilin stretched and kissed Grey on the cheek. She whispered softly into his ear, "Daraaan, I'm hungryyy." Grey turned to her with a smirk on his face.

      "Craika, woman, after all you ate?"

      "Yeah, but I exerted a lot of energy" she cooed.

 "Mmmmmm" he grinned, leaning his face to hers. "I know this little doughnut shop, it's a few blocks away but it's worth it."

      "Sounds nice," she crooned as she stood up. She let out a yawn and popped her back while Grey just stayed there and watched. She turned around to catch him staring at her butt.

      "Take a picture, it'll last longer."

      "Don't move." he jested as he leapt up. She laughed as she picked up her dress. 

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      The couple laughed as they walked out the door into the cold, night air. "It's a good ways off, but I know a shortcut."

      "Oh, a quick jaunt through a back alley? How romantic."

      "Hey, I aims to please," he laughed. Asilin didn't respond. She was frozen in her tracks. Grey looked in front of them, and saw a woman pointing a gun at him. Thick, brown hair, covered in yellow fur. She looked deathly serious. Another woman stood behind her, white hair, ice blue fur. She seemed less sure of herself as she stared straight into the sidewalk. Grey threw his hands into the air, surprising the woman. She jerked the gun towards him, but didn't shoot.

      It was silent.

      "Alright man, hand over yer wallet," she said in a gruff voice. "The lady's purse, too," she added as Grey handed her his wallet. She handed both objects to her accomplice. They all just stood there.

      "Come on, Sosh. Let's go," the other one pleaded. Soshika brushed her to the side."

      "Shut up, Zar." She turned her attention to Asilin. "Give me the necklace." Asilin whimpered. "Give me the God damn necklace!" She reached out for Asilin's neck, Asilin flinched and screamed. Her vivid green eyes narrowed, her mouth fell slightly asleep.

      Soshika stood there stunned, the ripped necklace in her left hand, the smoking barrel in her right. Grey stared at her dumbfoundedly. Asilin hit the ground. Soshika turned and ran, grabbing Zara. Grey looked down, his arms shaking heavily. A puddle of blood reached his shoe. He bent of and reached a tremulous hand to Asilin's motionless shoulder.

      "Asilin?"