“I APOLOGIZED for being rude. My parents just taught me to appreciate a beautiful view. Do you mind if I get your name, Madame?”
“Why would I give my name to you? Do you have a crime scene that you want me to investigate?” Rochelle asked the Chef sarcastically.
The man fell speechless. “P-Pardon me?”
“Look, sir. I don’t want to be rude to you, but I did not come here to have a chit-chat with you,” she said and passed the champagne glass to Thaddeus. “And I prefer to serve my glass.”
Detective Albert touched her shoulder. “Hey, don’t be so hard to yourself.”
Janus laughed, but he shut his mouth and showed him a peace sign when she glared at him. Rochelle returned her gaze to her glass and pretended that the Chef wasn’t around. Thaddeus looked at her, and it annoyed her more.
“Why are you looking at me?” she snarled at him.
Thaddeus’ brows raised. “You’re squeezing my arm.”
“It’s rude to put your arms on the dinner table.” Rochelle paused, then gazed down at her right hand. Thaddeus was right; she was unwarily squeezing his arm. She let go of his arm with a jolt.
Marielle snorted and suddenly stopped when Rochelle turned to her. “`Sorry. Janus’s tickling my waist.”
Janus looked at Marielle; the surprise was apparent on her face. “Stop uRochg me, Marielle.”
Everybody was stealing glances at her, and Rochelle started to feel uncomfortable. She cupped her forehead. She can’t believe she got herself into this situation.
“Would you mind if I fill your glass of wine?” the restaurant’s Chef asked Marielle.
Rochelle prevented her eyes from rolling upwards again. Still, she couldn’t help it every time she heard his voice. She felt like her blood was boiling to the highest degree of Celsius. Dr. Saavedra must have noticed her because she suddenly put a sliced chicken parmesan on her plate.
“Try this. I’m sure you’ll like it,” she said and gave her an assuring smile.
Rochelle smiled. “I actually love cheese—all kinds of cheese.”
“It’s an honor for me, Chef,” she heard Marielle replied to the Chef sweetly. “I saw your latest IG post that you’ve been featured in a women’s magazine in the previous month.”
The Chef smiled shyly. “It’s a late upload. I’m not really into social media. I leave the promotions to my marketing staff.”
‘So, he’s the owner?’ Rochelle asked in her mind. ‘And what do I care?’
“Really? I actually thought you’re some kind of a model with those jeans and clothes.”
Rochelle sipped on her glass. With the way Marielle looked at the Chef, she must have been stalking him. She smirked. She can imagine how thrilled she was when she found out that their meeting would be here.
“Thank you. The stylist just made me wear those clothes, but you see, it wasn’t really my style—”
Rochelle cleared her throat. “Thaddeus, what were you saying earlier?”
Thaddeus—who was currently exchanging lame jokes with Detective Albert—suddenly turned to her. His expression was a mixture of surprise and confusion.
“You wanted to tell me something a while ago, but I unintentionally dismissed you,” she said slowly while staring straight into his eyes.
When Thaddeus knotted his forehead, Rochelle wanted to hit her head with her fork. She was about to speak again when Janus butt in.
“Thaddeus wanted to ask you out,” he said in a casual tone. “He’s been preparing for this dinner, you know? He even invited Dr. Saavedra to be his witness.”
“What?” Rochelle was doomed. “Wait—”
“Janus was right,” Marielle said, then looked at the Chef. “Thanks for small talk, Chef. I’m looking forward to doing business with you in the future.”
Detective Albert laughed. “Marielle, are you serious?”
“Yeah, why—?”
“Wait for a second. Could you please explain further what Janus was saying?” Rochelle was starting to get frustrated; even so, she still noticed when the Chef left them.
But, Thaddeus was as dumbfounded as her. “Hey, Janus!”
Janus just laughed. “I’m just kidding,” he said and scooped another lemony tuna.
“But, as far as my knowledge is concerned, Thaddeus has a crush on you,” Marielle said, but her attention was now focused on her plate. “The cuisines here are the best!”
“I told you,” Dr. Saavedra said with a smile. “Thaddeus, you were about to say something to Rochelle; what is it?”
Rochelle folded her arms in front of her chest. “This is why I hate casual dinners. I better go—”
“No, please…” Thaddeus stopped her in the arm. “I-I just want to ask if you could switch posts with me.”
“No way,” Detective Albert complained. “Don’t ever talk anything about your job in front of the food,” he said slowly, stressing every word. “Or, else, I’ll throw up on your plates.”
“Yuck,” Marielle commented. “That’s gross!”
“Then what do you call the topic that Thaddeus wanted to start?” he asked, starting to get irritated.
“Why? I don’t see any wrong with what he said,” Marielle countered. “He just wanted to exchange posts with Rochelle. He didn’t indicate that he wanted to exchange his headless decomposing floater with Rochelle’s—”
“Oh, my God, Marielle—” Detective Albert suddenly raised from his seat and ran towards the comfort room.
Rochelle laughed. “Now, I know why you chose to occupy the table nearest to the comfort room,” she said, then shot Thaddeus a glare. “So, do you think I’ll trade my post with you just because Dr. Saavedra is here?”
“Rochelle,” Dr. Saavedra called her attention. “It was a mistake that I gave you that case.”
Rochelle knotted her forehead. She turned to face their deputy and waited for her to continue speaking.
“Case #1049 is a sensitive case,” she continued. “And I want Thaddeus to work with it.”
“What?” she asked, surprised by what her deputy told her. “I’ve worked in several sensitive cases before and—”
“Just give it to Thaddeus,” Dr. Saavedra said with finality. “Now, let’s enjoy these delicious cuisines.”
Rochelle didn’t answer. She doesn’t understand why suddenly their deputy wanted to pull back the case that she assigned to her. It’s not just a mistake; she knew it. She has a feeling that there’s something more with it. And, it’s for her to find out.
***