chapter 9. That there will not be enough time

"Are you going back?" her mother asked in concern. After all, she had met her daughter after a long time of separation.

"Yes. Sadly, work doesn't permit me to stay more than a day and I am urgently needed." her plump pink lips pout. Miraki took hold of her mother's hand. "Mom, if my assistance is ever needed just call me. I shall come by no matter what happens."

Her eyes enlarged as she spoke the final words showcasing her determination. Anna raised her hands for a hug and Miraki hugged her back. Anna's chin sunk into her daughter's shoulder, tears pricking down her eyes. Her mother finally felt relieved.

"Come on, let's… let's go have something before you leave" her mother spoke as she wiped her tears. Giggling like a kid, Miraki took her handkerchief from her pockets and wiped her mom's tears.

They went to the cafeteria and ordered Chinese dumplings. The aromatic broth and the juicy dumpling took their tastes away, nodding her head as a sign of approval, Miraki continued to chew on it.

'some things just never change, huh' Anna sights at her daughter's childishness. Despite her being an oddball, her persona hugely shifted when it came to food.

She left her bigger bag with her mother and went back to the station. The bigger bag consisted of tea and the supplements are given to her by Esther and a few snacks to munch on were placed there.

Miraki toured around the city before hopping on to a cab. The city had transformed. It was here when she felt love brewing in the air, that warm feeling of home while now, it felt distant and barren to her.

There were city scrapers and tall buildings but nothing caught her interest. She took her train and within four hours, she was back in her city. At her apartment.

"Click" she unlocked the door. It was around 9 pm and the lights had been lit on. She tossed her bag on the floor and plopped onto the couch.

"Dang it" she breathed out while raising her arms to cover her eyes. The lights were much brighter for her eyes. Slowly adjusting, she took her phone from her pocket and checked her bank balance. Leaving enough for her to last for a week, she transferred the rest of the cash to her mother.

As her eyelids turned heavier, in no time she fell into a deep slumber.

Lucy had a towel wrapped around her head while she wore a pair of oversized shirts and shorts. "Ah, now that felt good." she commented.

She had just got out of a warm bath.

"Ahhh!" she screamed her lungs out.

They were feet, handing down from the couch.

She instantly retarded her steps,…. but they seemed familiar.

Lucy peeked at the couch behind the doors. Being sure that the target was harmless Lucy tiptoe.

"AH- oh, it was just Mimi." she gasped.

Her lips curled up. She went to her room and placed a blanket over the silly girl. "Sleep well," she whispered and went to have her dinner.

~

Multiple people were coming to and fro from the satellite kitchen. Special preparations were being made for the most VIP guests.

Commis and Sous chef are all under huge pressure.

Miraki's mind had been elsewhere since the early morning. Normally whenever she started to cook, all her worries started to vanish but… her mind constantly diverged to one thing. Extra job.

'This isn't enough. I need to work more; I need more jobs. It… why am I such a slow worker. I should-' As she was chopping the vegetables, the knife slipped, and it cut a bit of flesh. The blood started to trickle down.

"Oh no," she gasped. The knife had to cut right when the thing she was working. It hurt but her responsibilities stood before her emotions.

"Chef, can I get my finger treated?" Miraki asked. The chef nodded and then she went out of her station.

The first aid was kept nearby the main kitchen but not in the satellite kitchen. She was about to head to the main kitchen when she met the director and his secretary.

"Good morning director." she bowed. Luke, who was busy discussing the schedule hadn't noticed Miraki until she spoke.

"Good morning," she said as he looked her in the eyes. "Meet me at my office after an hour."

"o- ok, director."

Miraki smiled at Liam and then she went to get treated. Her mind was stuck in the f&b manager's office. She had entered his office about half an hour before her shift started to query about any side assistance required.

"Uh! Let's just focus on work." she patted her cheeks and went back to her station.

After the long shift of 14 hours, Miraki had completely forgotten her visit to the director. She wore a long maxi dress and a crop black jacket over it.

The winds were singing, and the fragile clouds had started to gather up.

"No stars today," Miraki mumbled as she walked to the lake. Staying on the lake felt like a 'must-dos to her. The tranquility it offered made her at ease. She sat at the edge of the lake.

Her arms hugged her knees as she stared at the little ripples of the lake. In solidarity.

"You didn't come" it…she knew only one man who had this voice. Miraki turned back and saw the director. Blood rushed into her face, she… she had completely forgotten that he had asked her to meet him!

"Um…" Her voice was stuck in her throat. Luke didn't care about her reasoning, but he sat next to her.

"You probably have an answer to my request, right?" his siren eyes glanced at her. His eyes then diverged to the lake; it was a night he didn't want to go home. Not yet. His eyes narrowed at her bandaged finger, instinctively he looked away.

"I… have… a few requests but can I accept it?" She said. Her face was as red as a tomato. She felt uncomfortable, stuff and most of all guilty. She could have worked hard but she was choosing an easier path.

"Is it about your grandmother?" he asked. Huh? Miraki instantly met his eyes, which were glistening under the moonlight.

Well, she must have gone bonkers, he was Esther's brother and the managing director, of course, he would know, she thought.

"It is." Her eyes stared at the ground as she said it. She never wanted to get help from others, yet… it was impossible.

'All right, in exchange be my fiancé. Meet me in the office at lunch tomorrow" he said and then went on "You shall be meeting Esther first."