⊱ restaurant

@『 ✧ 』isaac hwang。 ah, since when she has ever had something that worth more than anything else? she finds herself thinking about this during the whole conversation, although there is nothing that can be really given as an answer besides money that can deal with (almost) everything, and food that can bring her back to reality and composure. it is not too hard to notice that their backgrounds are different throughout the little pieces they share so far, but it does not stop her from being curious of the man nor wanting to end this lunch date sooner.

instead, she finds him quite interesting. and she wasn't expecting that.

"mhm, i might be able to understand that if you really have something important to do so." she nods quietly, although still disagreeing with neglecting the good food being served. "it is not about the money, it is about what happens at the moment and the food you are enjoying." she replies, reaching to take a sip of her water and purses her lips into a line. "of course money is important as well, but there are so many things that money couldn't buy." surprisingly when she says this, she is not expecting herself to say so. wasn't she a believer in money? but then, she also realizes how fragile everything can be with the presence of money. money-built relationships, money-built reputation...this puts her into some thoughts.

"well, i still stand by my point. if i am about to die, then i will. there is no way i can escape and i might as well accept my fate." she leans in closer, arms resting on her crossed legs as she hums quietly. "and what makes you think that i will ever so easily follow you when we first met?" she chuckles quietly, leaning back into her seat with a small smile. "i apologize. maybe i am not the greatest person for you to have a conversation with."

"guess i will take that as your compliment to my looks." she shows a small smile, looking around to check if the waitress is coming with their order. her expression turns to an amused one when she heard of his job, one that is considered quiet unique from the people she had known and dealt with, but then coming to think of it... it is also quite important. "so you take care of people when they could no longer take care of themselves." she looks into his dark orbs, soon looking away as she rearranges the napkin on her lap. "i hope you take pride in what you do, even though many might carry prejudice to your job." her brow up at his words, finding him still trying to 'intimidate' her. well, not that she has 100% trust on him as well, when he uses his ways to come in here and to spy on people.

"if that is your standard impression of a lady, i am pretty sure no ladies would enjoy talking to you, isaac." she gently warns him, even with his outspoken personality, to simply assume of a job from someone, especially one that doesn't sound favorable could be a taboo in this big city with sensitive people. "i own a business here, but i don't prefer revealing too much about it. the walls have ears."

@『 ✧ 』odette son。 revealing but not fully revealing, that's all he could do, he couldn't trust this stranger with information of a lifetime. it was too risky for him and his intentions. anything could be the core of his presence there, even if it was just to spy on some ex girlfriend like some psycho ex. which wasn't the case, it was way deeper with craved scars all over his body and soul "no clue, I think I would go with the flow of whatever, probably pick the first thing I saw on the menu or something small I guess? money is not that important to me anyway" he leaned back, his wealth was more than enough to support him without a job for the rest of his life, he's not the spender type either way.

"it does depend... I could be a serial killer like zodiac... or like Samuel Little whose bodies were never found...it's a matter of perspective" Isaac went with the joke, somehow he had some knowledge of serial killers, recent years drag him into the dark side of the world and creepy documentaries included every night. "perhaps, I might take you somewhere else after this and who knows what happens?"

"clearly, pretty girls are mostly models these days, specially on this side of the city." the moment she assumed his job a laugh escape his lips, he wished he had the power and will to be a private detective, but the issue was too personal to have such cold blooded as true detective. "I'm a mortician. I deal with dead bodies everyday. yesterday I saw a young model at work, it was a passionate crime. the world is a dangerous place" he said holding the glass of water and taking it to his tiers, drinking some of the water. " I hope you have some sort of security guards with you" placing down his glass he scrutinized the woman once more, trying to a bit into believing he wasn't there with good intentions? what if he was just acting for her to invite him in?

"but if you're not a model full time, what do you actually do? perhaps you're one of those who provide accompany to old rich men for fancy dinners? no offense, it's a decent job just like any other." he explained with nothing against those who do it, but remembering how many times his father brought one of them along to the parties instead of his own wife and how disgusted and angry Isaac was upon witnessing such scene.

@『 ✧ 』isaac hwang。 things that are more important than food...she raises a brow at the man, money as a term just popped up in her brain. indeed, there are some things important than that, such as for her, the source that can buy almost everything, or some people might address it as the root of evil. "what you said was true, so i guess you are here for a mission that has more meaning than the food itself. but well, sometimes you have to give yourself a break." she hums in a quiet tone, almost airy, her hand reaching for the napkin when the man reminds her of it by placing his on his lap.

"seems like your mission has come to an unpleasant ending, but i hope you get to pick up where you have left off." she might have guessed what he was trying to do, or planning to, but she is not one to pry. not when the other shows intentions of not revealing it. but if the other party is as cool as the man sitting across her, it is not so wrong to ask a few more questions when he is not offended by it. spying on people...now that she thinks about it, there is a part of that in her own business as well. but instead of spying on person, she merely uses technology to do that. computer memory is way better than a human brain anyways, but it was also the same thing that puts her in the either highest of lands or the most dangerous of places.

