Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Love or Hate ❯ Volume Three, Chapter Sixteen: Matchmaking Lunch ( Chapter 16 )

Matchmaking Lunch

Mai frowned as she looked in the mirror. She looked like a doll. Bright red kimono, gold pins in her hair, and make-up. This wasn't her. Why was she doing this? This was Raja's idea. Yes, it was another matchmaking lunch today. She had to be here. He wasn't going to take no for answer. Anything to shut him up. Mai forced herself to smile. Might as well get this over with. There's no way out of this now. Mai turned and walked out of the bathroom.

Raja was waiting downstairs. He looked at his watch as Mai came down the stairs.

“You're late,” he complained. Mai rolled her eyes.

“I'm here now,” she said. “Can we get this over with?” Raja held out his hand.

“The car is waiting,” he said. Mai frowned and rolled her eyes. She followed him out to the cat. Mai already planned to sabotage this lunch.

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But Raja had his own plans to counter hers. They made it to the restaurant. He grabbed her by the arm.

“Do not embarrass me,” Raja hissed through his teeth. Mai tried to look innocent.

“Uncle! Why would you say that?” she asked. Raja glared at her. They walked into the restaurant. The hostess greeted them.

“Welcome to Keiko's,” she said.

“I have a reservation for Nehru,” Raja said. The hostess looked at her tablet. She scrolled through the list.

“Ah, here it is,” she said. “Follow me.”

“Thank you, miss,” Raja said. He pulled Mai across the room. She pulled back.

“I can walk by myself. I am not a child,” she hissed. Raja grabbed her sleeve. He wasn't taking any chances.

They had a table in the outside garden. Mai had to admit that the atmosphere was rather pretty. The smell of jasmines made her nose tingle. Raja held out his hand.

“Lovely day isn't it?” he asked.

“Uh-huh,” his niece said. Both dared each other to act. Raja would have the upper hand this time.

“Oh, your date's going to be a little late,” he said.

“Huh?” Mai asked.

“Let's go sit down,” the man said. This time, his niece narrowed her eyes.

“What are you up to?” she asked. Raja looked at her.

“What ever gave you that idea?” he asked. Mai rolled her eyes.

“You always plotting something,” she muttered her under breath.

“I'm sorry?” Raja asked.

“Nothing!” Mai said aloud. She walked over to the table. Her uncle followed behind. He sent a text behind his back.

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Meanwhile, Isao awoke to his phone buzzing on his nightstand. He grumbled as he turned over in bed. The buzzing wouldn't stop. The vocalist clinched his teeth. He groaned under his sheets.

“What?!” he shouted. Isao sat up, gritting his teeth. He grabbed his phone. A puzzled look came over his face.

“Huh?” he asked. Isao opened the new text.

Meet me down at Keiko's at one. I want to talk about your future.

Isao frowned at the text. Of course Raja would send something like this. But… this felt off.

“What are you up to now, old man?” Isao muttered to himself.

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Raja grinned to himself at the table. Mai's right eye twitched.

“Can you stop grinning like that?” she asked. “You're creeping me out.”

“Hm? Oh. Yeah, yeah. Sure,” he said. Raja cleared his throat and picked up his menu. Mai sneered as she picked up her menu. Her uncle smiled to himself.

Track Sixteen