Chapter 3.8

Ethan walked around the market with purpose. Half of it was to find a job – people did talk about job opportunities at markets – but he was also there to look for a gift for Isabelle. He knew that Joseph's idea was the best, yet he still had his reservations. After all, it was a matter of money that prevented them from getting that gift.

So, he was keeping an eye for something more… in line with their pockets.

Unfortunately, he was having no luck with either.

"They're opening a new store in Silk Town and need attendants." He was not willing to work so far from home.

"Honey, why don't you buy me new shoes?" Ethan's ears perked up. Shoes sounded nice, so he went to take a look at a nearby store. The styles were so… they were unsuitable for his cute Isabelle. Back to the market then.

"The Mayor's looking for people to fix the roads." Been there, done that. The pay was good, but it was such a taxing job that often left him ill afterwards. And then, he would have to look for another job as it was temporary.

"New dress styles came from Silver City!" If it came from a city, the price was as high as buying a plot of land in a village. What Joseph wanted to gift Isabelle: land.

Ethan sighed. In the end, Joseph's idea was truly the best. They could not buy furniture as they had no space in the house. Isabelle could make her own clothes to her own liking. Soap and oils seemed a bit cheap in his opinion. Accessories were either too expensive or too cheap. He had never had any problem choosing a gift for a woman before; why was it so hard to find one for Isabelle?

Frustrated, he returned to the embroidery shop right as Isabelle came out with another woman in tow.

Seeing his expression, Isabelle surmised he had no luck at job hunting. She did not expect him to luck out right away; good jobs were not that easy to find. She trusted that he would find something, but not so soon. So, she focused on another matter.

"This is Jean, one of the employees at the shop, and my friend." Isabelle immediately presented Jean to Ethan, who nodded in greeting. His response told her that it was worse than bad luck. She wanted to talk to him, but Jean was present. "And, this is Ethan. I will happily marry him in the future." Still, she indirectly tried to cheer him up and clung to his arm, pressing her breasts.

Ethan's eyebrows shot high in his forehead at her gesture. Meanwhile, Jean covered her smile with her hand at Isabelle's not so subtle action. "My, my, so lovey-dovey in public." She giggled. Isabelle just smiled at him and he finally smiled back, holding her hand in his bigger one. "Let's go! Time to eat." Jean declared, to Ethan's confusion.

On the way, Isabelle explained to Ethan that Jean was going to invite them to eat. She understood his mild uncomfortable expression, but he said nothing. Though, she was sure he was going to leave some money to 'pay' for the food. She was also planning to do that. Isabelle knew Jean and her character, but she knew nothing of her Husband.

It was better to be careful, to not let others think they were taking advantage of the couple.

Soon, they reached the place, where a man was waiting outside.

"Jean!"

Mr. Dodds was… Isabelle never liked to make assumptions of a person. But it really never occurred to her that Jean's husband would turn out to be so short. Isabelle was not tall by any means. She was, at most, of average height as there were taller women in town. Mr. Dodds, though, was just a smidge taller than her.

And, again, she never tried to assume, yet for being a restaurant owner, he was very thin. Even thinner than Ethan who had suffered malnutrition when growing up. However, seeing Jean and her husband so close and in love made her tighten the hold on Ethan's hand. When loving someone, appearances was just another part of the package.

After fussing over his Wife, Mr. Dodds finally remembered they were not alone and were still in a public place. He looked at the other couple and his gaze paused on the woman. "So, you're Isabelle. Jean has told me many things about you." He said, gesturing at the couple to get inside.

"Only good things, I hope." Isabelle joked.

Mr. Dodds laughed. "Of course." Way too many good things, he thought.

When they entered the restaurant and went up to Mr. Dodds' office, Isabelle realized the restaurant's facade was a bit deceiving with its small and rather unassuming entrance. Inside, there was a very big business.

The ground floor was one immense room with lots of tables (and lots of customers) and tasteful decoration. It had good lighting and was equipped to also run at night. As they made their way up, Mr. Dodds explained that the ground floor was the common area. It was meant for those people who quickly came in, ate, and left.

The first floor had screens separating the bigger and more exquisite tables, which were placed with plenty of distance apart to give some sense of privacy to the customers. There were also a few potted plants that gave it a lively and natural touch. The area obviously catered to those with more money and were not in a rush.

Finally, the second floor had the private rooms. There were not many rooms, but each could house up to thirty people inside. The table inside was very big, and it could also be divided in case there were not that many people who searched for a more private room to meet up to do business or celebrate.

