Happy birthday

Once they arrived at the hotel, they looked around to see if either Jake or the girl was anywhere in sight. When they were certain that the coast was clear, they snuck inside and asked if there were any tables available. Fortunately for them, they just had a cancellation for a table for two and Maria knew someone who worked there because normally they don't accept walk-ins and are fully booked as one of the towns more popular restaurants. They were seated somewhere out of sight from the entrance and Maria's friend even managed to let them know which table had been reserved for Jake and his date.

No sooner had they been seated or did the first person arrive, which was Jake himself. He sat down with his back facing them, allowing Laila and Maria to get a good look at the mistress that had ruined Laila's marriage in her previous life. Or at least what was left of it. The girl in question arrived a few short minutes later and Maria started filming through the bushed plants that shielded them from Jake and the mistress. Jake greeted the girl with a kiss and a 'happy birthday' and they both sat back down.

Maria and Laila's eyes were glued to the scene. They were trying their best to overhear whatever Jake and the girl were saying in the busy restaurant. To make sure that they got the best imaging and sound as possible of the scene that was playing out before them, Maria took Laila's phone soon after she had started filming the two of them. She used Laila's phone to record the audio with the microphone pointed in their direction, while she focussed her phone on getting everything on video.

Maria and Laila tried to blend into the crowd as much as possible in order to not stand out to Jake or the date while they were filming. So, they needed to actually eat something, which considering that it was dinnertime, wasn't exactly a punishment. When Maria's waiter-friend came to take their order, Laila whispered something to him in order to disturb the recording as little as possible. Shortly after both their table as well as Jake's table got their food served. With one eye on Jake and his date, and the other on their plates, Laila and Maria ate their food and ordered another drink. They had to drag their dinner out as long as Jake's. Since they needed to catch them going up to a room as well and record whatever inappropriate things they might do at the table.

After an entrée, a main course, a sparkly birthday cake and many exchanges of googly eyes, touching hands, wandering feet and the occasional kiss, it was time for the grand event. A cake with sparklers was brought in and the girl acted thoroughly surprised as she turned their way to face the cake that was decorated in her honour. This worked out great for Laila and Maria as it gave them a clear shot of her face, which had been mostly hidden so far.

After the cake had arrived and the sparklers had finished, the gift Jake had prepared was handed over. It was an luxurious gift, one that would certainly stand out on any credit card statement. So, should he try to hide or deny anything, they would be able to point Suzy in that direction if need be. Once the gift was given, Maria and Laila had gotten their cue to get ready to leave as they needed a bit of time for the next part of their plan. With their touching and the amount of money spent on that gift, they knew that dinner wouldn't be lasting long anymore.

Laila asked for the check and gestured for Maria to get ready to leave. Laila paid the bill quickly, leaving behind a big tip as a thanks for Maria's friend, who had helped them a lot during their little operation, before the two of them made their way out of the restaurant. Laila and Maria made sure to walk out in a way that prevented Jake from seeing them and Maria's waiter friend caused a little distraction at the very end, when their chance of exposure was the highest, in order to let them get away.

Once they had snuck out of the restaurant, the two of them hid in the waiting area of the hotel lobby. While waiting for Jake and his mistress to finish up at the restaurant, Maria tried to find out what room number they had. She was putting on one of her best damsel in distress acts for the person behind the counter. "Oh please... Kenny. Can I call you Kenny?" She said as she read his name off his nametag. She waited for him to nod before she continued. "I promised my friend that I would get this done. You see it is his girlfriend's birthday today and they are celebrating it in your restaurant as we speak. They are planning on staying the night at the hotel after dinner and all I need is the room number so that I can get the room ready. I know I was a fool for forgetting the number but don't force me to be a bad friend as well."

The man was hesitating but Maria continued to pressure him by pleading to him, practically begging. Even claiming that she had sent him a message to ask for the number herself but not getting a response. "As time is running out, I really need your help. You won't turn your back on me now will you Kenny. You seem like the kind of man who would help a woman in need." After much hesitation Kenny faltered a bit. He called his colleagues at the restaurant to confirm the story and when Maria's story checked out, he tried to help her the best way he could. "I can't tell you the room number BUT if you tell me what you were supposed to do, I will get one of the staff members to do it for you."

Though this wasn't what they were hoping for, it had to do as Jake and the other woman could arrive here any minute now and at that point discovering the room number would be useless.