Have you ever been to a place where you can eat unlimited items at a very reasonable price? Nope, I am not talking about a buffet but about a cafe where some cheap people take their dates to.

My dad always wanted me to start my own business. I never knew what I should do until I went on a lunch with a very bad date who made me count his latest hookups. I went on eating whatever I could just to punish him. Later on, when the bill arrived, I realized that it was just a buffet restaurant. And the bill didn't go over $100. Bad for me, I know.

So when I came back, I decided to start something of my own. It was not me but my mum's idea. I told my mum what happened that night. I thought she would tell me, "I already told you, Layla. Mike is a perfect match for you. Why the hell are you dating strangers?"

For my mum, dating is an alien-thing  for her. She still thinks traditional marriages are good and stable. I do agree but I have seen successful love marriages too.

Now back to the topic at hand. So, my mum wanted me to start a business where people can come with their dates. Good environment, good food but at a very reasonable price.  

At first I thought she had gone crazy but my job wasn’t making me much money either. I am a minimalist person so I don't require much to live. And my dad was always against working for others.

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After quarreling, fighting over the location and finances for days, I finally submitted my resignation letter.

“Layla, what happened? Got a better opportunity?” my boss asked.

“Yeah kind-of. I was looking for some other work,” I said. I should have prepared a speech for this.

“You want an increment? That won’t be a problem.”

Yikes! It should have happened way before than this! I think I should wait..maybe…

He went to his phone and said, “I can talk to the management team and ask them to increase your salary by 3%..”

3%? 3%? What the hell! I have been working in this company for three years and this is what I am getting at the end? 

“Mr. Smith, thanks for your proposal but I have taken my final decision. I hope you’ll find my replacement soon because there are lots of projects that are yet to be completed. Good day.”

And just like that! Now I have no option to go back. I destroyed all my ships as a legend once said and now I have only one way to go. Building something of my own.

With the help of my neighbor Mike - yes the same Mike my mum wants to patch me up with - I got a new place for my business and it was none other than his family’s old place on Almond Street. This was a place where his father used to run a small winery.

“I hope you will take care of this place, Layla. You know this place means a lot to me,” Mike said.

The time when he said this, I saw the emotional Mike for the first time. My mum did tell me that his parents met at this place. And this is the reason this place was so special to him. But as much as I know him, he doesn’t like me at all, so why the hell did he agree to rent us this place? Maybe only time will tell but I hope he doesn't have any nasty sinister motive behind it. He is a famous player in our town and I really don’t know why my mum likes him.

So, after renovation, this place was set up in just three weeks. 

Welcome to the Holiday Cafe, where you can date with strangers without burning up your pockets!