Is It A Date

Sunday evening, Mia arrived at the casual Oden Bar in Neihu early to grab seats at the bar area. She preferred it because she can smell and feel the heat from the steaming hot food floating in the home-made dashi broth in front of her, even though it was the middle of summer. She also wanted to prepare herself for the discussion with Kai-Lin about the interior design of her new building.

Kai-Lin arrived on time dressed stylishly in a black shirt and tailored black trousers. Onlookers would probably say that he was overdressed for the occasion, especially when Mia was dressed casually in a white linen t-shirt and denim leggings. He waved at her as he entered. She stood up from her stool to give him a warm hug, “Hello! Did you find parking ok this time?”

“Yes, I did. You should have let me drive you.”

“Ah, it’s ok. I was in a store before so…” Mia gave Kai-Lin a bright grin, pleased to see her friend.

After Kai-Lin sat down, Mia immediately called a waiter over to take their orders. “Would you like a beer or something?” she asked him.

“Ah, yes. Sure. What are you having?”

“I think I will have a beer as per usual.”

“Ok. Make that two.”

After the waiter went away, Mia nervously cleared her throat, “Kai-Lin… I want to talk to you able the interior design of my new store…”

Kai-Lin placed his elbows slowly on the counter and turned to Mia with a knowing smile, “Yes?”

Mia began her prepared speech, “For the new building, I want a new direction, so I’ve decided to go with T&W Associates for both the architecture and interior.” She looked at Kai-Lin for a reaction. All he did was raised his eyebrows. But before he could say anything, she continued, “But, I want you to be part of it. So, tell me in what capacity do you want to be involved, if at all.”

Kai-Lin put a hand to his chest, “I am shocked. I am speechless. I thought we agreed that I would lead the interior design because I know what’s best for Simplesmente?”

Mia’s heart started to ache, “I know. I know. But that was before I saw Dean, I mean T&W Associates’ interior design. And I think with the new flagship store we need to do something different. No. I want to do something different.”

Kai-Lin shook his head, “I don’t know Mia. It is risky. You hardly know Dean and his firm…”

Mia interrupted eagerly, “He is award-winning, and I love his Taipei Sky. You said so yourself that you admired his work. Wouldn’t you want to work with him?”

Annoyed, Kai-Lin shot back, “As a peer yes. But not as a team member…I have my pride. What would my colleagues think of me working for him? My designs are just as good.”

Mia pleaded with him, “Yes. Yes. I know. I know. But I really want to take the risk and give him a chance. Please come with me on this journey. Our next chapter. Please?!” Then she suddenly beamed, “If you do this for me, I will buy you a watch to add to your collection. How about it?” For additional effect, she batted her eyelashes and put her hands together as if in prayer.

It did the trick. Kai-Lin’s eyes lit up, “Wait... Are you sure? You know my tastes in watches....”

Mia waved her hand and shook her head, “It’s fine. It’s fine. I am going back on my word. So, you deserve it. Besides, you have done so much for Simplesmente. The publicity and everything else. It will be my pleasure.” Kai-Lin tapped his fingers on the counter, “And you will pay my usual fees for the consultation?” Mia furiously nodded, “Yes. Yes. We can draft an agreement tomorrow and get it co-signed.”

“And,” Mia added with her sweetest smile eager to close the deal, “This dinner is on me!”

---***---

After dinner, Mia returned home satisfied with a full stomach and a comfortable deal that she had brokered with her good friend, Kai-Lin. Suddenly, she remembered that she had to come up with the movie list for Taipei Film Festival. Her smile dropped immediately as she glanced at the clock, “10 pm”. She sighed and hurried to her desk alcove in her library.

Mia frowned at the two computer monitors in front of her with her hands on her forehead. She was having a hard time finalising the movie list for the Taipei Film Festival. Her usual method was to select after reviewing all the movie trailers. But this time, this list would go to Dean as well. She thought about what he would think about her choices. Should she choose the ones she thinks that both of them would like? She shook her head. She did not know his taste enough to do that. Alas, would he think her weird because of her selection? She tried to shrug. Why would she care about what he thought of her movie choices anyways?

Mia let out another long sigh. She was determined to be brave. This year, unfortunately, the theme seemed to centre around love. Whether it was family love, romantic love, or friendship, it was clear. It was Love.

For whatever reason, the more trailers she watched, the more worried she became. What would the atmosphere be like between them in the cinema? She remembered the conversation she had with Beverley and Abigail. What would Dean think of her watching these movies together? Would he think she chose them deliberately?

Looking at the blank page on her screen, Mia blinked and swallowed. She started to type.

The film festival was dear to her, she was a proud sponsor of the festival and a proud friend of some of the people who worked hard on these films. Mia's eyes widened as she realised what she needed to do. She would pick all the movies she wanted to watch, and then send a separate list to Dean for the movies she would be proud to watch with him.

