As I reached Alorenda Cafe, I went directly to the counter to talk to Pam.
"Pam! Thank you for the additional treats you sent. The kids breezed through the cupcakes and the cookies!" I laughed wholeheartedly.
"Boss! I know how much those kids love our sweets!" She winked at me.
"I told you to stop calling me Boss." I pouted.
"Yes, boss!" She snorted. We both ended up laughing.
"So, Aki came here telling us that you won't be frequenting as much. Don't worry about anything, you know that the cafe is in great hands." She said proudly.
Modesty is really not one of her strong suits. I chuckled.
"I know I can trust you with the cafe, Pam. How about the workers, how are they?"
"Happy as always. Of course, they keep on asking when they will get to see their goddess again. They've missed seeing you here." She reported.
"I'll see how I can inspire them more often then." I chuckled.
"So, what brings you here? Did you make your way here to personally thank your amazing cafe manager?" She mused.
"But of course!" I beamed. She raised her eyebrow saying that she knows I am lying through my teeth.
"Fine. I also want to place an order for Aki's dinner. Please prepare some tomato-tofu-basil capellini, creamy chickpea sandwich, fried oyster mushrooms, house salad and a small dark chocolate mango cake."
"On it. Kindly wait in the office."
I went to the office to check the books and inventory. I also made a list of ingredients to be sent to the orphanage. After thirty minutes, Pam came to the office to let me know that she already gave the order to Tom. I decided to check what cakes are still available so that I can also send some to the elders. I chose the Decadent Mango cake and some strawberry cupcakes for Loi. On our way back to Aki's house, I asked Tom if he could send the other cakes to the elders after dropping me off. He just smiled and nodded.
When I reached the main door, Liam was already waiting with one of the servants to carry the food.
"Ms. Akira, Damascus is already waiting in the dining room."
"Thank you, Liam. Did you tell him I am bringing dinner?"
"I did and he is looking forward to enjoying the food from Alorenda." he responded.
I went straight to the dining area and saw that Aki was indeed waiting for me. He looked up at me expectantly when I entered the room and stood up to pull out the chair next to his.
"Liam told me that tonight's dinner is from Alorenda. What did you bring?" He gestured for me to sit and kissed my forehead before he went back to his seat.
"Someone's impatient." I teased. When he heard me, I could sense how happy he was that I was starting to treat him as if no confession ever happened a few nights back. I do not want the awkwardness to go on any longer and I really miss how we used to be when we're together, prior to the bomb he dropped about his love for me.
"I'm hungry. I've been waiting since six thirty when Tom informed me that you're at the cafe." He beamed.
"Pfffbbbt. You look like an obedient boy waiting for his mother to come home with his favorite treat! By the way, I asked Tom to send some cakes to the elders, I hope you don't mind." I giggled.
"Not at all. Where's the food?" He expectantly asked.
And just right after he blurted that, Liam came in with two servers to set the dishes.
"Whoa!" Aki's eyes widened in delight.
"I would still prefer to have the dishes you personally cook but since I know these are your recipes, I will still enjoy them. Thank you for the treat, Kira." He leaned in for a kiss and started piling up his plate.
I'm glad to see him fill up his plate and look all excited to enjoy the meal. I really love seeing him smile like that. And the eagerness in those eyes, oh Aki. How are we going to go about this? Are we really ready to go beyond our friendship and give this relationship a go? I silently thought to myself as I also started filling my plate.
We enjoyed the dinner whilst finalizing the trip. He informed me that everything has already been planned and asked me to go to his study with him so that he can give me a copy of the itinerary.
"Is there anything else you need to do or buy tomorrow?" He asked me after handing me the itinerary.
"Uhm, nothing to buy. Ellie made sure that we are covered for the next five days. I swear, your sister just dragged me that day and I didn't know what I had gotten myself into." I laughed as I remembered how Ellie wanted to scour every single boutique she fancied!
"Ellie is Ellie after all." He mused.
"Right. If I didn't stop her, I swear she would have bought the whole mall!" I exclaimed.
He chuckled after hearing me say this. And then there was silence. A little awkward still, but better than a few days ago.
"So, how are Sisters Therese, Elena and the kids?"
"The kids decided to fold paper cranes for Luisa's fast recovery." I replied.
"Paper cranes?" He questioned.
"Yes! Do you not know the story of a thousand tsurus?" He just looked at me with eyes that are glossed with cluelessness.
"They say, if you fold a thousand tsurus, your wish will come true!" I beamed.
"Is that so? Well, I'm sure they would be able to accomplish that. And I really hope Luisa will get through this, braver and stronger. Just like her mentor." He looked at me with hope and adoration, making me blush.
"I hope so too. In any case, there are a lot of people around her to help her through this. I still can't help but be angered every time I remember what she went through under that bastard's hands. I really hope he rots in jail!" I vehemently spat out.
"Don't worry. We just have to believe in the judiciary system. And if that does not work, we can still do something about it, okay?" He reassured me.
"I heard that you kept your promise about the hospital bills. Sister Therese also informed me that you transferred her to a private room and asked that she receives the best treatment. Thank you, Aki. You really have been helpful not just to me but to those I care about." I said wholeheartedly as I wrapped my arms around him in a tight embrace.
"Anything for you, Kira." He lowered his head to place a kiss on top of my head as he hugged me tighter.
"Well then, it's getting late. I better tuck in since I had quite a busy afternoon. There is dessert in the refrigerator in case you stay up late and would like some snacks." I stood up and left for my room without waiting to hear his response.