"While loverboys over there are napping, how does dinner sound to you?" Ismail suggested to Aniyah as she looked over at Flynn who was lying on the floor, his head balancing on the bed Damon was asleep on.

It was spectacular how even though the two of them hardly knew each other, they were getting along so well. Two days ago, she could have never thought that Flynn, the awkward boy who swam and never spoke would be the one to bust their asses out of the La Morte quarters.

Thinking about his offer, she decided there wasn't going to be much harm in going to dinner with an old friend. It was time they really spoke about what was going on.

"Ok sure, I need to ask you some things anyways."

"Ah ah ah," Ismail interrupted, wiggling his fingers in front of her "We're not talking business at this dinner. This is just between us as friends. The other two should be there when we talk about our next move."

"Ugh, what's the point, I want to get this over as quickly as I can so I can go back to school."

"I'm afraid to let you know that this won't be over nearly as quick as you want it but if it makes you feel any better, with all of our spare time we can get you some online courses."

She shook her head. Online courses were useless anyways, she wanted the hands on experience.

"Mhmm, that's not happening. Let me freshen up and I'll be ready to go. Any dress code?"

A sly smile made way onto his face. "Why Aniyah, you'll look dashing whatever you wear. Just look elegant."

She smiled back at him before going to get showered and ready.

Pacing around her room, she looked through all the dresses that were already in her closet.

Of course he'd already have all the options picked out for me.

There were loads of dresses of many cuts and material, the colours on each one more lush than the last but the one that really caught her eye was the deep green velvet dress that hung on the last hangar. It's material was soft to the touch and she could already tell that it was going to look beautiful against her olive skin.

She took it out with a pair of clean underwear and jumped into the shower connected to her room.

Pulling on her clothes and twirling in the mirror, she appreciated everything she saw. Cinching at her waist and flowing to a few centimeters above her knee, she was the definition of elegant. She let out her hair and walked over to the table which already had all the product for her hair.

Smiling at Ismail's clear hospitality, she scooped someone of the coconut leave in conditioner and slathered it into her hair, making sure to soak it all in. It would take a while to dry but by the time it would be dinner, her curls would look beautiful and crisp.

"He's not going to be able to keep his eyes off me." she beamed as she carried on twirling in front of the mirror but then clasped her hand over her mouth quickly. "Jesus, did I really just say that?"

It wasn't the first thing on her mind, trying to impress Ismail but the extra few years really did do him well. The fact that she looked so good aswell was just a bonus, right?

Pulling a comb down her hair and then leaving it be, she took a quick look at the clock that read 6.15. She had about 5 minutes till she needed to be upstairs again.

It was a short walk up the stairs but her breath caught in her throat as she saw Ismail. Suddenly, she understood why all the girls were head over heels with the faceless model but what really stuck to her was the admiration in his eyes. He was watching her like she was precious and that was look she longed to see in someone's eyes for so so long.

"You look gorgeous, Jag." he said, bringing his hand and placing it on top of hers.

"You're looking pretty good too, you know."

His shirt fit him perfectly, not too tight and not too loose but just enough to give a teasing idea of what was underneath. The light grey blazer sat on top of the white shirt and was paired with a pair of matching fitted grey pants.

Where did this guy even come from? His face was still Ismail's face from before but with an obvious glow and the new stubble but in terms of everything else, he'd become different. It was a change that surprisingly, Aniyah liked.

"Shall we get going?" he asked before walking to the stairs. "Now, I know that this is slightly unconventional but I'm going to make your stay here as amazing as I can, starting with this dinner."

Aniyah went up the ladder first and pressed a small button which began opening the concrete ground door.

"I guess we'll be taking your illegal car then." she said, walking up to it straight away.

"It's not illegal if the feds are ok with it."

"Knew it." she said, remembering how she'd said that the group would have managed to score a car like this with the police's permission.

He walked around to the passengers seat side and opened the door for her, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"You first, m'lady."

"Chivalry isn't dead." she said, having heard the line in many films before.

The drive was quite short, only ten minutes of twists and turns until they had pulled up to a restaurant Aniyah had only dreamed of eating at before.

