The weather was warm as the sun shone down on the signage board of the restaurant.

The Carmels

It gained popularity recently after being started back a year and a half.

It took Aeryn a lot of part time jobs, some loan from the bank, and her cloud kitchen to save money for the restaurant. Yet it wasn't enough to buy that place in Houston so, she rented it instead.

It had been difficult in the beginning to pay the rent but somehow she managed but now for the past few weeks since the restaurant became the talk of the town, she was finally at peace for she didn't have to worry for the rent anymore.

Just like any other day, Aeryn tied the black apron around her waist and kicked started her day with the hope that this day will bring in more customers today.

As she turned around the corner to enter the kitchen, she was stopped by her overly excited co worker/friend.

"Guess what?!", she shrieked almost jumping up and down.

Aeryn rolled her eyes at her excitement and brushed past her. "There is a sale going on in any of your favorite stores, Harper?"

"No!" She walked upto Aeryn and held her left hand infront of her eyes.

Aeryn looked at her in confusion as she bit her lips and then down at her hand, actually at the small shiny thing on her ring finger.

"Dave proposed you?!", this time Aeryn shrieked.

"Yes!", Harper exclaimed.

"Oh My God!", Aeryn screamed in happiness and engulfed her in a bone crushing hug.

"I am so happy for you! Congratulations!", Aeryn said as they pulled away.

Harper beamed with happiness. "Thank you!"

"You should have taken today a leave and spent some time with Dave."

"It's okay", Harper said, "After all, we are getting so many customers and you need an extra hand."

Aeryn smiled and they both started preparing the dishes together.

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The morning rolled by and soon it was late in the afternoon when the bell at the door chimed indicating the arrival of a new customer.

Aeryn was too busy making the pasta sauce to see her daughter entering.

It was only when she heard her exclaim, she turned her attention to her.

She saw her daughter hugging Harper tightly after she told her about her engagement.

"Carmel", Aeryn said catching everyone's attention. "What are you doing here?"

Carmel walked closer to Aeryn. "It's Sunday, mama. I was getting bored at home so I came here."

Aeryn placed her hands on her hip. "And how did you reach here?"

"By my bicycle", Carmel said nonchalantly.

"By the way" ,Carmel said again, "grandma called...she was asking when are we visiting her. I said that mama is busy these days..."

"Oh...I will talk to her later."

Carmel hummed taking a look at the different dishes being cooked in the kitchen.

"Can I go and take the orders?", Carmel asked hopefully.

Aeryn thought for a moment and nodded.

Carmel happily picked up the notepad and a pen and skipped outside to the restaurant to take the orders.

A few minutes later, the bell chimed and a new customer walked in.

Something was different about him because the air around him spoke of power and money.

Dressed in a plain white t-shirt and a pair of jeans, Everette Wilbrose walked in, subtly scanning the interior of the restaurant.

He was alone and he took a seat at the booth in the corner.

He quietly sat down and drummed his fingers against the table. Whenever there is a talk about a new restaurant in the town, Everette Wilbrose has to go there.

Why?

Everyone failed to answer that.

He waited patiently until Carmel decided to take his order.

"Hello", she greeted enthusiastically. "What would you like to have, sir?"

Everette's eyes were focused on the table but on hearing her voice he lifted his head and his mouth parted slightly in surprise and his brows furrowed.

"Aren't you a little too young to be working here?", he questioned her.

Carmel looked down at her legs and eyed herself from head to toe and then twirled around. And then she smiled politely at him.

"No, I seem alright", she said sarcastically. "Do you have any problem?"

Everette's lips pressed into a thin line as he stared at her blankly.

Seeing his expression she chuckled, "I was just kidding. I am just helping my mother; she owns this restaurant."

Everette's expressions became normal at her answer and he smiled softly.

"What's your name, young lady?"

She grinned. "Carmel. And yours?"

He extended his hand for a shake. "I'm Everette. Eve for short."

Carmel shook his hand saying, "That's a rare name."

He just smiled at her and then she asked, "So, Eve...what would you like to order?"

Everette didn't even bother looking at the menu as he said, "Do you guys serve sandwiches?"

Carmel shook her head. "Sorry but we don't serve sandwiches."