'Growing up in an orphanage, EJ encounters Hsin Hsin who loves him dearly. As their feelings accumulate profoundly, Hsin Hsin becomes the person EJ adores. Hsin Hsin sneezes unconsciously each time she thinks of EJ. Hsin Hsin grows up and leaves the orphanage to work in the city. Without Hsin Hsin's accompany, EJ is even more determined to become the brave boy she wants him to be. Motivated by his infatuation he begins to practice boxing diligently, fighting and standing up time and again in the ring...'

Mia’s eyes lit up while she read the movie 'A Choo' synopsis. "Would Dean like this movie because it is boxing-related?" she thought to herself. "But it's a romance..." She frowned. With her hand a little shaky, she added it to her list.

---***---

Mia's Taipei Film Festival list arrived in Dean's inbox on Monday morning. Dean did not make a list and was anticipating that he would just go with her to the movies that did not clash with his existing schedule. He, like Mia, often when to the Taipei Film Festival alone. Sometimes he was invited to the premieres but in recent times he got too busy to even attend.

He scanned Mia's list and frowned. He would be away in Tokyo for the first week of the festival and saw that most of her selection fell during that time. Checking his schedule for the following week there were only two movies that he could attend with her if no further important work functions came up. He started to reply to Mia regarding the two films but decided to call her instead. After a few rings, she answered in a surprised voice, "Hi Dean?"

Dean laughed lightly, "Do you have time to talk, it's nothing urgent..."

"Oh, I'm just on my way to one of my stores. So, if you don't mind, I will walk and talk?"

"Of course...How are you?"

"I'm well. How about you?"

"I'm good. I just got your Taipei Film Festival list. Wow, that is a good list." Mia joined in, "Really? Sorry, it’s a long list. Was there anything that you wanted to see...together...on that list?"

"There are a lot of movies I want to see...with you. But...I mean...there are two that I can watch with you because of my schedule. I will be away in Tokyo in the first week of the festival...which I can't change."

Mia paused to process what she thought she heard, "Are those two what you would like to watch?"

Dean hurriedly reacted, "Yes, definitely!" But Mia was not convinced, "Oh, ok."

Dean paused and thought to himself, "This was not how I thought the conversation would flow." He continued carefully, "I would really like to watch 'A Choo' and 'Days' with you if that's ok?"

At the mention of 'A Choo', Mia almost slipped on the MRT stairs.

"Hello? Mia?"

"Ah sorry, I have to be careful as I'm walking down a flight of stairs..."

"Oh, be careful." He waited patiently for Mia to speak next.

At the bottom of the stairs, Mia asked, "Dean. Are you sure you want to watch 'A Choo' and 'Days'?"

Dean studied Mia's list again, "Yes...Mia. Did I get the names right? They are on your list in the second week?"

"Ok. I just wanted to make sure. If that is the case, I will get my secretary to organise tickets for us."

"No, no. I can do that."

"No, really let me do that."

"No, no. Mia. Let me."

"It's ok. I'm going to get a festival pass and if you want, I can get you one as well?"

"Mia, let me do that, I'll get the passes."

"But you're only watching two movies!"

"It's alright, Mia. My schedule may change..."

"But..."

Suddenly, a brilliant idea popped into Dean's head, "How about this. You get the tickets, and I will treat us dinner afterward."

Silence. Mia stopped in her track after she entered the train carriage. How should she respond? Does this mean she was going on a long evening date with Dean? Two long evening dates with Dean! Her face started to turn red.

"Mia? Are you still there?"

"Dean, are you sure?"

Dean snickered, "Yes. I am sure. It will be my pleasure." The more he thought about it the bigger the smile spread on his lips. The longer the evening the longer he got to spend time with Mia. Somewhere casual for dinner so that they could be intimate and close, he thought. Burger joints and tapas bars were his favourite date spots. He felt embarrassed thinking of Mia that way like he was the wolf, and she was the lamb.

To stop from getting ahead of himself, Dean swiftly said, "It's all settled then, Mia. Dinners are on me and if you could get the tickets that would be great."

"Done! I will get my secretary to organise them today."

"Great. I will let you know where I decide for our dinners as well. Let me have a good think."

"Ok! I'm looking forward to it."

Dean sniggered, "Yes. Me too, Mia...Speak soon?"

"Ok. Yes. Speak soon."

Mia sat down on the train and squealed. Her neighbouring passenger quietly shuffled away from her.

Mia smiled as she looked out the train window and coincidently Dean beamed as he looked out to the Xinyi skyline. They could not help but noticed each other's excitement about their forthcoming dates. Recognising that they were getting closer and closer to each other was both exhilarating and frightening.