Chapter 21: Madam George
Kim took a bus headed to the restaurant she worked. It was owned by the Georges. As it was a family restaurant, it wasn't classy, it was simple.. not too big and not too small either.
Glass and wood was used for the walls, you could see the outside. Those outside can see people sitted in the restaurant, but they wouldn't be able to see their father as the lower part of the wall was wood and upper part was glass. The seats and tables were made out of wood and it had an open kitchen. The heat extractor, air conditioners and air fresheners did a good job of taking out the smoke and keeping the air clean and fresh.
The kitchen was run mainly by Madam George and Papa George with the help of their daughter and a sous chef. But their daughter Lauren recently got married so Kim was given her job. While the waiters and waitresses took orders and cleaned up the restaurant.
The restaurant was busiest during the afternoons and evenings, though they served breakfast too. There was Harmony in the kitchen.
She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders as she readjusted her slouched posture before entering the restaurant. There was not much people inside as it was past lunch. Kim walked directly into the kitchen.
"Hello!" She greeted.
"Kim! You're here.. I guess you're done with your exams.. how was it?.. come take a sit first." Madam George said with excitement in her voice.
The few months Kim worked for her, she treated Kim like her own daughter. Probably the only mother figure in Kim's life. Kim on hearing her voice, felt relieved a little. She wanted to talk to someone but she didn't want people questioning her decision to let a stranger live with her.
So she took a deep breath, a huge grin that could hide every pain plastered her face.
"I thought I wouldn't do so well but thankfully, I passed with flying colors."
"That's good, that's good." Madam George said as she lead Kim to an empty table close to the Kitchen. She whirled into the kitchen. She came out with a tray of food together with Papa George.
Papa George was a strong man, though he's old, he still works in the restaurant with his wife. As for Madam George, since cooking is her hobby, she wasn't the least bit tired. She continued to work with much enthusiasm.
Placing the food on the table, Madam George said, "Here have this, I know you worked really hard. It's good your result is excellent."
To Madam George whose daughter was no longer in the city, she took Kim as hers because of the similarities with her daughter. They were but quiet and hardworking.
"Thank you Madam George." Kim said, with warm eyes staring at her. She wondered if her mother's food would taste so good too.
"What are you thanking her for?" Papa George asked, smiling warmly at Kim. "You deserve much more."
"Yes, yes.. she deserves more.. look at you acting nice.. she's my daughter in case you forget." Madam George said.
"If she's your daughter, she's mine too." Papa George scoffed.
Kim laughed happily, forgetting her earlier discomfort.
"Child eat, don't mind us..you need to eat first." Papa George said to her.
Kim nodded and picked up the cutlery, it was rice and soup. Though she was happy, it made her eyes teary. 'May be mother would cook for me too if I did well,' she continued eating but this solidified her urge to find her family. They must be alive, may be they couldn't find her anymore. She kept listing reasons why she was abandoned at the orphanage. Unaware of the tears running down her face.
The George couple saw this, Papa George nudged Madam George to talk to her while he went back to the kitchen to give them privacy.
"Child, what is the problem?" Madam George asked.
"Nothing really, I just thought of my parents." She said in reply.
"Well, you're alive, it's a good thing, so you can always find them, may be not now. But some day." Madam George said in a comforting voice.
"I think so too. I'll do my best and become a good lawyer and then a politician so they can see me, where ever they are..." She said with hopeful eyes.
Madam George found Kim pitiful but she was also proud of the hard working lady she was. "Yes. Don't cry, do your best, you'll find them. But for now, I can be your mother, so don't hold back, you can talk to me whenever."
"Thank you." Kim said in reply.
Getting up, Madam George said, "You don't have to thank me for every little thing. Eat your food. You don't need to work today too, go home and take a rest after your meal."
After which she went into the kitchen to pack dinner for Kim. Kim was glad to have met Madam George. She made a resolve in her heart to work hard and become somebody her parents would be proud of and also pay back the old George couple for their kindness.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone