After a while, the noodles were ready. They sat at a small table near the back of the restaurant, steaming bowls in front of them.
“Ah, nothing beats homemade noodles,” Mr. Phichai said, taking a big slurp.
Lia smiled softly, her chopsticks twirling through the noodles. “Yeah… this is nice,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mr. Phichai glanced at her with warmth in his eyes but didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. Sometimes, silence said more than words ever could.
They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the warm broth soothing Lia’s tired heart. She glanced around the empty restaurant, her mind briefly drifting to thoughts of her parents. This place felt more like home than the house she lived in.
“Lia…” Mr. Phichai’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked up, her chopsticks pausing mid-air.
“Yes?”
He studied her for a moment, his usual playful demeanor replaced by something more serious. “You’re always welcome here, you know that, right?”
Lia blinked, her heart skipping a beat at his words. She gave a small, hesitant nod. “I know… thank you.”
“Leo and I… we worry about you sometimes.” His voice was gentle but laced with concern. “You’re a smart girl, hardworking… but you carry too much on your shoulders.”
Lia lowered her gaze, suddenly finding the noodles more interesting than they were a moment ago. “I’m fine,” she murmured, forcing a small smile. “Really.”
Mr. Phichai didn’t press further. He simply nodded, giving her space, but the warmth in his eyes didn’t fade.
“Alright then,” he said, his tone lighter again. “But if you ever need anything… this place is always your home.”
Lia felt a lump form in her throat. She quickly shoved another bite of noodles into her mouth, hoping the taste would distract her from the unexpected swell of emotions.
They continued eating, but this time, the silence wasn’t just peaceful—it was comforting, like an unspoken promise that she wasn’t as alone as she thought.
Lia sat back in her chair after finishing her noodles, a content sigh leaving her lips. For a moment, everything felt… peaceful. The warmth of the restaurant, the comforting silence between her and Mr. Phichai, and the delicious food—this was the closest thing to home she had.
“Feeling better now?” Mr. Phichai asked, his voice gentle as he leaned back, crossing his arms.
Lia gave him a small, genuine smile. “Much better. Thank you, Mr. Phichai.”
“Ah, how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Grandpa,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Lia chuckled softly, but her eyes softened. “Okay… Grandpa.”
“Good girl.” He patted her hand lightly before standing up. “Well, the staff should be here soon. Do you want to help me get things ready?”
Lia nodded eagerly. “Of course!”
They both moved to the kitchen. Lia tied her apron around her waist, feeling a familiar sense of calm as she started preparing ingredients. Mr. Phichai handled the heavier tasks, while Lia focused on prepping vegetables and setting up the workstations.
“This reminds me of when you first started working here,” he said with a smile, glancing at her.
Lia laughed softly. “Yeah… I was so nervous back then.”
“And look at you now,” he said proudly. “You’re like family here.”
Her heart clenched at his words. Family… something she hadn’t truly felt in a long time.
“Grandpa…” she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes, dear?”
She hesitated for a moment, her fingers brushing against the counter. “Why… Why do you and Leo look after me so much? I mean… I’m just—”
“Lia,” Mr. Phichai interrupted gently, turning to face her. His expression was kind but firm. “You’re not just anything. You’ve been through more than most people your age should ever have to face. And yet… you’re still standing. That’s something to be proud of.”
Lia’s throat tightened, and she quickly looked away to hide the tears that threatened to spill.
“You remind me so much of my daughter when she was young,” he continued softly. “Strong, kind… and carrying too much on her shoulders.”
Lia blinked back her tears, her heart aching at his words.
“Thank you…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
They continued working in comfortable silence until the sound of the front door opening caught their attention.
“Ah, looks like the staff is here,” Mr. Phichai said, wiping his hands. “Why don’t you help them set up the dining area?”
Lia nodded, glad for the distraction.
As she walked out to the dining area, a sense of calm settled over her again. Here, in this space, she wasn’t the girl with a broken past. She was just Lia.
And for now… that was enough.
The bell jingled softly, signaling the arrival of a customer. Lia instinctively went to check, but her steps halted when she saw who it was. Kevin and MJ stood by the door, their usual playful smirks nowhere to be seen. Instead, both of them looked unusually serious, their eyes scanning the restaurant.
Mr. Phichai walked out from behind the counter, his gaze immediately landing on the two boys. His tone was calm but firm as he asked, “Are these guys troubling you?”
Lia quickly shook her head, her voice softer than usual. “No… they’re my friends.”
But despite her words, her eyes narrowed slightly. Something was definitely off. Kevin and MJ weren’t acting like themselves, and that unsettled her.
___________________________________________
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