Disclaimer: I do not own San Francisco, The Naked Fish Restaurant (I would put cloths on it if I did! LOL). I am also absolved of any responsibility to heart failure that may be generated with this chapter and the next one – or the epilogue if it becomes that. Enough said. Also, regarding said restaurant, I haven't a clue what it looks like inside or what if affords it's more high-profile customers, if any. I own all the modifications I've made concerning it – unless I'm proven right. Wouldn't that be a kick! :0)
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She locked the door to her shop and then turned towards the chauffer. He smiled and waved his arm in the direction of limousine.
She noticed several passersby and fellow shop owners look in her direction. Some were smiling and waved in her direction. She nodded her head slightly to acknowledge them. Others just stared as if she were an event to ease their boredom.
The limo wasn't a stretch like most were. However it did boast four rear entries, two on each side, in addition to the front driver and passenger doors.
She took note that the chauffer was not one she was familiar with. It puzzled her a little. If she believed her benefactor to be who he was, she half expected his right hand man to be driving her.
The man was definitely oriental; Japanese, she thought. He seemed a bit taller than the other man would be. There was a small scar that nicked his cheek, but otherwise he was rather attractive. Well built, too, by her observation. If he represented her benefactor in any way, he was probably more than capable of defending himself if the need arose. His employer always insisted that his staff be well trained.
The chauffer then courteously opened the rear car door and smiled at her again, bowing just a little.
She returned the gesture slightly in reply as would be customary in Japan. Turning towards the opening, however, she was a little hesitant and surprisingly shy about stepping into the vehicle. Would her mystery 'date' be sitting inside?
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves she carefully slipped into the rear passenger seat.
Almost immediately she discovered that, with the exception of her driver, she would be riding alone to wherever he would be taking her.
At first she was disappointed and a bit miffed. It seemed rude not to be greeted by her secret admirer. After all she had complied willing with the card's instructions. Then again, he had gone to quite an expense and trouble for her. Maybe this was his way to heighten the overall suspense?
Yes, she loved mysteries and this one was a good one.
She smiled at the thought and decided that maybe she was over-reacting just a little. If her mystery date was who she thought he was this is something he would do. He would drag out the experience after piquing her curiosity to a maddening level. Considering how many times she rebuffed his numerous invitations to dinner weeks earlier, this move spoke of strategy; his kind of strategy.
Of course she was still going to give him a piece of her mind about all the flower arrangements he had sent her. Grinning wider, she thought it would be completely hilarious that, once all the flowers were dead and gone, to have each and every vase boxed and wrapped and then shipped back to him. Laughing out loud, she soon realized that her driver had been looking at her from his seat. He smiled and then turned around. Soon he maneuvered the car away from the curb and made for the main road just up the street.
They traveled north along the main highway towards San Francisco. She wondered if that was their destination.
"Um, excuse me – would you be at liberty to tell me where exactly we're going?" she asked the driver.
Shaking his head, 'No', he replied in his native tongue, "Ashikarazu."
She understood his apology, but she was still disappointed.
"So, do you know who this person is who hired you to pick me up?" she asked next.
"Moshikashitara." The driver replied vaguely. He looked at her and she could tell there was amusement in his eyes.
"Hmm…not going to own up to it, are you? Just going to give me a 'maybe' and then let my imagination work overtime, I guess?" She mused to herself.
Realizing that interrogating the chauffer wasn't getting her anywhere, she decided to observe the interior of the car. Maybe there were any clues to who her benefactor was?
She noticed above the doors some Japanese writing that basically translated into a saying of sorts. It was written in gold and beautifully decorated the upper leather edges of the car. The saying was repeated and circled around the interior. Sort of like a reminder to its owner of something personal. She thought it a rather odd saying, however, considering who she thought the owner was.
She read it aloud, "Water, Earth, and Sky are one with he who dies and is born a second time."
What it meant exactly she didn't have a clue. She thought it rather nice, though, just the same.
After traveling various highways and freeways for the better part of two hours, the limousine pulled off of the freeway and wound its way through the southern end of San Francisco. The vehicle's lone female occupant was a little disappointed at not having crossed the Golden State Bridge, though. It was something she had always wanted to do but never found the time. Still, it couldn't dampen her excitement since she was getting closer to finding out her secret admirer's identity.
