Would u guys be interested in Luca POV bonus chapters?? ð³ð³ I'm not sure whether to integrate them into the story or have them all at the end when I finish. What do u guys think? Also to thank you guys for your patience for new chapters, I made this one extra long for u guys hehe!! <3
âââ¦ââ âââ¦ââ
The jingle of the bell above the doorway only meant one thing and one thing only. It was the little signal that alerted us of a new customer's entranceâ or anyone's entrance for that matter, but for our sake I hoped it was a customer.
It seemed like my parents looked up towards the door the same time I did. Our heads turning in unison like a plate of sardines. Was it really a customer?
An Asian woman entered through the doorway. But not just any Asian woman. I recognized her instantly. It was Luca's aunt of all people! Same jet black hair and everything. For a second I just stared slack jawed at her until my parents shot daggers at me to take her order instead of standing idly around. Snapping out of it, I finally mustered a "Hi, welcome to Backyard Phá»!" Except it sounded more like a question than a welcome.
She smiled warmly when her eyes landed on me. It was so strange seeing this woman who looked so similar to Luca in looks, but have a completely different personality.
"Oh hello Allison! It's so nice to see you working. I don't think I even told you my name back when we met at the apartment so my sincere apologies for that. You can call me Auntie Ju," she smiled gracefully.
I nervously smiled back at her. I don't know why I cared so much about her impression of me, but I wanted to make sure I left a good one at least. "Okay... Auntie Ju," I said tentatively before continuing, "Table for one?"
"Oh! Yes, a table for one please."
As she sat down, she looked around her, quirking an eyebrow up. "Hm, not many customers at this hour?"
I gave a small half shrug. "Yeah, business hasn't been too good lately." I studied her as she looked at the menu. I wonder how she found out about this place? Maybe Luca told her?
"Oh wow, I'm sorry to hear that," she frowned before continuing, "Can I have the chicken phá» dish please?"
I nodded as I scribbled her order on my notepad. I wondered if she was here to see Luca or was she simply in the mood to eat pho? Perhaps it was a mix of both.
As if she read my mind, Auntie Ju curiously surveyed the empty restaurant. "By any chance Allison, is Luca working here today?" she asked hopefully.
I gave a slight nod as I answered, "Yes, he works in the kitchen."
Her face fell in slight disappointment. Was she expecting to see him today? "I see, thank you. Could you do me a favor and tell him that I'm here?"
"Yes, of course," I smiled slightly at her as I took her menu and walked back to the kitchen. I wonder if she wanted to surprise him, but based on the slight worried look on her face, something told me that she wanted to tell him something. I couldn't help but wonder what it was even though it was none of my business.
I hung up the note with Auntie Ju's order on it before I peered into the kitchen. Spotting Luca's familiar back turned to me, I called, "Luca!"
He turned around immediately with eyebrows knitted together in slight annoyance that he was interrupted in the middle of his work. "Yes..?" he drawled out.
I opened my mouth, closed it, and then opened it again to blurt out, "Your aunt is here."
Surprise flickered across his face as he gazed at me for a bit to see if I was really being honest. "Aunt Ju?" he asked.
I nodded vigorously. "I think she wants to talk to you."
He pursed his lips together as his surprised expression quickly dropped to one of disinterest and mild frustration. He didn't seem eager to talk to her at all. I wonder if they must have had an argument or something. His aunt overall seemed very kind, so what problems could they possibly have?
"I'll take her order to her when I'm done," he said. His voice sounded curt and I realized it was probably best not to meddle in whatever they had going on.
"Liên! What are you doing? More customers are coming in!" my dad called from behind the register. Oh shit! I wasn't even standing around for that long and there were more people coming in already?! Could it be? Was the restaurant actually getting more business today?
I shot Luca one last glance and he gave me a reassuring nod that said he could handle Auntie Ju's order. It was the end of the day, but I didn't feel that tired surprisingly. Maybe it was the excitement that new customers were coming in.
I took the incoming customers' orders with a gracious smile that I didn't have to force this time. I couldn't help but feel hopeful about our increase in business.
My attention was suddenly caught by Luca in his kitchen apron standing over Auntie Ju's table. He looked frustrated as he made some deliberate gestures with his hands while he spoke. I was too far away to hear what he was saying, but it was clear that he was arguing about something by the way he rapidly spoke and how he crossed his arms. Auntie Ju seemed more quiet and apologetic looking on the other hand.
