"Mingala ba…may I take your orders, Sir… Ma'am?" the handsome waiter interrupted when they took their seats.
"Let's me see the menu first" Remo requested.
After looking for a while over the list of available dishes, he pointed the food to be served.
"Please give us the noodles that you have on this section called "mohinga."
"Oh, wow! I'm impressed that you know the other delicacies on this menu." Mayi quips.
"Of course I do! I've been briefed by the local staff when I asked them what's the best food Burmese people likes to eat."
"Alright Sir, Ma'am, please wait for a few minutes. Any drinks that would accompany your orders?" the waiter asked them.
"Get me a 'Pepsi' and cold water." Mayi remarked
"After meals, please serve me a hot black coffee!" Remo seconded looking straight at her face.
She could not put her attention on Remo due to shyness seeing his eyes were fixed on her lips and neck.
The beating of her heart was getting stronger upon knowing the direction of his stare.
"It's habitual now, I think I don't even realize." … she thought to herself.
Mayi put a sigh and twiddled his fingers on her phone to put herself back in the current situation.
In no time, the waiter sets down the plates and all other assorted orders at the table for them to start eating.
Mayi's nose twitched with curiosity. The succulent slices of noodles glistened like jewels with such a pungent but delicious aroma.
"My favorites!" she yelped excitedly for her liking before narrowing her eyes towards Remo.
"Let's dig in!"
Remo did not need to be told twice.
Together they put some noodles in bowls, stocked and mixed together with the seasoning and devoured like they would never come here to eat again.
While they were enjoying their lunch, they discussed a lot of stories including some pleasantries, flirting while licking every drop of juice in their bowls.
An hour passed after having stuffed themselves full and about enough of the crowd who were still coming to eat, Remo decided to go back.
However, one of the guys in a special table with a bunch of six friends had been observing them the moment they entered the restaurant.
He was so impressed with the beauty of Mayi and very interested that he wanted to approach her.
"I could see you have a liking on that woman Mr. Kyaw Myint. Would you like to meet her?" Han Htoo interrupted his curiousness.
"Yeah, sure…I'd like to know her. This girl is so gorgeous and pretty!" He replied while stroking the gold pendant hanging from his chest.
It was a gift of good luck given by his master named Khun Saul dubbed as the "opium king" in Myanmar.
Naturally, Han Htoo understands that when their leader caught an interest to someone, there was no second thoughts.
Anything that he fancies, especially beautiful girls, must be given to him in a silver platter.
Kyaw Myint is a big-time drug dealer operating in the golden triangle, the biggest supplier of narcotics and firearms.
He controls a large network of people who were involved in the illegal drug trade.
Dubbed as "The Home Guard "under his organization, he controlled all the unit bases on the vast territories from the Shan State.
Han Htoo personally directs these activities. He formed his independent band of young men who profits from the opium trade buying large quantities of military equipment in the black market.
They were fighting for the local independence against the military regime of Myanmar.
Accompanied with three of his underlings, they scattered like flocks upon reaching the two customers in their seats.
"Hello, Miss beautiful, my boss over there wanted to invite you for lunch. Can you please spare your precious little time?"
Mayi looked at him intently with a complicated expression on her face. After a moment she spoke in a soft voice.
"Just who are you, Sir?"
"Well, I'm Han Htoo and the man over there is Mr. Kyaw Myint. He is the richest businessman in Shan State. He wanted to know more about you personally."
Mayi glared before saying coldly. "Sir, I appreciate his curiosity, but I'm not interested. Tell him thank you for the offer."
"Ohhh, is that worth fighting for Miss? I don't think your words will work here."
"Get up bitch!" his bodyguard said with an authoritative voice.
"Do you think your friend here can save you from any harm?" he looked at Remo while chuckling.
"Did you not hear her? Please be respectful and find another lady elsewhere!" Remo said.
Everyone from the customers who heard the loud conversations were beginning to feel the heat and knew what was going to happen next.
While in a dark corner of the restaurant, three unknown mysterious guys dressed in dark clothes were listening intently...
They were blocked by a fish aquarium sitting conveniently and well-hidden watching the ongoing scene.
"You sure know how to flatter yourself, boy" Han Htoo continued to laugh loudly.
Immediately, his men opened their shirt exposing their heavy firearms.
Remo paused for a moment. He feels something was off and looked puzzled with his expression.
"How did you guys even got the nerves to carry guns publicly? Are you the military?" Remo reacted in curiousness.
"I don't like to be mean, brother but your presence here is seriously disturbing our sweet life!"
"Hey, boy! I'm not your brother. Don't' you understand about the word respect?" Han Htoo angrily shouted.
"Seriously, I'm not even interested on you. My boss only wanted to have lunch with this 'little girl' here!"
Feeling amused, Remo asked boldly. "Enough talking nonsense. Where did you get your confidence? Are you from the military junta?" he reacted in disappointment.
"My apologies Sir, but if you are not from the uniform, I recommend that you give up the idea. She will never come sit beside your boss."