Silence filled the room for a moment, as if everyone was caught up in their own thoughts, reflecting on what Jonathan had just said. The heavy atmosphere weighed on them, making the space feel smaller, until Evelyn attempted to break the tension with a cheerful smile, gently tapping the table.
"Instead of focusing on this, we have another task at hand! We need to come up with an idea for the promotional song for Joga Cola."
She raised her eyebrows with excitement, trying to inject some positive energy into the group. They all turned to look at her, as if pulled from their thoughts. Undeterred, she continued in a playful tone.
"Since I'll be the singer, we need a creative concept for the lyrics and the promotional video!"
Lilia and Aline exchanged glances for a moment before Lilia sighed and said, "That's quite a shift in mood..."
Aline chuckled, stretching her arms. "But hey, no harm in talking about something lighter! Since it's an ad for a drink, it should naturally be full of energy and vibrancy!"
Lilia nodded in agreement. "Maybe we should go for an upbeat rhythm and bright colors. The video needs to be lively!"
Jonathan finally spoke up, seeming more relaxed after the long silence. "Using unique visual effects could make the ad more eye-catching… Maybe we could incorporate some animation or augmented reality elements?"
Evelyn tilted her head in thought. "That's a great idea, but… how do we make it stand out from other ads?"
The group fell silent again, each of them trying to visualize the perfect advertisement—something refreshing and captivating. After a few moments, Leo suddenly grinned and spoke with confidence.
"What do you guys think about a summer and beach-themed concept?"
His eyebrows lifted with enthusiasm as he continued, his energy returning.
"We could shoot the video at the beach—bright skies, crystal-clear water, cheerful music with a summer vibe. We make it feel like a perfect vacation moment, where everyone is enjoying the sun with an ice-cold bottle of Joga Cola!"
The others looked at him with admiration, as if they had just found the missing piece of the puzzle. Aline clapped excitedly. "Oh my god, that's a fantastic idea!"
Lilia nodded in agreement, smiling. "Imagine the scenes… shimmering waves, golden sand, people having fun, and most importantly… that dramatic shot where the bottle cap pops open, sending cool droplets flying under the sun!"
Leo laughed, shaking his head. "Exactly! We could even add a scene where someone dives into the water and then comes out to take a refreshing sip of the drink!"
Evelyn interrupted with a wide smile. "I love this idea! We can refine it further and add elements to make it even more unique!"
Everyone was now speaking enthusiastically, bouncing ideas off each other, visualizing scenes in their minds. For a moment, they had forgotten about the heavy conversation surrounding Joga Mart and its secrets. It was clear that this small moment, no matter how simple, had brought them a bit of relief in a world filled with harsh realities.
Just as their conversation began to settle down, the kitchen door swung open, revealing Uncle Joe carrying a massive tray stacked with delicious-looking dishes. Behind him, a young boy—who looked like he was still in middle school—struggled to carry another tray, his arms trembling as he tried not to drop anything.
"Careful, kid! We wouldn't want the chefs' hard work to go to waste!" Uncle Joe called out in his deep, lively voice as he confidently made his way toward the table.
He carefully set the first tray down, then helped the boy place the second one before turning to the group with a broad grin. "Alright, folks! Tonight, we have a special selection of dishes that will make you believe you were born just to enjoy food!"
He lifted the lid off the first dish, releasing a rich aroma filled with fresh herbs.
"Grilled fish on a bed of herbs!" he announced proudly, pointing to the beautifully charred fish surrounded by fragrant basil and rosemary leaves.
Leo eyed the dish and smiled. "That looks amazing… The smell alone is making me hungry."
Uncle Joe chuckled and moved to the next dish, revealing golden, crispy rings.
"And here we have fried calamari! Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. But be warned, it's quite chewy—so get ready to put your jaw to work!"
Aline picked up a piece hesitantly and muttered, "Chewy? That makes me a little nervous…"
Uncle Joe let out a hearty laugh. "Don't worry, it's a unique experience! Just don't expect it to melt in your mouth like chocolate."
Then, he gestured toward a plate piled high with golden fries, speaking with pride.
"French fries, the queen of side dishes! Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and fried to a perfect golden brown!"
Lilia beamed with delight. "Oh, nothing beats good fries!"
Uncle Joe moved on to the next dish and lifted its lid, revealing perfectly grilled salmon fillets infused with the aroma of fresh lemon slices.
