novelraw Chapter 47: lunch
Chapter 47: lunch
They strolled through the resort’s plaza, the midday sun casting soft shadows across the cobblestone paths. The air buzzed with the low hum of conversation, clinking cutlery, ambient music from boutiques, and the occasional burst of laughter from nearby tables. The plaza was lively but not crowded.
Joren scanned the row of eateries lining the walkway, then pointed to a cozy-looking café with wicker chairs and a chalkboard menu propped outside.
"How about this one?" he asked.
Lana squinted at the place. "Mmm... I don’t know. It looks cute, but it’s mostly sandwiches and pastries. I kind of want something more... filling."
Joren nodded. "Fair enough. We can keep looking."
They walked past the café, weaving through the bustle of the plaza. A few minutes later, Joren spotted a minimalist seafood restaurant tucked between two palm trees, its simple sign gleaming in the sunlight.
"Ooh," he said, gesturing toward it. "How about that seafood place over there?"
Lana glanced at it, then shook her head. "Not really in the mood for seafood right now."
But before Joren could respond, she perked up, her gaze shifting just a few feet beyond the sushi spot. "Oh! Look — sushi!" She pointed to a vibrant restaurant with a sleek decor.
Joren turned to her slowly, eyebrows raised, his expression somewhere between confused and exasperated.
Lana caught the look and rolled her eyes. "Come on," she said, tugging him forward by their looped arms. "Sushi’s different. It’s not exactly seafood."
Joren’s gaze didn’t leave her as she pulled him along. "Sure, sure. Totally different."
"Don’t start," she said. "Let’s just enjoy our date."
Stepping through the open archway, a rush of cool, citrus-scented air and the rich, welcoming aroma of toasted sesame and fresh, pristine seafood greets them. The space itself was sleekly modern, defined by warm light and abstract art against walls of rich earth tones.
Lana looked around as they made their way to a table near the window.
"This place is nice," she said, sliding into her seat. "Kind of feels like one of those hidden gems you only find by accident."
Joren nodded, settling across from her. "Yeah, it’s got that ’we’re cooler than we look’ energy."
"Let’s hope the food lives up to the vibe."
A few minutes later, a waiter approached — a tall guy in a charcoal apron with a notepad in hand and a practiced smile.
"Good afternoon," he said. "Welcome. Would you like to hear the specials, or take a look at the menu?"
"We’ll take a look," Joren said.
The waiter handed them each a menu and stepped back. Lana flipped hers open immediately, eyes scanning the options.
"Ooh," she said, tapping the page. "They’ve got Hamachi Sashimi with a side of Miso soup. That sounds amazing."
Joren leaned over to peek at her menu. "That does sound solid. I’ll get the same."
The waiter returned just in time. "Ready to order?"
Lana nodded. "Yeah — we’ll both have the Hamachi Sashimi set, please."
"Excellent choice," he said, jotting it down. "I’ll be right back with your order."
He gave a polite nod and disappeared toward the kitchen, leaving them alone.
Lana leaned back in her chair, glancing out the window as the waiter disappeared into the kitchen. "So," she said, turning to Joren, "You excited for that couples massage?"
Joren nodded. "Yeah. Assuming they haven’t given our spot away while we’re out here stuffing our faces."
She smirked. "You’re the one who said we should leave and come back later."
"True," he said, tapping the table lightly. "But I stand by it. Food first, then relaxation. That’s the proper order of things."
Lana tilted her head. "And after that? what’s next? Are we gonna play snooker, maybe go shopping, Or are we just going to wander until something catches your eye?"
Joren gave her a knowing look. "Well, i don’t have any plans yet. But don’t worry, I’ll come up with something."
Lana sighed, shoulders dropping slightly. "You’re hopeless."
Joren just grinned. "Says the girl who thinks sushi isn’t seafood."
She pouted. "That was different. Sushi is different."
"Uh-huh," he said, still giving her that knowing look. "Anyway, I wouldn’t mind going shopping. Or maybe the rooftop lounge. I saw a sign for it earlier."
"Ooh, rooftop," Lana said, intrigued. "That could be nice. Sunset drinks?"
"Exactly," Joren said. "We’ll be all relaxed from the massage, sipping something fruity, watching the sky turn orange. Very vacation-core."
Lana raised an eyebrow. "Vacation-core?"
Joren tilted his head slightly, a slight frown on his face. "Is that— did that not come out right?"
She chuckled, shaking her head. "No, you’re doing great."
------
By the time they finished, both plates were nearly spotless—save for a few missed chunks of fish on the ceramic and a thin residue at the bottom of the soup bowl.
Lana leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "Okay, that hit the spot."
Joren dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. "Yeah, it’s good that i copied your order. That was solid."
"You’re welcome," she said, grinning.
A moment later, the waiter returned with the bill, placing it neatly on the table in a small leather folder. Joren reached for it without hesitation.
"I got this one," he said, already pulling out his card.
Lana raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
"Yeah," he said, sliding the card inside and handing it back. "Afterall, it’s not everyday i get to go on a date."
She smirked. "You’re never letting that go, are you?"
"Not a chance."
Once the transaction was done and the waiter returned with the receipt, they stood up and made their way toward the door. The midday light had softened, casting a golden hue across the plaza.
Lana stretched her arms overhead. "Alright. Time to get our massages."
Joren nodded. "Lead the way."
They strolled side by side, arms brushing, until Lana looped hers through his again. Just ahead, the spa’s sign came into view.
"There it is," she said. "Sorelle."
Joren glanced at her. "You know how to do this— I mean, give massages?"
Lana gave him a look. "Not even a little. I mean, I’ve seen people do it in movies, but that’s about it."
He laughed. "Same. I feel like I’ll just be poking aimlessly."
She smirked. "You better not. I bruise easy."
Joren shrugged. "Don’t worry, i doubt it’d get to that."
They reached the spa doors, and Lana slowed just before pulling them open. "Oh well," she said with a shrug. "At least we’ll have a masseur to guide us through it."
"True," Joren said. "Worst case, we mess up and don’t get our money’s worth."
She looped her arm through his again. "Come on. Let’s go pretend we know what we’re doing."
And with that, they stepped inside.
...
Not far from the entrance, a woman stood beneath the shade of a tall planter, her brown braided hair tucked neatly over one shoulder and a pair of dark sunglasses hiding her gaze. She didn’t move, didn’t speak — just watched as Joren and Lana stepped through the spa doors, her expression unreadable.