A waiter gives us the menu. It looks like a large old story book with limited pages. Each page is substantial. It has the restaurant sign on its cover. We opened the menu and browse its content and checked what to ordered.
As I read the French names under the picture of the French food, I hear the song of The Garrettes playing from the loudspeaker of the restaurant, entitled My Love. I look at Marcus and he is smiling, very wide. Even Aunty Huang loved this song.
"Did you do this?" I asked, pertaining to the song playing from the loudspeaker. "Did what, exactly?" He asked. He's giving me a smile showing he knows what I am talking about. The smile that tells that he organized the playlist of the restaurant, arranged the songs that should be played as we are in.
"The song playing?" I clarify. Mabel giggled and said. "Its must be 2nd brother." The rest of the family nodded. "Well, I asked them if it will be a good idea." He revealed. "And they thought it was really a good one."
"You are such a clever man!" Uncle Huang said, very well-amused. We re-browse the menu and search for our Valentine meals. There are lots of choices to choose from, chicken fillet, grilled pork or beef sirloin, to steamed fish with a little French touches.
While still standing, the waiter keeps on waiting for our orders, holding a pen and a little notebook. I close the menu and ask the waiter "Can I please have the chef's choice?"
"Are you sure?" Marcus assures. I nod my head, "Well then, we all would also love to have the chef's choice." The waiter quickly writes something on his notebook about our orders. His shaky hands make me feel like there is an earthquake.
"So your orders are chef's choice, dinner for six. Would you like to add any extra side orders and some drinks too?" The waiter asked. "Champagne?" Mervyn asked. "Desserts, ice-cream." Mabel said excitingly. We all laughed and nodded with a smile." And would you please add some 'romance for six' on our meal? Please tell the chef." Aunty Huang said, smilingly.
"I will." Replied the waiter. "So your orders are chef's choice, dinner for six romantic 20 to 70 years old, 2 bottles of champagne and ice-cream for dessert. Is 10 to 15 minutes preparation okay with you all?"
"Alright." Answered Uncle Huang, while we nodded again. Smile can't take away itself from our lips. The waiter then leaves and heads to the double swing door of the restaurant's kitchen.
As we are waiting for our lunch, another waiter offers us a plate of 6 cupcakes. He says that those cupcakes are stuffed with thoughts, just like a fortune cookie, but thoughts, not fortune, inside a cupcake. He also says that it is a combination of European and Asian tradition. So we get one for ourselves and dig the words of wisdom inside the soft and fluffy caramel cupcake.
"Mine says: Cherish everything. And be happy because you have it." I do have many things to cherish in life and I'm already happy with it, my family, my friends and most of all my love.
My parents are always nowhere to be found when I was younger, out of town, sometimes out of country for businesses. I'm just happy that we are financially stable. I have grown my life with my Aunty Geneva, mom's older sister, who also stayed with us in our house. At least, those situations taught me on how to stand on my own feet, make decisions for myself and be responsible for its outcome, and be independent.
"What did you get, Marcus?" I curiously asked. "Seize the moment. Do anything as if it will be your last night to live." He reads the content of the small piece of paper from the cupcake he dug. "This is deep." I see his face, full of confusion.
"Well, it's like do all the projects before deadlines or do all the things you have to do before time runs out." I explained. His face is now free from confusion.
While Uncle Huang, Aunty Huang, Mervyn and Mabel each read out their piece of papers too. "This is fun. We should consider doing it during the next Lunar New Year. So for everyone who visited us get a blessings, right honey?" She turned and asked Uncle Huang and he nodded.