Chapter 4 – Meeting the kids

It wasn’t a bad first attempt at trying to get his attention. He now knows her name. Would he remember it, though? She was asking this to herself when Gia started talking to Christan and reintroducing her. The lady was tenacious at matchmaking. She’s at a loss how to react. Should she vehemently refuse and deny her feelings? Or should she acknowledge them in front of him? It’s a crossroad. Each has its own pros and cons.

“Are you really not considering dating? You’re going to let your sons grow up without a mother to guide them? Do you really believe you’re enough? I doubt you guys talk about girls and crushes. They need a mother figure, consider that, would you?”

Alena was in awe of this woman. She can say those things to Christan? They must be really close.

Christan grunted, showing an irate expression before serving her with a clear drink.

“Look, there’s this gentle lady who’d been staring at you for a while now. I don’t think she’s brave enough to talk to you. What do you think of her? She’s pretty, isn’t she?”

Alena almost choked while sipping her drink. She didn’t think this is how the woman would involve her in the conversation.

Christan kindly gave her a glass of water and some napkin. It was embarrassing and she flushed furiously. Either from embarrassment or his sudden attention. He did look at her more thoroughly. She is pretty but he’s not going to tell him that. He’s not looking for a relationship.

“Look, you’ve embarrassed her. You can’t even agree that she’s pretty. That hurts a woman’s pride, you know?” Gia continued, unfazed by his uncooperative reaction.

Christan let out a soft sigh. “She is beautiful. I don’t think anyone needs to tell her that.”

With his statement, Alena turned to look at him. He’s not wrong. She knows she’s beautiful. She can’t help smiling.

“That’s true.”

It was Gia’s turn to choke. “No, no, no. You should let the guys compliment you and receive them shyly. If you confidently state something like that, they would think you’re a proud person and difficult to deal with.”

“Is that so?” Alena seemed to think she has a valid point.

“What’s wrong with being confident and proud?” Christan asked. He particularly likes those kinds of people, to be honest. He finds them easier to talk to. Not much bullshit, less nonsense and they’re very direct.

“I think it’s more about the projection. You can be confident and humble. You can also be confident and haughty. It’s in the delivery.” Alena commented. That’s how she sees it.

“Okay. That’s also valid.” Gia agreed, throwing a furtive look at Christan.

“How about you, Alena? Are you currently dating?”

Her eyes widened. She’s trying to create openings for her, isn’t she?

“Oh, no. I’m currently unattached.” She briefly glanced at her man. Yes, she’s already claiming him. Sometimes, manifestation works.

“See? How about you take her out on a date?”

Christan knew he’s being set up, yet again. “I’m not interested in dating. How many times must I tell you that?” He flatly turned it down.

“Aww, you’re making me feel bad.” Gia turned to Alena.

“I’m sorry you get to be rejected like this. It’s my fault.” Her words made Alena feel better. Yes, she felt a little hurt by his rejection and have no idea how to proceed. Gia helped her out.

“It’s alright. Maybe we can try again another time.” Here, she directly revealed that she’s interested in him.

Christan caught her words and turned to her. Their eyes briefly met and he was the first to turn away. She almost chuckled. But she also knew it’s in rejection and not manly embarrassment.

“Ohhh, I’m starting to really like you. How about next week? Will you be here again?”

“Sure. Same day, same time? It’s a date.” Alena beamed.

Their wordings made the man grunt in derision. “It sounds like you two will be going on a date. Why do you still involve me?”

“Honey, it’s common for women to go on dates together. Shopping. Chatting. Talking about men.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him. Her use of endearment wasn’t lost on Alena, though. She kept wondering what their relationship actually is.

She turned to Alena again, “How about shopping before coming here? Should we meet earlier?”

Alena smiled, “I can do that. Why don’t we exchange numbers, then?” She brought out her phone and they continued to chat.

Christan didn’t linger. He excused himself and went to attend to his other guests.

The two women didn’t mind. Alena accomplished her goal for tonight and more. He’s now aware that she’s interested in him. While chatting with Gia, she still glances in his direction. She only caught him glancing at her once. She dared to hope he glanced at her more times than that.

Christan isn’t really interested. He’d had plenty of women telling him they like him. He does get invitations to go on dates every now and then. It doesn’t seem to end despite the fact the he never went to one for years. People know that.