He felt disappointed but didn't show it on his face. "So... anything you would like to recommend?"

Carmel's face lit up. "My mama makes the best red sauce pasta. You wanna try some?"

Everette looked at her in adoration. "I would love to."

She grinned widely. "One red sauce pasta coming right up!" With that she turned around and left.

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.

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"Your red sauce pasta", Carmel said placing down the plate on the table.

"Thank you, Carmel", he said. "Why don't you join me?"

Carmel's eyes widened. "My mother will never let me come here again if she gets to know that I sit and eat her customer's food."

Everette chuckled, "She doesn't need to know and besides...we are friends, right?"

Carmel thought for a minute before running back inside and coming out with an extra plate and culinary.

She sat opposite to Everette and he served some pasta to her before eating himself.

"How old are you, Carmel?"

"Twelve. How old are you?"

"Not much, just thirty."

"You are so old", she remarked.

"Do I really look that old?"

"No...but still, you are old."

"What do you do for a living?", she asked him.

He replied after a pause. "I work in a company."

"Oh...good."

"Are you liking the pasta?", she asked hopefully.

He nodded. "Yes, it's delicious."

She smiled at him. "So...you like sandwiches?"

As a certain memory played in his mind, he couldn't help but smile and say, "I love sandwiches."

Carmel being the talkative one again asked a question. "What's your favourite colour?"

"Pineapple yellow colour."

"Pineapple yellow colour...", she repeated taking a bite of the pasta. "That's very specific. Why this colour?"

"Let's say...it reminds me of something or someone."

"Who?", she asked curiously.

He chuckled. "Someone very special."

"So, you won't tell me." She raised a brow at him.

"Some other day maybe."

"That means we will meet again?"

"Why not? We are friends, right?"

She gave him a toothy grin. "Right."

Slowly the evening started to fall as the restaurant grew quieter; the night is when the main crowd comes in.

As the pasta finished, Carmel got up and collected the dirty utensils to take them back when Everette stopped her.

"Carmel?"

"Yes?"

"Tell your mother that she is very lucky to have you."

"I will!"

Carmel ran back in and keeping away the plates tucked the sleeves of Aeryn's shirt.

"Mama! Mama!", she called.

"Yes, Carmel?"

"There is someone out there who wants to meet you", she told her making Aeryn confused.

"Who's there?"

"Someone. He wants to tell you something. Come on", she urged.

"Carmel, I am busy."

"No", she whined. "You have to come and meet him. Just for a minute, mama. Please!"

Aeryn rolled her eyes. "Ok, I am coming."

"Yes!", Carmel said to herself.

Aeryn wiped her hands with a towel before following Carmel outside to the booth where Everette was patiently sitting and waiting for the bill.

"Eve", Carmel said gaining his attention. "This is my mother."

Aeryn looked at the handsome specimen of a man sitting in her restaurant and couldn't help but glance at him twice.

Carmel introduced them both and Everette slowly stood up, scrutinizing Aeryn's face.

"Is she your daughter?", he asked refering to Carmel who stood there with a grin on her face.

"Yes, she is", Aeryn stated.

"You look so young", Everette blurted out. "And...you have a daughter? How old are you? Twenty?"

"I am not twenty; I am twenty seven!", she said sharply, furious at him for judging her.

"And you, mister, have no right to judge me!", she added pissing off Everette.

"I am not judging you", he spat.

The grin from Carmel's face fell; this isn't what she planned.

Aeryn folded her hands. "So, what else did you mean by 'you look so young and you have a daughter'?!"

"That was just general question!", he argued.

"That didn't sound like it. I demand an apology."

He scoffed. "Not happening. Do you even know who I am?"

"Of course, I do", Aeryn said sarcastically. "You are a Judgemental Jerk!"

Everette's jaw clenched and palm fisted.

"And you are such a stupid girl", he fought back.

Carmel held onto Aeryn's arm.

"Mama", she whispered shouted. "What are doing?"

Aeryn looked at her. "You seriously wanted to make me meet him?!"

Carmel lowered her head. "Sorry."

"Go back inside, Carmel", she said sternly.

And then turned to Everette. "And you can get lost." She then gave him a fake tight smile before grabbing Carmel's hand and dragging her inside.

"Such an asshole", she mumbled.