"Good morning D.C!" A male radio host's enthusiastic voice echoed in someone's car. The person was stuck in a morning queue on their way to work. "It's 7 o'clock, and I know many of you absolutely hate Mondays. But this Monday is bound to be unforgettable because I have got some exciting news! We all know the famous restaurant Rosario's? If you don't, this will be your chance!
"The Rosarios will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary! Imagine that, a whole silver jubilee. And they have decided to share their love with you, their customers.
"They will do that by hosting you at their restaurant on that day, yes, free food with their loyal customers, ONLY! On the 7th of March, two weeks from now! It will be their special day but they want to feel special with you! How's that? Doesn't it get your blood pumping with excitement?"
The news easily got the city buzzing. It was a sure way to market the restaurant because people started to frequent their restaurant. They had put the condition to only allow loyal customers.
It means there would be strict fact checking on who was who. People wanted to be seen as loyal. Despite the pretenses, that two weeks period was enough to put a huge smile on Mrs. Rosario's face.
"Goodness!! Look at the queue! Do we even have enough in stock to feed all these people?" She gushed through the window, although money was all she could see.
"We might have to order in a bit more especially for our anniversary", Enrique replied with a huge smile.
"Of course! Of course!" She agreed, laughing off from pure joy. "What are you doing here? They need all the hands in the kitchen!"
"I only came to check on you", he replied helplessly.
"Check on me for what? I won't be the one to starve if I keep you here! Go make us some money!!"
She shooed him away, pushing him out of the office before returning to the window to people watch excitedly. The more people came, the more she imagined the numbers going up in their bank accounts. They might become a franchise at this point.
'Which city to open in?' she mused. 'Why a city? Maybe a country! Oh my goodness!'
Her excitement lasted through to the day of their anniversary. The Rosario's fame had skyrocketed to the point of easily drowning out Trivedi's as good as the latter was.
There were talks about how grand it would be as the occasion would be the first of its kind. It definitely made people view Rosario's in a new light. Businesses worked to gain profit, but this was the first restaurant to do something that was the opposite of that. People started to love it even more.
"How's the place looking?" Mrs Rosario asked with eyes closed as someone worked on her makeup.
"It turned out just as we wanted", Enrique replied, barely moving as he got his hair done. "It's all set."
"And the kids?"
"They're ready."
She let out a shaky breath and reached out her hand towards him which he took. She had a huge smile on. "I was right to marry you. We're a good team."
"No, I'm lucky to have a wife that has a good head on her shoulders. Today, it's all about you and me and the amazing journey we've shared", he kissed her knuckles.
The two fell silent as they continued to get ready. Soon, they stood gasping at the beautiful outcome that was them. The man looked dashing in his tuxedo while she wore a champagne colored sparkly long dress. Their two teenage sons matched their father's tux.
"Don't you boys look handsome?!" She pulled them to her and planted kisses on each.
"Do we have to do this? You know I hate to eat with people", the eldest grumbled obnoxiously wiping away the lipstick stain on his cheek.
"Just give us money so we can go somewhere else. I don't want to be part of your stupid show", the younger one mimicked his brother.
"Hey", she held their jaws making them face her sharp irritated expression. "I will not have any of that attitude. There will be reporters there. You will smile like you're enjoying it and I swear, any sign of this attitude, you will have me to deal with later on."
"Okay. That's enough. Don't upset your mother. Let's go, or we'll be late", Enrique broke them up and led them out of their home.
Just as Mrs. Rosario said, there was indeed reporters outside their restaurant. The family of four looked dashing as they stopped for pictures. Without disappointing, there was a queue of people being checked in.
Although they said they wanted loyal customers, a lot of time had passed since they started their business. So instead of checking who was who from years ago, they simply went for anyone who had spent the most especially recently.
"Gosh Enrique", she shuddered from excitement as she looked at the almost full restaurant.
"I know..", he whispered back. "You always amaze me with that pretty brain of yours.
"Mr and Mrs Rosario! What a pleasure!"
People easily surrounded them to greet and congratulate them. They were all smiles as they humbly received their blessings. Their sons unhappily wore the smiles as they interacted with the guests. Soon, everyone was settled with the Rosarios at the very center. Enrique now had to give a speech.
"How's this?" Mrs Rosario whispered in her husband's ear showing him her phone.
He glanced at the article and an evil glint flashed in his eyes. "Send it." He stood up to shout as she clicked send, "Ladies and Gentlemen! The Rosario family would like to welcome you to this auspicious occasion...."
Meanwhile, in that moment, Kareena who was in her office curved up the corners of her lips seeing the uploaded article. She took her phone and dialed for Frankie.
"I see it!" Frankie answered excitedly.
Kareena smirked and repeated her order, "You know what to do."