บท 11: BBQ Night
As Mike and Mia took a short break, a Nissan Skyline GT-R pulled into the garage, and Brian stepped out of the vehicle, arriving first.
"Hi, Brian," Mike greeted as he approached him.
"Hi, Mike," Brian responded.
"Hi, Mia," Mike said, but Mia pretended not to hear, which made Brian feel embarrassed.
Sensing the awkwardness, Mike quickly stepped in to relieve the tension and handed Brian a bottle of beer.
"How have you been recently?" Mike asked, starting a conversation.
Brian took a deep breath and replied, "It's been tough at the FBI here. But someone reached out to me, and I'm planning to go to Miami to see what it's about."
Mike's ears perked up at the mention of Miami, knowing that the second part of their plan was about to begin.
"In that case, I'm here to wish you all the best," Mike said, touching Brian's beer bottle with his own.
"Thank you," Brian expressed his gratitude.
At that moment, a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 pulled up at the repair shop, and a dog jumped out and ran toward Mike. Mike warmly greeted Daisy, John's pet dog, and rubbed his head affectionately.
Following the dog, a handsome middle-aged man emerged from the driver's seat with two bottles of Corona in his hands.
"Hi, John, this is Brian," Mike introduced.
"Hi, Brian," John greeted Brian.
Mia also came out at that time. She had purposely stayed away earlier, not wanting to see Brian, but upon hearing the commotion, she couldn't resist joining the group.
"This beautiful lady is Mia, Dom's sister," Mike introduced Mia to John.
"Evening, Mia," John greeted her politely.
Just as they finished their introductions, a Mazda RX-7 drove into the parking lot. Dom, Vince, and Dom's girlfriend, Letty, stepped out of the car.
Letty had met Mike a few times, but since the system required a formal introduction before adding her to the list, her name had not yet appeared.
Skipping the detailed greetings, they all began to gather around the grill, where Mike prepared to start the barbecue. With a burst of fire, the party officially began.
Music played in the background, and conversations sparked among the group. Brian, being on good terms only with Mike, stayed by his side, while John surprised everyone by engaging in lively chats with Dom and Mia.
Dom, with his love for classic muscle cars, proudly declared, "When it comes to raw power and an unmistakable presence, you can't beat the mighty Dodge Charger from the late 1960s. Its muscular lines, aggressive front grille, and iconic hidden headlights exude a sense of dominance. And let's not forget the thunderous roar of its V8 engine, capable of leaving everyone in the dust."
Letty, known for her fearless driving skills, countered with a smirk, "While the Charger is an impressive beast, I believe the Chevrolet Camaro Z28 from the 1970s is the epitome of performance and style. Its sleek and aerodynamic design, combined with the potent V8 engine and tight handling, makes it a true track-worthy contender. Plus, those rally stripes add a touch of boldness."
John Wick, the mysterious and resourceful driver, chimed in with a nod, ready to present his own favorite from the era. "I can't deny the charm of American muscle, but for me, the timeless elegance of the Porsche 911 from the 1980s takes the crown. Its unmistakable silhouette, refined lines, and rear-engine configuration make it an engineering masterpiece. The harmonious balance between power and precision is unparalleled."
The debate continued with fervor, each participant highlighting the unique attributes of their chosen car, passionately arguing their case, and occasionally injecting playful banter.
From the roar of the Charger to the sleekness of the Camaro and the precision of the Porsche, they explored the defining characteristics that made these cars the true icons of their time.
After a while, Mike arrived at the dining table carrying two large plates of sizzling barbecue. The tantalizing aroma filled the air, immediately captivating the hungry group.
With mischievous delight, Mike declared that they needed to wait a bit longer, allowing the meat to rest and the flavors to intensify. The group exchanged eager glances, their stomachs growling in anticipation.
As they waited, engaging in lively conversation, the enticing aroma continued to tease their senses. The sizzle of the grill added to the symphony of anticipation. Laughter filled the air, and mouths watered with every passing minute.
Finally, Mike deemed the meat perfectly rested, and with a flourish, he presented the plates of barbecue, eliciting cheers and applause from the group.
