บท 17: At Restaurant
The warm atmosphere of La Dolce Vita enveloped Jack, Samantha, and Lena as they settled into their seats. The soft glow of candlelight flickered on their table, casting shadows across the deep red tablecloth. The scent of freshly baked bread and simmering sauces filled the air, making Jack's stomach rumble in anticipation. He glanced at the menu, but his thoughts were elsewhere, turning over the events of the day.
Lena, already scanning the menu, broke the comfortable silence. "I'm definitely getting the lasagna. I haven't eaten all day. What about you, Jack?"
"Carbonara," Jack said, closing his menu with a decisive snap. "Can't go wrong with the classics."
Samantha smiled slightly as she skimmed the menu. "Penne arrabbiata for me. It's my go-to here."
As they waited for the waiter to take their orders, Jack leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the table. He had been mulling over whether to bring up the vase incident, but now seemed like as good a time as any.
"So, I had an interesting day," Jack began, his tone casual but with an underlying hint of excitement. "I came across a pretty valuable antique—a vase. The guy selling it didn't know how much it was worth, but he started at 1200. Then, after some back and forth, he tried to bump it up to 2000."
Lena's eyes widened, intrigued. "Did you buy it?"
Jack shook his head, his expression hardening. "No, I didn't. I knew he was trying to play me, and 2000 was way too much. But here's the thing—the vase is definitely worth more. It's one of those moments where you know you've found something big, but the guy has no clue what he's sitting on."
Samantha raised an eyebrow, looking mildly interested but more cautious. "So, you're planning to go back for it? Sounds like he might keep pushing the price up if he knows you're really interested."
Jack leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. But here's the thing—I know where he lives. If I go back myself, he'll probably remember me and try to milk me for more money."
Lena nodded, clearly following his thought process. "So, you need someone else to go in your place, right? Someone who doesn't look like they're too invested?"
Jack's eyes flicked to Lena. "Exactly. I was wondering if one of you could go. If it looks like a different buyer is coming for it, he might settle for the lower price—maybe even 1200 or less."
Samantha shook her head apologetically. "I'm swamped with work. I have meetings all day tomorrow, and there's no way I could get away for something like that."
Lena glanced over at her, then back at Jack. "I'm free in the afternoon, though. I could swing by and check it out. Just tell me where this guy lives, and I'll handle it."
Jack smiled, relieved. "That would be great. I can give you all the details later. Just be casual about it, you know? Like you just stumbled on it and want to buy it for cheap."
Lena grinned, leaning forward slightly. "Oh, I can do casual. I'll just walk in like, 'Oh, is that a vase? I guess it looks kinda cute. How much?' Then bam! I'll walk out with it for a steal."
Jack chuckled, appreciating her enthusiasm. "That's the spirit. Just make sure you don't look too eager. The guy's sharp enough to sense when someone's really interested."
Samantha, always the practical one, tapped her fingers lightly on the table. "Are you sure this vase is worth it? I mean, I get that you know your stuff, but you don't want to waste time—or money—on something that might not pan out."
Jack nodded. "I get that, and I'm sure."
Samantha leaned back in her chair, satisfied with his reasoning. "As long as you're confident. Just don't get too caught up in it."
Their conversation was interrupted as the waiter arrived with their food. Plates of rich pasta, steaming and covered in sauces, were placed in front of them. Jack's carbonara was creamy, the bacon crisp and golden. Lena's lasagna was bubbling with melted cheese, while Samantha's penne arrabbiata looked vibrant and spicy, the sauce a deep red.
Lena immediately dug into her meal, practically moaning in delight. "Oh my God, this is so good. I could eat this every day."
Jack grinned, twirling some pasta onto his fork. "It's been too long since I've had good Italian food."
Samantha, more reserved in her approach, took a bite of her penne, savoring the flavors. "This place never disappoints."
As they ate, the conversation flowed freely. Jack filled them in on his recent experiences at work, while Lena shared stories from her day, her lively personality keeping the mood light. Samantha, though quieter, added her dry humor at just the right moments, making them both laugh.
"So," Lena said between bites, "this guy with the vase—what's he like? Do I need to be prepared for some sketchy old dude?"
Jack chuckled. "He's not that bad, just greedy. Middle-aged, kind of scruffy-looking, like someone who's been running around flea markets his whole life. He'll probably act like he doesn't care about selling it, but trust me, he wants to make the sale."
Lena nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. Sounds manageable. I'll just go in there with zero expectations, pretend I don't even care if I walk away with it or not."
Samantha smiled faintly, finishing the last bite of her pasta. "You're surprisingly good at this."
Lena shrugged, a playful smirk on her face. "What can I say? I've had some practice."
When the plates were cleared and the bill paid, they stood to leave. Jack wanted to pay for everything but Samantha didn't let him. Saying you just started working, and younger than her, let her pay.
Jack thought for a moment and he let her pay for it. He would treat her someday.
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