Chapter 112 - 112: Date I

(Michelle POV)

"Welcome to Jade Palace Restaurant. Do you have a reservation?" The receptionist asked.

I shook my head. Huh? This was just a restaurant in a mall. "Do you require one?" I responded.

"Sorry ma'am, as of the moment, the restaurant has already been fully booked and…"

I furrowed my brows. What the hell? You want to ruin my date? Anthony recommended this restaurant last night! I was about to insist when suddenly my cellphone started ringing. 

"Excuse me for a moment." I said as I pulled out my phone. Anthony's name flashed on my screen. I wanted to cry. Why did I not come to the restaurant first to ensure I get a table? Anyhow, I pressed the answer button.

"Hello?" I greeted.

"Hi Michelle, are you already at Jade palace?"

Well… "Uh yes… but it's already fully booked…" I said honestly, my voice a bit sad. Not hearing Anthony respond, I said his name to call his attention, "Anthony?"

*Tut tut tut!*, huh!? Did he just hang the call? I looked at the screen only to see that he really did! My eyes widened and I don't know if I should curse or cry, before I could think how to react, I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned to look behind me and what greeted me was Anthony's very handsome face and wonderful smile. 

He was tall that I only reached his chin. His face was white and smooth, his lips were pinkish, his nose thin and high bridged, his eyebrows slightly thick and dark… then he was wearing a white polo shirt and black denim jeans…

Ah! He truly was God's greatest gift to this planet. If there's a definition of perfection, all I have to do was look at Anthony! 

My cheeks turn heated with my desire to just grab his cheeks and kiss him senseless! 

"Hello. Sorry for being a bit late and forgetting to inform you about this." He said apologetically, then he turned to look at the receptionist. "Excuse me miss, reservation under Anthony Ren please." He said.

Oh my god! He made a reservation ahead of time!?!?!?!? When did he make it!?!?!?!?!?!!??!?! He even apologized for being late when it's only… I looked at the time displayed on my cellphone's screen. 11:55 am!!!! I was just early, though only a little. Just shoot me now please!!!! I can't, I can't, I can't!!!!

The receptionist blushed even behind her make-up, and she looked at my Anthony as if hearts were going to pop from her eyes. For a few seconds she just stared at MY Anthony like that.

This bitch, how dare she look at my Anthony that way!? I wanted to reprimand her, but I don't want Anthony to get turned off! Thankfully, the receptionist came back to her senses after sensing my glare. She fumbled over the list of people with reservation.

"Ah yes sir, please follow me." she said.

Anthony smiled and nodded his head. "Thank you." He replied. 

The receptionist lead the way and we fell in step behind her to follow. As we walked, Anthony turned to look at me and asked, "Did you wait long?"

I turned to look at him. He was wearing a sincere expression and it's like a halo was shining upon him. I turned my eyes away, I felt like I'll go blind soon with his brilliance, I turned to look away. I think I resemble a cooked crab by now. "No… I just arrived when you called." 

Anthony was about to say something, but we already arrived to our assigned… room!? Anthony booked us a private room!? Huh!? This is so amazing! He likes me! He definitely likes me!!! I'm the luckiest girl in the planet!

The room itself though was good for 2 was quite spacious, it has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the sea too. Ah! So romantic! 

The receptionist guided us to the table and Anthony pulled one chair from one side, so I went to the other side and as my hand just touched the back of the chair, I noticed that Anthony was not yet sitting. I looked up and our eyes met. Then it hit me. Oh, my fuckin god. I wanted to cover my face with my two palms. He pulled out the chair for me! Even Steve was not that considerate when we were friggin dating! What to do? should I run over to the other side and take the seat!?!?!? 

Anthony decided for the two of us. "Please take a seat." He said.

Like an idiot, I just decided to pull out the chair in front of me and sat. He smiled and then took his seat. 

Then, the receptionist whose presence I completely forgot about if not for her handing us a menu book each said, "please tap this button once you're ready to order. Thank you." After that, she left the room realizing she was not needed. 

"The food here might not be as good as your mom's cooking, but it's not bad. What do you like to eat? Maybe I can recommend something."

He even recalled the taste of my 'mom's' cooking? That's my creation Anthony, not my mom's! If you want to eat it again, all you have to do is… you don't even have to ask! On Monday I will bring you lunch!!! If you like, I can even cook for you every single day! I wouldn't mind at all! 

Of course, that's not what I said despite me wanting to say all those words to him! Instead, like a true demure lady of Asian descent, I humbly said, "No, no, how could that be? You must be exaggerating. However, my mom will be glad to hear that.", then remembering his question, I replied, "Uhm… I don't have a lot of preference… whatever you recommend will do." I said. Actually, I have a lot of preference, but I want to know what Anthony likes to eat. Besides, whatever Anthony eats, I wouldn't mind eating! Even if he recommends me to eat chicken feet which disgusts me to hell, I will eat even a dozen of them gladly!!!

Anthony nodded his head, then he opened the menu, his eyebrow furrowed as if seriously considering what to order for me. Then he asked, "would 8 dishes suffice?"

Huh? 8 dishes? That many? That will be like a wedding! I don't want to eat too much! Might ruin my plans for our snu snu! Then again, we have a movie in between us eating and… ah! I almost forgot! That's for 2pm! That many dishes would take a long time to finish! But I can't possibly disregard his efforts! But still…

"That's a lot but it's ok… also, I wanted to tell you… I have 2 tickets here for the pirates of the Caribbean show later at 2pm… my friend who bought it ahead of time gave it to me just yesterday because she can't use it today… if you don't mind, would you like to watch it with me?" I asked.

Anthony nodded his head with a smile. "Ok. I will have to thank your friend for the generosity. I'll order now then." he said then he pressed the button to call an attendant.

The attendant arrived shortly, and Anthony began stating the food he chose for us. Baked Avocado Stuffed w/ Crab Meat and Bird's Nest, Supreme Shark's fin soup, Braised Whole Abalone with Fish Maw, Sauteed Fresh Lobster Meat w/ Supreme Sauce, Seasonal Pea Shoots with Crab Roe, Steamed Fresh Live Garoupa, and iced mango puree." 

My eyes widened. Wow. Anthony just ordered something akin to a Chinese wedding set menu. It's a bit weird but I really like all he ordered except for the abalone! I don't like abalone at all.

Then he looked at me. "Michelle, do you like to add something?" he asked.

Ah… that's 7 dishes still Anthony. I think your stomach is a bottomless pit. So nice to be young. Ugh, oh yeah, I'm still young too. Metabolism is faster, I guess. However, I don't think Anthony would appreciate me gaining extra weight. What? Don't tell me Anthony is like those guys who will want their girlfriend to eat a lot and expect her not to gain any weight!

Ugh! Just for today, anyway, we will exercise later! I hope.

I shook my head, "I think that's ok… Thank you."

"How about drinks?" he asked.

Sorry, that's already a lot of calories, I'm also still thinking of popcorn later plus us drinking soft drinks and sharing a straw. Hehehe. Well, we can also do that now.

"Just water…" I said.

Anthony looked at me funny. Then he turned to the waiter. "I'll have coconut shake and she will also have the same." 

Is this dominant CEO ordering for me? I love it! ehem ehem… 

The waiter jot it down, "Ok sir. Food will be served in about 10-15 minutes."

"Alright. Thank you." Anthony responded.

The waiter left and finally it's just me and Anthony in the room without anything to do.

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TBC