November 1, 2019
The lady said something to Bella, to which Bella replied, "I'm sorry, I don't understand." Another attendant came to the counter and asked, "Do you have a reservation?"
Bella nodded and presented her email confirmation with a subject that read: November 1, 2019. "Ok." It read. "The reservation is confirmed for Rilakkuma Cha-Ya (Taipei)."
The second lady attendant returned the printout and led Bella to her table. Looking around as she sat down, Bella saw a private room with the doors closed, slightly to her right in front of her. Just in front of that private room, which was one table away from her, a group of four friends were happily chatting away and eating their meal.
As the attendant handed Bella the menu, she could see another group of people enjoying their meal to the far left of the room. They were several tables away from Bella. She looked through the menu and saw their bestsellers. They were Tonkatsu and the custard cake dessert, which Bella both ordered. The attendant asked her if she wanted them served together or one after the other. Bella chose the latter.
While waiting for her food, Bella took out her phone and took a video of the restaurant. It was a cute little place with wooden tables and chairs and some Rilakkuma posters on the wall. Outside, a display case presented various Rilakkuma-themed stuff including calendars, plates, milk tea holders, a vanity set and cups.
Through the screen of her phone, she saw the sliding door of the private room open up. Quickly ending the video and looking the other way, Bella placed her phone back into its flip case.
From the corner of her eye, Bella could see a figure clothed in black from head to toe step out from the private room and stop in front of her.
"Fancy meeting you here." The figure said.
Startled, Bella looked up to see Jake. He was no longer wearing his black bucket hat and had changed out of his gray sweater earlier. His hair was pulled back into a half bun, showcasing his undercut. He looked dangerously sexy.
Bella gave him a smile, resting her chin on her left hand. "Which of the fates did you call on?"
Jake smiled back. "All three of them. Glad Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos heard me."
Bella could not help but be impressed. He knew that there were three fates and even their names. Brownie points. "So, are you done with your meal?"
Jake shook his head. "I just got here actually. Was settling in and waiting for my order when I heard your voice."
Bella looked skeptical.
"Tell me how many people in this city speak your brand of English with the same accent and pitch?" He continued. "Yeah, thought so."
"I'm sure that was meant to be a compliment." Bella rolled her eyes. "And I DO NOT have an accent." She said, enunciating the words DO NOT and drawing them out slowly.
"Oh yes, you do woman!"
Bella gasped in mock surprise. "You dare call me woman?!"
"I dared call you beautiful the first time we met."
Hearing this, the foursome enjoying their meal all turned their heads towards Jake and Bella.
Jake motioned to his private room. "What do you say you and I carry on this conversation behind closed doors?"
Bella waved him off. "I'm fine right here."
Jake pulled a chair and sat down in front of Bella. "Come to think of it, so am I."
She eyed him, laughing internally at his bravado. She was a little embarrassed about this exchange but she did not know this person. She was skeptical about entering a private room with him.
