One Hundred and fifty five

CHAPTER 155

Alicia stared at the woman for a long time. Maybe a minute or two of silence. And Alicia could no longer hold back her smile. Ethan who was standing next to Alicia also glanced at Alicia awkwardly, he seemed to be saying what-the-woman-was-doing-to Alicia. And that situation, made Alicia clear her throat, "Excuse me, ma'am. You are our first buyer. Is there anything you need?" Ethan smiled along with Alicia, but he didn't say anything. "We have ice cream, hot drinks and bread. You might be interested in-"

"Caramel ice," cut in the woman in the red dress.

Her face was partially covered by the red fedora hat she was wearing, but Alicia could clearly see how the woman in front of her grinned after cutting off Alicia's words. Alicia looked very awkward. It was her first day at work and she had already met a 'strange' customer in their first hour. Alicia and Ethan exchanged confused glances, before Alicia finally continued with a small smile. "Okay. One caramel ice cream. Anything else you need?"

The woman raised her hand, forming her fingers into a V and said with emphasis, "Two. I want two caramel ice creams."

Alicia pursed her lips, the awkwardness returning. She cleared her throat, then typed the woman's order on the counter. "Okay, two caramel ices."

The sound of the bill printing machine filled the awkwardness between the three of them. Ethan then took the printed receipt and held it up in the air. "I'll prepare your order, ma'am," and then ran to the kitchen to prepare the order.

Alicia then interrupted with a smile. "You... You can wait over there, ma'am," she said, then pointed towards the empty tables behind her first-time visitor. "We'll deliver it for you."

"Okay."

The lady took the frontmost seat, she left the seat in front of her empty as she had come alone. After the woman sat down, there were several customers lining up at the counter.

Alicia was busy serving the visitors and started organizing the purchases. Ethan and Uncle Chuck, on the other hand, were in the kitchen making drinks that were not available at the counter.

Ethan came out of the kitchen with a tray in hand. He carried two iced caramels on the tray, then walked towards the woman in the red hat who had been waiting at her table looking at Alicia. Even when Ethan stopped at the woman's table, the woman didn't look away from Alicia. Ethan looked at Alicia, then looked at the woman in front of him in turn before clearing his throat.

"Excuse me, ma'am. Here's your caramel ice," Ethan told her.

But the woman didn't budge. She just grinned while observing Alicia behind the counter, which made Ethan furrow his brow suspiciously.

Not responding, Ethan placed the drink he had brought on the table without a word. "Madam, I'll leave now-" "Wait!"

The voice of the woman made Ethan stop his steps, he turned around and tried to smile despite his annoyance. "Yes, ma'am?"

"Can you call the girl who's guarding the counter?" The woman's index finger pointed at Alicia, she was wearing long black gloves that formed her thin hands. "Call her."

Both of Ethan's brows furrowed. He felt strange about the attitude of the woman who suddenly ordered him around like a boss. But finally, Ethan agreed to the request and went to call Alicia. Ethan whispered to Alicia, and Alicia saw the woman waiting for her.

Alicia and Ethan exchanged glances, before Alicia walked over to the woman. The woman took off her black glasses and smiled at Alicia.

"Ethan said you called me, ma'am. How can I help you?"

The woman smiled, then pointed to the chair in front of her. "Sit down. I'd like to drink this caramel ice with you."

Alicia's face was in shock. She widened her eyes, then looked at Ethan in confusion. Ethan was also watching her, feeling that something was wrong in Alicia's chair. And seeing Alicia's unusual expression, made Ethan immediately take a stand. Ethan was seen going to the kitchen, as Alicia looked back at the woman in front of her.

"Sorry, ma'am. I was working, I couldn't sit and keep you company." Alicia tried to smile and look polite in front of her guest, but she couldn't mask her intuition that the woman in front of her had another purpose. "In that case, I'll go. I have to serve the customers."

"Can't you sit down for even five minutes? I've already opened my glasses for you," the woman said and then looked up, staring at Alicia with a cold expression. There was a look of disappointment and anger mixed in her brown eyes. She looked at Alicia with a look that Alicia didn't understand.

"You should have been more polite, young lady. I'm just an old woman, right?"

Hearing the woman mention Ace's name, Alicia's face turned serious. Who was the woman sitting in front of her? The woman stirred the caramel ice in the middle of the cold weather, then started drinking it with a long stainless straw. She sighed with satisfaction, before continuing with her words.

"I'm Angela, Ace's mom." And Alicia couldn't hide her shock at this. She froze in shock. "I came to see you because I wanted to see you in person, but as it turns out... you are indeed beautiful and eye-catching."

"Y-you... you're Ace's mother?" There was a clear look of shock from Alicia, she hadn't expected to meet Angela like this.

Angela took another sip of the drink in front of her. While looking around, Angela then continued, "Did you hear about Ace? Did he see you?"

Alicia frowned. "You came to ask me that? Is that really what you came here for?"

"Of course. I came all the way from England just to see Ace, I don't care about your romance full of drama and tragedy, I have my own business here and I need information on Ace's whereabouts."