Chapter 6

After taking a seat at a table, which was right in front of a window, and ordering their drinks, the two began to discuss the case.

"Ectasuline?" Asked Mei, "Isn't that Krylo Tech's erectile dysfunction medicine?"

Nathan nodded, "Yes, it is! It's the product that harmed our client, leading him to sue us."

The detective looked through the documents from the file that Nathan had given her. "It says here that Mr. Tony Palmer passed out five hours after taking the Ectasuline pill."

Nathan gave her a quick nod, "Mhm! He even had an erection that lasted more than four hours."

She looked up at him, "But he didn't even bother calling his doctor because of that?" She seemed very puzzled, "Because it says here that he never once informed his general practitioner about the dangerously long duration of his erection."

"Well Mr. Palmer is an older gentleman. The thing about us men is that we don't really like going to the doctor very often, especially the older men."

"Wait, what?" Mei seemed even more confused as she scratched her head, "But Henry goes to the doctor fairly often."

"Does he go willingly or does he go because his wife told him to?"

The detective paused for a moment as she looked down at her cappuccino as she remembered back to all the times her coworker and best friend talked about having to go to his doctor. She looked up at Nathan, "Now that I think about it, he always said that his wife would make him go."

"See?" The man smirked, "We refuse to go to the doctor unless a woman forces us to."

*A woman, huh?* Thought the detective as she began to feel a bit curious.

"So what about you, Dr. Stilton?" Asked Mei, "Who reminds you to go to the doctor regularly?"

Nathan spoke with confidence, "That would have to be Catalina." He pronounced the girl's name with a slight, Spanish accent, which made Mei's heart melt slightly as it also dropped in her chest.

*He … Has a woman?* She felt a bit disheartened by this theory. *Wait! Maybe she's not his girlfriend. Maybe she's actually his sister.*

"Catalina?" Mei raised an eyebrow, "Is she your sister?"

Nathan chuckled and shook his head, "No, she's not. She's my daughter."

"Oh, really?"

*Daughter?! That means he might be married. But if he really was married, then why didn't he just mention her instead?* Wondered Mei. She peered down at his left hand, which was wrapped around his coffee mug, *He's not wearing a wedding band. Maybe he's divorced?*

Mei looked up at him, "Why does your daughter have to be the one to remind you? Why can't your wife just do that?"

*Why am I so curious about his love life all of a sudden?* Wondered Mei, *I mean, it's not like this is a date or anything, despite what Henry says. So far, we've just been discussing this case.*

He grinned, "That's because I'm not married, Detective Li." He spoke in a very smoky voice.

"So you're … A single father?"

The man nodded, "Yes, I am. I know that being a single parent is frowned up in today's world, especially someone like myself who's never been married before, so I'm used to the judgement."

Mei shook her head, "Oh, no! I'm not judging you for that. It's just that I don't really know anyone who's a parent that's never been married before."

He nodded, "Yes, I understand. It's not very common either."

"I hope you don't mind me asking but-"

Nathan shook his head, "No, I didn't get anyone pregnant by accident."

"Oh? Well then how did you-"

"My daughter was adopted … Sort of."

"Sort of?" Asked Mei, "What does that mean?"

"Well …" Began Nathan as he let out a deep sigh and looked down at the table, "Many years ago, I started dating Catalina's mother. She was a single mom and Catalina was only three years old at the time. According to that woman, she got pregnant when she was seventeen. Her parents gave her an ultimatum where she should get married or else they would kick her out. Her boyfriend at the time refused to marry Catalina's mother because he was seeing another woman on the side. Her mother was then kicked out of her home and had to live with her aunt for a few years before she died. When Catalina was six years old, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Before she passed away, she handed custody of her daughter over to me since she had no one else to take care of her. The day her Catalina's mother died was the day I became a single parent."

"Oh … I'm very sorry for your loss." Responded Mei, sounding very melancholy.

He looked up at her, "Thank you, Detective Li. I'm so glad that you weren't quick to judge me for that before I got a chance to explain myself."

"Don't worry, Dr. Stilton." She gave him a soft smile, "I'm a detective, making bold assumptions with little to no evidence is dangerous and something that I've been constantly taught not to do."

He smiled back, "That's actually great! I wish more people were like that." He picked up his mug and took a sip from it. He set it down and wiped his mouth with a white napkin before he spoke again. "By the way, is it alright if I call you Mei?"

The detective nodded, "Of course! I mean, I'm off duty so you can definitely call me that."

"Great! Same applies to me so please call me Nathan." The man began to rub the back of his neck as he peered down at the table again, "It's really hard to find a date when you're a single parent. People always say that they want children one day but most would think twice before getting together with someone who already has one." He looked up at her and smiled, "I'm just glad that you weren't appalled or immediately rejected me when I brought up Catalina."

"Well why would I refuse to work on this case just because-" Mei paused for a second as she suddenly realized something and looked down at the table.

*Wait a minute! This really was a date all along?!* Her face paled slightly as she was engulfed with feelings of both anxiety and excitement, *Oh, my god! Henry was right!*

She peered up at Nathan and gazed at him. She focused on his luscious lips, his strong jawline, his slightly messy, wavy hair, his sharp nose, and his alluring, sapphire blue eyes.

*He's so beautiful but … I can't be with him. What about John? I mean, we've never gone on a proper, decent date in forever and Henry thinks John might be seeing someone else on the side. But that doesn't give me the right to be unfaithful. Besides, maybe things will change between John and I. Maybe things will improve and we'll go on good dates in the future and have a great relationship down the line.*

Nathan noticed the slightly distraught expression on her face and felt very concerned.

"Mei?" He asked in a worried voice, "Are you alright? Was it something I said?"

"Huh?" Mei quickly calmed herself down and shook her head, "Oh, no! It wasn't you, Nathan. It's just that I didn't realize this was supposed to be a date. I was under the impression that this was completely work related. Sorry about that."

Nathan shook his head, "No, no! Don't apologize. I should've been more clear that I was asking you out and maybe discussing this case over coffee gave off the wrong impression." He smiled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Sorry I wasn't upfront with you on that."

"It's alright. It's just that I have a boyfriend." Explained Mei.

"Oh …" He looked to the side for a moment before peering at her again, "I understand."

I wasn't trying to lead you on or anything."

Nathan shook his head, "No, no! I'm aware. Once again, I should've made it clear that I was asking you out on the date. Sorry for not revealing my true intentions. I understand if you don't want to work on this case anymore."

"Oh, no! I'm still going to be working on this case."

"Really? Well do you still want me to work on this with you?"

Mei nodded, "Of course! I'm not going to stop talking to you due to a simple misunderstanding."

Nathan seemed both shocked and relieved, "That's great! I'm so glad you're not upset with me."

"Why would I be? I mean, it was just a little mix up."

He gave her a quick nod, "Good point!"

"Anyways …" Mei looked back down at the documents, "Where were we?"