“I’ll have the Lobster Bisque to start, then the Foie Gras Salad, then for main, the Cordon Bleu and...yummm...the Creme Brulee looks good for dessert.” Ellen smiled as she gave the maitre’d her order.

Sean gaped at her in aghast. “Are you sure you can finish all that?”

Ellen shrugged. “Hey, I’m a growing girl...”

“Uh huh,” Sean nodded with a grin. “Growing sideways you mean.” Then turning to the maitre’d. “I’ll just have the breast of duck in orange sauce.”

Ellen feigned a gasp. “Noooo...is someone watching their figure?” she teased.

“Women don’t like fat men. And the same goes for men not liking fat women too,” Sean retorted.

“Hrmpp!” Ellen grunted. “Then those men or women who so favour physical looks aren’t worth liking anyway. I say eat what you want, all you want, when you want! You only live once.”

Sean laughed. That was Ellen. She spoke what her mind said. Nevermind if not everyone agreed with her arguments or her brand of logic. And she hadn’t changed a bit. She was still very much the out-spoken girl he once remembered. He had first met her about 8 years ago in Melbourne, when they were both at university. Since graduation, he had returned to Hong Kong while she had taken up residence there. Although they hadn’t seen each other for 4 years, they had managed to keep in touch with one another through mail and phone. Sean was delighted when Ellen had announced she would be coming to Hong Kong. He was so thrilled that he had forgotten to ask her the reason. I must remember to find out, he reminded himself.

“So, what is it you’re in Hong Kong for?” Sean asked.

“Oh, I’m on holiday,” Ellen replied as she tore off a chunk of bread and popped it into her mouth.

“For how long?”

Ellen shrugged. “For as long as I feel like it, I guess.”

Sean frowned. “Don’t you need to get back to work?”

“Nope,” Ellen shook her head. “I’ve resigned.”

“What?!” Sean exclaimed. “Why? I thought you liked your job and furthermore, the amount they were paying you, wow, give me that sort of salary anytime.”

“I got bored and I just didn’t feel like working anymore. So, I decided to take a break,” she grinned.

Sean sighed and rolled his eyes. “Women.”

Ellen laughed. “Yup, yup. Women. And this woman here needs to go to the ladies. Be right back,” she said as she got up.

On her way back, she accidentally bumped into an immaculately dressed lady.

“Ouff! Oops, I’m sorry,” Ellen apologised.

“Hrmph!” the lady snorted and swept pass her.

Ellen raised her brow. “Hrmph to you too,” she muttered under her breath before going back to join Sean at the table.

“What took you so long? Your Lobster Bisque is getting cold,” he told her.

“Well, I had to removed my trousers, then my under-”

“Okay, okay, spare me the details,” Sean quickly interjected.

Ellen laughed.

“There she is! The thief!”

The scream caused Ellen and Sean to look around. The same lady that Ellen had earlier bumped into was marching towards their table.

“You! You thief, you! Give me back my bracelet!” the lady stuck her hand out under Ellen’s nose.

Although Ellen was rather taken aback by the commotion and accusation, she held her cool. “Excuse me? Are you talking to me?”

“Err...Natasha. What’s going on?” Sean cautiously asked the lady.

Natasha turned towards the voice. “Sean!” She looked back at Ellen and then at him again. “You know this thief?!”

“Hey, watch what you’re calling me,” Ellen warned.

“Why should she? You’re a thief.”

Ellen swung around at the voice. “You!” she exclaimed when she recognised the face sneering at her. “What would a Neanderthal like you know, anyway?!”

“Cave woman!” Michael retaliated.

“Neanderthal!” Ellen screamed.

“Ahem,” Sean coughed. Everyone in the restaurant was staring at Ellen and Michael. Even Natasha, who for a split second had forgotten what she was there for. Then coming back to her senses, she continued to accuse Ellen of stealing her bracelet.

“Someone call the police!” she shrieked. Then there was a meek tap on her shoulder.

“Err...excuse me, miss. Is this yours?” The hand held up a diamond bracelet.

Natasha eyed it and quickly snatched it away from the hand holding it. “You’re an accomplice, aren’t you?” she growled.

“No, no,” the poor waitress who had found it shook her hands. “I found it on the floor in the ladies. And when I heard you say you had lost a bracelet, I guessed that it might be yours,” she quickly explained.

“Hrmphh!” Natasha snorted. “A likely story!”

“I believe someone owes me an apology,” Ellen smirked.

Natasha ignored Ellen’s comment and wrapped her arm through Michael’s. “Come on, Michael darling. We’re never coming back to this restaurant again. I can’t believe they let such riff raff into the place,” she said as she led him out of the restaurant.

“Who the hell was she?” Ellen asked Sean as soon as Natasha left. “And the Neanderthal who was with her?”

“That was Natasha,” Sean sighed. “And the guy’s Michael, my friend. How do you know him?”

“I don’t. He’s the jurassic case of bad luck I mentioned,” Ellen scowled.

Sean raised his brow. “So, you’re the Apocalypse then...” he grinned.

“Huh?” Ellen looked at him funnily. “That’s the second time you’ve mentioned that. What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all,” Sean laughed. “I’ll have to properly introduce you to Michael one of these days.”

“Ughh...the Neanderthal? No thanks,” Ellen pretended to puke.