He’s got calm ones, like this Alena, then there are those overly persistent women. It would come close to harassment sometimes. Some people just can’t take rejection well.

Alena went home satisfied. The following week, she spent some time to check on her business. Her desk was flooded with documents and reports. Her assistant presented her with summaries of what went on in the last month. Essentially, there’s nothing too bad. But they’re seeing a slow decline in revenues. It should still be reversible at this point. She assumes it’s due to competition. There have been two or three new restaurants popping up in every city. They needed to upgrade their menu or introduce new dishes. This is what she was busy with that week. She spent most of her time in the office.

Thursday afternoon, she went out into the restaurant to unwind. Her body aches for some reason. She did some stretches while looking around at the somewhat empty place. The dinner crowd should be here soon. 

The door opened and her gaze was drawn there. Customers!

Uh, well… two kids came in. One directly approached the counter while the other took a table near a window. She listened as the boy ordered a few dishes. Her employee asked how he is and said a few things she didn’t catch. They seem friendly. He glanced at her before returning his gaze on the cashier. He paid with cash and went to sit with the other boy.

“Do they frequently come here?” Alena asked.

“Yes, miss. They come at least twice a week. They’re regulars.”

Alena frowned. She’d never noticed them before. But then again, she hasn’t been out in the dining area in so long. She let her managers and employees connect with the customers. Also, this isn’t the only restaurant that they have. This just happens to be their main store and where her office is set up.

With nothing better to do, she approached the kids. She took a seat on the opposite table.

“Hello.” She smiled at them and they turned to look at her.

“My name is Alena. I own this place. I was told you’re regulars here. Do you enjoy the food?”

They exchanged glances. One replied, “It’s alright.”

His answer stumped Alena. Well, he’s not entirely wrong. She chuckled.

“I see. Why do you often dine here, though? If the food’s just alright.” She made sure to sound friendly and amused. It is amusing.

“Our mom liked the food here. She used to bring us here before.”

“I see. Where’s your mom? Sounds like she has great taste.” They did say she liked the food here.

They exchanged a glance again. She noticed that they seem to have blank expressions from the beginning.

“Our mom’s dead.”

“Oh…” Well, that killed the mood. She coughed to clear her throat. “I’m so sorry about that.”

There was silence for a minute or two before Alena could continue.

“Do you come here when you miss her, then? What’s her favorite?” At this question, the younger one seemed to smile.

“She particularly liked the roasted duck.”

Alena beamed. That was their first specialty when the restaurant was just starting out. This is their first ever store back in the day.

“Really? She really has great taste. It’s my favorite, too. How about you?” She looked at each of them in turn.

They named different dishes. The older one seemed very reserve when speaking.

A server came and set the dishes on the table. She noted the roasted duck and the dishes they each mentioned.

“Do you always order these three or have you also tried other dishes?”

The older one snorted a little and she’s not sure if she should feel offended. Yeah, she might have asked a dumb question.

“We do eat these once a week. Other times, we eat other dishes. We’ve already tried everything on the menu.” The younger explained. She likes him better.

“That’s nice to hear. We’ll be introducing new dishes soon. I hope you would enjoy them, too.”

“I look forward to it.” He beamed and they started reaching for the utensils.

“Go ahead and eat. Can I stay or do you want me to go? You haven’t told me your names yet, have you?” Alena stood up, ready to go if they don’t want to be bothered.

The younger one looked at his brother, who only shrugged.

“You can stay.” The little one decided.

“My name is Drew. Andrew.”

“I’m Carl.” The older one stated. He pulled the roasted duck dish towards him and started cutting it into pieces.

“Do you want me to help? It’s a big duck, isn’t it?” It’s supposed to be a dish for a small group or a family.

He thought for a few seconds before offering her the utensils, a knife and a fork. She carefully cut the duck into small pieces. The kids went to take some into their own plates.

She was almost salivating at her task. She hasn’t eaten yet.

“Can I have a piece?” She asked them, her eyes already zeroed in on one.

“Sure.” Carl replied this time.

She took one into her mouth and relished its flavor. Yum.

“Thanks.”

She sat down again and Drew started telling her stories. Mostly about their mom and the things that happened when they go out to come to this restaurant. She’s happy to know that her place holds a significance in their lives. It makes her feel better about her purpose.