"Welcome to the garage," Mike announced, raising his glass. "Let's welcome our new friend, John. We're excited to have you on board and can't wait to see the incredible contributions you'll bring to our team. Here's to a future filled with thrilling rides, unforgettable memories, and a camaraderie that can't be beaten. Cheers, John!"
The group raised their glasses to toast John, and the atmosphere became livelier.
"Now, I declare the party officially started! Come and taste the Chinese-style barbecue, lamb skewers!" Mike announced with a playful tone.
Tang reached out and held hands with several people, a gesture of unity and camaraderie. Although Mike and John didn't quite understand the significance behind it, they followed suit, feeling the warmth and spirit of the moment.
A short prayer followed, expressing gratitude for the choices made and remembering loved ones who were no longer with them.
After the prayer, everyone picked up skewers and started eating. The mouthwatering aroma of cumin combined with the tender meat delighted their taste buds. The new flavors intrigued those who hadn't experienced Chinese barbecue before.
Utensils in hand, they eagerly indulged in the tender, flavorful meat. The smoky, tangy, and savory flavors danced across their palates, satisfying their cravings and rewarding their patience.
Amidst the sounds of contented chewing and appreciative murmurs, laughter and animated conversation filled the air. They savored the culinary masterpiece before them, grateful for the delicious food and the bonds formed around the table.
The food, accompanied by beer, brought comfort and relaxation to the group.
Amidst the enjoyment, Daisy, John's dog, also joined in the feast, gobbling up the food prepared for him.
As they ate, Mia gave Mike a thumbs up, appreciating the unique flavors of the Chinese-style barbecue compared to the previous Mexican barbecue. The spiciness added an extra kick that they all enjoyed.
During the meal, Dom spoke up, "Today, I want to announce that Brian is heading to Miami. Due to his loyalty and not betraying us, he has faced difficulties in the local police station. So, let's raise a toast to his loyalty."
Dom clinked glasses with Brian, and after considering the situation, Letty and Mia also forgave him, choosing to move forward. However, Vince remained silent, still harboring some resentment as Brian had been his primary romantic rival.
"Thank you, Mike," Brian expressed his gratitude, touched by the support he received.
"Everything will pass as long as we don't betray each other. I wish you a smooth journey," Mike said, clinking glasses with Brian.
"Next, let's welcome our new friend, John, and his dog, Daisy," Mike introduced John to the group, acknowledging his assistance earlier.
At that moment, Daisy seemed to respond to his name and barked, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
"Thank you, Mike, for preparing this delicious food. It tastes amazing," Dom complimented, raising his wine glass in appreciation.
He felt slightly uncomfortable that Mike had taken the lead, as Dom was accustomed to being the leader himself.
Letty echoed her boyfriend's sentiments, saying, "Cheers, Mike!"
John also expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Mike, for your help during this time. I really appreciate it."
"We all know that Mike is a good man! He has helped us in difficult times. Let's raise our glasses to our honorable Mr. Mike," Dom added, recognizing Mike's positive impact.
The garage, being Mike's investment, provided them with stability, and it was Mike who had warned him to be cautious around Brian, ultimately protecting his sister from harm.
During this time, Brian also joined in, expressing his gratitude for Mike's help in repairing his relationship with Dom.
Even Vince expressed his gratitude to Mike for assisting him in driving Brian away. However, a sudden thought crossed his mind—what if Mike was gay and might potentially be interested in him? This realization caused Vince's favorability level, which had just risen, to plummet once again.
Meanwhile, Mike's smile grew wider as he heard the system's notification. He knew that a new skill was now available.
Mike suspected it might be related to Brian.
Glancing at the system, he noticed Vince's favorability level fluctuating like a spring, rising and falling rapidly.
Perplexed, Mike looked at Vince and decided to approach him, holding a plate of grilled chicken wings. He wanted to find out what was happening.
But as soon as he approached Vince, his favorability dropped again.
"What's going on here? Vince, why are you making this so difficult? Can't I earn your favorability?" Mike wondered, feeling frustrated.
On the other side, Vince felt the hair strands on his asscheeks tighten as he's nervousness and discomfort increased.
'Here comes Mike again, please don't bother me, I like girls.'
Vince decided as mike approached him that he would have a serious no-nonsense heart-to-heart talk with him.
Vince would have to prove that he have feelings for Mia, and Mike's lingering interest in him was unwelcome.
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