"don't tell me you will be sitting here without ordering anything even if i am not here?" her eyes widened slightly, seemingly unamused of that thought stated by the man. what's anything to miss when there is great food right in front of you? even though she did not say it out explicitly, she still has her own ways on food. there can be nothing that beats a comforting meal after a long day. "if you are a serial killer, the moment i look into your eyes i would be dead." she says in a nonchalant tone, the statement a bit too extravagant or unrealistic to be considered as a truth so she just answers casually. "so to invite you or not, it no longer affects the consequences no?"

after ordering the course meals for them, she turns to him and hums as a small agreement at his words. "i do modelling sometimes, not really a full time job for me." she shrugs, eyes looking into his without any fear, just calm and composure. it doesn't matter if he's a killer or not, or a stranger she doesn't know, at this moment, now - he is just a guest dining with her. "and what about you? you seem like a private detective of some sort."

@『 ✧ 』odette son。 he took a deep breath, at this point was evident that his plan would not occur and all he needed to do was to enjoy the meal with this unfamiliar lady. placing down his menu, his elbows rested on top of the table, intertwining his fingers while taking his time to finally analyze the female in front of him "there are some things in life that are more important that food, it was one of those moments. can't deny that this place does serve amazing food, it's all over the reviews and hot topics too. it will be actually my first time eating here..." taking his napkin and slowly placing it on his lap, getting himself ready for the food.

pressing his lips in a thin line he shook his head "something must have happened... I don't have here what I need to confirm that." isaac was talking almost as if she was aware of what was it as he simply ranted about what could have happened. he sighed, knowing how important that meeting could have been, he was just one step away to expose his father and that delays it all. not that isaac had anything to do after, his life propose was only that, after? what would be there for someone like him? but he kept a fake smile on his lips, no one needed to know how vulnerable he is at this point. only between his four wall everything was exposed. outside, just a mask of a strong mortician. thinking about her food suggestion he started to focus on that instead.

"exactly why I owe you, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here eating" he offered a genuine smile, knowing how many people ahead of him wanted to dine but were sent back for not having a reservation. who was this mysterious woman, and why was she open to invite a stranger in? "tell me, what if I was a serial killer? would you allow me to sit on your table?" he joked nodding at her finally question. "yes, I think I will go with the course meal, anything with loads of meat and I'm the happiest man alive."

his orbs were now gazing into the female's dark ones "tell me, what do you do? are you some sort of model? you do look like one" he said trying to make a casual conversation with her, it was a first for him. Isaac wouldn't make small talk with people, or even try to approach someone. no friends or whatsoever, Isaac was a loner but incredibly he was doing well in socializing with this woman. maybe that's why he was so amused by himself and happy to just be there to have some fine food and a change within his small routine.

@『 ✧ 』isaac hwang。 odette raises the glass of water to her lips and takes a small sip, all the time with her eyes stealing a few glances from the distracted man who obviously doesn't have his attention fully on her. well that's... expected, she thinks to herself, it shouldn't be of a surprise when the man did show signs that he is here for something else. but she gives him the benefit of doubt: maybe he is just nervous, having to dine with a lady he has never met before and her looking this fierce could all contribute to the reason why.

she just didn't expect him to be so honest.

an amused simper hangs on her visage as she continues to look at the menu, tone calm as ever. "you came to a restaurant, but not here to dine." as if just a restatement of what he had said, just to let him know how out of place it sounded. "even if you are not here for food, it is a basic etiquette to order something when you are at a place that serves food." her gaze remains on the menu so she has no idea where would be the man looking at, but she is going to guess anywhere but the food. what could be his purpose here? now that made her curious.

"if you are new to this place, I would suggest the course meal. It is a simple three-course meal with a soup of the day and main dish, wrapping up with a dessert." she looks up from her menu and into the man's eyes. he must be in a mess right now, trying to do whatever he is planning to yet she is here, keeping him occupied on a menu selection. he could be thinking all sorts of things right now, including how annoying she is when he needs to be left alone and given time.

"oh?" his complete honestly still takes her by surprise. so he is here to spy on someone. no wonder, she hums to cover up the new discovery from the man, at this point she has nothing more to guess from him. "it seems like your intel isn't supposedly reliable," she says, switching the topic back to food in her next breath. "you don't owe me anything. i let you in anyway. so course meal?"

@『 ✧ 』odette son。 Isaac took a glance of his clock, his whole body was tensing with anticipation, was he wrong at end? wasn't that the place or did they forfeit from the meeting? questions filling his being while trying to keep up with the conversation happening at the table. for a brief moment he forgot about the meeting and tried to be as respectful towards the friendly lady who allowed him to take a sit. "well.. I didn't really come to..." taking one last look around the room before continuing "...dine. that's why I'm on my own."

