There is much trouble in Paradise

Chapter 19

Doug parked his car in the restaurant parking and entered, trying his best to seem as natural as he could.

"Ahem!" he turned in the direction of the cough to see no other than Alisha herself along Albert and Holly.

"Hey Whites! What's up with you here?" Doug said lookin Alisha dead in the eyes.

"Alisha asked us to go out and it seemed like a good idea." Albert said shaking hands with Doug. "You can sit with us if you want!"

Doug stared at Alisha. He didn't want to sit with them, but it would be rude of him to decline.

"Dad! It was supposed to be just us!" Alisha whispered to Albert.

"Oh!" He said embarrassed. "Well, Doug is also a family member..."

"Don't worry, I'm not here to stay for long anyways. Don't mind me. Enjoy your family date."

"Thanks, Douggie. Shall we go?" Holly chimed in.

"Yes." Albert took her hand.

"One minute!" Alisha told Albert.

"I thought you're hungry!" Albert winked to his daughter as he disappeared inside.

"What was in your mind?" Doug immediately asked Alisha as the two were left alone.

"Sorry, Douglas, but I couldn't help it!" She chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll go unnoticed I swear. I can even hint you if needed."

"Thanks a lot... or not... now get out of here already!" Doug said after hugging Alisha as she rushed in the restaurant.

"Hey!" He waited a couple seconds before entering.

"Doug!" Sandie greeted him. "Table for one?"

"Val isn't here?" Doug immediately asked.

"No. She called in sick. You came for her?"

Doug was preparing to say yes but luckily he rose his gaze and saw Alisha shaking her head 'no' over Sandie's shoulder.

"Not really... but I was just asking." He said. "Yes...for one."  He started to text Alisha under the table.

Doug:
She isn't here.
Sandie says she called in sick.

Alisha:
Go to her house.
Anyways, nice acted.

Doug:
Thanks.
Now stop texting because Albert will scold you.

"Alisha are you texting?" Albert said seconds after Doug's message.

"Umm...responding on the group chat..." she said in a fluster.

"I told you it's rude to text during a date of any kind. Phone and hands on the table!"

Alisha conformed. Food was brought soon and then both Whites and Doug ate.

"Bye Doug!" Albert tapped Doug's shoulder as they got up to leave.

"Bye!" Alisha patted him on the back as Holly waved to him.

He finished his meal and left.