Don't Cry Over Phở

Chapter 29: Sriracha Sauce

"Him?" Luca exclaimed, the judgement clear in his tone. He furrowed his eyebrows as clear displeasure showed on his face.

Alex looked a little offended at Luca's cold demeanor. "Hey, I'm not doing anything wrong. Just here to give the camera and get some phở," he shrugged.

I shot Luca a warning glance. "We need his camera," I explained.

"Yeah, whatever. Just get it done," he said abruptly, turning his head away.

I frowned a little at him. Jeez, what was up with him and Alex. I didn't have time to stand by and question it though. I smiled apologetically at Alex.

"Alex, follow me," I said and I led him to a free table.

He sat down and I handed him a menu. "Sorry about Luca. I don't know what's gotten into him."

He shrugged, giving me a friendly smile in return. "Nothing I can't handle. Don't worry about it."

"Oh yeah, I didn't forget by the way," he said, opening his backpack to take out a stylish looking Nikon camera. It had a big, clear lens and multiple tiny buttons.

He held it out to me proudly and I gingerly took it, staring at it in awe.

"Wow... thank you Alex. We're retaking photos for our menu so that's why I needed a camera."

"I see. This camera will definitely take quality photos. I can promise you that," he chuckled.

I studied the delicate camera in my hands, turning it over to look at all the little features it had. The confusion must have shown on my face because Alex stood up and gently took the camera from me.

"Want me to teach you how to use it?"

"Yes please that would be helpful," I smiled in relief. With our heads bent together in close proximity, he showed me how to turn it on, which settings to use, and how to take pictures.

Feeling suddenly aware of someone's gaze on me or rather us, I looked up for a brief second just to make direct eye contact with Luca's hard stare.

He looked pissed for whatever dumb reason. I was honestly too fed up with his childish antics to get over there and ask him about it. I scoffed a little, deciding to ignore him as I went back to listening to Alex.

"...And that's basically the gist of it. You need me to clear up anything else?" Alex asked.

I smiled appreciatively at him. "No, you explained it perfectly. Thank you."

"You better give me a discount for this," Alex joked, his eyes lighting up in amusement.

I laughed, "Yes, of course," as I took his order. Walking to the kitchen, I could practically feel Luca's moodiness radiating off him even though his back was turned to me.

I sighed, "Here's Alex's order." I slapped the note onto the counter and he still didn't turn around. Whatever. Let him be moody. We finally had our camera and I expected him to be at least a little ecstatic.

Without waiting for his response, I turned away to study some menus we had sitting at the front counter. Most, if not all of them were extremely outdated as evident by the yellowing tinge of the photos.

Looks like we had a lot of work cut out for us. My thoughtful trance was then interrupted by the clangs of pots and pans from the kitchen. Luca appeared from behind the kitchen counter, sliding a phở bowl to me in which I presumed to be Alex's order.

He still refused to meet my eyes as he grudgingly said, "Here."

"Thanks," I said. My gaze stayed on him for a couple more seconds even after he turned away, wondering if I did something wrong. Even though I said I didn't care, I felt a small tinge of hurt.