"How in the world... nevermind I might not like the answer but wow, you really out did yourself." Aniyah quickly looked at the time, realising it was 6.30 and tapped her tracker, telling Nance that so far, she was ok.

"It's the least I could to for taking you out of your life to help me with something. I could at least make sure you enjoy it, right?"

"You're a changed man."

A smile crept onto his face before he lead them into the restaurant, asking the desk girl about their reservation. A waiter showed them to their table and to Ismail's distaste, his eyes were trained mostly on Aniyah. He didn't blame him really, Aniyah looked extremely beautiful today, even with no makeup, something he appreciated.

The waiter walked off and let the two get acquainted with menu and returned a few minutes later, pouring the two a glass of red wine and taking their orders.

"I don't even want to know how much money you must have spent on tonight alone."

"Well, the group has been getting a lot more monetary support now and plus, my modelling gives me pretty big bucks. Don't worry, it not anything I can't spare. Though I would spend this all over again if you wanted to."

"Charmer, no wonder all the girls are all over you." she said right back in her British accent that rewired Ismail's whole brain.

"Too bad that they're not the girl I really want all over me." he said, holding a look with her. She caught onto his message but pretended not to, not knowing how to react to it.

A few minutes later, the waiter returned again and stunned Aniyah with how quick this place's service was. Even Ismail was surprised. The last time he had come here, their customer service was never this quick. He then realised why it was so quick when he caught the waiter looking at Aniyah again.

"Someone's got the hots for you, Ni." he said with a chuckle but underneath, there was something like jealousy burning.

"Ish, look around the room. All the ladies are swooning."

He took a look around and she was right. As his head turned in any ladies direction, they quickly looked away, not trying to get caught.

They ate and spoke for about an hour, reliving old memories and making jokes, talking about how their lives had changed around the last two years and how they really missed each other's company. Whilst Aniyah was part of the group, she would have pegged Ismail as her best friend during those years. He nearly knew everything about her.

The only other person who had known as much about her was Rider but after his 'accident', the only person left was Ismail. Maybe Nance, but she couldn't know about her involvement with the group.

Nance had always known that Aniyah had gotten mixed up in something dangerous but she kept her distance, knowing that it was Aniyah's business. She was always there for her regardless though, she saw her as a daughter. They'd established this plan when Aniyah had first been released from the group, making Nance suspicious but she trusted her enough to tell her incase it was that dangerous.

Over the years, as they got closer, she understood how Aniyah worked and so she knew that if she ever got in serious trouble, Nance would be there for her.

"This was a good night, Ish. Thank you."

"Anything for you Jag. It'd been a while since we caught up with each other anyway, we needed this."

An air of calm and happiness buzzed around the two of them as they got into the car and drove back 'home'. The silence was welcoming, letting the two of them think about everything the other person had said to them tonight.

Over the last two years, the 21 year old had become one hell of a charming guy, his looks probably helping him a lot, not that she was complaining.

Ismail thought about how Aniyah hadn't really changed that much. She was still quite stubborn when it came to certain things but then again, a girl that just sucks up to him isn't any fun. He needed to be able to have an actual conversation with them. Finding out about how she had lived the last two years caught him by surprise. How she hadn't accidentally blown her cover at school surprised him even more. Making up a whole new persona wasn't an easy feat, something he'd know about.

The car drove into the wooded road and stopped outside of the concrete door.

Aniyah looked at Ismail one more time, really taking in how the man infront of her used to be her partner in crime. Most group missions were usually between her, Spoon and Rider as well as with some others but those three, whatever the mission may have been, were always together. With the constant moving though, they didn't get the chance to do things most kids their age would have done. Instead, they bonded over guns and missions.

"I've really missed you, you know." Ismail said in a quiet voice as he returned the smoldering look he was receiving from her.

"I've really missed you too." she said, placing her palm across his cheek.

Moving her hair behind her ear, he slowly cupped her face, bringing her closer and closer till they could feel their breaths on each others lips.

Aniyah finally closed the gap, finishing the night with a kiss.

---

a/n: three days late, i know im sorry :(

so how many of you actually thought these two would have the hots for each other? ;)

Damon will get his time, do not worry tehee.

please leave a vote if you think the chapter deserved it :0

hope you all have a good day, my lovelies <3

Lolaalvilivi