Chapter 38：Old Flame

"This is truly a waste of heaven's wonderful resources!" Ronald snarled at the waiter as he held the two upper corners of his eyeglasses' frame. "How can you call this food? Look at this beef, it's so chewy. Didn't you boil it until it became tender, did you? Where is your cook?"

"Hey, if you don't like our food, then go somewhere else, but don't forget to pay." The rude waiter hissed under his breath to avoid other customers from hearing them.

"You expect me to pay when I can't even eat what you're serving?"

"Of course, we bought these ingredients and cook them for you, so you have to pay. If you won't eat it, then it is your fault."

"Where is the manager?" Ronald looked around, acting like an aggressive complainant. "You are just a waiter. How could you talk to me in that manner as your customer?"

The waiter waved to another co-worker to call the manager.

A properly dressed stout man came. "Sir, how may I help you? Is there a problem?"

"This waiter of yours was very rude. I complained about getting this chewy beef. Instead of making amends, he told me to pay up and go away."

"This guy was the one who was rude…"

The quarrel made the manager a bit annoyed. In spite of it, he kept his professionalism. "Sir, I would like to apologize for providing this unpalatable dish. Please just try another dish, and you don't need to pay for anything. I'm really sorry for the inconvenience." He handed over the menu to Ronald.

"What? You expect me to pay for that?" The waiter glared at the manager. "Let the cook pay. It's not my fault." He threw his apron away and left the place.

"Don't mind him. He's just irritable sometimes. What are your orders, Sir?"

"I think he was right. Let the cook pay and not him." Ronald said while testing the manager.

"I will let the cook know of his mistake. This will be our problem, Sir. Have you chosen anything to your liking? How about this Fish Fillet with White Sauce?" His amiability made Ronald satisfied.

He thought of telling Clarence to give this manager a bonus. He was good.

"Okay, give me that and this pork steak."

. . . . .

"Ronald, where are you now?" Clarence was walking with Beauty in a silent alley while he was talking using his phone.

"I'm out of your restaurant. Just finish eating." Ronald was satisfied with himself, thinking that he did a good job.

"We're now outside the restaurant, but you're nowhere to be found."

"Huh? What's the name of your restaurant again? I think I heard you say, Mother's Best?"

"What? I said Mother's Deli."

Ronald didn't know what to do whether to laugh or cry at his stupidity. He just realized his mistake. He went to the wrong place, showing his thick-skinned face to the wrong people. That establishment turned out to be not under the Peres' family.

"Boss, I think I went to the wrong restaurant."

Upon hearing that, Clarence burst out into laughter. "Haha, you're really good with geography, aren't you? Just admit you're lost."

"No, Boss. I really went to the wrong restaurant. I was just… misled with the word 'Mother's.' "

He was really embarrassed to admit it. The only word he recalled was 'Mother's'. No wonder when he saw the street name, he felt unsure. Nevertheless, he went in any way. Instead of calling back for confirmation, he just assumed foolishly.

"Oh, boy, just wait for us there. I know that place."

Clarence and Beauty went back into the car and drove to another alley two blocks away. When they stopped in front of the said place, he couldn't stop himself from reminiscing. He couldn't forget this place. Someone from his past came to mind. He frequented this place just for that girl. He was young then, only fourteen years old. Somehow, it was in the past.

Really, fate was playing with them. As he stepped out from the car, that certain waiter came back and saw him. Their eyes met.

"Bernard?" asked Clarence.

"Clarence?" Bernard sounded a little dubious. "Why are you here? Sis no longer works here. She left and went somewhere."

"Oh, I don't know. Sorry to hear that."

Seeing the man his boss greeted, Ronald just recalled the face of the 'rude waiter.' "Do you know this guy?" he asked.

"Yes, he is the owner of this place," said Clarence.

"What?" Ronald got scared after knowing who this man was. He could feel like he would break into cold sweat soon.

"No, I'm not. My parents own this place." After speaking, he pointed his finger at Ronald and asked, "Is this guy related to you? Why is he here?"

An alarming siren sounded in Clarence's mind. He immediately realized something went wrong earlier. He couldn't tell Bernard of the other person's true identity. "Come, let's go somewhere to enjoy our reunion."

"I can't go. I'm still working." Bernard saw the quizzical look of his friend. "After you stopped coming, Sheila was depressed and left. My parents then pushed me to take over her work. I'll probably take over this place as well." They were gently chased away by a waving hand. "Just go by yourself."

The three just went into the car, awkwardly regrouping. Yet before they left, Bernard stood next to the car, "Are you joining the Open Culinary Competition? She might be joining, too. Hope for the best. See ya." He then walked off back inside the restaurant.

"Who is he talking about? Who is Sheila?" Beauty asked with a fretful heart. An innocent girl indeed; how could she not know that she was now in love with Clarence? Just a mention of another girl's name and the reason why she left made Beauty troubled.

Was that Sheila his ex-girlfriend? If they meet again, would that spark their old flame?