Chapter 28: Strange Confections
"Hello gentlemen! Welcome to Strange Confections. My name is Maddie and I will be your server for tonight. Are you ready to order now?" An accommodating waitress greeted us with uber energy.
"Miss, my boyfriend hasn't been here yet so would you mind telling him what your amazing restaurant is all about?" I said.
"Oh, sure! Why not? Strange Confections is unlike any other restaurant with its bold and fancy theme. What is our theme, if you may ask? The things that don't go together can actually go together, that's basically our inspiration here through our big out-of-this-world menu that our founder created. Of course, he actually did a trial run with every food combination that he created and he tested it through a few customers. All of a sudden, bam! Everyone kept asking him for more and how he managed to think of something like that. Voila, there you have it. A small eatery turned into a huge diner. A huge diner turned into a whole restaurant. Here we are with over 50 plus franchises. Can you believe it?"
"That's so cool." Zane praised her for her good storytelling. It's as if Zane is a nursery school pupil and she's the teacher. I find it so amusing.
"Miss, can you read us your specialty?" I asked.
"Certainly, sir! For our appetizer specialty, we have an herbed potato soufflé topped with basil and ricotta whip. For our entrée, we have our finest Argentinian rubbed rib eye steak with mixed berry vanilla sauce paired with Romaine lettuce salad in an apple cider vinaigrette. For our dessert, we have a street corn Panna Cotta with a peanut brittle drizzled with Habanero chocolate sauce."
Before Zane can even say something, I already beat him to it.
"We are going to have everything you mentioned. Thank you." I said, handing her my menu.
"Yes please. I would love to try those as well." He responded.
"Very well, sir. I will come back with your orders. Give us 20-25 minutes to execute it."
"Thank you."
I was staring at Zane who was looking around in amazement and awe of the style of the entire place.
"I love how they went for a vintage look, don't you think?"
"Yeah, it's nice. They added a few modern updates but I love how they kept the spirit of it throughout the years."
"How did you discover this place?" Zane asked.
"Hmm? What do you mean? I just did. I love trying different things and I am a foodie, that's why I thought about bringing you here because you might love it as well and their desserts are the killer."
"I can't even wait, my goodness." Zane is looking giddy like a little school girl and I just couldn't contain my adoration towards him.
"What did you think of the menu?" I asked.
"They are things that I have never tried before but I am really looking forward to it. I have never tasted nor even seen potato incorporated in a soufflé so it's definitely going to be a new experience. Also, I don't think I can ever associate mixed berry and vanilla to a savory meat like steak but we'll have to see after this evening."
"They will totally convert you. How about the Habanero chocolate sauce? Ever had something like that?"
"I hear about it all the time but I haven't been able to taste it yet."
"Chocolate with heat is the bomb! It is going to be a surprise in your palate." I told him.
--
(Zane POV)
"Thank you, come again!" The lady by the door said as she opened it for us.
"Thanks!"
"Best three course dinner ever! This is certainly one for the books." I said before being kissed on the cheek by Orville.
"I love seeing you enjoy."
We were about to get in the car when I saw a Barnes & Noble book store in front of Strange Confections.
"Orville, do you mind if I take a look around first over there? I want to see if there are any interesting cookbooks I can find." I said, pointing to the direction of the book shop.
"Sure, babe!"
We walked hand in hand inside the bookstore and as soon as we came in, the heavenly aroma of books just hits your nostrils like a baseball bat. Those fresh pages, smooth and glossy papers, what will I ever do without books?
"Here we are!" Orville said.
"Alright, can we meet up here at this spot after 15 minutes?" I asked.
"Sure! I'll go take a look if they also have some new car magazines."
"Perfect!" I said before parting ways with him. I went to the cookbooks section, as stoked as a five year old kid in a candy store. I scanned some pages from a few books that caught my attention and as I was reading one of their newest ones, I noticed something in my peripheral vision.
It looks like…the lady that I saw in the amusement park and she still has the exact same outfit on. I tried to look up a little bit and make it seem as if I was not glancing but I really am. She's staring at me again and it feels really unsettling. I began feeling anxious.
I am being observed by someone who I don't even know and who could possibly be a ruthless stalker killer and on top of that, Orville is not by my side which made me panic even more.
Wait a minute! She couldn't kill me here. It's a public place. People will see her if she kills me. Yeah, so what am I even afraid of? Can't I just go up to her and ask her what she wants. Should I do that? Of course, I should.
Alright!
I looked down before getting ready to face her and as soon as I turned my eyes in her direction, she was…gone…again!
"What the hell is her problem?"
"Zane!" I turned around and saw Orville holding two car magazines.
"Found anything yet?"
I couldn't even answer Orville because my mind is still lingering over that creepy ass weirdo girl who keeps stalking me and of course, I won't tell Orville about it because he doesn't even see her so how is he supposed to believe me?
Maybe it's not the same person, maybe she just looks like the girl from the amusement park, maybe she is just a ghost or maybe, I am losing my mind already.
I don't know!
"Orville, can you give me five more minutes?"
"Sure!"