Chapter 6

Woah!

I have been to numerous night markets before when I was still in college because my ex was such a foodie, but I never really expected that this night market has its charm that attracts a lot of people.

They serve different cuisines, and they have a twist in it that makes it easier to eat since they put it in a to-go box with a fixed cup in the bottom. In that way, those people who want to keep strolling around the market can still eat.

And aside from food stalls, there are also stalls here for entertainment. Most of it is for games where the winners can win prizes such as stuffed toys, sweets, and many more.

That is why this place is not only for adults to enjoy. Even kids will surely love being here.

If only I knew that there was something here like this, I would probably bring Millie along so she could also enjoy this place.

“I told you, you will love it here,” Mikea said. “And you might learn one or two dishes that you can add to your menu.”

Well, she is not wrong on that one.

Most of the stalls here were showing how they prepare every dish that they serve.

And I think that was one of the main goals of this night market.

To teach every interested body the skills of every chef that belongs here.

“So, let’s go and fill our tummy with these delicious delicacies.” She clung to my arms and pulled me towards the stall that serves Asian dishes. “Let’s start with this one.”

I just shook my head and let her choose what she wanted to eat. This is her day off and this is also a rare chance for her and Francis to hang out.

Mikea took the liberty to choose what food we will eat and since she pointed at a lot of it, we decided to dine at the table that the stall provided. And she didn’t leave the side of the chef because she was so amazed at how they prepared our food.

“She looks like she was having fun,” Francis said while staring at Mikea. “It has been a while since I saw her smile like that.”

“She has been busy these past few months because of her new job,” I said. “So, she never really had a chance to have fun.”

“Actually, that is not what I meant,” he said and turned his eyes to me.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Ever since she started to work at the factory, her eyes stopped smiling and I don’t know why,” he said. “That is one that I like about her. Her sweet smile.”

“Oh.” I nodded and looked at Mikea again.

Mikea once told me about that part of her life, where she had to keep her distance from Francis right after she got accepted at the factory since both of their families are having a huge fight about their closeness.

That is probably the reason why her smile lessened as it seemed before.

She likes Francis despite his educational background but she can’t fight for him because she loves her family so much.

“And here’s our food.” Mikea was the one who put one tray on our table. “I was the one who seasoned that.” She pointed at the noodle dish that she brought. “And those dishes are recommended by the chef.”

Another three trays of food were brought to our table.

“Are you sure you will be able to finish all of this?” I asked her. “Don’t forget that this is just the first stall that we visited. There is still a lot—”

“Just eat, Milan,” she said and placed one plate in front of me. “We will check other stalls later and that is for sure.”

I just sighed and grabbed my utensil. I can’t argue with this woman because she knows how to make me shut up.

“So? How was your new work so far?” I asked as we ate. “Are your co-workers nice to you?”

“Well, not everyone is nice because most of them feel jealous because I am close to our boss,” she said. “Most of them are saying that I don’t have the potential to be his secretary since I don’t have the skills. They also said that maybe I used my beauty to be accepted at the company.”

“And it looks like it doesn’t bother you,” Francis said while laughing at Mikea's reaction as she told us what she has been experiencing at her work.

Instead of being scared or hurt by those words, it looks like she was pleased by them.

She smiled slightly and scratched her head. “I know my skills and I am still in training so even I, myself, doubted that I deserve the position but—”

Yeah, there is a but…

Her smile became wider and proudly looked at us. “I kinda like it when they keep saying that I am beautiful.”

I smiled and shook my head.

She never cares about the bad words that they are telling her. But what caught her attention was the good things that they said.

And that is what I like about her. She always sees what is good in everything despite what situation she is in.

“I never really thought I was beautiful when I applied to that company,” she continued. “But they keep telling me that I used my beauty to get the job, so it is starting to engrave in my brain that I am beautiful.” And she flipped her hair a lot, trying to boost her confidence.

"Yeah, you are really beautiful," Francis said while staring at her.

And that makes Mikea blushed. She never expected Francis would say that to her while looking straight at her.

She bowed her head and held her face, trying to hide her reddish cheeks.

I feel like I am just a third wheel here because they are now in their own world. So, I continue eating without minding the two of them.

After eating at the first food stall, we choose to go check out the entertainment stalls.

And I took that chance to split with them since I knew they wanted to be with each other. I just left Mikea a message and told her that we should just meet at the exit of the night market once the clock reaches 10 p.m.

I checked the other food stalls to learn some ideas on what I can add to my menu. And most of the chefs that I met gladly teach me how to cook their dishes. And when I told them that I am managing my cafeteria, they are the ones who offer to add their dishes to my menu.

I just have to add my twist to the dish that I cook to make it more suitable for my customers’ tastes.

I take note of everything that they teach me. And this is so helpful for me to get even more customers in my cafeteria.

I am not a professional chef. Not a good cook either. That is why I need the pointers they gave me for cooking good food.

Ah, I am glad that I let Mikea bring me here. I learn so much here.

My alarm rang that indicated that it was already 10 pm, so I put my notes aside and threw away the box of food that I ate, before walking towards the direction of the exit.

I just hope Mikea will be there so we can go home soon.

If I don’t see that woman in our meeting place, I will squeeze both her cheeks until it turns red. She knows that I can’t stay outside until midnight.

I was about to reach the exit of the night market, and I was relieved when I saw her standing there with Francis. But she was talking with someone.

I didn't know who it was because his back was facing me, so I didn't see his face, but it looked like Mikea knew that man since she was comfortable talking to him.

I was about to see his face, but he immediately said goodbye to Mikea before I could get close to them.

I frowned and looked at Mikea as I pointed to the man she was talking to earlier. “Who was that?”

“That is my boss,” she said. “Apparently, he came here with his friend in exchange for a big deal, so he had no choice but to come alone. But since it was already ten o’clock, he decided to come home without even saying goodbye to his friend.”

“Oh.” I nodded as I looked at the back of that man. Well, I feel like his presence is kind of familiar to me.

And to be honest, I was feeling scared while I was walking towards them, thinking that I knew him.

“And it was just a coincidence that we met here on the exit,” she added. “Fate really plays a lot, right?”