Within minutes, the limousine drove into the parking lot of a restaurant called The Naked Fish. The woman peered out the tinted window as she saw patrons walking up to the establishment's front door and slipping inside. She noticed the sign out front and smiled.
"Sushi! Well, he's certainly batting a thousand, that's for sure!" she said to herself.
The driver steered the car over to a designated parking spot behind the building. He parked it under a portable awning that acted like a shield from the elements. Presently the weather was mild, maybe a tad warm, a promise of summer not too many weeks away.
Soon her door was opened and she carefully stepped out. Looking around she could see quite a few other businesses and most importantly she could smell the ocean. It was richer at this end of the bay; probably due to the fishing vessels that were moored only a few blocks further East at the docks.
She felt a gentle touch to her arm and turned to see the valet smiling. He motioned her towards a door.
The door was screened and looked very much like an employee's entry. She wrinkled her nose with the contrast of how she was dressed and how she was going to enter the restaurant. To her it seemed like a contradiction in terms.
But, she was a guest and a recipient of many gifts this day. To question anything now would be rude and ungrateful. Up to a point that is.
So, smiling back at the chauffer, she allowed him to open the restaurant door for her.
Once inside she was greeted warmly by the maitre' de. He smiled and bowed her way. Then he led her along a corridor. Just before the end of the hall she spied a heavily curtained doorway. The drapery was of a red velvet material; deep as black and boasting a richness that belied it's location in the restaurant. There weren't any signs of dishwashers or rushing waitresses. In fact, it was very quiet and unassuming. She decided that this was probably the more intimate dining area of the establishment. It was perfect for those who wanted privacy and seclusion. She was becoming all the more convinced of who her host would be.
As she walked silently along the carpeted hallway she noticed three other doorways similarly adorned with the deep red draping. The corridor walls were lined with beautiful renditions of famous Japanese sceneries; Mt. Fuji, a karesansui gardens, a traditional tea ceremony to name just a few. These were all painted on silk canvas and framed in exquisite red-mahogany wood. Despite her earlier revulsion of entering through what she perceived to be the 'back door', she now realized it was a very unassuming V.I.P. entrance.
Now she was truly excited. With all that had transpired over the past eight hours since receiving the dress and its accessories, the woman was beginning to feel a warmth and fondness for this mystery person. She giggled knowing who it had to be.
"Who else would do something so outlandish?" she exclaimed to herself.
Maybe she wouldn't send all those vases back. Maybe she would just keep them in her shop in various locations to accent her décor and to remind her daily of this one's generosity. Yes, that's what she would do.
Quite honestly she was overwhelmed and somewhat intimidated by it all. She knew he liked her; ever since that night at poolside of his brother's home. That day had been so full of events and now, months later, it seemed so far away.
Yet, even with his obviously busy schedule, he had evidently not forgotten his quest and his desire to spend some intimate time with her. Intimate as far as dining was concerned. If he had any other plans or designs, he would be learning a new lesson in patience and self control!
Finally, she arrived at the last curtained doorway.
The maitre' de bowed deeply in her direction again and then, with trembling hands, gently drew the drapery apart.
She thought it quite strange that he would appear so nervous. Why would he act that way? Certainly he didn't fear her benefactor?
Eyeing the man curiously, she stepped expectantly inside. She bowed back towards him out of respect.
Then she turned around to face who she hoped would be her mystery admirer.
However, in trying to make sense of who she was looking at she stood there and stared in utter amazement and shock.
In the next moment - and not being able to help herself – she screamed!
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A/N: Okay, this is completely unexpected, right? Bwahahaha!!! Don't despair though. I plan on updating in about – oh – maybe six months or so. Maybe by April 1st? Hmmm…I want to do a good job on the epilogue so I'll need to take my time. I'm sure ALL of you will appreciate the need to do quality work and taking the time to ensure that endeavor! Hmm - maybe not. Well, be patient and preserver. Oh, and if you plan on sending in Raph to beat me up, he better watch out for Tynan. I'm going to beg to borrow Firebird Flight's killer doggie. That is if she's not aligning herself with the lynch mob.
Only kidding! The epi will be up by Valentine's Day. I hope. -}
