BOOTH BOY

Chapter 5 - Brunch

Elias and I leave the Chanel store after he makes arrangement with the pretty blonde cashier to have his dress delivered. Although I'll be wearing it, I do feel it belongs to him. After all, it's his wedding.

When we're done, he links our arms and leads me to a Chinese restaurant I've never been at before. The minute the Maitre D' spots us, he rushes over, his thin moustache jiggling with elation. "Mr Hernandez! It's so good to see you back."

Elias inclines his head, respectfully. "As it is to see you, Mr Wong." Mr Wong bows so low I'm afraid he'll topple over before leading us to our seats. He hands us two menus and then quietly retreats. "I'll be back in a few minutes for your orders."

I watch him walk away, tiny and energetic man as he is, and decide right away that I quite like him. "I like him", I state before cracking my menu open and scanning the items. I'm impressed by the dark red laminated covers and intricate Chinese dragon design but the names and prices make my eyes bug out of my head.

I look up at Elias, scandalized. "These prices!" I quickly flip through the next two pages and almost faint. "Isn't this a bit too much?" I start to wake up, "Maybe we should just head to McDonalds."

Elias looks up at me, sternly. Slowly, I lower myself back into my seat. "Or maybe not." Sighing, I read through the menu again. Elias contemplates his own menu silently for all of one minute before slamming it shut and folding his arms over it. I look down at mine's, feeling pressured to make a choice.

When I can't come up with anything, I finally cave." What are you having?" I try to sound casual but Elias cracks a smile and pulls my menu over. "Tangboa. It's dumplings."

I look over at the accompanying picture. It sure looks nice. "Is it good?" Elias nods, amused, "Yes, it's good." I shut my menu quickly, folding my arms over it too, quite proud of myself. "Then I'll have tangboa too." Eli's smile widens and mines softens. I feel happy making him happy.

Mr Wong returns to take our orders and Elias thanks him for serving us personally. They both go back and forth for about a minute about whose more honoured before he finally leaves with the menus. I drum the pads of my fingers on the tabletop and Elias checks his phone, frowning at the screen. I want to ask him what's wrong but I also don't want to be nosy so I pull my phone out instead and find that I have 3 more missed calls from Cassius and about 15 text messages. A significant amount of which must belong to him. Quickly, I shut my phone off again.

Elias is watching me when I look up. "Avoiding someone?" I take a deep breath and shrug, "Kind of. Not really. I don't know."

He nods but doesn't ask me any more questions. When we're not having monumental conversations about weddings and sexuality, Elias and I have little to talk about. He tries asking me about work, University, my family but I admit, I'm a little fency with my answers. Our drinks arrive, shortly followed by our food and while eating, Eli fills the silence with stories about his misadventures at fashion school.

Halfway through my tangboa, which is indeed delightful, I am jolted out of my seat by a shockingly palpable fear. Walking into the restaurant, with his collar turned up and gaze searching is Cassius Hernandez. I almost duck under the table. I look over at Eli, frantically, "Did you tell him I was here!?"

He grimaces and delicately pats the corners of his mouth with his napkin. "I didn't know I wasn't allowed."

I sigh, realising how childishly I'm behaving and sink back into my seat. "I guess I can't get out of this forever." Eli gives me a look almost to say 'you think?'. Cass walks over in his usual self important strut and stands, towering over our table. He gives me a long, hard look before glancing over at Eli, "Hello, brother." Eli gives him a shallow smile, "Cass." He continues, "Do you mind if I steal Aileen away for a bit?"