ISOLATED

c h a p t e r 2 1

Chapter 21

Genesis is waiting outside Gael's office in the car. Marcus is tapping the wheel with his fingertips as he patiently waits for Gael to walk out so he can drive them around town to the fancy restaurants Genesis planned out.

She's not nervous that he's not going to like them, she knows that they serve good food. Gael's just holding back because he doesn't know them. But when someone is so conservative when it comes to catering at parties, he just has to grow familiar with them so that he's open to change.

She looks over and watches her husband exit the building. He unbuttons his jacket before opening the car door and he gets in. "Did you have a good morning?" Marcus asks, looking at his employer through the rearview mirror. "Yes, actually," Gael answers and he looks at Genesis, "Johnathan didn't stop by, thankfully."

Genesis looks at Gael and she grins. "That's good," she says. Marcus starts driving and Ginny checks her phone. "First thing we're going to do is visit the Ethiopian place," she states and she nervously bites her lip. Gael and she haven't continued the conversation from last night, so she's still not sure where he stands. "Sounds good," he says.

Marcus drives them to the first place, he stops the car, and Genesis and Gael get out. She hooks her arm with his and she walks inside, it's obvious that she's taking the lead despite him radiating the power.

"Hi," Genesis says cheerfully when she walks inside. Two hosts welcome the pair, they were already waiting for them and Gael is impressed that Genesis arranged this for them. "My name is Abeba, I started this place," the woman answers. She smiles wide and holds her hand out for Gael and he kindly shakes it.

"This is my brother, Tadesse," she says, "He's our chef and he helped me start this place." Gael listens and he smiles. "It's very nice to meet you," he says to the two.

They bring Genesis and Gael to a table. "Is the restaurant always this empty?" Gael asks. Genesis instantly hits her elbow into his side and she glares up at him. "No," Abeba says and she shows them to the best seat in the restaurant, "We shut it down just for you two."

Genesis glares up at Gael, her eyes shooting daggers in every possible way. Gael can feel the tension from her but he doesn't say anything in return. "Thank you." Genesis's face softens as she thanks the sibling duo.

Gael walks to her side of the table and he moves her seat out for the table. She doesn't say anything as she sits down. "I'm looking forward to it," Ginny keeps her gaze on the siblings and she smiles wide, "I've been here before and I'm in love with your menu."

Tadesse smiles wide when he hears those words. "That means the world," he says, obviously he's the one that's responsible for what they'll get on their plates. Gael keeps his eyes on Genesis, watching her interact with the two business owners. He admires her being so friendly and he admires the way she makes the two feel so welcome and loved.

"Gael," she says, "I know they don't have a Michelin star, but their food is just as good as 5 Michelin stars." Genesis looks at him with pleading eyes, Gael's not entirely sure what more she wants from him, he's there, and he's going to try it.

Gael looks at the girl in front of him. "Ness," he starts, tilting his head as he gives her an apologetic look. "You don't ask people if their restaurant is always empty, you're already biased before we've even gotten the food," she says, frowning as she looks away. "That's not true," he states.

The conversation is interrupted when Tadasse and Abeda come back. Tadasse is the one to take the word. "On this plate, we have Injera, which is a flatbread, it's served with Doro Wat and Tibs, which is chicken and beef stew," he explains, gesturing towards the different plates, "Then on the second plate there's Sambusas, which is spring roll wrappers with a ground beef filling."