Chapter 24
Ashley.
As Mr. Michael said, the event was unfortunate for us. We've turned to poor people in a matter of one day. I lost my phone and left our suitcase at the Inn. It's not like there are many clothes inside. And the worst part is that, I didn't bring my credit card in the first place and now we cannot contact anyone.
When Neil told me about who the scary guy is and also about my Dad knowing who the man is, is the worst part among them all. I know if I'm to get my answers that will be if we leave this place and Neil said it's not the right time to leave. That we should wait for my dad's call. But the question is, what will the time comes.
"Excuse me Miss, are you okay?" An unfamiliar voice snapped me out of my thought finding a woman staring at me like I've won the medal. "You've standing here for a while now so I was thinking if you need-"
"Yeah I'm okay. Go on" I ushered moving out of the way. Yet, the woman didn't move from her position.
"Can I ask you a question?" She began again.
My brows crease in question at her pokiness but I let out a smile instead. "Sure"
"Perhaps, are you new in this village" I would be lying if I said her question didn't caught me off guard. She is the first person to approach us with a question. When we were coming from the house, we passed by people but none bother to ask or glance at us considering they haven't seen us before.
"Yes. We came yesterday"
Forming her lips in an 'O' she nodded her head. "I knew. I saw you with Mr. Michael earlier, so I was sure I haven't seen you around"
"Yeah Yeah" I let out with a smile again "So if you'll excuse me" I formed my lips in a thin line and walk past her.
By the time I went back to the room, Kristine was awake while Mr Michael is changing her bandage wrap.
Kristine was the first to notice me. "Where have you been Ash-"
"Ava" She immediately corrected her mouth. I needed to have one on one lesson with her so that she won't mistakenly blurt my name out in the public.
"I took a walk to the bathroom" Advancing inside, I took my seat once again beside Neil. We watched as the man did his work. "I see that the patient is getting better. She could be discharge by tomorrow to recuperate at home" He announced.
"Why not today sir. I hate hospital" Her dislike was clearly visible in her way of talking.
"But this is a clinic" He replied back.
"What's the different between Clinic oand hospital. They're all the same" I could swore I saw her glaring at him. That shows the real Kristine is back.
"If you want that, we can prepare for it but I suggest you rest it for tomorrow" Kristine was about to say something again when I blurted in. "Let's prepare the discharge tomorrow. It'll be better" I exclaimed passing Kristine one of my looks.
"Alright then. I'll do that. It's almost noon. I know a a good local restaurant. They have the best service" At the mention of service, it reminded me of the Inn. I wonder how they're doing now
My thought were cut short by Mr. Micheal laughter. Curiosity raised in me as I glanced at him back to Neil who was also smiling. "You're really a funny one" He asserted, his laughter turning to smile. I bet Kristine said something again. I know what she's capable of.
"You're the first person to say that to me but anyways, I will take that as a compliment" she ushered tight lipped.
"Really?" His eyes grew big at her words. "Then I'm glad to be that first person. Now should we go..." He trailed off raising one of his brows. For a moment I stared at the man for what felt like two minutes. Is he normally cheerful like this? But the first day we met him, he was obviously calm.
"What do you guys say to it?" He said again.
"Sure we would love to. Besides, we'll get the chance to have a tour of your modernised village" A smile made it way to his lips once again.
"Right. Then we have no time to waste" We were about to alight away when Kristine's sudden voice revamped to our ear drums.
"What about me? Are you leaving without me?" She ushered with a pout.
"You're on bed rest so you cannot walk around just like that" I voiced out. A frown covered her expression.
"Look Kristine-"
"I have an idea" Mr. Micheal interjected.
Our attention all turned to him as we waited to hear what idea he has. He made sure that we're completely focused on him before he dropped his words. "We call all go together" I almost roll my eyes at him. I thought he's going to say something reasonable. Kristine's face lit up In happiness. Why I resisted the urge to smack her. It's food we're talking about here. Kristine will definitely be over excited.
"What a perfect idea. Since I can walk then there won't be any problem" She cheered getting off the bed. Neil was fast to support her. "Easy there"
"I can't wait to taste some food in my mouth. I missed Fried Shrimp we had at the Inn and the Fresh haddock fish we had at Glenwood pines restaurant. Oh God, just thinking about it is making my mouth water" Not only Mr. Micheal stood mouth open staring at her. I was also standing gaping at her like a fish.
"I must say the injection is working well" I finally break the silence.
When no one showed reaction, I burst into a chuckle. "I think what I said is not funny. Let just go" I said instead making my way of out of the room biting my bottom lip In embarrassment.
**
The walk to the restaurant wasn't that far like I imagined it to be. It was just a five minutes walk. All the while, I've been throwing daggers at Kristine remembering her words earlier. "Make sure you act well in people's presence" She had said. It's not like we're not going to.