The lower levels of the restaurant had elegant decoration, like wallpaper, hanging decorations and the potted plants. However, the private rooms each had their own theme for their decoration.

For example, there was the room with a panoramic view, which had huge removable sliding doors that gave a nice view to the far green mountains. The wallpaper in the room also portrayed the same mountains but in different seasons.

According to Mr. Dodds, that room was the most expensive to book.

Perhaps the restaurant was not the best in town, but it was well planned in what it could offer.

Isabelle wondered if, one day, they could own a restaurant or place on par with what Mr. Dodds had. Well, those were thoughts for another time. At the moment, they were reading the menu with its delicious-sounding dishes.

The dishes even have descriptions!

"Are you ready to order? Don't worry about the price, this time it's on the house." Mr. Dodds said with an amiable smile. From the moment they sat at the table in his office (because of course his office had its own dining room!), he had not stopped playing with Jean's fingers.

"How can we do that? Jean is my friend, yes, but business is business." Isabelle told the man, whose smile turned sharp for a moment. Ah, of course she encountered a business shark! He even stopped Jean from speaking by squeezing her hand.

"Take it as a token of appreciation, and for my love to her." He turned to smile at Jean who beamed back at him, totally unaware of what he was hinting. Basically, he was buying friendship with food. An honest friendship. It seemed whatever Jean told him about Isabelle left a good impression.

It was not good to waste such a chance to create connections with someone well-positioned in town.

"Then, we will accept it. Only this time." Isabelle had to also mark a limit to the man's controlling habits; not wanting to get involved in his games. She had a good impression on him as he let Jean work. But it looked like a screen to keep her happy and not make trouble. "I will have the Lobster Bolonnesse with Truffle Sauce. How about you, Ethan?"

"I, um… the Grilled Chicken." Although stuttering a bit, Ethan successfully made his order.

It was most likely the only dish he could read, but Isabelle was still proud of him. She placed her hand on his thigh and squeezed it to express her happiness to him. He grabbed her hand and refused to let go. That was when she noticed he was actually heavily sweating.

Oh, my poor Ethan! To face such a hurdle so soon!

Mr. Dodds nodded and jingled the bell to call for the person that waited outside the office to tend to his calls and placed the order. Obviously ordering something for Jean without asking her. Isabelle felt somewhat uncomfortable at the scene, but let it slide as it was not something for her to meddle.

As they waited, Isabelle and Mr. Dodds engaged in some small talk; where she lived, what she did, who her family was... Isabelle's expression was becoming more strained the more he asked. Luckily, the food arrived to put a stop to his interrogation.

The food did not disappoint.

Lobsters was one of the most expensive dishes the restaurant had. Yes, Isabelle said they should not be seen as wanting to take advantage of Mr. Dodds. However, since he was buying friendship for his wife, then she was not going to pull her punches.

"I must congratulate the chef for this good dish." Isabelle complimented as she took the last bite of food.

"You did ask for the signature dish!" Jean giggled, half of her dish of fish uneaten.

"Did I?" Isabelle asked in fake surprised. "I guess I have good eye when it comes to food." She had no idea if her palate was used to delicacies, yet she did guess the lobster was the best dish. There was no price on the menu, but the description sounded expensive enough.

"Our chef will be happy to know his food's well-appreciated." Mr. Dodds said, rolling his wine in his cup. The dish with the fish he asked for was accompanied by wine. His was served, but not Jean's. Isabelle remembered she said they were trying to have kids. But, was that not on both sides? As in, neither should drink?

It was at times like those that she needed her memory the most since she was not sure of that.

Rapid knocking on the door interrupted her thoughts. The attendant that waited outside entered. "Problems downstairs, sir." He announced.

"Excuse me." Mr. Dodds nodded at the others and immediately left the table. It happened in a flash, not giving them the time to react.

Since none could help, they returned to their meal, or what was left of it, the drinks. "Are you not eating that?" Isabelle asked Jean, who looked down at her half-eaten plate.

"Well, I like fish… Just not this one." She replied helplessly.

"Should we order another thing for you? You have not eaten that much." Isabelle suggested.

Jean shook her head. "I think I'll just cook something good back home."

Isabelle inwardly sighed. She did not doubt that Mr. Dodds loved Jean, it was obvious from the affection in his eyes. He just did not pay much attention to some details regarding his wife. It was something that could be solved if both talked about it.

"Do you cook in your family?" Jean quickly changed the topic, noticing her friend's expression, and expectantly looked at both Ethan and Isabelle.

