Would u guys be interested in Luca POV bonus chapters?? 😳😳 I'm not sure whether to integrate them into the story or have them all at the end when I finish. What do u guys think? Also to thank you guys for your patience for new chapters, I made this one extra long for u guys hehe!! <3
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The jingle of the bell above the doorway only meant one thing and one thing only. It was the little signal that alerted us of a new customer's entrance— or anyone's entrance for that matter, but for our sake I hoped it was a customer.
It seemed like my parents looked up towards the door the same time I did. Our heads turning in unison like a plate of sardines. Was it really a customer?
An Asian woman entered through the doorway. But not just any Asian woman. I recognized her instantly. It was Luca's aunt of all people! Same jet black hair and everything. For a second I just stared slack jawed at her until my parents shot daggers at me to take her order instead of standing idly around. Snapping out of it, I finally mustered a "Hi, welcome to Backyard Phở!" Except it sounded more like a question than a welcome.
She smiled warmly when her eyes landed on me. It was so strange seeing this woman who looked so similar to Luca in looks, but have a completely different personality.
"Oh hello Allison! It's so nice to see you working. I don't think I even told you my name back when we met at the apartment so my sincere apologies for that. You can call me Auntie Ju," she smiled gracefully.
I nervously smiled back at her. I don't know why I cared so much about her impression of me, but I wanted to make sure I left a good one at least. "Okay... Auntie Ju," I said tentatively before continuing, "Table for one?"
"Oh! Yes, a table for one please."
As she sat down, she looked around her, quirking an eyebrow up. "Hm, not many customers at this hour?"
I gave a small half shrug. "Yeah, business hasn't been too good lately." I studied her as she looked at the menu. I wonder how she found out about this place? Maybe Luca told her?
"Oh wow, I'm sorry to hear that," she frowned before continuing, "Can I have the chicken phở dish please?"
I nodded as I scribbled her order on my notepad. I wondered if she was here to see Luca or was she simply in the mood to eat pho? Perhaps it was a mix of both.
As if she read my mind, Auntie Ju curiously surveyed the empty restaurant. "By any chance Allison, is Luca working here today?" she asked hopefully.
I gave a slight nod as I answered, "Yes, he works in the kitchen."
Her face fell in slight disappointment. Was she expecting to see him today? "I see, thank you. Could you do me a favor and tell him that I'm here?"
"Yes, of course," I smiled slightly at her as I took her menu and walked back to the kitchen. I wonder if she wanted to surprise him, but based on the slight worried look on her face, something told me that she wanted to tell him something. I couldn't help but wonder what it was even though it was none of my business.
I hung up the note with Auntie Ju's order on it before I peered into the kitchen. Spotting Luca's familiar back turned to me, I called, "Luca!"
He turned around immediately with eyebrows knitted together in slight annoyance that he was interrupted in the middle of his work. "Yes..?" he drawled out.
I opened my mouth, closed it, and then opened it again to blurt out, "Your aunt is here."
Surprise flickered across his face as he gazed at me for a bit to see if I was really being honest. "Aunt Ju?" he asked.

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Don't Cry Over Phở
Teen FictionAllison Nguyen is a Vietnamese American girl who is desperate to fit in at high school even if that means rejecting her culture. When she gets into trouble at school, she is punished by having to work at her parents' phở restaurant. Forced to work w...