Upside down Pineapple Cake

Three gentlemen were waiting for him when he stepped foot into the restaurant. The room was bathed in opulence; gold light created a soft ambiance to the place. People were seated on tables spaced far apart for privacy, and a few tables had the reserved sign seated atop them. He had been to the restaurant a few times before, and when his new clients stated that place for their meeting point, he had no qualms as the place was popular not only for their food but for the conducive environment for hosting first meetings.

Alexander headed over to the table at a far corner of the room. The gentlemen, all Asian, returned his greeting with handshakes. He seated himself and smiled.

"Food first, or business?" Alexander asked. They were new promising business settting up in the U.S., and he intended to do his best to assure them of the credibilty of his company.

"We don't even know what to order," One of the men, Kenji said, looking at the menu, confused. "Everything looks so tasty."

"I'll sort that out," Alexander said. "How about…"

His voice died when he saw the person who stepped into the restaurant. It wasn't hard for others there to also notice her. Selena Tequila demanded the attention she wanted, standing in one spot long enough to announce her presence like she was some kind of movie star. She flipped her hair, and her eyes caught his. She smiled and waved.

She had followed him, that was for sure, and he wasn't certain she was normal anymore.

As she walked over to his table, he figured it would be best to call the police if she was going to cause a stir right there. The gentlemen looked over in her direction, curious as well.

"Hi!" Selena greeted in a cherry tone. "My name's Selena Tequila. Alexander over here is my friend."

Friend? His phone was in his hand, and he glanced at the keypads, readying his fingers on the emergency speed dial.

She slid into the only empty chair beside Alexander and kept her smile on. The gentlemen introduced themselves; Takashi, Kenji, and Yusuke.

"You're Japanese!" Selena clapped. "Minasan, o-aidekite ureshii desu!"

Instantly, the men sunk into the ease of the broken language barrier and smiles lightened up their faces. Selena rattled on in Japanese, and before Alexander could order for them all, she had already picked the menu and explained something to the men as she pointed at each item.

Soon, food was served for them all, five identical plates of seared fois gras with caramelized apples and a port of wine reduction. Even Alexander didn't have a choice in his pick. They spoke in Japanese, and after Selena swallowed a bite of her food, she patted Alexander's shoulders and gesticulated to him as she spoke to the men. They listened to her with rapt attention. He sat there, not knowing what to do. Whatever she was saying seemed to be positive, for they all had a glowy look in their eyes, as if in admiration of him, but that was until they all burst out laughing.

Alexander joined in with a chuckle and he leaned to Selena's ear. "What was the last part you said?"

"That you're as stuck-up as an upside-down pineapple cake, but it's why you get the job done,'' Selena popped a piece of grape into her mouth.

Alexander was not expecting that. "What? Why would you say that?"

"Lighten up, they're laughing," Selena whispered back to him. "Kenji, Onegaishimasu…"

"Gentlemen," Alexander cut in. "Perhaps we should begin to discuss business."

"Oh there's no need, we've discussed everything we needed to. Just send over the contract and we'll sign," Kenji said. "And if you and your friend are available for dinner next week, we'd love to treat you both to a proper Japanese dinner."

"I'm afraid Selena won't be able to make it…"

"Are you kidding?!" Selena said in English. "I'd love to! Alex and I will be there, we promise."

Alexander gritted his teeth. "No, you won't. Remember you've got that meeting to attend?"

"What meeting?" Selena blinked at him innocently, but he didn't miss the ghost of a smile on her lips. "My schedule is free on Sunday, so you don't have to worry."

The men were pleased to hear that. When the meal ended, Selena requested a group picture. Alexander tried all he could to not be included in it, but Selena had put a hand over his shoulder, which locked in in place as they all posed for her selfie.

They followed the clients to the car park as a way to lengthen their discussion. After they all shook hands, they bade them, leaving both Alex and Selena as they drove off.

Immediately they were out of sight, Alexander's fake smile dropped and he turned angry eyes on Selena.

"What was that about?" He asked.

"I'm confused, where's the part where you say thank you?" Selena asked.

"You followed me down here," Alexander said.

"Only because you wouldn't speak to me. I had to think of a solution…"

"...and you interfered in my business meeting…"

"...the word you're looking for is helped, thanks to my fluency in Japanese…"

"...and you manipulated your way into taking a picture," She noticed his face was growing redder with each statement. She stood her ground, folded her arms, and locked eyes with him.

"That picture is my ticket to entering my house today," she said. Hopefully, her father would believe she had handled their matter with a proof of picture.

"Give me your phone." He commanded.

"Of course not, why would I?"

"Selena, I'm not kidding. Give me that phone or else I'll…"

"... you'll what? Snatch it out of my purse?"

"Exactly," Alexander closed the distance between them, and Selena backed away, eyes wide. "So give it to me, or I'll be forced to."

She knew he was not bluffing, and the parking lot was empty. She opened her mouth to speak, but instead, she turned and ran. She heard him right behind her, and she put in as much energy into her speed as her heels would allow her. The stairs were getting closer and closer, but before she let out a scream.

"Let go of my purse!" She screeched and hit at his hand.

"I'll not have you posting this on the internet knowing fully well what kind of unrepentant person you are," Alexander dragged the purse from her, but she was relentless in her fight.

"I'm not posting it! Weren't you listening to me?!"

Alexander managed to pull the purse out of her grasp and in the process pulled her close to him.

Selena didn't let go, and neither did Alexander. Hot breaths fanned on each other's faces, and they were locked in a glare competition.

"What's going on here?" A voice asked.

They both turned in the direction of the voice. A woman almost as tall as Alexander stood a few feet away, her baby-like face framed with a bob that made her look like a princess out of a cartoon. She looked between the two of them, and Alexander pushed Selena away, sending her almost toppling to the ground.