"And here's our salmon dinner! The hint of lemon brings out its tenderness and adds a refreshing touch."
Jonathan admired the dish before him and said, "I love salmon, but this time, it seems to have a special kind of magic."
Uncle Joe chuckled softly before carefully lifting the lid off the next dish, releasing a wave of bold, spicy aromas.
"And now, for those with true courage… Spicy eel! It's fiery and intense, so be careful when you taste it!"
Leo raised an eyebrow. "This sounds more like a challenge than a meal."
Uncle Joe winked at him. "Exactly! Food should be an adventure too, don't you think?"
He then gestured toward another plate containing slices of eggplant covered in melted cheese and smiled.
"Eggplant Parmesan, a classic… creamy, cheesy, and simply delightful."
Evelyn's eyes lit up. "I've always loved cheesy eggplant. It never disappoints!"
Next, Uncle Joe uncovered a small dish filled with a light green, creamy sauce.
"And this is artichoke dip—smooth, flavorful, and incredibly refreshing!"
Aline grabbed a piece of bread, dipped it into the sauce, and took a bite. She closed her eyes for a moment before exclaiming, "This is delicious! I didn't expect the flavor to be this rich."
Finally, Uncle Joe placed a dark glass bottle in front of them and announced proudly,
"And last but not least… ginger beer! A specialty from a distant island called Ginger Isle. A refreshing soda known for its soothing effect on the stomach."
Leo examined the bottle and smiled. "I've heard of that island before, but I've never tasted anything from it."
Uncle Joe lifted his glass. "Well, today's your chance! Get ready for an unforgettable experience!"
Laughter erupted around the table as conversations flowed about the various dishes. Excitement filled the air, not just from the enticing aromas but from the warmth of shared moments.
As the laughter settled, Leo turned to the young boy standing beside Uncle Joe. The boy looked a bit nervous, wiping his hands on his small apron.
Leo raised an eyebrow in curiosity before smiling. "You've been busy carrying dishes with us… but who are you, little one?"
All eyes turned to the boy, who blushed slightly. Uncle Joe placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and said warmly,
"This young man is none other than my grandson, Jack! My beloved daughter's son."
Some faces showed surprise, while others smiled warmly.
Lilia looked at Jack and said gently, "Oh, so you're Uncle Joe's grandson? I didn't know he had family here."
Jack nodded shyly before Uncle Joe added proudly, "He's a hardworking boy! He helps me in the kitchen whenever he has time, and today, he did an excellent job carrying these dishes."
Leo gave him a thumbs-up. "Well done, Jack! You were a fantastic helper!"
Everyone nodded in agreement, and Aline added with a warm smile, "You must have worked really hard today. Thank you for your help!"
Jack lowered his head slightly, mumbling, "It's no problem… I hope you enjoy the food!"
Uncle Joe chuckled, ruffling Jack's hair before gesturing toward the table. "Alright, enough talking! The food isn't going to eat itself—dig in!"
The group gathered around the table, hands reaching for dishes as everyone picked what tempted their appetite the most.
Evelyn took her first bite of the grilled salmon, closing her eyes as she savored the fresh lemon aroma. "This is incredible… The fish is so tender, and the lemon adds such a refreshing touch!"
Uncle Joe grinned proudly. "I'm glad you like it! The secret lies in slow grilling."
On the other side of the table, Lilia dipped a piece of bread into the artichoke dip, tasting it before exclaiming in delight, "Oh, I didn't expect it to be this creamy and smooth! It just melts in your mouth."
As everyone enjoyed their meals, Leo decided to take on the challenge of the spicy eel. He placed a small piece in his mouth, and within moments, his expression changed dramatically.
All eyes turned to him as his face turned red and his eyes began to water.
"Oh… my god… This is… so hot!!!" he gasped, desperately searching for anything to cool the fiery sensation.
Uncle Joe roared with laughter. "I warned you, kid! Not everyone can handle that kind of spice."
Aline quickly grabbed the bottle of ginger beer and handed it to Leo. He seized it and took a big gulp, letting out a deep breath afterward.
"Well… That was a brutal lesson, but the drink helped a little!" he admitted.
Laughter echoed around the table as they continued their meal, sharing stories and enjoying the moment.
Jonathan, who had been mostly quiet, took a bite of the fried calamari and murmured, "This… reminds me of my childhood when my father and I used to go fishing."
