Chapter 75 Awaited Dinner

KIA

As soon as we arrived, a sign proclaiming "complimentary valet parking" set the tone for a pleasant surprise. The restaurant is located in a large shopping mall in Manila, about an hour and a half drive from our house. The restaurant is located on the 18th floor and has a nice view of the open sky. We walked to the main entrance, enjoying the light breeze that carried a sweet floral scent with it. A friendly hostess approached us right away and inquired if we had a reservation for tonight. I informed her that we had arrived for a dinner reservation with my best friend Miaree. While she was calling for her, I couldn’t help but stare at the luxurious ambiance of that place, I felt like I walked into a palace.

Extremely high ceilings decorated with bright color chandeliers contributed to the unique natural light coming through mosaic color glass windows, creating a beautiful atmosphere and first impression. White flowers with silver sparkles adorn the tables as a finishing touch. To create a calm atmosphere, the lights are dimmed and classical music is played in the background. A savory aroma fills the room, making me long for the chef's fine platter. Walking through the dining room with my husband and Miaree, I noticed towering shelves at the bar filled with exclusive wines and spirits, while across from it was a serene lily pond that runs through the center of the restaurant. The pond's wet walls create mini waterfalls for romantic scenery at the booths right next to it.

“So ladies and gentlemen, our love birds have arrived!” Miaree said and introduce us to his uncle and Marcy’s family. They stood up and greet us warmly. As we wait for dinner to begin, murmurs fill the room with general conversation.

After all of this, we decided to check out the Chef's food bar, another hidden gem in this restaurant! It couldn't be a better location for me, right in front of the kitchen, where all the action takes place. I was very excited to try their food after seeing the amazing South Pacific ambiance with contemporary design. As a first-time guest, I immediately received a complimentary appetizer from the Chef, which gave me time to peruse the menu. A sake martini is served alongside my spicy tuna roll.

The restaurant offered several different dishes, such as lobsters, fish meals, desserts, and more. However, I picked the traditional Filipino meal over every other item on the menu. I also liked the dessert that was made with traditional ingredients. On the other hand, some of the foreign meals in the restaurant were ordered by my other companions. They applauded the bistro menu for having meals of such high caliber. A candlelight supper in a romantic setting was also an option at the restaurant, which we all found to be quite enticing. Because it wasn't appropriate for us, we decided against having a candlelit meal. Such thoughts were put to the side as we focused on enjoying the highest quality food possible at the restaurant.

It accentuated fresh, crisp vegetables and tempura crust in my mouth, softening the roll's spicy taste and getting things off to a terrific start. As the single request I made to Miaree while she was making decisions for me, I decided to stick with seafood throughout the meals. She obviously chose the following meal because she knows how much I enjoy crab cakes, and now I get to experience Chef Merlie's Polynesian version of them. On a large blue platter with a bright yellow mango-habanero butter sauce and delicious caramelized pineapples on top of the enormous golden-crusted cake, it was delivered.

Long-cut chives, cilantro leaf, and black sesame seeds were used to finish the presentation. The first taste melts in my mouth as I enjoy the robust flavor of the snow blue crab, and the sauce then enters the picture by adding the sweetness of mango and a light shock of habanero. Things like the soft texture of the crab on the interior and the panko-crisped outer and another layer of soft caramelized pineapple are so nicely combined; I used to think they could never be on the same plate. I can tell I'm prepared for the main course since I can already smell and taste the carefully prepared meal coming my way.

Suddenly, Miaree holds her spoon and taps it on her wine glass, grabbing everyone’s attention. I looked at her and whispered, “What are you doing?”

“Just watch,” she answered in a whispered tone. “Alright, everyone, since I already got your attention, can I request for everyone to listen for me for a while, I just wanted to announce something!”

