Chapter 4:

茘枝の新しい仕事

White Parasol

Saturday afternoon of boredom. Alone without that man. Unbelievable, I can’t puzzle him out at all. That precious little… red panda.……

“Aw, it's empty. Disappointing!”

“Shut up, will you!”

Oh, wonderful. It's the couple.

“Afty, Rojo!”

“Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon, you two. Come in, come in.”

Those two come join me at the bar.

“Alice! Hey, Alice! Hey! Hello?!!” enthusiastically shouted, Ace. “Rojo, where's Alice?”

“He's out for…… some reason. But I can take your order. So, what do you want? Coffee or tea?”

““Coffee/tea!””

“Coffee!” quickly reworded, Ace.

Why do you have to copy him?

“Two coffee, coming right up.”

Alright, boil the water, a spoonful of coffee and done. Rudimentary as the detective bloke said.

“Here you go!”

“Muchas Gracias!”

“Děkuji.”

“So anything else, gentlemen?”

“Our lunches, please!”

“Lunch? I thought this was a café.”

“Well, We normally lunch here. Alice can always muster up something for us. Didn't he tell you? Well, That's fine. We’ll phone takeaway. What’d you wanna eat? Japanese? Vietnamese? Hong Kong or…”

“That won’t be needed. I can cook for you.”

“Yay! Thanks, Rojo.”

“Sorry for bothering you.”

“Don't worry, it's nothing. I'll be back.”

Right, Let's see what we have. Brie, some fruit, potatoes, cheddars, milk, eggs and veggies, yuck!

What to do? What to do?

We got potatoes. Maybe, bake? No, I don't know how to use an oven. Boil? No, I’m not making soup, aren't I? How about steaming? Yeah, that might work. Steam potatoes! With cheddar on top. Cheese goes well with anything, anyway.

And brie and fruits can become salad! Fruit salad with brie. Ok, let's do it!

*10 minutes passed*

Everything seems to be ready. It’s time to serve.

“Sorry for the waiting, gentlemen.”

The food is served.

“Wow! Amazing!” excited, Ace.

“Smell delicious. Thank you, Mr Baranov.” Mr Tharald gently smiled at me. Despite his suffering face, he looks magically charming smiling like this. I can't help but smile back at him. “Mmm, taste delicious as well.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“¡Para ya! ¡Para ya! Stop flirting with each other! You… you… ¡Estúpido! ¡Gilipollas! ¡Tramposo!”

“Don’t mind him. His eyes always turn green whenever there’s a cute boy around.”

I see. He’s madly in love with him. That’s why he’s so clingy to Mr Tharald all the time.

Then, of all sudden. My baby boy has walked in looking wearing like an old man.

“Urgh…………” Reishi urgh-ed his way to the bar.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong? How's the interview going?”

Hope it's not what I believe it is.

“I've got it. I’ve got the job from Miss Thanitree.” despairingly said, Reishi.

Ah, holy rabbit. That's a relief.

“From the lady boss?!! Yeah! Finally! It's time for me to have a junior at work.”

“So what position did you get?” I asked.

“A personal secretary.” Regretfully spoke, Reishi.

“What!?! No fair!!”

“Read the room.” Mr Tharald coldly pinched Ace’s cheek.

“Rouch! Rouch! That’s hwurt…”

“Reishi, sweetheart. What’s on your mind? Let it out of your chest, dear. Everyone is here for you.”

“Exclude Hermoso here.”

Ace’s real name is Hermoso?

“Dwon’t you dware rusing that nrame…” his cheek was still pinched.

“This job… I don’t think I can’t cope. It’s too much responsibility, too much pressure.…… Emails, Documents, clients, conferences, coworkers, finance. I don’t know if I’m capable enough.…talented enough, strong enough keep this job.”

“Aw, sweetheart. Come here.” I comforted the poor boy with a big warm hug.

“I’m screwed.…so screwed.” The boy returned the hug tightly. I can feel his anxiety. His hands, it’s all sweaty the same as his face that pressed to my belly.

“There, there.”

“I’m back.”

“Ah, perfect timing! Hurry up! Get back in there and make some hot chocolate for your son.”

“As your wish.”

Hot chocolate arrived shortly after. Luckily, there's some hot water left from last time.

This should heal him up like magic. Hot chocolate top with whip cream, some squishy marshmallows and powdered cinnamon. Oooh, now I'd like one for myself.

“Drink up, dear, before it gets cold.”

Reishi had a tiny sip.

“Umai…” He took another sip. “Hmm…… Alice-nii, Mikita-nii.”

“Yes?”

“I’m all ears, sweetheart.”

“You think… I could move in here? I wanna stay closely to the office.”

“Mummy’s fine with that. Why don’t ask daddy instead?”

I called upon my magically intense glare on the ‘daddy’.

“I am the daddy?”

“I don’t know. Mr Tharald, perhaps?”

“I see, I shall leave the decision to him then.”

“Bože…” judging from his look, I know he and I share the mutual feeling. “He’s just being sarcastic.……”

“Thank you, Mr Tharald, for your sentiment.”

“I get your feeling. Irritating, right? That you have to live with some idiot without choice.”

“Yes! Yes! Mr Tharald too? I thought you said that you lived alone.”

“I did, until recently some idiot picked my lock and invited himself in. No matter how many lock I’ve changed, he can still keep barging in.… You know, I strive hard to stay positive. …”

“But you can’t, right? It’s shown all over your face since the day we first met.”

“It’s really shown, huh? Yeah, you could say that. Because that bastard is also my coworker and he is literally sitting next to me right now. Oh, Bože.…”

He look like he wanna cry but trying to hold back.

“Mr Tharald…”

Now, I got two grown man to cheer up.

“Please call me ‘Jarl’.”

“Ok, Jarl. Listen, if you wanna get something off your chest, I’ll be here for you. My dear Reishi, too.”

“Sou desu yo.”

“That’d help, thanks.”

Now, it’s a perfect time to test my theory of those two.

Behold my magic! French Bise Bise!

Mwah! mwah!

“What’s this all of sudden?”

“My token of friendship. We officially are mates, now”