Capítulo 17: Kidnapping a Man
Stanley Co brought his sister to the Plateau 360. It was a restaurant that specialized in alfresco dining. Its name was derived from its location, being situated at the top of the plateau. Aside from that, it was overlooking the sea. The structure was a combination of steel and bamboo, creating a homey atmosphere.
To get to the place, one needed to ride a cable car which would jump off from the Empress Tower. The restaurant only catered to ten appointments per day to ensure that the guests would be entitled to a much needed break and relaxation.
Reservations can be at least six months to a year. Of course, there were exemptions such as being friends with the owner.
Ria Zhang doesn't know about it though. First, her eyes were busy appreciating the lush forests below the cable car. Just like a kid, her palms were pressed against the glass window, her eyes were dancing in delight.
"Brother, I didn't know there is this kind of place in Costa City," she commented.
Stanley Co didn't know what to think of. His sister hated to go out in the past. She was even homeschooled. For a while, he blamed himself for not forcing Sierra Co to go out often.
Her first solo trip was actually outside the country. Although she was sent to a boarding school in Switzerland when she was fifteen, there was Lulu to look after her.
Sierra Co had been to a lot of countries and their parents thought that she had matured enough to handle her own affairs.
Who would have thought that Sierra Co would meet that man in France and would cause her demise in Costa society?
It was a good thing that she was slowly letting go.
"There's a lot of good places in Costa City, little sis," he said finally. "I'll bring you to these places one of these days."
Ria Zhang turned her head towards Stanley Co. "I'll be looking forward to it," she said, clasping her hands near her chest. Her eyes then went to the white paper bag beside her brother.
"What is that?" She pointed her fingers to the paper bag.
Stanley Co's eyes followed the direction of her fingers. "Oh, this?" He picked it up and passed the paper bag to her.
Ria Zhang cocked an eyebrow but still accepted the paper bag. "For me?"
"Yes. I thought you wanted one," he said.
"Eh?" Ria Zhang's eyebrows furrowed before she opened it.
When she took the box out, she screamed while stomping her feet. "Oh my gosh. Is this mine?" She put the box near her chest, her eyes curved.
A wide smile decorated her lips.
"Yes. A gift for my dearest sister," Stanley Co said. The corner of his eyes went misty watching the unguarded reaction of Sierra Co. It was a good thing his sister was busy unboxing the camera or else, he would be teased.
Ria Zhang took it from the box. Inspecting it, she learned that the camera was already assembled.
The cable car stopped inside a small tunnel. The brother-sister duo stepped out as soon as the door opened.
"Welcome to Plateau 360, honorable guests," the woman who wore a black blouse and skirt greeted them. She put a lei around the necks of Ria Zhang and Stanley Co before a man led them to the elevator.
"Oh, wow. Thank you," Ria Zhang responded.
At Plateau 360, the employees don't discriminate against people. Whether one was a member of prominent family or just a normal citizen, as long as one can afford to pay the bill, everyone was equal.
Of course, since that was the case, no one can bully a server or risk being banned from the restaurant.
In a blink of an eye, the elevator ride ended as the man ushered them out. The salty breeze assaulted Ria Zhang's sense of smell as soon as she stepped out.
She closed her eyes momentarily to feel the gentle sway of the wind against her skin. She inhaled as she opened her eyes, curving her lips.
The server tactfully went to the side as he waited for the duo to follow him.
Stanley Co's gaze became gentle as she watched his sister. When she opened her eyes, she smiled at him, before linking her arm with his.
"Can we choose a spot where I can see the sea?" Ria Zhang asked her brother.
Stanley Co pressed his lips. "About that, when I made a reservation, it was already booked."
Ria Zhang nodded. "Oh, that's too bad. Then can we settle for the second best?"
Her brother laughed. "My sister can only have the best. You don't have to settle for second best."
"Who said that the best spot was already taken?" She pouted. "I can only settle for the second best, don't you think?"
