There were a few other people scattered among the place.
Some I recognised, most I didn’t. Groups of men were seated at the tables, some trying to steal a glance our way. Antoni seemed ignorant to this, with his eyes fixed on the ring he fidgeted with on his pinky finger.
A young woman that looked a lot like Suyin came to serve us, handing me a menu. She was probably about our age, and beautiful - with freckled, porcelain skin and long straight hair.
Antoni didn’t take a menu.
“The usual?” she asked him and he nodded politely.
I scanned the menu as quickly as possible, “I’ll just have the soup thanks,” I said.
She nodded again and scribbled the order down on her pad.
When we were alone again, I looked around the place, avoiding eye contact with Antoni. I needed to shake off my nervousness.
I needed to get my shit together.
My eyes searched for a bathroom to escape to but I didn’t see one clearly advertised.
He had one arm draped casually over the back of the booth, his fingertips almost touching my bare shoulder.
“So, what is this place?” I asked, trying to make small talk.
“It’s a restaurant,” he said with a smirk.
“Yeah, OK,” I gave him a look and rolled my eyes.
He might’ve been born into the underworld but I was raised by it.
“It’s a private restaurant,” he admitted, “everyone here is an associate or employee of mine.”
“Even Suyin?” I raised an eyebrow, picturing the little old woman.
“In a way, I suppose,” he looked thoughtfully, “I do own the place.”
“Oh,” I said quietly.
“She’s run it since before I was born though,” he smiled, “so she runs it how she pleases. I wouldn’t consider myself her boss.”
“So that’s what you do, you own restaurants?” I asked, prying.
Testing the waters and seeing if he would open up.
“I own many businesses, yes,” he said slowly and carefully.
“Any strip clubs?” I nudged him playfully.
He chuckled, “Mum wouldn’t like that.”
“And let me guess,” I said, teasing, pointing at the little old lady folding napkins into origami crowns, “Suyin is your drug runner.” I whispered.
He snorted and chuckled, dropping his dark character.
If this was an acting competition, I was winning.
“You caught me,” he said, putting his hands up.
The young waitress brought over a bottle of wine and two glasses.
