synthai's journey of love in paris

Aiden turned giving her a bright smile as he jingled the small keys near his face. "You wanna go for a ride?"

Synthai nervously clenched her hands, as he hopped on a shiny, candy apple colored scooter. "Umm, do you even know how to drive one of those things?"

He turned the keys in the ignition and the small engine revved to life. "I think if I can fly a plane, I can handle this thing," he said shooting her a cocky smirk. "Are you getting on or what?"

Steeling herself, Synthai gave him a small nod and stepped over to get on the scooter behind him.

The moment she sat down they were speeding off. One hand quickly wrapped around his middle, the other held onto her beret. A gleeful scream faded into giggles as they zipped through the streets, the breeze billowing through her long indigo hair.

Synthai was almost sad when they stopped, having had so much fun riding around and being close to Aiden.

"I think this is the one," Aiden declared and eyed the quaint little cafe in front of them. The small outdoor seating area was surrounded by a garden fence with flower boxes spouting colorful blooms. A handful of other patrons sat around chatting animatedly and enjoying their breakfast, but thankfully it wasn't too crowded. The smell of bread and other delicious baked goods wafted out the front door, and Synthai was sold.

"It's perfect," she smiled.

"Great, then let's eat!" Aiden grinned as he flicked down the scooter's kickstand. He offered his hand as she hopped off the scooter and they made their way inside.

Aiden asked for a table for two, and the waitress escorted them to one outside. It was a gorgeous day, and Synthai found herself blushing at the fact that Aiden didn't let go of her hand until they were seated. With a smile, the waitress gave them their menus and said something Synthai assumed was 'I'll give you some time' or something to that effect.

Staring down at the dozens of menu options, Synthai was reminded why she liked to thoroughly research every restaurant she visited often even deciding a few menu options she would want.

"Nothing looks good?" Aiden asked. And Synthai realized her face must have given her away again.

"No, it's not that it's just..." Synthai hid her blushing face behind her menu and mumbled, "I can't read it." The entire menu was in French, and unlike the hotel that anticipated many international travelers, there weren't translations listed with each option.

Aiden burst out laughing. "I'm sorry! I should have thought of that. Did you want me to read it to you?"

"Or better yet, if you tell me what kind of stuff you like I can order something for you and it'll be a surprise!" he smiled.

Wandering around town? Surprise breakfast? Aiden was really trying to test the limits of her spontaneity. Synthai sighed, she figured she never usually does stuff like this, so why not lean into it?

"Okay," she finally answered and began describing her favorite breakfast foods, particularly emphasizing her love of cinnamon rolls and other sweetbreads. He just listened with a smile, like it was the most interesting thing.

Synthai couldn't help the flutter in her stomach at the way his blue eyes watched her with his full attention. When the waitress returned, she offered them each a glass of water and took notes as Aiden ordered for both of them.

When she left, Synthai spoke up, "I hadn't realized you spoke French."

"Oh yeah," he smiled. "I speak French, English, Japanese, and German."

"Wow," Synthai sighed with wide eyes. She had thought her knowledge of two languages was admirable, but he was something else.

"Don't act too impressed," Aiden laughed and gave her a dismissive wave. "I just happened to move around a lot when I was a kid because my dad was in the Air Force."

"Oh so he's a pilot like you?" she asked, excited to learn more about Aiden.

"More like I'm a pilot like he was," he smiled, but with a tinge of sadness.

Was. The use of the past tense gave Synthai a gloomy feeling in her gut.

"He died when I was sixteen," he said answering her unasked question. "Then when I was eighteen I joined the Air Force too, ya know to feel close to him."

Synthai nodded understanding such a desire. "I love to fly, but I soon found the military isn't really my style," he laughed. "That's why I became a commercial airline pilot, it's much more fun!"

"So how'd you end up in Tokyo?" she asked, sipping at her water.

"We spent a couple of years stationed in Okinawa when I was a kid, and I just really loved Japan. When I left the military, I knew I wanted to move back, but I just felt like Tokyo had more opportunities. I like it a lot there, the people are nice and the ramen options are endless," he grinned. "What about you, do you like living in Tokyo?"Oh, I mean... yeah, I guess," Synthai replied. "I've actually never lived anywhere else. All my schooling, including university, I did at the best schools in Tokyo. My dad has a lot of connections and wanted me to stay close."

The waitress interrupted with plates full of delicious smelling food, pastries, and coffee. "I like what I ordered for you too, so if you don't want it we can switch," Aiden offered.

Synthai appreciated the offer but was more than enthused about his choice for her. They both started digging in, putting their conversation to the side a moment to fill their hungry bellies.

"So," Aiden began before taking another bite of his omelet, "why'd you become a flight attendant?"

Synthai set down her cinnamon roll and gingerly wiped her lips with her napkin. "I think because I lived in Tokyo my whole life, just always remaining where I was comfortable or where my dad told me I should be. I guess this was me being a little rebellious and getting the adventures I felt I never had. I've found that I really enjoy traveling and exploring places I've never been."

Aiden smiled and wiped his lips before placing his napkin on the table. "If you want an adventure, let's go on one today!"