The FDA 2

"Mr. Rosario, any comment on the ongoing investigation the FDA is conducting?" Someone shouted from among the guests.

"Uh... Well", Enrique peeled his gaze away from his family and stood back up. His wife gave a warning eye at her sons and all schooled calm and composed expressions.

"It is quite shocking. But I believe how a chef treats their food reflects on how they truly feel about whom their serving it to. I sincerely hope that the truth will come to light tonight", Enrique oozed of nothing but righteousness.

"Well said Mr. Rosario!" Someone shouted.

"As expected, wise words from a food guru", another one echoed.

"Hold on," Enrique barely concealed the smugness and returned his gaze to the first guest. "Are you a reporter?

"...Yes." It was quite obvious with the badge and camera he had with him.

"...Okay. Enjoy your meal everyone." With a huge smile, he flopped back down without another word. The message was clear: he wanted that on record. 

The couple started to dig into their meal. Mrs. Rosario frowned taking her first bite of the food and immediately took a napkin to discreetly spit it out. "What rubbish is this? Why does it taste-"

She felt a strong hand on her thigh, signaling her to stop. "Keep it down, even if it's not to your liking. We can't let it show to our guests", Enrique cautioned her quietly. He too noticed it but did not want to complain. 

"What if they have made the same mistake to the guests?" She hissed back in irritation. She had worked hard for this night. Nothing could go wrong!!

"I don't think so", he discreetly swept a glance across the room and saw no change in the atmosphere. "I think it's just our table. Just bear with it for now."

"Whoever it is, is definitely fired after this", she hissed before forcing the food down her throat. 

The exchange easily angered their sons seeing their parents prioritize appearances over their needs. But with their mother's warning, they ate the food.

Soft classical music echoed in the room. The sound of cutlery was heard on top pf the hushed ongoing conversation concerning the FDA's investigation. 

Everyone was left in the dark and very curious as they awaited some sort of hint to know of the results. It was very clear, the moment the FDA finds something, Trivedi would be in more trouble than it was currently. 

The owner would be sued against the state, their restaurant would be shut down, and they would probably never run a restaurant business again or anything. It might take them a long time to recover. Not only that, they would have to face the wrath of the high profile customers they accomodated.... They were really in trouble! 

Mrs Rosario gave herself credit for maintaining a nonchalant expression towards the weird tasting food. Her stomach was starting to protest but she needed to clear her plate. 

A steward walked to lean into Enrique's ear who was doing no better than her. He looked like he wanted to escape the table but was glued in his seat instead. "Sir...., we have new guests."

"What guests?" He responded, irritatedly. His wife's ears picked up on his words and she leaned in to listen in.

"They say they're the FDA."

"The FDA? Shouldn't they be over at Trivedi's?" She countered with a deep frown when her stomach rumbled. Her youngest started to groan, clutching his shirt over his stomach. She threw a fierce glare, "Kevin I swear-"

"Mom, the food tastes weird. It's making us sick", the oldest grumbled, dropping his fork to attend to his younger brother.

"Well, not right now both of you. We have enough-" she caught herself when she clutch her own stomach and someone else interrupted her.

"Sorry to interrupt you folks! But knowing the state of emergency, we had to come as quickly as possible", a man waltzed into the room with a team of ten trailing behind him. 

"Who are you?" Enrique stood too quickly he triggered sudden abdominal cramps. His face turned pale from the effect and started to break into cold sweat.

"Didn't your staff tell you?" he answered, his handsome face showed no sign of amusement, only coldness. He fished out his ID along with a warrant and showed it, "Luke Olstein. FDA."

"FDA?"