Pic: Don Lay Madrid
* Music during reading (to feel better the atmosphere of this chapter I recommend this song in the background)
Confucius said, ‘‘Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.’’ The walls that we sometimes build around ourselves could even surpass the Great Wall of China.
No one is born knowing what is right and what is wrong. There are several factors that define the behaviour of a person in different circumstances of life, but only three of them are those that really come before all the others: Character, education, and experience. These three are strongly linked, creating a direct influence on each other; An experience is capable of modifying the principles instilled in your education, while the character has all the power to guide you in the behaviours that will have as a result that experience.
‘‘There are several factors that define the behaviour of a person in different circumstances of life, but only three of them are those that really come before all the others: Character, education, and experience.’’
When Alex answered to that call from Ava, addressed for his friend and impersonated him, making an appointment with that unknown lady, he was carried by his adventurous nature, always searching for adrenaline, and by the desire to heal his ego, wounded by Sommer a few weeks ago. Everything we live is a consequence of our decisions, where a small ‘‘what if’’ is capable to change completely the course of things. If Michael hadn’t lived those experiences that had transformed his way of being, he would never have given Ava his number after that exchange of glances; Nor would have taken the bet with Alex to see who would hook up with the Asian shop assistant first. If Alex’s pride hadn’t been affected after losing in that game of conquest that he himself proposed, he would not have devised that cunning plan to meet Ava. If Ava had let go that resentment with men after her last relationship, she would not have accepted Alex’s proposal just to annoy Michael. If the experiences of those three had been different or their reactions to the new events or the apparently secondary decisions such as choosing another time or place for dinner the night Ava and Michael met; This story would no longer take place. We live a life where everything is closely intertwined so that today we are where, how and with whom we are. And due to none of those, ‘‘if ’’took place, Alex was heading to pick up the blonde-haired girl, who he couldn’t get out of his mind.
‘‘Everything we live is a consequence of our decisions, where a small ‘‘what if’’ is capable to change the course of things completely.’’
The initial idea for which he met her for the first time seemed remote and alien to him. As the 4×4 approached the house where Ava lived, his heartbeat raised. An obvious increase in endorphins and testosterone caused by the hard interest and attraction he felt to that girl, was scaring and stimulating him at the same time. The loss of control over yourself when you begin to feel for another person is, perhaps, the only loss that you do not want to be found, the most exciting loss.
‘‘The loss of control over yourself when you begin to feel for another person is, perhaps, the only loss that you do not want to be found, the most exciting loss.’’
Upon hearing the honk of the G-class, the young woman who had just get out of her place recognized that dark-haired man standing next to the vehicle.
‘‘I didn’t know that you will come with a different car,’’ she said, greeting her date, while he held the door of the 4×4 for her, inviting getting into the automobile.
‘‘There are many things about me that you still don’t know,’’ the guy answered with a playful smile, closing the door of the Mercedes.
‘‘How was the way back to Madrid?’’ the blonde asked, feeling a little intimidated by the penetrating gaze of the driver.
‘‘Much better now,’’ the brunette winked at her and returned to focus on driving.
‘‘Thank you for telling me the truth …,’’ she continued a little self-conscious about the circumstances of that encounter.
‘‘Thank YOU for giving me a second chance.’’
‘‘How is he?’’ Asked Ava, remembering Michael’s magnetic gaze which still lingered in her mind.
‘‘Well, fine… taking into the consideration all things that happened…’’
Both were uncomfortable with that conversation, but their conscience wanted to leave it spoken. Although Michael and Ava did not really know each other, she and Alex felt guilty for letting themselves be carried away by that connection which arose between them thanks to various coincidences that fate and themselves wanted to happen.
‘‘I’m glad … I hope everything will be solved soon… Where are we going?’’ The blonde continued, changing the subject of this conversation.
‘‘To Don Lay *, a Cantonese Chinese cuisine restaurant… You told me that you want something Asian,’’ replied the guy, stopping at the traffic light, and looked at his date, observing the features of her face. It was one of those deep, passionate looks, the kind that seems to kiss you.
‘‘It was one of those deep, passionate looks, the kind that seems to kiss you.’’
