For dinner Lain Ogden took both families out to a fancy Chinese restaurant called Chef Hu's not too far from their house.

"I love Chinese food," said Uncle Lain. "It's got flavor, its got variety, and it can be very healthy. I've tasted so many vegetables you probably didn't know existed. Their crab dumplings and cumin lamb is to die for I'm telling you."

"Wow this is all very expensive," said Martin Foreman, examining the menu. "58 dollars for a stir fried beef. You gotta be kidding."

"They used the highest quality ingredients," said Uncle Lain cheerfully. "Fish is all fresh. At least 90 percent of the seafood on that menu is kept live in tanks."

"Well the ginger and scallion spiny lobster looks good," said Grant. "Why don't we get one of those?"

"Let's get two," said Uncle Lain. "No reason to pull any punches after not seeing each other for so long. I reserved a duck for us all to share as well. Franklin, did you want anything special?"

Franklin loosed up the collar on his striped polo shirt. "Uh I guess I'll have the prawns in that light leek sauce."

"Oh Franklin's always loved shrimp ever since he was little," said Aunt Alexa.

"Let's have some wine too," said Uncle Lain. "Grant you ok with wine or do you kids want sodas?"

"Dear they aren't old enough to consume alcohol legally yet!" Aunt Alexa said.

"Oh right," said Uncle Lina with a chuckle. "Apple cider it is then."

Grant sat between Sophia who was on his right and Franklin was was on his left. Franklin was visibly uncomfortable in a public place. The chatter of the busy restaurant seemed to bother him. Sophia on the other hand looked like a properly groomed young woman and wore a short tight fitting dress with a plunging neckline. She looked good in pastel blue.

"So what made you want to come out tonight son?" Uncle Lain asked.

Grant started sweating bullets. He wanted to take baby steps with Franklin but Franklin's father didn't seem so delicate with his approach.

"I guess I felt like getting some air," said Franklin miserably. "I like Chinese food too."

"Well I'm glad your not stuck in their looking at your computer all day," said Uncle Lain. "Your professors at the community college called. They are worried for you."

"Oh."

"It's ok Franklin," said Martin. "Boys your age go through these sort of phases. No need to feel ashamed."

"I don't feel ashamed," said Franklin.

"That's good. There are plenty of fish in the sea as they say. It's not healthy to get too attached to those cartoon girls you know?"

"She isn't just some cartoon girl," said Franklin, his voice rising. "She's my wife to be."

Grant's parents exchanged looks.

"So how is the dental clinic Aunt Helen?" said Sophia quickly.

"Oh its been great," said Helen, turning back to the table and smiling. "My patients always complement my work. We got some really nice pieces of tech coming into the office. We adding the option of air abrasion for removing cavities. Its more more comfortable and less painful operation compared to the dental burs."

"I remember when I came to you once to have my teeth looked at."

"Ah yes I remember. I also remember how much you loved candy as a child. Franklin's teeth were in much better condition. I was thoroughly impressed!"

That seemed to brighten up Franklin a little and he breathed a big sigh of relief. To make matters better the food arrived. Stir fried scallops with mushroom and walnut sauce.

"Jesus doesn't that just look absolutely delicious," said Uncle Lain with a chuckle. "Eat up everyone. It's on me."

Next came the boiled fish in hot oil stew. Chili seeds, flakes, and raw garlic were piled high in the center of the thick red stew. Though intimidatingly spicy looking, the dish had an irresistible aroma.

"Yum," said Aunt Alex. "I love spicy food. This goes great with rice."

Grant however swallowed his food at a bad angle and began choking on the hot oil. It was a rather painful and burning sensation that followed after his first cough.

"I need some air," said Grant, taking a long drink of his ice water and getting up.

"Are you okay?" said Sophia, looking up at him with great concern in her eyes.

"Just some air and I'll be back," said Grant, trying to hold back his next cough.

The cool air outside brought grant instant relief when he stepped out the door. He walked out towards the small patches of grass in front of the restaurant as to not block entering customers. Grant coughed into the grass.

"It seems I caught you at a bad time," came a woman's voice.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

Grant looked up, his eyes watering and his forehead sweaty. The young woman before him had long straight black hair with contrasted with her white dress, which was split at the top of the thigh, exposing a slender and smooth left leg.

"Uh do I know you?"

The lady chuckled. "No but I recognize you from the news. I'm sort of a fan. My name is Estelle Burnette. Sophia Ogden hired me to help with her brother's...problem."

"Ah yes she told me about you," said Grant, straightening himself. "Sorry about my appearance. I coughed on some hot oil."

"Sounds very painful," said Estelle.

"It is. By the way, how did you know we were here?"

"I went to the mansion and the servants told me that you all had gone out for Chinese food at Chef Lu's. I didn't feel like waiting at the house and I heard some good things about this restaurant. The other guy is there by the way."

"The other guy?"

"Brock Sanderson. Muscular guy. Kind of a meathead but seems like he knows what he's doing."

"Right, Sophia mentioned him as well."

"Since you got here before I did. Is there anything you care to catch me up on?"

