Tied To You

m

The Right Decision

Inside the restaurant, a large heavy knock filled the empty restaurant, which was brought to Misuki Fukuda's attention. A small huff came out from his mouth, "I am so sorry guys about the interruption, that is probably my niece Miyako, she is bit clumsy and forgetful but my sister wants her to learn the ropes of owning a business because she is set to inherit The Golden Wok, my sister's restaurant." Misuki bows and heads to the main doors of the restaurant.

"Miya what did I—" Misuki stopped in his tracks to see the person knocking. To his surprise it was Ava.
"Oh Ava! It is good to see you." He politely said, but Ava was not having it. "Oji this hostess of yours won't let me in. All I want to do is eat." Ava stated.
"I am sorry Ava. I will let her know. Please come in." He said to her as he looked at Miyako with an angry face. Miyako smiled holding the peace sign. Ava smiled and brought in the rest of her party.
"Thanks Misuki." Elena said. Misuki bowed as Miyako followed in with Ava.

Ava and the rest of her company took a seat at their usual spot, right in the dead center of the restaurant. From their seats they get a whole view of the restaurant. Two tables up, Ava sees Michael. Even though his back was facing her, she knew that was him. She had recognized that navy blue blazer from their prior encounter. She was going to say hello him when her father stands up and fixes his shirt, walking towards them.

"Hello sweetie." Her father says as he planted a kiss to her temple. He turns to her mother who is sitting right next to her and does the same. Michael gets up adjusting his blazer, and greets everyone.
"Hello." He waves and occupies the seat in front of you.

"Since you guys are here, why don't we have a joint lunch? You know...catch up. A lot is happening at Montenegro Enterprises, might as well see how everyone is doing. It is rare that we have functions like this. What do you say?" Evan said. "My treat." He added. Karlie wasn't too happy, but Ava knew she was playing it cool.

Her father giggled, "Oh I like that! Michael, order whatever you like, this goes to all you too! Evan says the tab is on him." Everyone but Karlie and Michael laughed at the inside joke.

"Oh sorry!" Ava said as she tried to contain her laughter. "You see it's an inside joke we have as a family. Basically, Kuya here didn't know that dad is a share holder of the Gilded Dragon, so Kuya confidently proclaimed that he was treating everyone for dinner. So we ordered nearly everything on the menu and when the bill came it racked up to $3,ooo nearly giving Kuya a stroke, but that is when he also found out that the bill was covered. You should have seen his face, he looked like he was going to poop himself. So whenever we come here as a family we always make that joke." Her parents and brother laughed as she explained it to Michael and Karlie.

"Your Kuya reacted the same way when he saw the hospital bill after I gave birth to Ellie. He really looked like he was going to poop himself. Luckily I told him that my ninong owns the hospital so he had nothing to worry about it." She said.

"Oh Evan! You haven't changed a bit." Ava's mother interjected, playfully punching her son.

"So Karlie, how's your dad and Tito?" Alvin asked.

"Daddy and Tito are good. He also, said that he will take you up on the offer of merging Mendoza Enterprises with Montenegro Enterprises. He feels like the company will be in better hands with you than anyone else. Just as long as Charlie is managing operations." Karlie said.

"I will personally call your father and discuss the proposition with him." Alvin said as he sipped his water.

"So I'm very confused?" Michael said scratching his head. "I thought the Montenegro's and the Mendoza's have competition with each other." He added.

"Who told you that?" Ava asked with surprise.

"We buried the hatchet two decades ago. We even switch employees from time-to-time. Their employees come to us for training and vice versa. I don't know where you heard about our rivalry Michael. Now you know that we are on good terms with the Mendoza's." Alvin said with surprise.

"Well Lolo Raul told me that you guys are rivals..." Michael explained.

"That old man, holds grudges. I can see why he told you that. If I were you do not trust that father of mine." Alvin said with a rather serious tone.

The food arrived and everyone was enjoying the meals prepared. I few banters were exchanged from the siblings. Karlie was slowly coming out of her shell by joining in with the jokes. Michael would laugh at Ava as she managed to hold chopsticks. Michael felt more at home with the Montenegro's than he ever did at his home.

"Til this day you still don't know how to use chopsticks." Evan said letting out a little giggle as he watched Ava struggle with her chopsticks.

"Can you leave me alone please?" Ava laughed placing her chopsticks back on the table and replacing it with a fork.

"I am going to be honest I feel more at home here with you guys than at home." Michael said. Everyone's attention diverted to Michael.

"How so?" Elena asked as Alvin listened attentively.

"Well, at home. Everyone seems distant. Dad and Kuya are always talking about politics. Mom is always busy managing the multiple businesses we have. When we do come together for family dinner, it doesn't seem as if everyone is in sync with one another. I miss the days where I could joke around with my parents and brother, but everyone is so glued to their mobile devices, they don't even realize that I walk out." Michael said with a slight tone of sadness.

"Oh Michael! I am so sorry you feel that way. Now that you will soon be apart of our family, you are always welcome to eat and hang out with us." Elena said with glee.

At that moment Michael knew he made the right decision, but it also became a realization that he would have to sacrifice Cora and her soon-to-be child. To him, being part of the Montenegro's felt so good but at the same time felt so bad.