Chapter 59: Chapter 59

[“But ironically, you’re prettier. In my eyes, you are always pretty even if you’re wearing a rag. That’s how love works, idiot.”]

Those words rang in Ryan’s ears even after they entered the restaurant.

From the back, she glanced at her childhood sweetheart.

‘It was so hard to get used to his sweet behavior,’ she protested.

Taking a deep breath, Ryan looked at the huge menu folder in front of her. When she saw the prices of the food, her eyes blinked simultaneously.

‘Is he telling me that we will spend $100 for one dish? That’s insane!’

Slowly, she peeked at Terban.

‘Well, he’s rich. Ordering expensive food is fine.’

“Did you make a choice?” Terban asked, flipping the menu.

“Not yet. Since this is your treat, I have to choose well.”

“Why? You’re worried that I’d spend a lot? Don’t pick the lowest price.”

“Who said I would? I am actually searching for the most expensive food.”

Terban’s hands clutched tightly around the menu folder. His doubtful eyes gawked at his date.

‘Calm down, Terban. You like this woman, right? Learn how to be patient,’ Terban hypnotized himself with these silent words.

Soon, Ryan placed orders to the waiter. “Hi. Please give me Espri lou pancakes, Tuna salad, and a coffee latte.”

While the waiter was writing her orders, he could not help observing Ryan’s outfit from head to toe.

Terban felt second-hand embarrassment for Ryan.

“How about you, Sir?”

“The same with her.”

“Your sister’s order, Sir?”

Sister?

Terban looked at the waiter, who probably didn’t study table manners and handling customers.

“Are you a parachute?” Terban asked while glaring at the waiter.

Ryan, who saw the storm coming, gulped nervously.

“Pardon, Sir?”

“I mean, did you get this job without proper training? Someone probably hired a fool like you because you have the connection,” Terban said, grinning.

“I am s-sorry, Sir, but…”

“Why would you think that I am with my sister?” Terban added, pointing at the lady with Hello Kitty Pajamas.

Ryan began to feel shy while suppressing the laugh.

“You’re not allowed to address your customers like that. Where is your manager?”

Finally, Ryan made an act.

“Let him be,” Ryan said, tapping the waiter. “Just go and prepare our orders. This salty guy is just hungry. Go on.”

The waiter apologized to Terban once more before walking away.

“Why did you show mercy?” Terban complained to Ryan. “He needs to learn his lesson.”

“Oh don’t be a “Karen”, Terban. It’s a small mistake. Sure, he didn’t train enough to handle a situation like this. But I want to eat without trouble.”

But he called her Terban’s sister! For him, this is a great insult!

“I want our date to be romantic. That’s why I got mad,” Terban uttered.

Ryan’s eyes grew bigger. She did not expect that answer.

“Date?” she repeated.

His sharp eyes gawked at her, only to find the reaction he’s been waiting for.

The slight blush on her cheeks and the curious unblinking eyes. Terban adored this kind of look which shows she’s aware of his feelings.

They stared at each other with unspoken words underlying the stern gazes.

“Good morning. Are you Giselle?”

Amidst the silence, Terban and Ryan heard the voice of a man from the next table. In unison, they looked at the man, who perched on the seat across from a woman.

“Yes. I am Giselle. You are Slyvester, right?” the lady, whom Ryan bumped into before, answered.

“Yup. I woke up late. Sorry.”

Terban and Ryan were surprised to see Slyvester in this place. They were so curious why he was here, and who the woman was.

“You look so handsome in person,” Giselle complimented.

“Oh, really? Geez, thanks,” Slyvester responded.

“I rejected a lot of blind dates. But when my mom showed me your picture, I got so curious.”

“Can’t blame you. I have this certain charm in me.”

Slyvester and Giselle laughed.

‘I thought Slyvester likes Ryan? Why is he attending a blind date?’ Terban asked inwardly.

He thought this was a chance to take down one of his competitors, and so, Terban planned to bad-mouth Slyvester to Ryan.

“Look at that bast…”

But he stopped right away as soon as he saw Ryan’s reaction.

She looked so hurt and betrayed while looking at Slyvester. Why would she?

‘Why are you making that kind of expression, Ryan?’ Terban asked the bitter question to himself.

While Ryan was staring blankly at Slyvester, Terban’s eyes did not leave an inch of hers.

“It’s fun talking to you. Do you have a girlfriend?” Giselle asked Slyvester.

“I d-don’t have one,” Slyvester answered. “But…”

"Great then," Giselle interrupted his words.

Ryan stood up from her seat.

“I am going to the comfort room,” she excused Terban. In a hurry, she turned around and accidentally bumped into the waiter.

Crash!

The waiter dropped the pitcher and glass on the ground, creating scandalous sounds of the shattered glasses.

“I am sorry! Sorry!” Ryan apologized. In a panic, she sat on the ground and picked up the broken pieces.

Terban stood up. He got money from his wallet and gave it to the waiter.

“This is the payment for the broken pitcher and glass. Also, for the food that we would not be able to eat.”

After giving the money, Terban grabbed Ryan’s wrist and pulled her up.

“Leave that alone. Let’s go.”

“Wait! I haven’t…”

“Ryan! Are you okay?!” Finally, Slyvester, who saw them just now, approached the two.

Slyvester held Ryan’s hand.

“You have cut on your fin…”

Terban snatched Ryan’s hand from Slyvester.

The two men looked at each other.

“We agreed to respect each other,” said Terban. “Today, Ryan is my date. So, stop meddling and get lost.”

If Terban adds more, he will beg Slyvester to stop running in Ryan’s head.