Grant cleared his throat. "Well its pretty simple. Franklin is completely smitten by the woman in the painting and it seems he won't be getting any peace of mind until he has his lover back in his arms so to speak."

"Seems like he needs mental help," said Estelle with a snort.

"Hey that's my cousin," said Grant. "Now I'm sure the Ogden's would appreciate any help you can give but that kind of attitude won't sit with me."

"Alright cool it," said Estelle, raising her eyebrows. "I apologize. But you have to admit the premise of this job is a little bit nutty."

"I understand that," said Grant. "Believe me I do. It hurts to see my cousin like this. Anyways I'm feeling good now. Would you like to come in?"

"Lead the way."

Grant led Estelle back to their table and introduced her to the family.

"Forget the woman in the painting," said Uncle Lain, air elbowing his son. "Date this woman."

"Dad!"

"At least Miss Burnette here is a real living breathing person."

"Thank you so much for coming, "said Aunt Alexa. "Please help yourself to some food."

"Actually we should probably take this conversation to the bar," said Sophia standing up. "Dad could you order something to go for Estelle?"

"Sure honey."

Sophia nodded to Grant and put a comforting hand on her brother's back before leaving for the bar with Estelle.

"One orange juice," said Sophia, as she sat down at a bar stool.

"Right away ma'am," said the bartender enthusiastically.

"I'll have a lemon cream soda," said Grant.

"And I'll have a mojito," said Estelle.

As the bartender went to prepare their drinks, Sophia began to discuss the job with Estelle.

"I can give you two thousand five hundred dollars per week," said Sophia. "That was what we agreed on right?"

"Yes," said Estelle. "And just to be clear you will compensate for any equipment, air travel fees, and such?'

"Yes yes all that too," said Sophia quickly. "A bonus if you find it quickly or within a reasonable amount of time. I can't pay your for a decades worth of searching."

"Of course," said Estelle. "But if I were to find it on my own I assume the bonus wouldn't need to be split three ways?"

"You can go about it however you like."

"Great. In that case I'll start this week."

"Do you know where to begin?" Grant asked.

"The ship seems like a good start," said Estelle, turning to face him. "That's where it was last seen right?"

"Do you really think there is a good chance the painting survived being underwater that long?"

"Doesn't hurt to try and look. The Empress of Scotland is only 400 meters below the surface. Not too deep as far as famous wrecks go. No need for a submarine."

"I've always wanted to explore shipwrecks as a kid," said Grant. "Sounds like it'll be fun."

"I want that bonus to myself thank you," said Estelle. "But I won't stop you from doing what you feel like doing."

"Hey I'm not in it for the money at all," said Grant. "You can take the bonus for yourself and my share too."

"Well when you put it that way I suppose there isn't much reason not to work together now is there?"

Grant noticed that Sophia was now speaking to a tall blonde young man in an expensive looking cardigan sweater. She seemed visibly uncomfortable.

"Why don't I take you out for a ride?" he said with lusty eyes. "I could give you a tour of my house."

"No thank you," said Sophia.

"You'd be missing out," he said, leaning in. "I've never seen a girl as gorgeous as you around here. Are you a model?"

"Hey man you ever heard of the concept of personal space?" said Grant, hopping off his seat.

"This your boyfriend?" said the blonde, pointing at Grant.

"No he's my cousin," said Sophia, with a snort.

"Oh then that's all good."

"Hey take a hint buddy," said Grant, putting a tight hand on the blonde's shoulder. "She's not interested."

"Careful," he said with a passive aggressive grin. "This is a new cardigan."

"Shame," said Grant, flashing him the same grin mockingly. "I'm close to kicking your ass while you’re stuck in it."

Without warning the blonde broke Grant's grip on his shoulder with a downward hammer fist, followed by a quick hook with the same hand to the ribs. He finished it off with an expertly executed kick to Grant's face, knocking him to the side.

"Nice try bitch but I happen to be a black belt," said the blonde, laughing as Grant picked himself up with a groan.

With one powerful motion, Grant tore his dress shirt off his torso, showing his guns to his opponent.

"Look around you," said Grant. "All these fine people came here to enjoy themselves with excellent Chinese food and you just had to get violent."

"Hey!" said Estelle, tapping the blonde on the shoulder. "That's enough."

"Wow!" he excalimed, looking Estelle up and down. "Just imagine the kids we could have."

"I'd rather not," said Estelle. "If they would look anything like you."

"Looks like you need a lesson too," he said, smirking. He attacked Estelle with a slap but Estelle blocked his strike and jabbed him in the throat near simultaneously with her other hand. Estelle followed up with two straight punches to the chest to drive him back before finishing the fight with a turning kick. The cocky blonde lay on the floor out cold and cardigan looking more weathered than before.

"I had him," said Grant. "I just didn't think he had training."

Sophia ran over to Grant and began checking on his face. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," said Grant, letting out a sigh. "My pride is a little hurt though."

"Your lemon cream soda is ready sir!" the bartender called out cheerfully.

"Perfect timing," said Grant, giving him a thumbs up. "Could I also get a new shirt?"

The diners all around him laughed.