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Chapter - 36
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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
She then reached the restaurant and saw the old man, Mr. Phichai, the father of Leo, her manager, and the owner of the restaurant. He was standing by the door, unlocking it for the day. Even though the restaurant wouldn’t open for another few hours, he liked to get an early start.
“Good morning,” Lia greeted softly as she approached him.
Mr. Phichai turned to look at her, his expression softening with a kind smile. “You can’t stay at home even on your days off, huh?” His voice was gentle, but there was a hint of concern hidden in his words.
Lia gave a small, forced smile. “I was just bored at home and didn’t have anything to do… so I decided to come here,” she lied, her tone light but her eyes avoiding his.
Mr. Phichai paused for a moment, looking at her with a knowing gaze. Then, with a sigh, he shook his head gently. “Bored… or your home isn’t really a home to you?”
Her breath caught in her throat. His words hit her harder than she expected. She was caught off guard by how easily he saw through her lie. Lia’s eyes briefly flickered to the ground, her fingers nervously fiddling with the hem of her shirt.
“Let’s go in,” he said softly, not pressing the matter any further as he pushed the door open.
Lia silently followed him inside as the warm lights illuminated the quiet space. A familiar calmness washed over her. This place… it felt more like home than the house she had to return to every night.
“Well, let’s do something. It’ll take time for the other staff to come,” Lia said, trying to lighten the mood.
Mr. Phichai smiled warmly. “Okay.”
He walked behind the counter, rolling up his sleeves like he was ready for some serious work. “You hungry? Because I sure am.”
Lia chuckled softly, the tension she had been feeling earlier easing a little. “Well, I’m not really hungry… but sure, I can eat a little.”
“Good. Let’s make some noodles.”
They both headed toward the kitchen, a familiar space where Lia always found comfort. As they worked side by side, preparing the noodles, the silence between them wasn’t awkward—it was peaceful. Mr. Phichai cracked a few light-hearted jokes, making Lia laugh more than she had in days.
For a brief moment, she forgot about everything weighing her down—her stepmother, Mia’s constant taunts, and the suffocating life she lived at home. Here, in this kitchen, she felt… at ease.
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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