‘‘It’s green!’’ Ava interrupted that tense moment.
At 117th of Costello Street, in Salamanca District, Madrid, was located an original restaurant with authentic Cantonese food in a contemporary setting. The rebirth of a traditional spot, which for almost two decades was a benchmark of Chinese cuisine in Madrid in a totally new place, based in one of the best areas of the city.
A stylish bar with a grandiose replica of a red leaf maple in the middle of it was welcoming the young couple who had just walked through the doors to enter this elegant 400 m² space, which stood out for its style inspired by Art Deco and nods to Chinese culture.
Two spaces: Chinese Bar, a casual corner in light tones and overlooking the street, where you can taste the best dim sums and finish with a good cocktail, and a sophisticated restaurant, upholstered in vibrant colours with a predominance of curved lines that was inviting the visitors to discover real Chinese food in a luxurious environment.
While the newcomers were being escorted to one of those elegant tables, the young dark-haired man admired the virtuous female figure illuminated by modern avant–garde lamps, and the sinuous movement of that hips walking in front of him. Ava sat on one of the velvet sofas patterned with gold dragons drawings.
When they looked at each other, everything around them took a back seat, and when the waiter arrived they hadn’t even started checking the menu, letting themselves be advised about the best dishes of the place.
‘‘When they looked at each other, everything around them took a back seat…’’
The dim dums, delicious steamed Chinese dumplings filled with rice shaomi, quail egg and caviar, Don Lay star dish, were followed by a spectacular lacquered duck, another essential to taste in this restaurant.
As the conversation progressed between giggles and glances, the connection was increasing, as did the obvious attraction, creating a tension that needed to be solved. The couple did not notice how the restaurant began to empty little by little to close its doors. They were too focused on each other.
‘‘I’m coming back now…’’ said Ava, smiling and leaving the table for a few minutes.
‘‘Excellent! Just the perfect time to escape,’’ Alex replied, laughing.
Don Lay loo was a kind of space which transported you to China: With that sound of traditional music and numerous typical lamps, made of red paper with gold tassels that were illuminating the girl.
Ava looked in the mirror to see all the feelings that the dark-haired guy had awakened in her. She felt like she was floating, and she didn’t want that feeling to ever leave her.
When she came out, she saw Alex waiting for her at the entrance bar to leave, and the feeling of pride and satisfaction filled her inside. She loved it.
‘‘We have to go.’’
‘‘What about the bill?’’
‘‘Sorry?’’ He replied, letting her know that he already took care of it. Getting up, e gave her his arm. The restaurant lights gradually dimmed and Don Lay service said goodbye, thanking them for the visit.
Walking slowly through the quiet streets of Madrid to catch the car, Ava could not stop thinking about just one thing, ‘‘Why doesn’t he kiss me?’’ When her date stopped and looking at her, he said:
‘‘I know what you’re thinking…’’
‘‘Really? What it is?’’ She answered, already feeling the nerves of the imagined moment.
‘‘Why didn’t I park the car closer?’’ By saying that nonsense, he tried to break the silence that reigned between them, but that silence must be resolved in another way.
‘‘By saying that nonsense, he tried to break the silence that reigned between them, but that silence must be resolved in another way.’’
Used to dating women he didn’t feel anything for, and to behaving in a manner appropriate to those occasions, he felt lost and self-conscious in a situation in which not just his testosterone was involved, but his heart. He was afraid of messing up that date, at the time when his date was looking forward to him ‘‘screwing up’’ it.
He opened the car for Ava to get in, but she didn’t. Leaning on it, between the arm of the owner of that vehicle, who was holding the door, and the car saloon, she raised her head and looked him in the eyes.
The green light was seen by the driver. He grabbed Ava, and picking her up, sat her in the G-Wagon seat to ‘‘screw up’’ the date.
-END OF THE FIRST PART –
* Due to the measures taken in relation to COVID-19, the schedule and access to some spaces may change.
TOPICS: ONLINE NOVEL – ONLINE ROMANCE – LOVE STORY – FREE NOVEL – DON LAY MADRID – TRENDY RESTAURANTS IN MADRID – CHINESE RESTAURANT IN MADRID – LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN MADRID
TINA KEVICH 