Chapter 8: Hello, stranger
Chapter 6: Hello, Stranger
As Ashley and the waiter turned toward the voice, she held her breath, silently praying for a miracle. The waiter's posture shifted, his expression now one of curiosity.
Standing before them was an elderly man, his commanding voice at odds with his frail appearance. Despite looking to be in his seventies, he carried an air of authority, flanked by imposing guards. Assuming the spilled order had been his, Ashley hurried to apologize.
"I—I'm sorry about this, sir..." she stammered.
The old man barely acknowledged her words before he interrupted. "Replace those," he instructed the waiter.
"Yes—yes, sir," the waiter stuttered before hurrying away.
"Add her order," the man added, catching Ashley off guard.
"N—No, sir, I'm..." she began, but he cut her off again with a raise of his hand.
"You're welcome, young lady."
Without another word, he walked away, leaving Ashley speechless. The gesture was unexpected, almost too good to be true. Starving since the previous day's lunch, she hesitated, wondering if luck had finally decided to favor her. But experience had taught her that nothing ever came without a price. Around her, whispers spread across the restaurant, curious gazes fixating on her.
Seeing the attention on stranger, she wondered who he was. But then she decided to leave that for the later and concentrate on the moment.