Stanley Co can only scratched his head. Since when did Sierra Co become good in debunking arguments?
Ria Zhang didn't wait for Stanley Co to reason out. She pulled him towards the veranda where the tables and chairs were strategically positioned.
The server can only follow them. There were still a few people in the area.
"Honorable guests, this way please," he extended his arm towards the left side of the restaurant.
Ria Zhang and Stanley Co followed him. The lips of Ria Zhang formed an 'O' as her eyes digested the landscape.
The floor was made of wood. At each corner were pots of red roses. Near the railings was the table for two. It was also made from black wood.
Stanley Co pulled a chair for his sister. Ria Zhang muttered thanks before sitting down. After that, her brother occupied the opposite chair.
The server offered them welcome drinks and finger foods while they decide for their order.
The restaurant offered a variety of cuisines but its specialty was seafood. Ria Zhang's eyes scanned the menu before she raised her head.
"Can I have baked scallops?"
Stanley Co nodded before calling the server. "One serving of baked scallops," he said. "By the way, serve us your bestseller plus make sure there are no eggs and chicken. My sister is allergic to it."
"Noted sir," the man bowed respectfully before leaving them.
This was not the first time Stanley Co went here. If he was closing deals, he would bring their clients here. The food preparation was at least thirty minutes or so.
"Do you want to go around? I can show you the place," Stanley Co told his sister.
Ria Zhang nodded. Her mouth curved upwards. "Yes. I want to take pictures too." She took the camera from the box and put the sling around her neck.
"You know how to? As far as I know, you didn't take any photography lessons," Stanley Co teased her.
"Excuse me? You're underestimating your sister's capability to learn on her own," Ria Zhang rolled her eyes.
Stanley Co raised his head as his melodious laugh floated in the air.
It was the first time Ria Zhang saw Stanley Co laughed without inhibition. Well, that's reasonable given that the two of them don't have much interaction with each other.
Ria Zhang leveled the camera with her face before snapping a shot of his brother. She took four shots before she went over it.
Stanley Co stopped laughing when he noticed that his sister became silent. As she was scanning through the shots, he asked her "Did you take a picture of me?"
"I did. So what?" Ria Zhang replied indifferently.
He took the camera from her hands and went over the shots.
"Hey! Don't you dare delete it," Ria Zhang warned him but she didn't take the camera back. "You can't delete my first shot using that camera."
"This is not bad," Stanley Co told her. "For a beginner, you're good."
Ria Zhang twitched her mouth. What beginner? Even if she didn't own a camera in her past life, she took a part-time job as assistant photographer.
"Hmmmmp. I'll take that as a compliment."
Stanley Co raised his eyes, poking Sierra Co's forehead with his finger. "Silly. It's a compliment," his eyes were filled with warmth.
"Okay. Okay," Ria Zhang raised her hands up in the air. "Let me have that. I'll go around and maybe, take pictures of surroundings and cute guys." She took the camera as her laughter reverberated in the area.
Stanley Co almost lost his balance when he heard his sister. What cute guys? His eyes went wide as he stared at the laughing face of his sister.
"H-Hey, where are you going?" He grasped Sierra Co's arm.
"I'll just look around. Brother, don't worry. I will try my best not to chase cute guys. Ha ha ha."
Stanley Co pressed his lips. Damn, he cannot decide whether to strangle his sister or not.
"Ehem, ask first if the guy is single. If he is and he doesn't like you, I'll kidnap him for you."
This time, it was Ria Zhang's turn to be shocked. She stared at her brother's face looking for indication that he was not serious. But she found none. She shook her head and smiled.
"That's bad, brother. How about you read a book about how to make a man fall in love with you then tell me about it?" Ria Zhang wiggled her eyebrows.
Stanley Co almost puked when he heard it. Suddenly, kidnapping a man was easier than following his sister's suggestion. He turned around and left his sister.
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