Chapter 14: The Dine-and-Dash Crisis

 

Finding the restaurant was an adventure in itself. "The Golden Lotus" was hidden deep in a maze of old alleyways.

"Turn left! No, right! Wait, the arrow is spinning!" Harper yelled, twisting her phone in the air like she was performing a ritual.

The driver wiped sweat from his forehead. "Miss Evans, we've passed this noodle shop six times."

Finally, after an hour of circling, they found it. The entrance was unassuming, but inside, it was a different world. Luxurious red lanterns, silk drapes, and the sound of traditional instruments filled the air.

"Do you have a preference for seating?" the hostess asked.

"Closest to the stage!" Harper chirped. "We want to see the show!"

They were led to the VIP table, right in front of the stage where women in beautiful silk dresses and veils were dancing.

"Wow!" Harper’s jaw dropped. She sat opposite Sebastian, beaming. "Boss, isn't this place amazing? I have great taste, right?"

Sebastian sipped the flower tea. "It's decent."

"Just decent?" Harper pointed at the dancers. "Look at them! Professionals!"

Sebastian glanced at the dancers, then back at his tea. "The tea is decent."

Harper rolled her eyes. Boring man.

---

[The Chewing Challenge]

The first course arrived. It was a massive white porcelain plate, the size of a basin. In the very center sat two tiny cubes of beef, no bigger than dice.

"That's it?" Harper whispered. "This is a snack for an ant."

They both put a piece in their mouths. Chew. Chew. Chew...

Five minutes later, Harper was still chewing. Her jaw was aching. The beef was like rubber tire flavored with truffle oil. She looked at Sebastian. He was chewing elegantly, but his eyes were watering slightly.

Finally, with a Herculean effort, Harper swallowed. She felt the lump go down her throat like a rock.

"Don't force yourself," Harper whispered, pushing her plate away. "Let's just enjoy the visual feast. The food is... abstract."

The waiter arrived. "Would you like to interact with our performers?"

"Yes! Yes!" Harper nodded enthusiastically. "That's why we're here!"

Soon, the dancers floated off the stage like fairies. Their long water sleeves flicked through the air, carrying the scent of expensive perfume.

One sleeve brushed Harper’s cheek. She giggled, catching it. "Hello, gorgeous!" Harper grinned.

The dancers realized this girl was fun. They surrounded her, ignoring the ice-block man in the wheelchair.

"Let me feed you a grape," one dancer cooed. "Let me massage your shoulders," another whispered.

Harper was in heaven. "Yes! More! This is the life!"

She looked at Sebastian. He was leaning back, a look of pure disdain on his face.

"Boss, smile!" Harper teased. "You're wasting the experience!"

Sebastian poured himself more tea, ignoring the sleeve waving in his face. "You have low standards."

"Hey!" Harper protested. "My standard is 'Doing nothing and enjoying life.' It's a high standard!"

Sebastian hid a smile behind his teacup.

---

[The Bill Shock]

The performance ended. The waiter brought the bill.

"I got this!" Harper declared confidently. Sebastian had already given her the money, so she felt like a queen. It should be around $3,700. A lot, but manageable.

She looked at the total. Her eyes bugged out. $11,730.

"Excuse me," Harper pointed at the number. "Did you accidentally add a zero?"

The waiter smiled politely. "No, Miss. The meal is $3,776. The 'Interactive Performance' is $6,888. Plus 10% service charge. We rounded it down for you."

Harper turned to stone. $6,888 for a grape and a shoulder rub?! And she enjoyed it all by herself! She couldn't even ask Sebastian to split it!

"I..." Harper swallowed hard. "Okay."

She reached for her bag to get her phone. Empty. She checked her pockets. Empty.

"Uh oh."

"What's wrong?" Sebastian asked.

"My phone," Harper patted herself frantically. "I think I left it in the car when I was navigating."

"Just use mine," Sebastian reached into his jacket pocket. He froze. His pocket was empty too.

Harper stared at him. "You left yours in the car too?"

"I was reading a book," Sebastian said calmly. "I didn't bring my phone in."

Silence. The waiter’s smile began to crack. "Do you not have wallets?"

"Who carries a wallet in 2026?" Harper laughed nervously.

"Sir, Miss," the waiter’s voice turned cold. "Are you trying to dine and dash?"

"No! Of course not!" Harper waved her hands. "We are honest people! Look at him! He's a billionaire! He just... doesn't look like one right now."

The waiter looked at Sebastian in his casual sweater and wheelchair. He looked skeptical.

"Tell you what," Harper bargained. "Let us go out to the car to get our phones. We'll come right back."

"I can't let you leave," the waiter crossed his arms.

"Okay, okay. Lend me your phone," Harper said. "I'll call our driver."

The waiter reluctantly handed over his phone. Harper passed it to Sebastian. "Boss, call the driver."

Sebastian held the phone. He stared at it. Then he looked at Harper.

"I don't know the driver's number."

Harper gaped. "You don't know your own driver's number?!"

"It's stored in my phone," Sebastian said defensively. "I don't memorize numbers."

Harper turned to the waiter. "Sir... do you accept dishwashing as payment?"

The waiter snatched his phone back. "I'm calling the police."

(End of Chapter 14)