This upscale seafood restaurant was quite pricey; a couple's private room had a minimum spend of $2,800. Yet, the experience was worth every penny.
The main attraction was the visual feast: the kitchen's cooking process is live-streamed to the private rooms, showing every step from preparation to presentation. Each ingredient was showcased in front of the camera to guarantee its freshness, which meant their seafood was impeccably fresh.
They used a mallet to crack open an enormous conch, revealing meat that was still moving â talk about impressive. Even a simple stir-fry with leeks turned into a mouth-watering masterpiece.
The conch meat was tight, elastic, and juicy, bursting with savory, chewy deliciousness.
Both James and Tailsa marveled at the flavors.
Seafood, after all, tastes remarkably different fresh versus frozen.
When the king crabâa bright red mountain of itâwas served, James was left dumbfounded.
Though he'd heard about king crab before, seeing the sheer amount on the table was eye-opening.
Each leg was carefully prepared, dripping with crab roe, the vibrant red and yellow hues igniting his appetite.
A single bite delivered tender, succulent meat, rich with a unique umami flavor complemented by a hint of salted egg yolk, adding a slight grainy texture on the tongue.
The abundance of it meant there was no way one person could finish it alone.
But Tailsa ate only slightly more than a cat, just sampling each dish before setting her chopsticks down, leaving James the sole contender, feeling a bit forlorn.
First, he couldn't afford it; now, he was overwhelmed.
To accompany the meal, James ordered a bottle of Penfolds wine, costing $7,500.
Initially, he had considered splurging on a $20,000 bottle of Lafite, but worried that too much showing off might irritate Tailsa, he opted for the slightly cheaper alternative.
The server presented the wine, showing off the label and bottle before uncorking it, pouring a small amount for James to sample.
Though he thought it tasted lackluster compared to the "Brave New World," he pretended to be impressed, nodding approvingly and giving the go-ahead.
The waiter filled their glasses, and although Tailsa rarely drankâknowing it could lower her guardâa sip of such expensive wine was too tempting to resist.
After the meal, Tailsa's eyes carried a dreamy haze, and her cheeks were adorably flushed, enhancing her already captivating beauty.
Outside the restaurant, James saw her slightly unsteady steps and considered steadying her.
Unexpectedly, she held onto his arm instead, resting her head on his shoulder with a gentle sigh.
James felt his thoughts racing, his composure slipping away.
In the city's evening glow, the neon lights danced, enhancing the campus belle's fair complexion, making her look uniquely radiant.
The soft breeze swirling her dress added a captivating allure.
James lowered his voice to a soothing whisper, "Tailsa, why don't we find a room so you can rest?"
This suggestion seemed to rouse her as if she'd been in a dreamy slumber.
Gaining a measure of clarity, her eyes lost their previous haze, replaced by a flicker of wariness.
Despite her tolerance for alcohol, half a bottle of wine might bring warmth to her cheeks, but it couldn't dull her senses.
She was well aware that the afternoon's extravagant shopping had closed the book on a day where tomorrow's expectations could demand recompense.
However, eager as she was to slip through the evening, she hesitated to reveal herself before fully understanding James's background.
Feigning inebriation, she countered, "I can't. My mom insists I must be home tonight."
James guessed he might have rushed it, so he amended with a smile, "What are you thinking? I meant we could find somewhere to sober up and relax."
Tailsa laughed lightly, well aware he was bluffing.
"Are you sure it's just to sit?"
James put on an earnest face, "Absolutely!"
"As if I'd believe you," Tailsa cast him a coquettish glance.
The playful spark in her eyes filled James's mind with improper thoughts, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Seeing his silence, Tailsa worried her refusal had upset him.
A catch like him needed nurturing, after all.
So, she proposed, "How about we take a stroll in the park across the street? It might help with the food."
James nodded absently.
The two wandered into the serene park, guided by the winding stone path.
The towering trees on either side swayed gently in the breeze, the air rich with the subtle scent of flowers and grass, creating a delightful, invigorating atmosphere.
Despite the peaceful setting, a sense of restlessness grew within James.
Partly due to the dim lighting, the place was ripe for intrigue.
A few steps onto the grass and they'd avoid the street lamps' weak glow entirely.
Tailsa, with her whiff of allure, felt like a temptation testing his restraint.
Finally...
He couldn't hold back any longer.
In a swift motion, he stepped in front of Tailsa, wrapping his arms around her slim waist, his gaze locking with hers.
Seeing her eyes carry a playful gleam, showing no reluctance,
James found his courage, leaning in for a kiss...
Almost there, his lips brushed against hers when an unexpected slender finger barred the way.
In that critical instant, being stopped was unbearable.
Irritated, James widened his mouth, playfully biting down on the obstructing finger.
Tailsa was taken aback.
She hadn't anticipated James being so shameless.
Her iron grip on the situation crumbled to dust, leaving her flustered.
"Hey, don't do that," Tailsa tried to withdraw her finger, but James held her arm firmly, preventing any movement.
With no room to maneuver, she bashfully murmured, "Stop it! Let go."
A people-pleaser would comply, but a bold spirit wouldn't relent.
Her gaze dropped, unable to meet his, "If you don't stop, I'm going to call you out for being a creep."
The park had its share of evening strollers and joggers.
Passing by, catching sight of their intimate moment, nobody thought much of it.
Park settings invited romance, and expressions such as cuddling were commonplace.
But even so, seeing such a stunning girl attached to some average "pig" rubbed onlookers the wrong way, drawing a slew of collective, if silent, curses their way.
James, however, remained unfazed.
Used to the rigors and whims of delivery work, he'd built up resilience.
Holding Tailsa's finger lightly in his teeth, he mumbled, "Will you stop blocking me, then?"
Seeing his persistence, Tailsa sought to negotiate, offering him a disarming smile.
Abruptly, she stomped on his foot, his yelp of pain granting her a swift opportunity to extract her finger.
Giving him a playful push, she spun away in a flash.
Her laughter tumbling like silver bells in her wake.
James, clutching his foot, hopped a few times, then quickly chased after her.
"Little minx! You've crossed the pastor; no escape now!"