Lunch (2)

"Oh, it's because my uncle is getting me ready for an internship by researching the different businesses in the city. He feels it would give me a lot of experience to take over my father's position." John answered confidently. Jian smiled, asking, "So there, what happened to the previous owners?"

"Oh, nothing actually the owner's adopted daughter takes care of this restaurant as the general manager and is in charge of expanding, so it's not like the owners are completely out of the picture. It's just their daughter is taking care of it because she went to business school and is more exposed to the modern merchandising views. My uncle, who invested in this business, just finds it more appropriate for the restaurant." John explained. Jessica got up to excuse herself to take a phone call while Jian asked another question, "Then your uncle does a lot of investing right?"

John laughed after saying yes realizing where she take taking the conversation, he stopped and explained, "Yes, he does do a lot of investing but not on new business, he says they are too risky and can be shut down easily. So he likes to look for a business that's stable and has been running for years which he can better, by design changes or management changes like here."

Jian sighed a little as she listened to his explanation. "Well, I guess it was worth a shot?" She asked smiling again, and soon her mother returned after the call while the appetizer was being served. "This looks wonderful," Jessica commented as she sat down.

"You have to try it to understand, especially this the pastries are wonderful," John said, pointing towards the plate with the circular pastries. Jian smiled, reaching for the pastries, but Jessica stopped her. "Jian, that's not how it's meant to be eaten. This is street food from India, they call it Golgappa," She said then reached for a ball and continued to explain, "you are meant to put a hold in it first then, stuff it a little with the potato filling and add this juice, here try this." She said passing the ball to Jian. "Miss Kim, How did you know that, this is just a brand new recipe they added yesterday."

"John, just because this is new here does not mean other restaurants don't have the recipe. You have to do proper research, right?" She asked, and he nodded. Jian, after eating the first golgappa, reached for another but she ended but breaking the pastries each time. Jessica smiled as she said, "Jian, try poking it with a spoon's back." Jian followed her instructions and quickly got to creating the golgappas for herself.

The three enjoyed a wonderful lunch filled with many snacks and food, yet there was something that the two teens were unable to notice. Jessica was taking her first bite when a familiar memory passed her thoughts.