He eventually left after leaving her with her order and Auntie Ju almost looked distressed as she ate her phá», keeping her head down low. I wanted to approach her to ask if she was okay, but I had a feeling Luca would send me a scornful glare for being up in his business. Maybe I'll ask her when I have to clean up her table.
âââ¦ââ âââ¦ââ
Eventually the customers I served left and it was only Auntie Ju left. She seemed just about finished so I brought the cleaning cart over, placing the dirty plates and bowls on the cart. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should ask her about what happened with Luca.
"Are you okay Auntie Ju?"
She looked up and gave me a sheepish smile. "Yes I'm okay Allison, thank you. Just some disagreement with Luca is all," she laughed lightly.
"Oh," I said, unsure of what to say as I stacked the dishes onto the cart.
"I advised Luca to stop working here actually," she laughed, shaking her head a little and I paused. Noticing the alarmed look on my face, she added quickly, "Don't get me wrong. Your family is very kind and I'm grateful that Luca is under so much care, but I'm afraid a job right now is just stressing him too much."
I nodded slowly. I did understand because my parents were concerned about the same thing. Although I reassured them it was okay, the work could be very tiring. The thought of Luca having to quit though set my stomach into knots. He just couldn't quit. I needed him to help me save the restaurant. At least that's what I told myself.
"But of course he immediately said no to my suggestion. Just... take care of him alright?" Auntie Ju sighed.
"Of course," I reassured, knowing damn well Luca would probably rather rub peppers into his eyes than accept help from me.
Auntie Ju thanked me and left me a generous tip before leaving which I was very grateful for. She was the last customer who left and my parents were practically ecstatic as they prepared to close the restaurant for tonight.
"You think that was all from the potluck?!" exclaimed my mom.
I shrugged. I didn't see anyone from school that I recognized coming in, but there was no doubt that business was extra good today. As long as this kept up, the restaurant could be saved!
Out of the corner of my eye I spotted Luca exiting the back door to take out the trash. Before I could even think, I hurried after him, catching the door on the way out before it closed. As Luca dumped out the trash, he turned around and froze in his tracks when he saw me.
Under the dim outside lighting, it casted shadows across the planes and angles of his face, making him look rather mysterious. It was hard to tell what he was thinking when his eyes blended in with the pitch black darkness that surrounded us.
"Um..." I started awkwardly. Shit! I didn't exactly plan what I was going to say. "Is everything okay between you and your aunt?" I asked after a moment's hesitation.
He chucked the remainder of the trash bags into the dumpster with a loud thud! before slowly approaching me on the set of small stairs I stood on. I gulped. The lack of lighting did not help my situation here. It almost made the atmosphere intimate as it was just us two out here. Alone.
"Why do you want to know?" he asked, cautiousness creeping into his tone.
"I don't know. She's obviously worried about you and your stress. She told me herself," I said in exasperation, crossing my arms.
Luca stood directly in front of me now as his tall figure gazed down at me. I still couldn't see his eyes, but none the less my heart was pounding again for some reason.
"Worried?" he laughed dryly. "She knows phá» was one of my favorite things to eat with my parents. I don't know why she'd want to take that away."
"Plus we're not rich so I need the money for college obviously," he added in a softer tone.
I nodded at his reasoning. I couldn't help but feel sympathetic. Maybe we were more similar than I thought. "This phá» restaurant makes me feel closer to my parents too," I admitted.
He sighed, "That's why I never asked you about backing out of this 'Save the Restaurant' plan. I had a feeling nothing would convince you to leave. I can relate to that."
In the dark I smiled to myself, feeling grateful that he understood me. "Just... don't push yourself too hard though," I said jokingly.
"Unlike you, I'll be able to handle the schoolwork and the restaurant job without having to pass out in front of somebody."
I gaped at him in incredulity before I realized he was teasing me. Since he was standing closer to me now, there was more light, allowing me to get a better look of his face. He seemed amused with a slight upturned smile on his face.
I laughed nervously, like my stomach didn't just erupt into butterflies at his joking demeanor around me.
"So we're still on track to saving the restaurant then?" I asked hopefully.
He raised an eyebrow. "Like we ever veered from the track in the first place," he scoffed, but there was an edge of playfulness.
The back door suddenly opened and we both jumped from the startling intrusion.
"Luca? Liên?" called my dad's voice as he poked his head out from behind the door. His eyes landed on us and he frowned, an expression of clear displeasure on his face.
"What's taking you guys so long? We have something important to tell you guys!"
Luca and I exchanged a look. What could it be?