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Lewis looked at me skeptically and questioned, "Thai?"
"Trust me, come on. I worked here for a few months and it was the time I ate the most," I assured him as I took his hand and led him inside. "Besides, they have a lot of vegan and vegetarian options."
As we entered, a warm "Welcome!" resonated through the heated room.
"Oh my goodness, that's Millie. Ms. Nakamura, Millie is here," a boy called out into the kitchen, and a few people emerged from it.
I got separated from Lewis and was instantly surrounded by a few people hugging me.
"Millie, you look amazing! I see you've been taking care of yourself," Miss Nakamura observed as she looked at my face. "Are you here to come back? You know I'm still holding onto your apron."
I chuckled, "No, Miss Nakamura, I'm here to help you make a profit," I winked at her. "I'm taking my friend here to eat because I know you have the best food."
"Oh, for sure! Come, take a seat wherever you want," she exclaimed.
As we found our seats, Lewis let me take the lead in ordering dishes for both of us, trusting my familiarity with the menu.
After giving the order, we locked eyes in a moment of intensity. Curious about my unwavering smile, he leaned in and asked, "What's your secret? Your smile is captivating. How do you manage to keep it up, from the first day we met until now?"
I leaned in, resting my chin in my hands, and replied, "I've learned to appreciate every moment in life. I try not to dwell on the past or let sad thoughts overpower me. Living in the present and looking forward to the future keeps my spirits up."
He sighed and confessed, "I could really use some of your positivity. My life feels like a complete disaster lately," He gestured with his hand, "The car, the job, everything seems to be falling apart."
Seeing the distress in his eyes, I reached for his hand and said, "They say that shared happiness is true happiness. You will get through it, believe me. If anything happens you know my smile is just a call away." I offered a warm smile, and he mirrored it, taking solace in our connection.
"Not too sure I want to call you," he said in a joking way. "You could still be a stalker in disguise," he went on as he earned a light, playful slap on his hand from me.
"Okay, everyone, clear the table," a voice suddenly interrupted our conversation.
„Ms. Nakamura, you scared me," I laughed, turning to see her bustling into the room.
