The Sea and The Moon

Chapter 9 - The Celebration

"CONGRATULATIONS!!!"

"Yeay! Finally!"

"I am happy for you!"

A lot of hugs were given to Nicki for her achievement in her next level, 'Demi Chef'.

Leaning into the wall at one corner of the kitchen, Yue couldn't help to also smile, as she also felt the happiness from the other side of the room.

She felt relieved. She just being thankful to God that she could switch the bottle again before Nicki used the 'fake' saffron for her cooking. She almost ruined her test. She didn't know what she would fell if she failed to switch it again...

She sighed...

It was night already. The ambassador had left the restaurant since lunchtime, and Dylan just announced Nicki's achievement around five minutes ago.

Looking around her surroundings, her eyes wandered to find him.

Where is he?

He's just announced Nicki's achievement, and then he's gone.

Where is he?

Did he already go home? It can't be, right? He had to tell me first if he wanted to go home, right?

I am his assistant.

Looking around her surroundings again, she finally saw him sitting in the balcony, an open space when you could sit there while looking at the glimmering stars at the sky.

"Yue." Someone called her and made her turned to that someone's direction.

Nicki.

"Yes, Nicki." She smiled.

"Could you ask Dylan if he wants to come with us to the bar? We will celebrate my achievement. My treat. And you too, of course. Come with us even if Dylan won't come. Okay?" She smiled.

"Ah... I see... Let me ask him first."

Nicki nodded.

Yue then walked towards the balcony, then she saw him from the side. He looked so immersed in whatever he looked at the sky until he didn't realize her presence.

"Uhm... Sir?" She called.

"Yes?" He answered without turning towards her.

"Nicki asked if you want to come to the bar to celebrate her promotion."

"Oh... Okay. But... give me five more minutes. I just want to be here a little bit longer."

"I see... Okay then... let me tell her." She then turned around but then he said something, stopping her on her track.

"The moon, is beautiful, right?" He said.

She turned around again. "Yes, it is. Do you like it?"

He nodded. "I love it. So much." He sighed. "I could stare at the moon for hours."

"Me too. I mean... I love the moon. I don't know if that was because of my name, or not. But I also love to see it. So much. I also love to read about it, and my friend..." she giggled. "One of my friends called me a 'selenophile' at that time. But he also told me one story about the moon."

She took his full attention this time. Turning towards her, he looked so curious. "A story? What story?" He asked.

She then took a seat beside him and looked above.

"He said that... The moon was supposed to be more beautiful before."

"But it still beautiful." He said.