"When I feel like to." Isabelle chuckled, eyeing Ethan who had not talked much during the meal. Only to answer the same questions Mr. Dodds asked Isabelle, where he lived and what he did, etc.

Those were very awkward questions, yet Ethan had replied beautifully. "Humbly born and raised in Yellow Leaf Village. I was recently working at a wood workshop. They had some money problems and, well, not working there anymore." If they had had no company, Isabelle would have kissed him then and there.

He sounded so formal! Right. Maybe I am being too biased, but how can I not be?! I have to support my man!

"My brothers and I take turns cookin'. Isabelle really cooks when she wants to." Somewhere between her mind going through the branches, Jean must have asked something that forced Ethan to reply.

"You're so lucky!" Jean pouted. Isabelle just smiled. She did not want to start comparing their lives. She did not think their friendship was that deep to do that. Perhaps in the future…

"I do not think your husband will return..." Isabelle prompted Jean after a moment of silence.

"Yeah, he's taken too long now." She frowned.

"I also have to finish the dress." The other reminded.

"That's right! I have things to finish, too!" Jean yelped.

Since there were things they had to do, they cut their meal short, forgoing dessert. As they headed to the stairs, they heard some irate voices coming from downstairs. They were not loud, but the words were harsh enough to make anyone cry.

When the three arrived at the first floor, they saw Mr. Dodds apologizing to a group of youngsters who had gathered at one corner of the place. There was food spilled all over the floor, and some guests were pointing and whispering at the scene.

Jean seemed ready to step forward, but Isabelle stopped her. "It is over." The latter explained.

As soon as she said that, the youngster who had been harshly rebuking at a waiter and listened to Mr. Dodds' apology waved his hand at the others. All five young men stood up and headed to the stairs, clearly leaving the restaurant.

"You clean this mess." Mr. Dodds waited until the guests were gone before barking some orders to other waiters. "And you, follow my assistant to terminate your contract." The waiter, another young man, lowered his head and said nothing.

Done with the matter, Mr. Dodds turned to the direction of the stairs, his eyes widening a bit at the presence of the trio. Isabelle let Jean go, who took that as a cue to approach her husband. Luckily, the man knew who he was angry with and accepted Jean's hug. Even hugging her back.

After their intimate moment, which ended with him kissing her forehead, they walked towards the other couple.

"I'm sorry you had to witness such a scene." Mr. Dodds wryly smiled. He did look a bit frazzled from the whole situation.

Ethan and Isabelle shook their heads. "It is nothing." Isabelle said. "That young man..." She began, eyeing the stairs where the group of young men had left, trying to fish some information.

"The Commissioner's son and his friends. He's getting his airs inflated just from having a Sergeant brother-in-law. I couldn't settle the matter without firing the waiter." Mr. Dodds rubbed his forehead.

"Are you really firing him?" The young man looked on the verge of crying when he passed by before.

"My restaurant's this big, but it can be easily crushed by them, Isabelle." Mr. Dodds said. He was certainly reminding her that even if Basin Town was some far away town at the borders, there were still people they should never mess with. "Besides, I can refer him to another place."

Mr. Dodds might be lacking in his marriage, but he was an excellent businessman. He was certainly the type of boss workers were glad to have… Oh… Oh! Isabelle glanced at Ethan who had remained impassive at the scene. He must have been in the same situation as that young man before many times.

Perhaps…

"That is nice. That young man will not suffer that much. I guess it is only the restaurant that is left with a bruised reputation and one man down." Isabelle sighed.

"The lack of worker can be solved quickly. The most important is to keep running in this shallow yet treacherous pond." Mr. Dodds said. He signaled them to move back upstairs to keep talking. Isabelle would have said no any other time, but not at that moment.

"It is because the pond can easily turn murky that you need people with experience dealing with those problematic customers." She hedged.

The small man huffed. "You make it sound easy. Those with experience don't want to be paid the salary of a newcomer. But, being a waiter in a restaurant's not the same as being an attendant at a shop or being a scholar's page. So, I'm only left with the kids that just finished their schooling and are eager to learn. But, then, due to their unexperience, things like what happened back then occur more often than you think."

Isabelle nodded along his explanation. It made complete sense. There was an invisible ladder workers needed to follow when hired. The more experienced, of course expected a better pay. No one was desperate enough to be a schooled person with experience and be hired for a low income.

No one except…

"That is why this is perfect for you, Ethan!" Isabelle turned to the mentioned man and beamed. "Mr. Dodds, I leave him in your hands. Jean and I have things to do! Bye!" With those words, she grabbed Jean's wrist and ran off, leaving the two stumped men behind.