One Hundred and sixty eight

CHAPTER 168

Alicia took off the apron she had used during work and hung it up, and then picked up the gray backpack she kept in her locker and carried it on her back. Ethan's voice suddenly appeared beside her.

"Hey, Al."

Alicia turned her head and smiled. "Hey, Ethan. What's wrong, you're not home?"

Ethan showed off the backpack on his back, he also opened the locker beside Alicia and took a helmet from inside there. Smiling, Ethan asked, "I saw you leave with a guy."

"Well, you saw him."

"Is that your boyfriend?"

Alicia turned around, walking towards the outside of the kitchen. The place where the lockers for storing things were located. "Yes, he's my boyfriend. By the way, how did you see him, didn't you leave first?"

Ethan laughed softly, he had a crisp and comfortable laugh to hear. It made Alicia happy to be around him. "I turned around because I was really curious, I wanted to know who your boyfriend was. He's handsome, anyway."

"Sure."

"Do you like handsome men?"

Alicia stopped and frowned to look at Ethan with a curious expression. She folded her arms across her chest, then asked, "What are you trying to do, anyway, Ethan?"

The man mumbled, about to answer Alicia's question. But Uncle Chuck's voice made them both turn to the source of the sound. "Alicia, Ethan, can you guys help me out here?"

Alicia glanced at Ethan with a curious look before turning her attention to Uncle Chuck, who was standing at the entrance to the kitchen with an agitated expression.

"Sure, Uncle Chuck. What do you need?" Alicia asked, her mind still on Ethan's unusual interest in her personal life.

Uncle Chuck gestured for them to follow him. As they walked through the crowded restaurant, he began to explain the situation.

"We don't understand, Uncle Chuck," Alicia said, speaking up first. Her blue eyes saw the truck in front of them. "What do you want to do?"

Uncle Chuck laughed, he climbed into the truck, sat behind the wheel, and waved to the two people still standing with their confused expressions.  "I want you guys to get in, we're going to go milking at the farm my friend and I own. It's near the river, you can see the scenery when you get there."

"Wow! I'm in! I'll put my helmet on first," Ethan said enthusiastically.

Meanwhile, Alicia was still standing there wondering whether to join us or go home. And the anxiety on Alicia's face made Uncle Chuck say, "Hey, Alicia. You're coming, right? I want to show you how the cows produce milk and how I use that milk in my factory to make ice cream. Aren't you curious how that caramel you love is made?"

Alicia smiled, she had finally made a decision. "Okay. I'll join you."

The trio boarded Uncle Chuck's truck, the engine roaring as they left the ever-crowded restaurant. But they were already closed, so there was no need to worry about visitors. The sun was setting on the western horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape as they headed to the ranch near the river.

As they drove, Ethan couldn't contain his excitement, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. "This is going to be amazing! I've never been to a farm before. And making ice cream? I'm in on this adventure!"

Uncle Chuck chuckled, glancing at Alicia, who sat quietly beside him. "Alicia, you look a little distracted. Is everything okay?"

Alicia sighed, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. "It's just... unexpected, Uncle Chuck. I didn't plan today's adventure."

Ethan leaned in, a mischievous smile on his face. "Well, the best adventures are the unplanned ones, right?"

Alicia rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. Uncle Chuck chimed in, "You never know what's going to happen in your life, Alicia. Sometimes, it's good to embrace the unexpected."

The ranch came into view, a beautiful scene with rolling hills and a river meandering gently across the landscape. Uncle Chuck parked the truck, and they got out, breathing in the fresh country air.

Uncle Chuck led them to the stable, where the sounds of contented cows echoed. The three of them are wearing aprons, ready for the milking process. As they work, Uncle Chuck shares stories of his youth, which are set to the rhythmic sound of milk hitting metal buckets.

Alicia was fascinated by Uncle Chuck's stories, realizing that behind the restaurant owner's face was a man with a rich history and a deep love for the country. Meanwhile, Ethan, who was completely engrossed in the milking process, looked like a kid in a candy store.

After finishing milking, Uncle Chuck invited them to his ice cream factory. The aroma of freshly made ice cream filled the air, and Alicia couldn't help but marvel at the meticulous process of creating the delicate treat.

As they tasted the freshly made caramel ice cream, Alicia felt a new appreciation for the journey from farm to final product. The sun had set, coloring the sky orange and pink, casting a warm glow on the trio enjoying their ice cream at the farm.

"How is it? Do you like this caramel ice cream, Alicia?" Uncle Chuck who was enjoying hot coffee on the table saw Alicia on the other side, the girl sitting with Ethan.

"It's delicious, unfortunately it's too cold to enjoy two iced caramels," Alicia said. It was a sarcastic sentence, because she really liked the caramel ice that Uncle Chuck was selling. Alicia then held up her caramel ice and said, "I really want to eat more ice cream now."

Meanwhile, Ethan was enjoying his hot chocolate milk with sweet marshmallow sprinkles without being distracted by Alicia or Uncle Chuck's chatter."

In that moment, Alicia realized that sometimes, the most memorable stories are the ones written on an unexpected canvas. And as they left the farm, the moon high in the sky, Alicia, Ethan, and Uncle Chuck took with them a shared adventure that would forever bind them in a story about milking, making ice cream, and the beauty found in life's unexpected chapters.