"'High class restaurant: years of success built on poison' 'The only time greed was successful' 'Poison: quickest way to make money' 'If cheapskate was a restaurant' 'Petitions made to shut it down'... I think you're having a little too much fun", Kareena spoke, amused by the titles and how quickly the news articles were spreading.
She leisurely swung her office chair while her gaze remained on the monitor. A black earpiece was stuffed in her ear while her phone screen showed the minutes running from an ongoing call.
"There hasn't been any live action since country S. I'm bored", Frankie responded in honesty. "And you did say to blow this up as much as I can."
"I did say that", she agreed, a smile in her tone.
"You know you could have done this two weeks ago, but you just had to let them taste the biggest success they'll ever get and the last celebration to have before you take them out." Frankie had monitored the sales the Rosarios had made during the previous two weeks and it could indeed be considered the biggest success they had ever experienced.
"I couldn't let them celebrate their anniversary apart", she replied good-heartedly.
"You're too cruel boss", she chortled.
Kareena was about to respond when her office line rung. She picked up the receiver and placed it to her other ear.
"Miss Trivedi, the FDA is here", a man reported.
"The FDA?"
"The FDA?" Frankie repeated. "Did you call them?"
"The Food and Drug Administration-"
"I know who they are", Kareena cut in with her calm voice.
"What do we do ma'am?"
"Let them do their job. Be very cooperative. Assist them if need be", she answered.
"Understood. What about the reporters here?"
"What about them?" She countered coldly.
Her customers' privacy and safety came first, especially the V.I.Ps. She knew the reporters would pounce on them like hungry wolves. So, they would be treated like any other person that showed up without a reservation. TRIVEDI's would maintain its pride and dignity no matter the situation.
"Understood. Thank you ma'am."
The call was terminated and she put the phone down. Frankie was baffled by the new development.
"You didn't answer my question."
"What do you think will happen when the FDA realize they raided the wrong restaurant?"
Frankie on the other end could already picture the scene and visibly shivered though Kareena could not see her, "Boss, you're too cruel."
At the Rosario's
The couple felt like their hearts were lodged in their throats as they followed along, barely eating their food. Mrs Rosario furiously checked for new updates. Things had really gotten out of control. Just who notified the FDA?
"Calm down", Enrique held her hands and whispered. "What are you so worried about?"
"Enrique, now that things have come to this...?" She whispered back.
"Isn't this what we wanted? They will soon shut down. When people walk out of here tonight, we will have retained our glory and be the people's choice again", he assured.
She fell silent to see reason in his words and her eyes lit up, "And we can raise our prices and still get customers like Trivedi does. That means more money."
"Exactly", he patted her hands with a satisfied smile seeing her composing herself.
"I just wish at least one reporter was allowed in so I can finally see this Trivedi person and the look on their face when they are utterly screwed", she grumbled, an evil glint flashed in her eyes before they fell on her oldest who was picking on his food to hiss at him, "Why aren't you eating? What did I say? Look at your brother, he's immitating you."
He youngest frowned, not able to put up pretenses like his mother wanted. "Mom, the food tastes fu-"