Newlyweds

After leaving the store, Adam dragged her to the car and only gestured to sit down at her seat as he took the wheel and drove to one of her favorite restaurants. 

Seeing the familiar red ramen bowl sign, Azalea's eyes gleamed in excitement while her stomach growled thinking about the sweet savory taste of the bouncy noodle that had soaked the flavor of that broth. She gulped just thinking about it enough to make her hungry. 

"How about we eat some noodles? My treat!" Azalea suggested, seeing him almost drive past the restaurant. Adam said nothing, and just parked the car. Azalea immediately hopped out of the car, as soon as the wheel came to stop, like a kid going to a fair. 

Even though her eyes remain fixated at the restaurant, she did subconsciously wait for Adam till he was done parking and as soon as he got up, she gestured to him to follow her while herself hurriedly walking to the restaurant. Adam quietly just followed, entering the small building after her. By the time he entered, Azalea was by the counter chatting with an elderly man located by the door. 

Just behind the counter was a window, revealing the kitchen where an elderly woman was chopping up the meat expertly. While joining the talk between Azalea and the man in between. 

Seeing Adam standing by the door, perplexed. The man looked at him with a smile and bowed. Only then Azalea glanced at Adam with a genuine smile, "Uncle, he is with me." She informed the old couple. 

Both the man and woman glanced at each other and then at Adam. From the look, he looked nothing like someone who eats in a small restaurant run by an elderly couple. Yet they tried to speak it out of their doubts. 

"Oh my! Our little Lea brought a guy finally!" The woman spoke, amazed and in a teasing tone. 

Adam came to them and gave a bow. Seeing how they called her Little Lea it was clear how close and important to her. 

The man smiled, his wrinkled face seemed to bloom, "No need to be polite." He shook his hand waiting for Lea to introduce him to them. 

"This is Adam…" Azalea stopped, as she didn't know how to introduce herself. A friend? But they barely know each other. Husband? But that means more questions from them. Someone she knows? They will never believe her, she was not a person to eat with someone whom she barely knows. 

"...Her husband." Seeing her lost in thought, Adam ended up finishing her sentence. Both the man and woman were dumbfounded at the revelation. The woman walked out of the kitchen, glancing at Azalea for confirmation. 

Even though Azalea was not planning to reveal it, she just shrugged and gave in nodding in confirmation. 

The woman smiled, completely speechless on what to say. She rubbed her hand on her apron, "Our little lea has grown up so soon, right Honey? When was the wedding? How did we know nothing?" She tried to change the awkward situation. On the other hand, the man remained quiet. 

Even though they didn't say it, Azalea clearly saw how much they were upset by it. Azalea had known them since her elementary school, and she had spent almost all her school days eating lunch there, as oftentimes her parents were busy with work. They were like second parents to her who fulfill the duties her real parents couldn't. Seeing their pain, ached her. 

"No. No…. Aunty Lee, we just registered our marriage today. There was no wedding. We have just come from the registration office." Azalea cleared up.

"Oh!" Finally, the couple seemed relieved. "Look at us. Keeping the newlywed standing here. Come come." Aunty Lee cleared the atmosphere showing them the way to one of the tables located right beside the window. The restaurant was pretty small, and there were not many people except a few sitting on the other side, eating their meal. 

Aunty Lee, made sure they were seated and once taking the order and left them alone. Adam remained quiet, his whole attention fully taken by Azalea. Except a few talk and gestures to Aunty Lee's question. Once all alone, Azalea glanced towards the counter where the Aunty Lee and her husband were whispering. 

"She seemed to like you," Azalea mumbled, with a mischievous smile plastered on her lips. 

"Is it?" Adam smiled, opening the wooden chopsticks and making sure it was free of any spike, before placing in front of Azalea. 

"Mhm. If she didn't, she wouldn't invite you to eat." Azalea explained. 

Aunty Lee who saw the small gesture of Adam smiled, as she brought the tray filled with side dishes and barley tea to their table. It's those little things that make one sure how much they care and love the other person. 

"Our little Lea has finally grown up. She even chose a great guy as her husband." Aunty Lee remarked, putting down the side dishes on the table and looking at Adam. Adam bowed, "You are flattering me, aunty. I am just happy that she even chose me." Adam answered. 

Azalea who was taking a sip of the barley tea, almost choking at his words. If one needs to learn how to win the hearts of people they should learn from the infamous Adam Shen. 

"Look at you! Such a sweet man. Little Lea, you better hold on to him tight. I am telling you nowadays it's hard to get such good guys." Aunty Lee was already impressed by Adam. 

"Ye ye. That's why I married him, Aunty." Azalea chipped in, her focus on tasting the table filled with food. Unaware of the consequences of her words, Aunty Lee saw the dumbfounded look on Adam's face, the tip of his ear turning into a deeper shade of red. 

"This newlyweds!" Aunty Lee chuckled and left them.