No One Else Comes Close *COMPLETED*
by yyh_hk2005
Chapter 8
In the Thai Restaurant.
After reading the menu, Raymond finally broke the silence. “So Tavia, what would you like to eat?”
“Um... why don’t we order this set menu for two. It looks pretty good.” Replied Tavia as she placed the menu down and looked at Raymond.
“Sure. We’ll order that then...” said Raymond as he waved at the waiter.
The food finally arrives and they start eating. As they ate the spicy food, Raymond started to sweat. Feeling that something is probably wrong, Tavia asked Raymond “Ray, is everything okay? You don’t look too good. You sure the food is okay for you?”
Not wanting to tell Tavia that he can't take any spicy food, Raymond replied “Oh don’t worry. I’m fine... I tend to sweat a lot when I eat spicy food. It’s normal for me.”
Hearing Raymond’s explanation, Tavia still looks concerned. “Ray, if the food’s too hot, don’t take it. I don’t want you to feel sick after dinner...”
“Haha... it’s okay. What do you think of the food? Not bad huh?” Raymond reassured Tavia that he’s fine as well as trying to change the topic.
Tavia smiled and replied “Yep. The food here is very good Ray. Not bad at all.”
“Glad you like it...” Raymond smiled.
“I do...” Tavia smiled back at the sweating Raymond and thinking that he’s really sweet.
After dinner, they both walked out still talking and laughing. “I can’t believe you still wouldn’t let me pay for dinner!” exclaimed Tavia as she pretended to be angry.
“Don’t be angry. I told you... I’m saving the meal coupon!” Raymond laughed as he opened the car door for Tavia.
“I bet you’re doing your research to find out which restaurant is the most expensive in Hong Kong and then you’re going to take me there and make me pay for dinner!” joked Tavia.
“Haha... how did you know? That was what I had planned!” yelled Raymond as he walked back over to the driver’s seat.
“My goodness, I’m so full. After this, I probably gained an extra five pounds. It’s all your fault...!” giggled Tavia and hit Raymond on the arm playfully.
“Hey, no one told you to finish the whole mango sticky rice...” Raymond laughed as he started the engine.
“Ugh...” grunted Tavia. “But I have to admit that their food was really good!! At the state I’m eating every time I'm with you I’m going to be a fat lady soon! I shouldn't have dinner with you anymore!” laughed Tavia.
“NO... don’t do that!” cried Raymond immediately as he stepped on the car breaks.
Both of them were thrown to the front and back again. “Wow... I was just kidding Ray. Thank God we're still in the Carpark!” exclaimed Tavia.
“I’m sorry...” blushed Raymond. “I was afraid that you meant what you said...” he mumbled.
Not knowing how to react, whether to laugh at the Raymond’s cuteness or silliness, all Tavia could do was laugh. “Ray, I was just kidding. I’m still going to have dinner with you in future. I’m still looking forward to you taking me to new and interesting places. Unless... unless you don't want to have dinner with me! Oh and not to forget, you still have the coupon!”
“Of course I do... I’d love to have dinner with you again!” Raymond cried out.
“Okay, okay.” Smiled Tavia. “Now, can we start the car?”
Rubbing his head and blushing Raymond started the car to take Tavia home.
Very soon they reached Tavia’s house.
“Thank you Ray.” Tavia smiled. “I had a great time.”
“Me too.” Smiled Raymond.
“Let’s meet up some time next week for dinner again!” suggested Tavia.
“OKAY!” cried Raymond happily with a big smile on his face. “I’ll call you when I find some new and interesting restaurants. We can both go try it out...”
“Sounds good to me!” Tavia replied as she unbuckled her seatbelt to get off the car. “Goodnight Ray.”
“Goodnight Tavia.” Raymond replied. When Tavia was safely inside the house, Raymond drove back home. Once he got into the house, he dashed into his room and into the bathroom. The Thai food was definitely not getting along with his stomach. That night, Raymond spent half the night in the bathroom and the other half in bed.
The following morning, Raymond was too weak to get out of bed. So instead of going to work, he called in sick. Unfortunately, Tavia had absolutely no clue that Raymond was ill. Raymond spent the whole morning in bed and later on in the afternoon, his best friend Bosco came over to visit.
“Yo Ray, how you feeling?” said Bosco as he patted Ray on the shoulder.
“Hey dude. I’m okay. Not quite dead yet...” laughed Raymond.
“I still can’t believe it. You knew you couldn’t take any spicy food and yet you still go eat it! What the hell was going through your mind then?” laughed Bosco.
“Well, she wanted to eat Thai food. I wanted her to be happy.” Replied Raymond.
“That girl must be really something. I mean look at our Raymond Lam now. You’re nuts about her...!” Bosco claimed. “Man, as your best friend you should tell me more about this girl.”
Raymond chuckled, “Tell you what?! I’ll tell you more about Tavia one day...”
Bosco punched his best friend’s shoulder lightly and said, “So her name is Tavia. Haha... Fine don’t tell me... WHATEVER?! Like I want to know?!”
“I know you do... Hey, why don’t you tell me more about that girl of yours? What’s her name? Sharon?”
Hearing the name Sharon, Bosco smiled proudly. “We’re doing great. She’s a great gal... I really think she’s the one!”
“That’s good... time to settle down pal!” nodded Ray.
They both laughed.