Then It Is Love

CHAPTER ELEVEN

As hours turned into days, and days into weeks, it was the third week in no time. 

In these three weeks, general Alex had come to the restaurant three more times, but he never met her again. The maiden that made him realise the magic of heart.

Not knowing why though, he always felt this inexplicable force that draws him back over and over again to this restaurant. Even when he wasn't the 'eat-out' type of man. To him, dining with his comrades, subordinates, and trusted friends in the mess, or buying a packaged cooked food and taking it home, or even more, cooking by himself, was more welcomed. 

Aside from drinking with comrades or friends at a bar or teahouse, he could count the number of times he went to a restaurant to eat alone. Moreover, that was in the capital, where he felt not much of a family connection and feelings with those that called themselves family.

Today, he was no longer alone, nor in the restaurant, but in the teahouse that had one of its windows looking out to the Diners Stop restaurant.

Another young man sat before him, reporting to him information he was sent out long ago to uncover.

But he felt that something he couldn't explain was wrong with the general. 

Several times, he had looked out the window of the third floor where they booked a private room, looking very occupied with thoughts.

Ken Adam followed his line of sight and saw nothing but the popular single-storey Diners Stop restaurant. 

"Is there something wrong with that restaurant, Boss", he carefully asked. 

But he only got a stern look from the general, who replied so straightforwardly, "No. You did a good job this time, Ken. Return to the barracks"

"Um, boss, I… I thought you wanted us to drink since you invited me here?"

"Do you lack that miniscule amount of money?" he sternly asked. And Ken Adams could only save himself by shaking his head hurriedly and standing up to his feet immediately and obediently to obey.

"Boss… then… See you?" He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. Almost seeming stupid, unlike the strong soldier he was known for.

General Alex gave him a nonchalant nod and waved him off.

Soon, he was alone. He continued to look out the window expectantly. He could view everything from such height, but that never returned the result he wanted. He knew who it was he wanted to see. Who had been on his mind for a while…

…

It was the evening of another day.

She sat lonely at the customers' service counter, when she found that tall and majestic figure walking in again.

Lily was really sad for not being able to see him all this while, and that happened because her step mother kept her so busy she had no opportunity to run off to the restaurant.

She wondered if he ever came again after that day, wondering if he ever missed her. Like she did. 

Lily already affirmed what she felt for that stranger she was seeing for the first time. She knew she had fallen in love.

General Alex, in all his majesty, occupied the corner he seemed to have dominated. 

He sat there, his eyes on her as he watched her moody face brighten up on seeing him. A smile graced his own face as he knew what she was thinking.  

He watched her come again to his side, this time, seeming to have thrown all consciousness to the air, though that mixture of shyness and confidence never left her happy and smiling face. 

She stood before him, like a professional waitress, her eyes purely smiling. 

"Hi", she seemed to hesitate, as if afraid of his reaction.

"Hi, Miss Sam. It's been a long time", he greeted her, looking so relaxed and confident.

"Oh! Yeah. I was busy at home, but I wanted to come"

"Is that so?", he asked, reading a different meaning to her words.

"Yes", an expectant yet cautious smile on her palm-sized face. She asked, "What do I serve you, mister".

"Can you serve anything?"

At his words, a beautiful blush spread all over her tender face. Her head lowered, but then lifted to meet his eyes boldly, with a slight nervousness she tried to hide.

"What is it that mister wants?"

"Alex Joss… My name" His voice as usual. Deep and thick, rich and strong, combined with a unique blending of soft and hoarse, and also low and calm.

She gasped. "You!?"

"Miss Sam seems to have heard of my name I suppose?"

"Of course! It's a name so popular. I have always admired you, general Joss. Never thought it was you all these while!" She whisper-exclaimed. With excitement and carefulness not to call people's attention.

She really had a fanatic fan's look on her face. He chuckled. 

"I feel honoured then, but Miss Sam seems to have forgotten to give her name".

"Oh! Yeah! My name is Lily. Lily Sam. I… My father owns this place. And I only come here most times to help"

She seemed to have a lot to tell, but never did. Well, she knew she couldn't be that chatty with him, though she really wanted to spend all her duty time with him. 

Once general Alex, who also didn't want to keep her so occupied made his order, it took a swifty for the dear Lily to bring the dishes to his table.