บท 26: I Am Surprised

Madeline's POV

A week passed quickly, and I became more in love with Magnolia Village. As the days passed by, I couldn't believe I would find peace at last. This paradise makes me feel so alive for the first time in my life, and I am happy every day. I am glad I found this place. Lydia, Jack, and Lianne made my stay more enjoyable. I am proud of myself now that I learned the restaurant's menus since Jack gave me the menu list, and he helped me every night by explaining the ingredients of each cuisine. Every time we discussed the food, I couldn't stop my mouth from watering.

The menus from appetizers, soups, main courses, and desserts make me hungry most of the time. Lydia's cooking was terrific too, and I can tell it is in their blood because Lianne was also an excellent cook, but she loves pastries and desserts. And I admire Lianne's hard work because after she bakes, she will also serve customers' orders. She also taught me how to make dessert, and I am not only enjoying my work, but I am also learning so many things.

The patrons are friendly, but I realized some people are so hard to please. No matter how tasty the food and how cozy the ambiance is, they remained unsatisfied, but most customers love the Morigans diner.

I bring my notepad and walk closer to table number eight to take her order, I can tell the customer is dining alone, and I wonder how she enjoyed her vacation in a solitary way. The woman has a scarf on her head, but I can't see her face yet since her back is on me. And as I got closer to her, I suddenly felt nervous, and I stood beside her.

"Good day, and welcome to the Magnolia Friendly Diner. Can I take your order, ma'am?" I asked, and she took off her shades, and removed her scarf, then looked at me, and I almost yelled when I realized my best friend Gina had come to Magnolia Village to see me, and I couldn't stop feeling so happy that she was here in front of me smiling from ear to ear.

"Gina! I couldn't believe you came, and I thought you were kidding." I said, and I smiled as she stood up from her chair and hugged me.

"Of course I came, you know how much you mean to me, Madeline. I want to surprise you, and I am starving, and please serve me the most popular menu of this restaurant." Gina said.

"Yeah, you nailed it. You surprised me. Okay, I will serve you mouth-watering food, but it is on me, and you will not regret you came all the way here," I said, and I excused myself and ordered her food.

"I am sorry, Gina, I can't entertain you right now since lunchtime is the busiest time of this restaurant," I said after I served her the food.

"I understand, Maddie; besides, I will be going home tomorrow. I hope your boss will allow me to sleep in your room tonight." She said, and I smiled widely at her.

"Of course, I am sure Lydia will allow you to stay for the night," I replied, feeling so positive that I would spend more time with my best friend. I know Lydia is already like a mother to me, and I can tell she will like Gina. I left Gina on her table, and I went back to the kitchen to get the food from table number ten. I went near the cashier's area to get the bill for table number five, and I talked with Lydia.

"Lydia, I know I am only new here, and asking you for something would be too much," I said, and she looked up at me.

"What can I do for you, Madeline?" She asked.

"Umm, my best friend came to visit me, and she wants to stay for the night, " I said, I didn't finish what I had to say because of my nervousness, and I felt shy.

"She is welcome to stay in our house, Maddie, and I am sure your friend is as good as you." She said, smiling at me.

"Thank you so much, Lydia; you have given me too much," I said.

"It was nothing, Madeline, besides your presence in our restaurant, making some of the customers come back because they like you, especially the boys. Can't you see they keep coming back?" She said, and I felt my face flush. I know what Lydia means. Some tourists keep asking for me to serve them, and I am happy to attend to them because of the excellent tips. Besides, I love serving the customers.

"Kindly put her bill on my tab, Lydia. She is eating her lunch over there." I said as I pointed in Gina's direction.

"Don't worry, and it is on the house," Lydia said, which made me even more embarrassed because her generosity was too much already.

"Lydia, please don't. I want to treat my friend." I said sheepishly.

"Think of it as a bonus coming from the Morigan family, Maddie." She said, and I smiled.

