[FLASH FICTION] Dining with the Sharks

Prompt inspiration: Found a Pinterest image set of a young Asian woman next to an old Asian man with these similar orders in front of them, which they then switched orders.

Enjoy reading!

The sound of soft bell chimes drew the young woman's attention, as earlier she had been staring off into the distance at the diner booth table in front of her. She looked up at the elderly man limping towards her with an intricately carved wooden cane in the shape of a dragon head at the top handle.

As soon as the old man paused his stride in front of the booth where the woman sat at the Filipino American diner, he silently assessed her look as the other did the same. The woman appeared youthful, wearing a loose, long-sleeved white buttoned-up blouse, classic black slacks, matching colored tie, and navy blue sneakers. Her hair was long, black, and wavy. She was, in every way, appearing younger than her actual age. The old man wore a similar attire yet with a black suit jacket, and his shoes were more of a polished black pair of Oxford shoes. His short grey hair was kept neat and pristine like an elderly businessman with money, with his golden circular sunglasses perched on the bridge of his nose.

The elderly man sighed as he slowly sat next to the young woman, who slumped in her seat suddenly. Once he slowly took off his stylish sunglasses, anyone in the diner could tell both customers were of Asian descent and closely related to each other.

"I see you went shopping, anak."

The old man gestured to the large shopping bag tucked at the end of the booth beside his daughter. The young woman continued to stare ahead into the distance, her mind occupied with various thoughts.

"Mulan - "

"Don't."

"- I'm really sorry."

"..."

The elderly man took a slow deep breath and exhaled even more slowly.

"...how much of my money did you spend?"

Mulan glared at him with one brief glance before looking away, with her arms crossed together in front of her. No verbal response needed.

"Okay, okay - that's fair... wow, you get your stress shopping habit from your mother," he openly chuckled as he remarked.

"...how is Mother?"

"Well, she still runs the household with an iron fist but from the comforts of her bed."

"She still sick?"

"Yes, though I have faith she'll pull through."

Mulan nodded slowly then frowned a bit. "You didn't have to kidnap my ex-boyfriend to steal his kidney and liver, Dad. Mother wouldn't want that."

"Wha - he's alive, though! And we ended up getting the kidney and liver somewhere else - we didn't really go through with it!"

"Only because I came over to stop it! You had him tied up!"

"Horacio did it - it was his idea!"

"And you let him?! He had him hovering over a piranha tank!"

"Have you MET Horacio? He's been overprotective of you since the day I introduced you to him!"

"Ah... M-Mister and Miss P-Pating? Excuse me, p-po?"

"ANO?!" Both Patings shouted as they whipped their heads toward a nervous-looking waiter standing awkwardly in front of their diner booth table.

"U-Um... m-merong akong order p-para sa inyong dalawa..." The waiter quickly placed a tall mug filled with Buffalo Trace bourbon in front of the elderly man, then placed a tall glass cup filled different flavors and colors of ice cream, especially ube, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and a cherry on top in front of the young woman. He quickly plopped a silver spoon in the ice cream cup before awkwardly waving and scampering away from their intense gazes.

Both father and daughter shifted their view from the waiter to the orders placed in front of them. They frowned in unison then, after a silent beat, traded orders. Mulan grabbed the tall mug and started chugging down the bourbon while her father happily scooped two flavors of ice cream into his mouth.

"Mmm... is this butter pecan with rocky road? You also have ube! Sarap!"

Mulan finished chugging half the mug and slightly nodded in reply.

"I appreciate all the same, anak."

She merely shrugged as she started nursing her drink. Mr. Pating slowly stopped eating his ice cream as he noticed her mood.

"...Mulan."

He waited for a beat. No response.

"Mulan, anak, why didn't you tell me and your mother that you were dating someone?"

His daughter sighed. "I didn't want you and Mother to worry in case it didn't last."

"...and it didn't."

"No, it didn't."

Mr. Pating took in the sight of his depressed child, now all grown up. His facial expression was stone cold, yet his eyes told another story. They were vibrant as several thoughts came to mind.

"Did he hurt you in any way...?"

"What? Of course not! We simply wanted to be friends when things weren't working out."

The old man nodded and gently patted her back. "You've always been strong, Mulan. I named you after your mother's favorite hero, after all."

Mulan rolled her eyes. "Dad, Mulan was a legend."

"Who's to say you wouldn't be legendary as well? I guarantee you'll make a name for yourself someday soon - I can feel it."

His daughter cracked a small smile from the corner of her mouth. "Thanks, Dad."

"Walang anuman, anak... now... then, why did Horacio appear angry on your behalf when you and your boyfriend broke up?"

Mulan suddenly slammed the mug onto the table and threw her hands up in frustration. "It beats me, Dad! I told him things were good, but he kept harping about how I deserve better and shouldn't have to waste my time moping or crying about stuff! He's just so frustrating sometimes with the mixed signals of hovering over me every time I go somewhere, and when I would like some company, he suddenly had better things to do! And any time I brought up my ex-boyfriend, even when we were together, Horacio would get irritated and call me annoying, yet later on would tell me I'm funny, kind, and sweet - I don't get your henchman, Dad!"

Mr. Pating stared at her in disbelief.

"Mulan."

"What?"

"I think you should talk to Horacio."

"What?? Why?!"

"Because I think he likes you."

Mulan slowly blinked at her father before bursting out in laughter.

"Horacio Bonce, one of the best snipers you have in your mafia clan - "

" - our family business, you mean - "

" - yeah, yeah, semantics! Anyways, HIM? He thinks I'm annoying half the time and only tolerates me because you're his boss - "

" - he told me you care about people so much with a big heart and that I'm lucky to have you as a daughter."

"I - wait, really?" Mulan stumbled over her words, staring at her father in confusion.

He nodded in reply. "He also has no filter and mentioned how beautiful you are... in too many details that I had to knock him over the head as soon as he complimented your mother for having you."

"He... he said those words?"

"More or less... I'm summarizing because his words were too detailed and graphic, and I'd rather not repeat certain phrases he used to measure your beauty."

Seeing the pure oblivious look on his daughter's face, Mr. Pating merely sighed in frustration, patting her back again. "Please speak to him, anak."