A young girl was walking home late at night after dinner at her friend’s house. Though it was dark, the light from the few open shops and restaurants lit her path. As she passed The Golden Prawn, she absent-mindedly glanced inside. There were only three customers in the restaurant—a lone man and a couple. 

The man sat with his back to the large panel windows. He kept his head tilted forwards towards the coffee on his table, pretending not to know the couple who sat at the table in front of him. In truth, he and the woman had an ongoing affair. It was ironic since the couple had come tonight to celebrate their one-year anniversary.

The woman and her partner were gazing lovingly at each other. At least, that’s how it appeared. For the woman, it was all a facade. She was secretly plotting to end things with him. She planned to keep her other man around for a bit before dropping him too. They both were not up to her standards.

“Babe,” the woman began, putting her hand over her partner’s.

“Yes, my love?” he replied.

She sipped on her drink before continuing. “I’m sorry. There’s no good way to say this… I just don’t think you and I will work out.”

“No need to be sorry, Linda. I was thinking the same thing. You’re just not right for me.”

“Excuse me?” the woman said, abruptly standing and pushing the seat back.

A waiter approached the two, skillfully balancing a tray with their freshly seared scallops on one hand. The couple didn’t even look his way.

Her partner went on. “The truth is… I’m in love with Rebecca.” He put a hand up to his forehead, looking deeply distressed.

“My sister?!” the woman roared. “Well I’ll tell you something. I’ve been seeing someone else! Him!” The woman pointed towards the lone man, who was wishing he was anywhere other than The Golden Prawn.

“How dare you!” the man bellowed. 

“Your food…” said the waiter, meekly.

The man’s eyes darted between the food and his partner. Then, with one quick motion, he grasped a handful of scallops and threw them. They flew through the air, hit the woman square in the face, and fell into her lap, soiling her flowery white dress.

At this point, the girl outside had almost passed the building entirely, but was too invested in the scene to just leave. She lurked to watch how the aftermath would play out. The waiter was frozen, panicked. The woman began screaming something, and though the girl could only hear intelligible shrieks, she felt the intensity of the event all the same.

The lone man averted his gaze from the scene, cheeks blushed with embarrassment, turning his head in the girl’s direction. He squinted and noticed the girl who was deeply observing the scene. The girl, realizing that she had been spotted, turned around and quickly scurried away, hoping he hadn’t seen her face.