Chapter 7 Seven

The sound of classic jazz music filled the restaurant area with a roaring twenties concept where Anna felt like she had crossed a tunnel of time. Sparkling marble touches dominate the luxurious interiors and reflect soft, romantic yellow lights. It was as if he could be seen in a mirror on the shiny marble floor. The high ceilings and glass windows show how spacious this sultan-class restaurant is. Velvet curtains wrapped in golden ropes delivered the sea view and moonlight outside.

Apart from that, a shiny, polished, brown spiral staircase is covered with red carpet and leather-covered sofas. Decorative plants were placed in several corners, round tables covered with white tablecloths filled with various dishes and glasses of wine and champagne.

Meanwhile, the servers wore white shirts, black vests, and bow ties, walking gracefully while carrying the guests' trays. Don't forget that there is also a man playing the saxophone and a woman wearing a bright red dress showing off her sweet voice and singing jazz songs.

Seriously, am I here?

Anna sat in silence while her irises darted around. In her heart, this is not her class in life, even though there is a glimmer of desire to experience what it is like to be a person bathed in wealth. But when that dream came true, Anna suddenly felt inadequate. Her soul is too barbaric compared to being an elegant woman like the woman opposite her.

Flashes of Anna and Shanon dancing like crazy in No Lights No Lycra, followed by drinking and eating in the pub with casually dressed people, flashed through her mind. Completely the opposite, she thought. She looked down at her clothing style, wearing only a white crop top with a pineapple pattern, denim, and matching shoes. Much different than Jake, who looked more neat, mature, masculine, and... tempting.

"Please choose the food you like, Anna," said Jake, interrupting the girl's thoughts when a sturdy, slender waiter handed him a menu.

Anna stuttered, flashed a crooked smile, and read a random menu with fantastic prices. It's not surprising either because this place does offer a different experience than just eating at a regular restaurant.

"New York sirloin to the bone for the main dish; just give me your recommendations," said Jake. "Ah, can I ask for Lagom white wine for wine?"

"Okay, Sir."

"You?" Jake turned to Anna, who was still busy choosing.

"I'll just go with it," she said because she didn't want to be judged as taking advantage of the opportunity.

"Okay. We'll order two," said Jake.

The waiter took notes, then returned the menu as he left Jake and Anna. Jake caught Anna's uncomfortable expression, which was that she deliberately hid behind those big, sweet-looking eyes. She deliberately avoided herself by pretending to highlight the woman who was still singing the verse Stuck on You by Lionel Richie.

"Not too much, right?" Jake asked. "You seem uncomfortable."

"A little bit." Anna was blunt and pointed at her clothes. "I never thought that I would end up stranded here." She lowered her voice, not wanting anyone but Jake to hear.

"You don't need to wear fancy clothes to enter a place like this," said Jake.

"Unfortunately, people will always judge you by your appearance, Jake," Anna replied, folding her arms on the table. "The way a person dresses reflects who they are."

"That's right. But that's not important compared to their temperament," said Jake, considering that not everything humans wear shows their true nature. Some deliberately wear masks using the most expensive fabrics to manipulate them.

"Like you. People might not know that Anna is a great nurse."

Anna laughed until she blushed. "I'm not that good either. I just happened to see Nonna's grandmother faint, and... how could I pretend I didn't see it? Is your grandmother called Nonna?"

Jake reflexively laughed out loud, but strangely, the man's laughter still looked elegant. "Gosh, sorry..."

Am I wrong? Is there something funny? Anna thought even more awkwardly.

"My grandmother's name is Barbara. We call her Nonna, which means grandmother. Italian, Anna," explained Jake, making Anna laugh at her stupidity.

"Ah... my God." Anna nodded in understanding. "No wonder your faces aren't truly local people here. How long have you lived here?"

Jake was silent momentarily, then said, "I think it's been five years. Only Indonesian and Balinese have been taught by my mother since I was a kid."

"Oh... Your mother is originally from here?" Anna asked, just finding out that the owner of Lagom was of Balinese descent.

