Eden knows none of those names. “Zhao,” she says, pulling from what she knows. Charlie Zhao was one of the only memorable instructors she had during her brief stint there.
“Zhao?” Alexander echoes.
She nods. “Yes. He taught me everything I know. I graduated a few years ago.”
Alexander turns pale. Paler than she’s ever seen him. He just stares, wide-eyed and bewildered.
What’s with him? Did I say something wrong?
Sebastian takes one bite out of every dish, making sure to savor. He doesn’t give any words of encouragement, nor does he provide any critique. He simply wipes his mouth on the back of a handkerchief he’s pulled out of his jacket pocket—talk about fancy—before standing.
“Thank you for the meal,” he says to her with a wide smile. “It looks like my boy here’s stumbled upon quite the diamond in the rough.”
Damn. What a waste of food.
“Thank you, sir.”
Sebastian turns to Alexander. “Full of potential, this one. I hope training her doesn’t keep you too occupied.”
“It won’t,” Alexander answers flatly.
“I know my arrival must have been out of the blue to you. But I had to come and check on my favorite student. I suppose kids these days don’t like to answer their phones, hm?”
“Sorry. Won’t happen again.”
Sebastian nods. “Good. I’ll check in soon to see how your progress is going. I hope you come up with that new menu soon. You know how much I hate to wait.” He turns back to Eden. “You have yourself a lovely evening, my dear. I hope to see you again.”
Eden forces a stiff smile. “Have a good night.”
Sebastian walks away and exits through the back doors, the click of his cane against the tile floor growing softer and softer as he retreats. It’s only when he disappears entirely that Eden feels like she can breathe again.
“Do you think that went well?” she asks Alexander, voice light and teasing. “I think he likes me.”
Alexander doesn’t bite. He’s very obviously in a sour mood. “Clean up,” he orders. “I’ll drive you home.”
“You don’t need to do that. I can just take the bus—”
“It’s late. They aren’t running anymore.”
Eden glances up at the clock that’s nailed to the wall above the walk-in. He’s right. Sebastian kept them behind for almost an hour and a half. Eden supposes she could walk, but it’s freezing out and Alexanderdidoffer.
“Alright,” she says. “Give me two seconds.”
Alexander doesn’t reply.
* * *
The ride home is…awkward.
Save for the occasional direction, Eden doesn’t say anything, and neither does Alexander.
His grip on the steering wheel is so tight, his knuckles are white. Eden can also hear him grinding his teeth over the loud rumble of the car engine. She debates about whether she should make small talk or not. Thank him for the ride. Compliment his car. Ask him why he looks like he’s two seconds away from giving himself a heart attack.
She’s only mildly embarrassed when they pull up to her neighborhood. It’s in rough shape, the kind of place where a car like this will undoubtedly be jacked if left unattended for too long. Her apartment building doesn’t look too bad from the outside, though the graffiti on the walls is less than tasteful.
Alexander pulls the car up to the curb and kills the engine. They just sit there. Eden isn’t sure what to do. She tugs at the sleeves of her winter coat, mentally bracing herself to step out into the cold.
“Thank you for driving me,” she says gently. “I really appreciate—”
