Chapter 20 : Complicated
Enjoying the food for a while, Joy looked down at the ground, looking sad. Chris noticed Joy's somber expression as she picked at her dumplings. "Joy, is something wrong? Are you okay?" he asked, genuine concern in his voice.
Joy sighed, "Um... Y-yes I'm fine.... It's just that ...this kind of moments remind me of the time together with my mother. We used to go outside like this... strolling at the grand park, having a lot fun, taking pictures together and soon after that buying some hot dumplings." she said softly, her voice filled with longing and pain.
Worried and Concerned, Chris understands Joy's pain and sadness since he also lost someone, his father. He then tried to comfort and make her laugh
"Well, you know what they say, laughter is the best medicine!" Chris grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "And you, Miss Rich Girl, can afford plenty of laughter, right?"
Joy chuckled despite herself, "Rich girl, huh? If only you knew!"
Chris winked, "Hey, with a face like that, you're richer than any bank account!"
Joy couldn't help but laugh, feeling a bit lighter already. "Thanks, Chris. You always know how to make me smile."
Grateful, Chris grinned and smiles warmly "Well, it's all part of my charm, you know. Plus, it's hard not to smile when I'm around such great company."
Feeling a lil bit annoyed, Joy rolled her eyes playfully, "Oh, please! Don't let your ego grow any bigger; we might need a crane to lift it!"
Chris feigned offense, "Ouch! Right in the ego! But hey, I'll take that risk if it means seeing you smile."
Joy nudged him with her elbow, "Smooth talker, aren't you? But I have to admit, it's working."
Continues to joke, Chris leaned in closer, "Hey, what can I say? I'm just here to spread joy... no pun intended."
Joy couldn't help but laugh again, "Well, consider your mission accomplished, Captain Charisma."
Chris saluted dramatically, "At your service, m'lady! Now, how about we finish these dumplings and then go make some more memories? Who knows, maybe we'll find a new favorite spot for dumplings!"
Joy smiled, feeling grateful for Chris's presence, "I'd like that. Thanks, Chris."
Together, they finished their meal, their laughter echoing through the streets as they made plans for the rest of the day.
The hooded figure still following them, hiding in the corners of the busy streets.
The scene then shifts to Robert's restaurant, The Bistro.....Robert and Melpomene are sitting in the back room of the restaurant.
Robert are yapping about the plan to kidnap Joy again. He is eating a burger while looking at his phone. He looked pissed off because he didn't get to kidnap Joy. "I can't believe she managed to escape from us... I swear if i see her again ....THIS.... this time I will not let her go easily."
Robert then glared raging at Melpomene still angry about yesterday. "And you!!....you old piece of shit. Do you know how much Crown I spend money just for your service?! yet you fail!"
Melpomene is silent, He just stared at Robert with a poker face. He didn't even bother to answer him
Annoyed by Melpomene's carelessness, Robert smack the wooden table with his fist and glare at Melpomene with rage "Don't give me that face!! Go and find her again!! And make sure you get her this time!"
Melpomene got up with a lil rage and said "Fine... I will go find her. I promise you that this time she won't be able to escape, but call me old piece of shit again and I'll gut your neck."
Robert was taken aback and felt fear down to his spine, he knows that Melpomene meant it so he didn't talk back.
Melpomene swiftly left the restaurant, his eyes are filled with rage and vengeance, clenching his fist as evident that he think of himself as useless as he failed a simple mission, kidnaping a girl. He then starts to sprint and scans around the area looking for Joy's figure
"This time.... This time I will never fail" Melpomene mutters under his mask, his voice is filled in determination, determination to kill anyone who stand on his way
Droplets of water touched Melpomene's mask and clothes, a sudden rain poured
As the rain poured heavily while running swiftly to look for Joy, Melpomene stops and see his old dojo, he then stood in front of the dojo for shelter because of the heavily rain, his eyes fixated on the wooden sign swinging in the wind. Memories flooded his mind, taking him back to the days of relentless training and countless failures.
To be continued....