"Yeah. You too. You don't look like local women," Jake pointed with his chin.

"Me?" Anna pointed to herself. "That's true. My mother used to work and met a Sydney man who, until now, I never knew who he was or where he was. Hahaha... if people here call me.. an illegitimate child."

"Oh, sorry." Jake's expression changed in an instant. Anna waved her hand. "Just relax. Besides, it's been a long time since we lived happily. Mother says that I'm her good fortune, " Illegitimate child or not."

"Correct." Jake nodded. "Children are indeed a blessing, not a disaster, although many people don't want to have children."

"That's right. It's normal, people think differently, Jake," said Anna. "The important thing is that I can be happy, mother, that's all."

"Oh yes, you said you used to work at IHC. Where do you work now?" Jake asked curiously.

Their conversation stopped when the waiter came to take their order. Anna's eyes widened, welcoming the aroma of steak rich in spices into her nose, followed by a beautiful dessert in brownies drenched in chocolate and decorated with chocolate in the shape of red roses. The Lagom brand red wine bottle appeared, making Anna look at Jake questioningly. Is he pretending to be someone else, or do they already know that Jake owns Lagom?

"Thank you," said Jake with a friendly smile. After the waiter left, Jake poured a bottle of white wine into a tall glass and said, "They don't know who I am. How you look at me makes you want to complain to them, Anna."

"Well, how could it not be? The only people who take photos of you on Instagram are your back, Jake," blurted out Anna, then stunned by her words. Watch your mouth, Anna, oh my... Jake's eyebrows rose.

"Oh, that's what the back guy is called because you saw my post?" He cut the steak and asked Anna to finish the food quickly. "I read some people's comments. I thought it was all just a joke, but it turns out..."

Jake laughed again, the sound crisp in Anna's ears.

"Sorry." Anna was embarrassed, smacking her lips slowly because she couldn't filter out what she should or shouldn't say. "But that's information from my friend."

"It's okay. So?" Jake still wanted to know where Anna worked, so the girl looked deft when handling Barbara in the field. So far, not many Indonesians can provide first aid like Anna. Jake had memorized the habits of residents when there was a critical situation, always telling the victim to drink first or giving them a pungent smell. "After IHC, which hospital did you work at?"

"Oh, I'm... a travel nurse under the AVA Sydney agency," answered Anna after swallowing slices of sirloin meat that were damn soft and delicious on her tongue. The taste of black pepper was dominant, followed by the savory butter and garlic, to the point where he thought that just one portion might not be enough. "I don't like being tied to a contract for too long. It gets boring."

"I've heard that term. Interesting for those of you who like adventure," replied Jake, taking a quick sip of his drink.

"Yes, only a three-month contract, promising salary, you can also go on holiday. Meet lots of new people," said Anna enthusiastically. "Sydney impressed me the most. They are friendly, and the place is nice. The food is delicious."

"How long have you been a travel nurse?" Anna thought momentarily, remembering the first time she set foot in Sydney as a medical worker, not a little girl who didn't have a father and was insulted by a large family.

Her efforts to get to this point can be said to be tough. From taking nursing education in Surabaya, competency exams, looking for work experience for two years, and the registered nurse exam to get an internationally recognized license even though she failed twice. Not to mention looking for an agency that would accept her to join before entering her dream hospital.

"I think this is my fourth year," Anna said. "When I'm done exploring Australia, I want to move to another country with my mother. Live together peacefully without any chatter from neighbors and family. America? Europe? Or to Scotland and live in Edinburgh?"

"Tuscany?" Jake said, giving an idea. "It's a beautiful place there. The weather, the countryside, vineyards everywhere, walking paths, and clear rivers."

"I know, but learning Italian is difficult," complained Anna. "Sorry, but that's the truth, Jake. I didn't mean to offend the language of your ancestors."

"I can teach you," Jake added, rolling his eyes without being offended. "Let's just say Barbara's kindness to you hasn't been fully repaid." His gaze flashed something that Anna couldn't read.