Eternal Sunshine

Touch It

As Ariana read the sign, she realized that Elon had taken her to a South African restaurant. She was reminded of her request for a "casual yet unique and new" cuisine. She couldn't help but grin at the irony. Her request had sounded a lot like what she was wanting out of this relationship, and unknowingly he had delivered just that.

To make matters even better, the restaurant was vegan friendly. A requirement that Ariana really should have voiced earlier, but she had been caught up in their back and forth. Oh well, she really enjoyed being spontaneous. It felt more and more like serendipity when things went right.

They were led to a secluded, private room, away from the main dining area. Initially, Ariana was disappointed. She was hoping to cause a media storm. Generate all the publicity she would ever need for her album. That would be tricky if they were tucked away from the eyes of the public. But perhaps it was better this way. Allow the storm to happen organically.

The waitress, a beautiful African lady with the most luminous skin Ariana had ever seen, served them lunch.

Elon looked up at her, recognition lighting his eyes. "Thank you, Amahle."

She smiled warmly and replied in a foreign tongue.

Elon ducked his head and blushed. The act was endearing and a little unexpected for a man of his wealth and power.

He murmured a reply and the waitress left smiling.

Ariana turned to him with an inquisitive look. "I didn't know you spoke multiple languages."

Elon shook his head, "I don't. Not really. I'm not fluent in anything other than English, and even that feels like a struggle when my tongue can't keep up with my brain. But I understand Africaans and know basic responses. I was required to learn it in grade school."

"Do you miss South Africa?"

His response was immediate. "No."

Ariana raised her eyebrows. 

Elon's eyes filled with memories like tears. When he continued, his voice was softer. "My childhood was...difficult. I don't miss South Africa. It holds too many painful memories."

Ariana cocked her head. "And yet you took me to a South African restaurant."

Elon barked out a laugh, looking around the cozy restaurant. "Yeah, I did. I guess there's a certain amount of nostalgia associated with good things. Food is a pretty easy one."

Ariana shrugged. "So there's at least some amount of good memories. There must have been other things you enjoyed about your birthplace. What else did you like about South Africa?"

Elon sighed and a distant look came into his eyes. "The stars. Have you ever seen the night sky in the Southern Hemisphere?"

Ariana nodded. "I've been to the Southern Hemisphere many times. I've even been to South Africa."

Elon smiled, "Outside of the cities?"

"Oh. No, I guess not."

"It-it-it's.." He frowned thoughtfully, "I don't know if there are adequate words to describe how beautiful it is. And all my life I remember being drawn to the stars. I was a lonely child. And the stars, they...they were almost like friends." He trailed off and shrugged.

Ariana had a feeling that she was treading into dark waters, but she pressed on. "What about your relationship with your parents? What is your father like?"

A shadow crossed his face and he set his jaw. "I'd prefer not to talk about my father. It would spoil a lovely day."

"Daddy issues?"