Everyone was wondering what she was saying. Her uncle suddenly stood up. “Miaree, what is going on? And is this really the perfect time for this? I mean, we are having dinner with all of this family. It’s embarrassing to make this kind of scene—”

“Uncle, I will not do any embarrassing thing, okay? So, please… take a seat…” she said and her uncle couldn’t do anything and just follow what Miaree instructed him to do. “...Mhmmm… Let’s wait a couple of seconds and I will start with my announcement. Let me just check it first, okay?” she said and excused herself, and left.

What is going on?

Everyone started to whisper at each other while my husband doesn’t even care at all. Like he doesn’t even have the energy to be curious about what is going on right now.

“Hon, what do you think is happening right now?” I asked Ares.

He looks at me and just shrugged his shoulder. I was about to stand up and follow Miaree when I suddenly saw her walking back.

“Alright, everyone! Can I have your attention once again? Alright, so, I am thinking about how to tell everyone this news but since we are already here and we’re kinda complete. I will now take this opportunity to announce this wonderful thing that happened in my life after 21 years of living on this earth. I know uncle won’t like this but, just let me do this uncle…” Miaree remarked while looking at her uncle. Her uncle narrowed his eyes. “So, uhm… Everyone, I finally have a boyfriend!” Miaree added with delight.

“What?!” was the only word that came out of my mouth.

Everyone started clapping their hands when suddenly a man wearing a very elegant suit entered, it was Dave. Dave and Miaree ended up together? This is crazy! I looked at Ares and Marcy but they just shrugged their shoulders.

“It is pleasant to meet everyone, especially, Mr. Ishii of the Yamaguza Group,” Dave said and bowed his head.

Miaree’s uncle stood up and by just standing I can already feel the power within him. He is truly one of the most powerful men in this city, owning a huge company.

“I know you…” Mr. Ishii said while walking in their direction. “You are Dave Keannu Chavez, the first son of Mr. Tyson Lee Chavez. The next owner of the Chavez Group of Company. I didn’t expect that a Chavez would be interested to date an Ishii…” he added.

The surroundings stayed quiet and listened to them as they were conversing with each other. The tension between those two started growing so quickly even though they were so calm in talking and not having any other expression than just blank.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Ishii. Having a partner like Miaree shouldn't be surprising. She has it all, Mr. Ishii. She is perfect.” Dave answered while looking at Miaree.

“Well, I suppose you were not that informed at all, Mr. Chavez. You should do your research first before dating my niece—”

“Uncle, I invited him to introduce him to all of you tonight. Please, don’t ruin it. Let’s just talk privately later, hmm?” Miaree interjected.

Her uncle didn’t respond and just walked back to his seat and we continued eating. Everything was still awkward but we just acted as if nothing happened earlier. I'm glad to see chopsticks since that means I'll be eating from a stir-fry pan again. My enthusiasm and expectation rise when bartender Andy personally presents his tropical spritzer, created with fresh juice, white wine, and sparkling water and topped with a real bright pink flower, another Instagram-worthy show. My entrée is steaming as exquisite pan-seared scallops over rice noodles come, filling the room with soy sauce and mushroom aromas. The silky, spicy noodles pack a punch, but my spritzer cools the palette and prepares it for the scallop. That exquisite supper made me think I was on vacation in the Pacific Islands, not in Manila. The beautiful venue, delicious food, and excellent service left me with great memories of a long trip.

…

“Thank you for tonight,” Ares said as we said goodbye to everyone.

I was about to approach Miaree, but she was still talking to her uncle. Suddenly, Dave approached us.

“Hey, bro. It was so nice seeing you tonight, and to you too, Kianna, you look stunning tonight. You both are the perfect match for each other.” Dave said.

I just smiled at him. “Thanks, uhm… Can you say goodbye for me to Miaree? Her conversation with her uncle looks pretty serious…”

“Yeah–yeah, sure.” Dave nodded.

“Anyway, congratulations, Dave. I wish you both strength in your relationship.”

“I just wish it will not be hard!” he jokingly said while looking in the direction of Miaree and her uncle.