Curious glances turned toward him as he continued in a softer voice,
"We used to catch squid, and he would grill them for us in the evenings… I haven't had it in so long."
A brief silence settled over the group before Leo patted his shoulder and said gently, "It's nice when food brings back good memories, isn't it?"
Jonathan nodded silently, his mind seemingly lost in old recollections.
As the night went on, the strong effects of the ginger beer began to take hold. Laughter grew louder, conversations became more scattered, and everyone's actions turned slightly more daring and chaotic.
Aline, who hadn't stopped smiling for minutes, turned to Jonathan with half-lidded eyes and leaned in playfully.
"You know," she whispered, "I never noticed before how beautiful your eyes are… There's something mysterious about them, like you're carrying the world's secrets."
Jonathan raised an eyebrow slowly, a faint smile touching his lips as he responded in a quiet yet affected tone,
"And did you know… your smile is like a full moon on a summer night?"
Lilia burst into loud laughter, but soon collapsed onto the table, pounding it with her small fist, lost between drunkenness and amusement. She whined playfully:"Give me another glass of beer! It's just too good!"
But no one was in a state to respond. Everyone was either busy flirting, laughing, or resting their heavy heads.
Evelyn, however, was the most composed among them. She hadn't drunk much—perhaps she knew that someone had to stay aware amidst this group of intoxicated fools. She sat quietly, gently stroking Leo's hair as his head rested on the table. He was fast asleep, but it wasn't hard to tell that he was quite comfortable.
She gazed at him with warmth, as if recalling old memories… Something about this moment pulled her into the past. But before she could fully sink into her thoughts, a firm voice spoke from behind her:
"Miss, it's getting late. We should leave. It's dangerous to stay here this long."
Standing behind her was Guard Li, arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning the scene with strict vigilance.
Before she could reply, Leo suddenly opened one eye, squinting as if struggling to focus. He lifted his head sluggishly and slurred:"Hey, Guard Li… Where were you? Why didn't you eat with us? You were invited too!"
Guard Li's expression remained unchanged as he replied in his usual formal tone:"My duty is to protect Miss Evelyn, not to partake in drunken gatherings."
Leo let his head drop onto the table again, mumbling in a sluggish voice:"Such a damn workaholic…"
Evelyn chuckled softly before turning to Guard Li, her tone firm yet calm:"I'll leave Allen, Jonathan, and Lilia in your care. Take them home safely. As for Leo, I'll take him myself with the driver."
A faint trace of disagreement flickered across Guard Li's face, but he didn't argue. When Evelyn made a decision, her word was final."As you wish, Miss."
As everyone began preparing to leave, Guard Li struggled to haul Allen, Jonathan, and Lilia away from the table, stuffing them into their designated cars as they swayed between laughter and complaints.
Leo, still only half-conscious, staggered toward the door. But before stepping outside, he paused, then slowly reached out toward Uncle Joe, patting him on the shoulder with a drowsy voice:"The food was great, Uncle Joe…"
The old man chuckled, ruffling Leo's hair like he was a child."Glad you enjoyed it. But don't forget to visit again—I don't want this to be our last gathering."
Evelyn waved as she called out:"We'll make sure to! See you next time!"
As they stepped out of the restaurant, Leo was barely able to keep his balance. His steps were sluggish, as if the ground beneath him was shifting.
Then, unexpectedly, he stumbled—his body tilting forward in a sudden fall!
Before he could hit the ground, Evelyn swiftly reached out, catching him just in time. One of her hands braced his back, while Leo's hand instinctively landed on her neck.
For a moment, time froze.
Their eyes met.
Leo stared at her up close, his drunken gaze locking onto her soft pink eyes… He blinked slowly before murmuring, as if mesmerized:"You're… really beautiful."
A faint warmth crept up Evelyn's face. The air between them felt strange—a mix of intimacy and awkwardness.
She quickly turned her head away, her voice low but firm:"How about you shut up and get in the car?"
Leo's lips curled into a half-conscious smile before he closed his eyes again and whispered drowsily:"As you wish…"
She helped him into the car before settling into the seat beside him, letting out a soft sigh as she watched him rest peacefully.
Outside, the night was calm. The streets glowed with the soft hum of streetlights…
And as the car moved forward, a peculiar feeling stirred within her heart.