"And here we are" Mr. Michael announced as we stopped in front of an old building. It's can't be the building in front of me is what he's calling best food. Just the outside is a sight to know that no good will come talk less of the inside.
We didn't say anything only let him let us inside. My mouth was left open at the sight. It was completely different from what I expected. The inside was unexpectedly clean and bright. Totally above my imagination. But still who knows maybe the food is not that tasty. I assured myself at the thought.
"Hello, you're all welcome" An elderly woman appeared out of god knows what marching towards us. Oddly, the woman looks familiar like I've seen her before somewhere but I'm not able to pinpoint.
It was when she finally speak up again that the event finally sink in my head. "The bathroom lady!" She exclaimed. All eyes turned to me. If I say her outburt didn't send goosebumps of anger to my body then I would be lying. Upon all that she could say, she had to bring up the bathroom word.
"Grace, do you know her?" Mr. Micheal inquired. While Neil's attention turned to me. I know what he must be thinking.
"Not really. I met her at your clinic in front of the bathroom. She was in deep thinking. That's how we get to know each other" She's talking as if our encounter is the best thing that has ever happened to her.
Neil inches closer and whispered to my ear. "You shouldn't befriend anyone. We're barely up to three days here. I can't afford thing to get messed up"
"Don't worry nothing will go wrong. Besides, if we're quite it might raise suspicion" His hand was resting on the small of my back while his breathing was fanning my ear down my neck. It's so weird for me to think so but for some reason known to me, I like the position we're in.
The clearing of Kristine's voice snapped us out of our thoughts. "Whose this handsome lad with you. Is he your boyfriend?" Mrs Grace initiated covering her mouth with her palms. How I wish what she said was the true. But the fact that the care and touch was all part of acting is even worse.
"Actually No. He's my husband Luca" I announced like it was the proudest for me to say. Her eyes widened for a split second before a smile covered her face.
"You are married?"
I nodded my head in answer. "Children of nowadays they have no shame. They don't even care about doing it in front of the elders"
Doing it?
Doing what?
Oh my God! What a weird woman.
"Or maybe it's what you're imagining" I muttered which I didn't know reached her eyes.
"Did you say something?" She asked.
"Huh"
Neil pulled me to him once again to the extent that the space between our bodies was barely visible. "Don't mind my wife. Sometimes she tend to talk with her inner sense"
"Ohh"
"So, we better take our seats" He ushered again. Kristine and Mr Micheal are seated too disinterested in her neverending talk. She sounded like Mrs.Lindy. I wonder how the woman is doing? And my parents, are they worried about me? What will my dad say to the company? All this thoughts send chills down my spine.
"What are you thinking about?" Neil whispered to my ear again taking his seat beside me.
"Huh.. Nothing"
A little while with us sitting down, a young guy make his way towards us. "Good day to you all. I'm Nate and I will be the one taking your order" He ushered bowing down politely.
"You didn't go to the workshop today?" Mr. Michael asked him. He must be popular in the village. On our way, everybody will be like 'Good day Sir' from every direction.
"Yes uncle. The workshop is getting renovated so I decided to help Mrs. Grace for the time being"
Did I just hear him say Uncle? As in his real uncle.
"All right then. We'll like to order for the regular. With cold drinks"
I almost rolled my eyes at his remark. He didn't even let us order for ourselves. Is this man trying to push me to the edge? Because if I lose my remaining patience, shit will happen.
Seven minutes later and our food was being served not by the Nate guy but by another girl which I don't have interested in knowing her name. The first person to dig on the potato porridge which Mr Michael called regular, was Kristine.
When I also tasted the food, it wasn't that bad. While the rest were busy conversing, I took my time to get a tour of the inside. I didn't know how my foot took themselves towards the direction of the changing room but I'm glad I did. The nate called Nate and the girl having a small makeout session while their boss is busy in the kitchen. When they noticed me, they immediately pulled apart.
"It's okay. Carry on. I won't tell anyone" I ushered turning around to give them some space. For a moment, I made me think about the kiss we shared with Neil. I quickly brush off the thought and embark on my way to the kitchen where Mrs.Grace was focused on her cooking.
"I must say your food is delicious" I began resting my back on the counter.
"Really? I'm always getting those kind of compliment especially for my potato porridge" I nodded in answer. "But won't it be too much work on you. Cooking the dishes alone?"
"I'm used to it already. Nate and Abigail are taking care of the outside while I'm working my back off in the kitchen just to keep the business going"
"It's really not an easy job"
"Wait... I have an idea" she commenced again stopping whatever she was doing and focused her attention on me. I waited to hear what she had to say
"Why not work for me? You'll get a nice pay and on top of that free food"
