“Oh, sorry, that’s normal.”
Rowan frowns.
“Uncle Seth is often distracted,” says Emily, the voice of truth.
“That’s not entirely true,” I defend myself weakly. “And anyway, I don’t get distracted when it comes to important things,” I assert firmly.
“I hope not, because what we are about to do…” A veil of worry falls over his perfectly chiselled face. “This is no joke.”
“I know.”
“I’m putting my career on the line.”
“I am aware of that, and I am truly sorry that you have reached this point.”
“Don’t think about it now.” He turns towards the room, as if to avoid my gaze. “Let’s enjoy dinner. We’ll deal with the rest later.”
“OK.”
“Mr Yang,” Rowan addresses him directly. “What do you think of this restaurant?”
“I’ll tell you after I taste this carbonara,” he says, having already studied the menu, unlike me.
Rowan smiles at him diplomatically.
“I think…” I pick up the menu and glance at it. “I’ll take… everything?” My niblings laugh. “How can you choose? It all looks so tempting…”
“This place is very good,” Rowan confirms.
“Do you come here often?” I ask him, now more than interested. After all, we have to pretend to be together. How can I do that well without knowing anything about him?
“Sometimes. I don’t usually eat out.”
“Mmm… I thought you were a guy who didn’t cook.”
“And what made you think that?”
“Well, you work long hours. I guess you don’t have much time.”
“That’s true, but I usually eat in the same place. A salad bar just around the corner from the office. Practical and healthy.”
“So tonight you will take…”
“One of their salads.”
“You care about your figure.”
“I like to be fit and healthy.”
“Well said!” Mr Yang comments from across the table.
I was under the illusion that our conversation was private, but apparently, everyone can hear us.
“Too bad…”
“What?”
“I was going to ask you to share something so we could try more courses…”