"either way, I wasn't hungry at all, but now that you mentioned I kind of feel a empty feeling growing?" he joked patting his stomach a few times. Isaac was sure that more question will be coming his way about his doing at the restaurant. could he tell the truth? but that would blow up his cover, he didn't even know if this woman is trustworthy or maybe someone how could ruin it for him. "the options are very tempting, I will pick whatever you pick. I'm fine with any, really." food wasn't his true worry at the time.

he leaned back noticing that his plan mostly failed, the cop was nowhere to be seen and there was no way his father would come alone. Isaac was mostly disappointed with his failure, but nothing could be really done at this point. all he could was enjoying the food, company and then head home. "I was waiting for someone to show up, but they didn't. I needed to see if they were meeting here but I guess I kind of failed?" isaac released a dry laugh, it was a bittersweet feeling. his hands ran through both menu, money wasn't the problem, he could afford the dine and pay for the lady too. might as well enjoy it, he thought to himself.

"there's nothing to be done now, I will just enjoy this amazing food, to which I owe it to you"

@『 ✧ 』isaac hwang。 odette watches the man as he makes his way to the table with the waitress leading him, while she takes a swift glance at the man who really seems to be alone without any companion. not that it is not acceptable, just that in odette's mindset, perhaps no one would have thought of coming to such a fancy restaurant alone to dine - from what she have seen people come in a pair, to have occasional interactions and chattering between the gaps of each dish. so what could be the man's story for coming alone?

but she didn't want to offend anyone with her judgment and first impression, so she merely nods at him with a small smile.

"don't mention it," she casually says and watches the man slide into his seat, placing her phone into the clutch again. "i am odette." the man looks younger than her, but somehow sounding a bit nervous from his tone. perhaps he is nervous? odette thinks to herself, since it was unexpected that she would call him over, and to dine with a stranger does contribute to the nervous as well. a small chuckle escapes her lips at his words, now it was unexpected that he would suddenly flirt - or take a joke on her. but she doesn't mind, if it actually helps the ease the awkward atmosphere around them.

"and i never expect to see a man coming to dine alone." she speaks out her genuine thoughts, just curious of this man in general. "i had a lunch date with a client but she couldn't come last minute, so what's the story on your side?" coming to think of it, it is quite surprising to have her dining with a stranger, but it is all because of the location and timing. firstly, she doesn't want to waste this opportunity of dining in this place, especially when she is mentally ready to have a fancy meal over here. secondly, she is starving and leaving to find a family restaurant at this point doesn't seem plausible.

so why not open up a bit to dine with someone else when they are both alone?

"are you hungry? i think we should not waste any time." she raises an arm and watches as the waitress coming over, handing them two menus. "would you like set meals or ala carte? set meals could be value-worthy but there aren't much choices with the main course. for ala carte, we can just order what we want and go dutch." her eyes slightly look up at the man before dropping down to the menu as she scans across the dishes.

@『 ✧ 』odette son。 today was the day, Isaac was going to finally have footage of his father's deal with a well known corrupt cop. his was heart was pumping, quickly wandering through the street to reach the busy restaurant. he was careless, as his normal usual self, no reservation. Isaac clenches his fist upon seeing a whole busy entrance, standing at the line waiting for a chance to try to get in. he needed it, there was no turning back, that meeting was his only chance. visible impatient and nervous, his neck lift as high as he could trying to look around to spot his own father. nothing so far, looking at the clock he still had a couple of minutes before their meeting started.

Isaac noticed a few people getting rejected from entering as they had no reservation or free table to take. feeling his throat dry in panic, he tried his best to spot someone, a soul, a single person to slide in with. didn't take long for his eyes to meet one certain lady, who seemed to be all alone. it was his only chance, he kept staring at the woman trying to gain her attention and somehow to send signals, perhaps fake flirting to see if she would invite him in. was when Isaac reached the waitress that she looked over, the timing couldn't be more perfect. "I'm with that lady over there." he pointed, unsure if she would allow it or if his plan will get ruined. surprisingly it seemed to be working, the waitress smiled and lead him to the table.

with a soft cough, Isaac took his seat across the table, semi-bowing politely at the woman before sitting. "Hello..." unsure of what to say, he slowly started by a small introduction. "my name is Isaac, thank you for allowing me to dine with you" his tone was somehow firm under all the panicking he felt inside. "are you here all by yourself?" his eyes wandered the room again, trying to spot the cop as quick as possible. nowhere to be seen yet. was is it too early? he thought but for now he tried to relax while fixating his gaze on the lady in front of him. "I never thought of seeing a lovely lady all by herself in this place."

@『 ✧ 』isaac hwang。 odd, she is usually punctual. odette thinks to herself while she takes a look at her watch, the waitress has come over several times asking if she should let the chefs start preparing for the course meal, and of course odette didn't let her. it is a basic etiquette to wait for her client, but in this case it seems like something has happened for the lady is always on time, sometimes even earlier. there's suddenly a buzzing sound from her clutch, so she swiftly grabs her phone and expectedly, seeing the familiar name as the caller id. she picks up the phone, still wondering what could be delaying her, but a small sigh only escapes her lips after she hangs up the call.

she is not coming. something urgent had occurred last minute.

and the date suddenly loses its flavor, when odette has to dine alone. but as her eyes glance across the restaurant to find the waitress, she accidentally locks eyes with a man who seems to be coming by himself. and even when there are a few vacant tables over, it doesn't seem probable for him to get a spot when he has been stuck at the entrance for a while - from her guess, without a reservation. without much thought, she just nods at the waitress to pretend that the man is her dining partner and let him come over.