Cliche (Candy Stories #5)

Chapter 8 part 2: Easier Together

TCWDM: Sorry, I'm still slow sa pag-update. I can only write between 3am to 6am and 9pm to 12 midnight, everyday. Kapag na-miss ko, hindi na ko nakakapagsulat ng ibang oras. I'm already doing my best. Thank you for being patient in waiting. xx

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We arrived at The Valentine restaurant after being stuck at traffic and awkward silence for over two hours. We tried to talk—I mean, Maxwell tried to start conversation—but I didn't make sense. Like tinanong niya 'ko how's my weekend, tapos ang sagot ko, "not a fan of his songs." Hu-hu. Akala ko kasi, si The Weeknd ang tinatanong niya 'cause the radio's on and do'n ko sinusubukang mag-focus. No'ng tumawa siya, do'n ko lang na-realize na he meant my weekend, not the artist.

If I'd cry blood for every wrong reaction, I'd bleed myself crying out of embarassment. Na-paranoid na 'kong mag-anticipate ng itatanong o sasabihin niya sa buong biyahe. Napansin siguro niya or baka mukha na naman akong mouse caught in a corner, kaya sabi niya, "take it easy." Tapos, hindi na siya basta nagsalita. It was super embarassing. I'd bring all my bloopers to my grave.

Tikhim ni Maxwell ang kumuha sa atensyon ko. Saka ko lang na-realize that I was looking down. Na naman.

"Who's the owner?" aniyang nakatingin sa restaurant.

Napatingin din ako roon.

The Valentine creates expectations. Sa exterior pa lang, obvious nang it's a romantic restaurant. There's a giant heart beside the door saying "Welcome." May curtain-like vines sa mismong pinto. May cute doodles, quotes, at characters (a couple) ang glass wall telling a boy-meets-girl story. At sa tagiliran, sa patio seats, ay may hanging flowers. They're open for every diner but offers a special experience for couples on a date.

"Esta and Arida Xue," sagot ko. "Friends daw ni Miss Kylie so Miss Lynne noted that we be extra attentive. Maglo-launch pa lang ito next week. Lahat ng related sa food service, PR, and marketing, under ni Miss Kylie."

Tumango-tango si Maxwell. Napatunganga naman ako sa kanya. Nang tumingin siya sa 'kin at magtagpo ang mata namin, nag-freeze na naman ako. Ngumiti siya kaya nakahinga ako nang maluwag.

"Uh... tatawagan ko na muna 'yong—"

"Are you from the app and the magazine?" tanong ng lalaking lumabas mula sa resto.

He was undeniable energy walking towards us. Ang bilis niyang nagagap ang kamay ko. Ang bilis ding dumikit sa 'kin ni Maxwell at kinuha ang kamay nito. Kay Maxwell na siya nakatingin habang nag-i-introduce ng sarili.

"I'm Zion. I'm the manager of The Valentine. Esta will be arriving soon. Come inside."

Nakapihit na siya papasok bago ko pa ma-form ang introduction ko sana. Sumunod na lang kami sa kanya.

Once inside, Zion gave us the grand tour of the place. The interior was romantic and cozy but not intimidating. Walang maipipintas. The gold-metal-wood theme was placed brilliantly. Soft lights make the gold glitter and the metal radiant. Most tables were for two, except three 4-seaters. Pang-family and groups daw 'yon. The music's a mood, too. They also have a grand piano na puwedeng tugtugin ng mga guest during weekdays at may scheduled pianist naman during weekends.

I already marked a lot of yes in my checklist for the review. Nang dumating si Esta, ipinakilala niya ang staff na naroon para sa amin. Chef Jay was in his maybe early thirties, lean and good-looking. Our server was Esmeralda.

Naupo si Esta sa table na laan sa amin ni Maxwell para sa maikling interview. Si Maxwell naman ay nagpunta sa kitchen para kilalanin ang chef at usisain ang pagkain.

When the interview's done, eksaktong bumalik din si Maxwell sa table namin. He looked different.

"Uhm... May problema ba?" maingat na tanong ko pag-upo niya.