ALL NOVEL Chapter 24- Luna&Maria
After Luna talked to Maria, she saw the teasing looks on her friends' faces.
"What?" she asked.
"So, how was it?" Prima asked.
"Ahh.. it's her mom who answered, it turns out she's been abroad," Luna replied.
"She won't attend the graduation?" Tina asked.
"Unfortunately, yes," Luna said.
"What? How can that be?" Prima asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, it's once in a lifetime, and she's also an honor student. Will the school just agree to that?" Tina asked in doubt.
"Something might happen. When Aunt Maria mentioned it, her mood suddenly became low," Luna explained.
"What are you planning now?" Prima asked.
"I might go to Mira's house," Luna said.
"Alone?" Prima asked.
"Yeah," Luna replied.
"We can go with you," Tina suggested.
"No, it's okay," Luna said.
"Will you be fine alone?" Prima asked worriedly.
"Don't worry, Mira's mother is so kind," Luna reassured her.
"As long as it's related to Mira, everything seems to be good for you," Tina teased.
"No, I'm just telling the truth," Luna denied, but her blush gave her away to her friends.
Tina and Prima enjoyed teasing Luna, but at the same time, they were worried that Luna might really like Mira without knowing it.
Tina shook her head and asked Prima and Luna to go out now to play.
...
Maria returned to her post after her short break. She was now working at the newly opened restaurant, and everyone was kind and considerate, making her feel more comfortable with the people around her and allowing her to make new friends. It's just that she hadn't seen the restaurant's boss yet. It was said that their boss was kind but strict.
A minute later, some customers came to pay, but Maria froze when she saw a familiar face.
Luna, who was also about to pay, froze. She was shocked to see Mira's mother working at her mother's restaurant and thought how small the world is.
Maria only froze for a few seconds before smiling. She greeted Luna and her friends.
Tina, who was in charge of their meal, also smiled and paid the bill.
Luna, who became nervous, didn't know what to say. However, even if she couldn't think of any ideas, her body moved on its own. She walked closer to the counter and introduced herself to Maria.
"Ma'am, I'm Luna, Mira's friend," Luna said, regretting her recklessness but thinking it would be rude to act like she didn't know the person.
"So it's really you. I thought I got the wrong person," Maria replied.
"Do you know me?" Luna asked.
"If I remember correctly, I think we met when I went to your campus in your first year of college, and I also saw your picture when the final results were announced. Congratulations," Maria said.
"Thank you, Aunt," Luna said, her initial nervousness turning into excitement as she forgot she was still with her friends.
"Aunt, what time is your shift over?" Luna asked.
"8 in the evening. Tomorrow is my day off. You can come to my house anytime you want. I'll just send you the address," Maria said.
"But.. it's your day off," Luna said.
"And? Now that my daughter isn't around, I now live alone, so I would be really happy if you can come from time to time. Don't be shy," Maria said.
"You live alone?" Luna asked.
"Yes," Maria replied.
Luna was about to continue asking, but a tug on her side made her turn. She saw her friends smiling at her, and she realized she had gotten carried away.
"Alright, Aunt, I'll visit you. I have to go now," Luna said reluctantly, bidding goodbye.
"Alright, have fun with your friends," Maria waved at Luna, who was obviously reluctant to go, and she found it funny.
She remembered that Lilith also used to be so reluctant to go every time they spent time together. And the reluctance was written all over her face, which she found cute and amusing.
"Maria," Alvin, Maria's co-worker who was also a cashier, called out.
Maria looked at Alvin, waiting for what he was going to say.
"Do you know them? The kids earlier?" Alvin asked.
"Not really, but they are my daughter's schoolmates, and one of them seems to be a friend of my daughter," Maria replied.
"Ah, right," Alvin said, his gaze lingering on Maria for a moment. He had assumed Maria knew who Luna was, given their conversation earlier. But Maria seemed genuinely clueless about the boss's daughter. He decided not to mention it. Luna, the boss's daughter, always had a cold face and only softened her expression when she talked to people she was comfortable with.
He'd seen it firsthand on the opening party of the restaurant before, the way she would sometimes glance at him with a faint smile if he offered a helping hand. He wasn't sure why she was so guarded, but he knew it was better if Maria didn't know. He couldn't imagine how Maria would react if she found out Luna was the boss's daughter, and he didn't want to disrupt the pleasant relationship between the two.
Alvin glanced at Maria, thinking how kind and mature she was. It was no wonder the boss's daughter felt comfortable with her—even Alvin and others felt a sense of closeness to Maria. She had a way of making everyone feel at ease, like a warm blanket on a cold day. He'd noticed it from the moment she started working there, the way she'd greet everyone with a genuine smile, her eyes twinkling with warmth.
Maria truly had an aura that made everyone feel good and comfortable. Her dedication to her work and her ever-present smile, even during the busiest rush hours, made those around her feel that everything would be alright. There was a quiet strength in her, a resilience that radiated outward, calming even the most anxious customer. She was the kind of person who could make even the worst day feel a little bit brighter.
Alvin smiled after an unknown amount of time. Then, a waiter who was a friend of his suddenly appeared in front of Alvin with a teasing smile.
"What?" Alvin asked.
Alvin's friend, Lexis, only smiled and used his eyes to point at Maria, then back at Alvin.
Alvin knew what he meant but didn't deny it. He simply pushed Lexis back to work. Alvin glanced again at Maria, and she happened to turn her head. She just nodded to him and continued her work.