16 A cold treat

That was not a normal reaction, right? Or has he not integrated into society enough?

Riva was confused as he looked at the outstretched hand in front of him before he reached into his pocket and pulled out the key from his pocket handing it over to Arlen.

"I will be leaving now." He waited a second for any reaction on Arlen's face but he got nothing. He nodded and left the building.

The moment that he stepped out, he checked the time on his phone, 4:02, and a smile tugged at his lips.

He was done with work. He wondered at times whether his colleagues also got this, the dinging feeling of joy whenever they clocked out.

He checked the rider app on his phone as the environment around him was a little too closed off for a bus or a public service taxi. He looked at the building where Arlen would probably still be investigating the inhabitants if he submitted this 8-dollar taxi fare to the bureau for reimbursement. What would they say? The Sergeant would probably give him a knock on his head.

He waited three minutes and soon a blue car came around the corner.

"Riva West?"

"Yes." He replied and entered inside.

"Pretty warm for February is it not?" The moment he sat his buttocks down on the brown leather seat and Riva had the desire to jump right out of the car.

He closed his eyes, ignoring the man and hoping that it sent the right message to him but all his efforts were fruitless.

The man looked in the mirror and smiled, "Ah! A police officer. I did not see the uniform when you entered. What are you doing here? Is there a murder?"

His voice was too excited at the notion that someone might have been killed here, for a second Riva wanted to say, 'Yes, there would be a murder. Right now, in this taxi' but he had a feeling that his joke would not be as appreciated.

"Some quiet would be nice." He said and closed his eyes. He was not sure that the driver liked that either because the car suddenly accelerated. Riva did not particularly care, he was off duty so it was not his concern whether someone was speeding or not and even in the event of a car crash, the possibility that he would be the one walking out alive was very, very high.

Ten minutes later, he stepped down the taxi and the car zoomed off, leaving a trail of exhaust behind. Riva coughed and sighed. What a temper.

It was evening so the night market stalls had not yet opened, filling the street with the tantalizing air of fried and grilled snacks. Riva did not want any of that, he had met a lot of people today and there was a little stress at the edge of his brow, he needed something to relax and recharge with. Something sweet, a little desert perhaps.

Or wine. He was thinking of going back and having some delicious wine when he saw an ice cream store. The month was a bit warmer than last month but it was still cold enough that the store had less than five people inside.

Riva entered inside the store, it was not large and there were a lot of flavors crammed inside the signboard hanging on top of the counter.

"Officer! Good evening. What flavor do you want?" A middle-aged woman beamed at him.

Riva looked up at the flavors, they had so much. When in doubt of what to choose from a menu, Riva's safe bet was to choose Alphabetically.

"I will have the Acai Berry swirl."

According to the woman, the ice cream was handmade, so it was a little pricey. He had not asked for that particular information, But a cold treat for 4 dollars was okay for him. She soon handed over a container, and it was filled with a velvety deep purple ice cream that was mixed with several small berries. A small wooden spoon was in the ice cream and it all looked extremely tasty.

Riva swallowed. If you asked him what he missed so much during his years as a Sentinel, it would be the deserts. He has gone to so many Realms and none, not even the Sentinel Realm favored by the gods could come close to Earth when it came to sweet treats.

The ice cream had a slightly tangy flavor but throughout the scoop, you will find delicate swirls of sweet berry compote, adding bursts of sweet fruity goodness. He closed his eyes. It was so delicious.

"Would you like a desert, handsome officer? It would be on the house." His expression of total satisfaction made the woman smile even though her day had not been so great. Her family members have been asking her to sell off the stores and even though she hesitated, the bad business these days had been making her consider it more.

Seeing the handsome young man who was slightly bent forward enjoying the ice cream, it brought back memories of her mom. The two of them had enjoyed spending all their time here, researching, creating, and making ice cream. She loved it, loved seeing the joy spread through her customers as they tried it.

Riva looked at her, hesitant. Free things, he did not like them. Because he would always feel the urge to pay it back.

"Riva, you owe me. Never forget that." A voice, sleek like chocolate poured into his ears and his brows furrowed, pushing the memory deep into its grave.

"No need. I would take a tub of this flavor to go and a small container of rose milk ice cream too."

The woman was confused but she did not say anything and began to pack up his order. A large tub of acai berry ice cream was 10 dollars and a small serving of the rose milk ice cream was 3 dollars.

Riva held the ice cream cone and left the store, he had not taken more than five steps when he suddenly recalled. The griller. His gas grill!