"You don't look like you're really happy to be here, Terrence," a deep sigh escaped from Edwin's mouth as he eyed Terrence.
"I am happy… "Terrence breathed out. He forcefully put a smile on his face. He was still thinking of the mission he got, even if hours had passed already.
How would he even do that?
Even getting girls would be easier than making his own grocery store.
The three of them were currently in a restaurant. It was located a few kilometers away from the grocery store. They used Edwin's car to get here.
"That's a good thing to know. We should all take this chance to enjoy the moment. This is my first time going here, too. I was surprised they even let us in," Edwin joked, livening the atmosphere.
"Are you sure you can afford it here?" Terrence questioned. The atmosphere of the restaurant speaks of money.
They were inside a 2-floor high-end restaurant. A lot of uniformed waiters were going around, and the diners were wearing semi-formal to formal clothes.
Among all of them, they were the only ones dressed plainly.
When he checked the menu earlier, he was surprised when he saw the prices of each item. The lowest he could find was $75, and that was just a mere drink. The main items range from $200-$300.
Edwin nodded. "Of course! I got $1,000 with me." He boasted. "You two should chill and eat once the food is served."
Terrence wasn't worried about the price of each item, since he had money with him. He could easily pay for his meal if their bill exceeded Edwin's budget.
He was considering treating them to this meal if the bill would go under the money in his system. He just hoped that the final bill would just range up to $1500, so he could volunteer himself to pay for it.
Edwin raised his hand to catch one of the waiters' attention. It only took a couple of seconds before a uniformed waiter came to their side.
"Do you have any question or problem, Sir?"
"I would like to order 3 glasses of wine as well," Edwin ordered.
Terrence's forehead knotted when he heard what Edwin said.
"Edwin I do—"
Terrence was about to protest when Edwin caught him off.
"Shhh... This is just a glass of wine. No one gets drunk with a glass of wine. Just think of it as a grape juice." Edwin assured Terrence. "And this is the first and the last time we would be able to do this. You should try to enjoy life, Terrence!"
Terrence sighed. He shook his head disapprovingly and leaned against the chair's back. He remained silent.
The truth was, he had never tried alcohol in his life, so he was afraid that he would easily be drunk. He does not want to appear vulnerable and weak, especially in front of a lot of people.
He just hoped that what Edwin said was true.
It wasn't that long before their food was served on the table.
"Happy eating, guys!" Edwin, in a low voice, cheered.
The three of them started to eat, resulting in silence. William, who had been silent since earlier, was just stealing glances at Edwin and Terrence from time to time. He didn't know what to say.
It only took them minutes before they devoured the food. Unlike William and the people eating elegantly, Edwin and Terrence ate as if they were just in a normal place.
"The food is good. It's a pity that the prices are high, or I would have ordered one more thing." Edwin mindlessly uttered as he finished his plate.
Terrence silently agreed with Edwin. The food was really good, giving justice to its high price. He was also thinking of buying food for his family, since it was still early.
It would be perfect for their late dinner time later, once he reached home.
"Excuse me for a moment," Terrence looked at Edwin as he stood up to go to the side.
Edwin tried to follow Terrence using his eyes, but since the restaurant was massive and many people were walking around, he lost vision of Terrence.
Terrence, who went to the side, approached a waiter.
"Excuse me, may I know the bill on table 69?" He asked.
"Wait, Sir. Follow me." The waiter that he approached led him to the receptionist's desk, hidden in the corner.
"The total bill is $1218, Sir." The waiter announced as he pulled out the receipt.
"I'll pay for it." Terrence grinned when he heard that the total bill was under the total money he earned so far.
He secretly reached into the pocket of his jeans and thought of the money he needed.
[1300 had been subtracted from your balance.]
Terrence smiled at the waiter as he took out his hands from his pocket, now filled with money. He gave the waiter all the $1300. It was the bill together with the tip.
[Ding!]
[You gain 50 EXP]
[You earned $1950!]
"Oh right, can I order 4 orders of the mashed potato with steak? Add on 2 slices of chocolate cake, too." Terrence asked the waiter. "It's for to go."
The waiter immediately nodded at Terrence's request. "Of course, Sir. The food and the bill for your additional will be served later, once it's done." He quickly listed the food that was ordered.
"By the way, Sir, what's your name?"
"It's Terrence."
"Alright, Sir Terrence. A waiter will call your name on your table once the food is ready."
"Nice! Thanks then."
After he was done, Terrence went back to his table.
"Where have you been, Terrence?" Edwin's voice was laced with curiosity as it took Terrence a long time to return.
"Oh, I just went around." Terrence sheepishly smiled.
"Ohhh…" Edwin nodded, believing Terrence's words.
"Did you enjoy the food, William?" Edwin glanced at William, who was just looking at them.
"Yes, Boss!" Energetic as ever, William answered.
Terrence stayed quiet. He let Edwin and William have a conversation first. He was just waiting for what he ordered to finish so he could say goodbye and leave.
"Terrence?"
Hearing a woman's voice on the side, Terrence, who was looking down, looked up to see where the voice came from.
He was expecting that it was one of the female waitresses who called his name, but he was surprised when he saw someone familiar.
"Natalie?"
*****
Author's Note:
How's NNN so far, soldiers?