"Thank you again," I said, and I returned to Gina's table, and told her the good news. And she is excited to meet the Morigans.

Gina opted to wait for me inside the restaurant's staff room, and I introduced her to my new family, I could tell how much she admired Jack for my best friend was drooling over him, and for the first time, my best friend became speechless.

"Nice to meet you, Gina, and welcome to Magnolia," Lydia said, and that is when she averted her gaze from Jack, and I couldn't believe my best friend was blushing.

"Thank you, Lydia, Magnolia is a beautiful place, and I think I would love to spend my vacation here. Do you think I can work in your restaurant for the entire summer? I am willing to quit from my current work if you have me." Gina declared, and I was shocked by her straightforwardness.

"Well, if you are serious, why not? We are still understaffed. I always asked some of my regular employees to extend their shifts. If you want, I can hire you immediately." Lydia said, and Gina's face lit up, and a sweet smile flashed on her lips.

"Okay, I will go home tomorrow to get some of my things, and I can start immediately." She said.

"Well, that is great, and you can stay at our house too. We have a lot of rooms." Lydia offered.

"Wow, thank you, Lydia, and now that Gina is staying with us, can you deduct rent from our salaries?" I asked, and she shook her head.

"I will be happy to have you both in our house, and it has been a long time since only the three of us lived in that big house. You know I came from a big family, I have many siblings, and when they all chose to settle in Archois, the whole place became lonely. So, please, Madeline, don't ask me to ask a rent from you. I want you and Gina to stay in our place for free. Am I understood?" Lydia asked, and I nodded my head.

"Yes, ma'am, and thank you once again," I replied.

"Welcome, Gina, and it is nice to meet you," Lianne said.

"Yes, and I hope you will enjoy your stay with us like Maddie," Jack said, and my best friend blushed again.

"Thank you, guys, and I am so excited to work with you." She declared, and the Morigans smiled at her, and they all went back to work while they left me to talk with Gina for a while.

"Why didn't you tell me that Jack Morigan is too hot to handle?" She asked, and I raised my eyebrow.

"I already told you, Jack is hot and handsome, and why do you look so shocked?" I asked her back.

"Well, I didn't expect he could be that handsome, but it's a pity because you're the only one he sees," She said, and I was shocked by her words.

"What do you mean by that, Gina?" I asked her, and she smiled at me.

"You are still naive and very innocent, Madeline. It means you smite Jack, and I pity him because I know your heart only belongs to Hunter Divenson." She declared, and I couldn't help but feel sad as I heard his name because I was still thinking about him every night and day.

"Hey, I am sorry, I didn't mention his name to upset you, Madeline, but judging by the expressions on your face, I can tell you are really in love with him." She said.

"Yes, I did, and that is why I am here to forget him," I replied.

"Well, I think Jack is a good catch. Maybe you can give him a chance." She said.

"Gina, I don't want to play Jack's feelings as long as I am still in love with Hunter; I will never get involved with someone else because it is terrible, and the Morigan family is so good to me." I declared.

"I know, I am just talking about the possibility, who knows you will develop some feelings for him, he is really into you, Madeline, the way he looked at you is enough to tell me, Jack Morigan is crazy about you.

"Stop that, Gina. They are all sweet, so you better stop your wild imagination." I replied.

"It is all up to you if you would not believe me, but I am telling you the truth, and I am sure one of these days, Jack will confess his feelings for you." She said, and I shook my head.

"Whatever, Gina, by the way, you can stay here, or if you want, you can roam around the place while we are still working," I stated.

"I want to help. You know I can serve the guests well. That is one of my talents." She responded, and I tugged her going to the main restaurant; I am proud of my best friend because she is natural, and in minutes, she is enjoying herself dishing out the tables.

I am still smiling when I walk to a new customer seated on the far-end table, and when I come in front of him, my entire body stiffens when I realize I am face to face with Calixto, Hunter Divenson's right hand.