ROMANCING LAURA - CHAPTER 1

He sounded mysterious. What did he mean by saying go to the Kabuki Japanese Restaurant in Pasadena, precisely at 5:00 pm and ask for Watanabe san and he would look after everything? Who did he think he was ordering her around. Precisely at 5;00 PM? She was not that kind of girl. She had only met Alex only once before and he seemed normal enough.

“ Alex are we having dinner at Kabuki? ” she had asked
“ No, Somewhere else, but Watanabe san will tell you more. Wear those black shoes with the lace ups. I guarantee this is an experience you don’t want to miss. Sorry, got to run. Bye ”

She almost didn’t go. What a mistake that would have been.

“ Good afternoon, table for one? ”
“ Actually I was told to ask for Mr. Watanabe. Is he here? ”
“ Oh Yes, please take a seat. Watanabe san will be with your shortly ” the girl said escorting to her to a table at the back of the restaurant.

She came back a few minutes later and placed a glass of champagne on the table. Before she could talk to her, the waitress was gone. Slowly the minutes ticked by. She took a sip of the champagne. It was very good. Pink Moet & Chandon. Almost perfectly chilled.

The sound of a cell phone interrupted her thoughts. Where was it coming from? She looked around. There was no one else around. The phone continued to ring. Where was it coming from? The flower vase? Yes. She looked inside and picked up the phone.

“ Hello? ”
“ Ms. Laura this is Watanabe san. I have a car waiting for you outside. Don’t worry about the bill, it has already been paid. Please come outside. Bring the phone with you”.

He had the door of the black Mercedes open, as she walked outside
“ Where is Alex? ”
“ Please step inside, there is a package for you inside. From Mr. Alex ”

The car started moving, almost before she was properly seated in the back seat. The package was inside. Beautifully wrapped with a single orchid on top. And a note which said “ Sprinkle a little on your neck. A beautiful neck deserves a beautiful scent. See you soon Alex ”. She opened the package. Givenchy Organza.

“ Where are we going? ” she asked
“ Special place on the mountain ” he replied with a smile
“ Which mountain? ” she asked
“ You will soon see, ” he answered, almost cryptically

She kept quiet. Strangely she felt calm. Giddy with Happiness. Or was it the champagne? Maybe it was the catchy Jazz number playing in the car. Miles Davies. She didn’t care. It felt good.

Suddenly the Black Mercedes stopped. It was Chinatown .The door opened and a delicate Chinese girl dressed in a Cheongsam stepped inside.

“ Mr. Alex said to choose one and put it on for your dinner date tonight ” she said with a smile. She was holding a tray with a set of 3 three ankle bracelets. They were all exquisite. God, which one to choose Laura thought to herself.

“ I can’t decide ” Laura replied
“ You must choose one. Your destiny depends on it. If you do not choose, you will have no destiny. And Mr. Alex says you have a destiny ” she replied with a smile

Finally Laura picked one. Without a word the Chinese girl bent over to Laura’s ankle and put it on.

“ A good choice. You have selected wisely. Enjoy your evening” she said as she got out of the car.

END OF CHAPTER 1

Click here to read chapter 2

HAPTER 2