Arletta Jessica McDowell POV
Mom: "I can take care of it. Do not forget to obey the doctor's orders and go home immediately after dinner."
I smiled because I was happy to have Mom's support. Yeah, my plan finally worked out well, so I had to make sure it stayed that way.
Me: "Thanks, Mom. Do I have to pay if I eat here? I have never ordered before."
If I was not mistaken, I had not paid for anything, including when I asked the nurse to redeem the doctor's prescription for medicine. We have never paid for medicine but have never ordered food and drinks at the hospital because the drivers usually deliver them here.
Mom: "No. You do not need to pay anything. You just tell me that I authorized you to order food and drinks."
Great! Mom was the best, but I must not let my guard down because she would definitely ask me many questions as long as the conversation had not ended.
Me: "Alright. I will tell them."
Mom: "Take care. I will call you back if there is anything I must ask you."
It turned out that Mom really did not want to give me peace of mind, but I still had to act normally so that I would not be suspected by anyone, including her. At least the conversation with Mom ended soon, and my annoying boyfriend did not call, so I could calm my mind for a few hours here without being disturbed by him.
Me: "Yes, Mom."
I had to say that to keep things safe. I did not let Mom realize that I was telling more lies because she would be furious.
Mom: "Take care. Do not forget to ask for help there if you need it."
I was sluggish to bother others. As long as I could do everything myself, I would not ask for help. People could not always help, so standing on your own two feet, and being independent, was so important. God, I wanted this ridiculous conversation to end soon!
Me: "Okay, Mom."
Mom turned off the phone, and it gave me relief. I looked to my left and saw Stella standing by the main door. She was giving me space and privacy while having a conversation with Mom. I raised my right hand, and she saw the gesture and walked towards me.
"Yes, Princess? May I assist you?" Stella asked after she stood to my left.
"I am done using the phone. I want to have dinner here. Queen said I can order anything." I replied as I handed the phone to her. Stella took it back and looked back at me.
"Yes, you can, Princess. We have a menu book. Would you like one?" This girl even offered to help me with the menu book. I was happy with her service, so that I would tell Mom about it later.
"Sure. Please bring it to me." I agreed to Stella's idea, wanting to see what food and drinks they had for the Queen of The Hidden Dragon's family.
"Wait a moment, Princess."
"Okay."
After hearing my answer, Stella turned around and left from the left side as soon as possible. I turned my gaze to the front and looked at the scene outside the window. There were so many cars on the road that I felt something was missing.
The weather was sunny even though the sunlight was less hot than this afternoon. If under normal circumstances, I would really enjoy a situation like this. Unfortunately, I could not enjoy it because my mood was still a little messy, and I remembered the incident that happened in the hospital elevator.
"People say being a Princess of the Hidden Dragon is good, but not me. If only I had a lover to discuss things with instead of always arguing over petty things." I mumbled, but the empty feeling did not go away.
Suddenly Arlan's face appeared in my eyes. Damn! Why did that damn man's face suddenly appear, anyway? There must be something wrong with me! I hoped I would never see him again because he was so scary! A man who liked him must be like me, a mafia gang member, but from an important circle like Mom.
"Pardon me, Miss. This is the menu book."
I woke up from my mind, which was still filled with Arlan. That bastard was very dangerous, especially since he was Dad's client. What if one day, Arlan came to the house? It could happen to me, right?
I saw Stella reappeared carrying a silver-bound menu book on which a sentence in gold-colored ink was clearly printed: Special Menu for Queen of The Hidden Dragon and Her Family. I received the book kindly and smiled at her. "Thank you."
"You are welcome, Princess."
I started flipping through the book's pages until I reached the last page. All the menus were written in full here, making me wonder and marvel. How could they possibly prepare the food and drinks written on the menu? Let me test them first to learn more.
I looked back in the same direction and this time Stella had not moved from there. She was still standing in the same spot, so I did not bother calling out to her. She seemed to know that I would not be long in ordering food.
"I would like to order a large pizza pie filled with meat, then creamy soup with mushroom and lychee tea," I told Stella all my orders.
It turned out that Stella had brought a small book and a pen and was taking notes on all my orders. As a server in a restaurant, I praised her actions in my heart because carrying these two items was very good in preventing any orders from being missed.
I waited until Stella finished taking notes and did not say anything. She finished taking notes in less than two minutes and looked straight at me.
"I repeat the order: a large pizza pie filled with meat, then creamy soup with mushroom, and a glass of lychee tea. For the drink, would Princess like hot tea or ice tea Lychee with its fruit inside?"
"I want lychee ice tea with its fruit inside. I want a banana split for my dessert."
I had not had banana splits in a long time because we did not have them at home. I hoped the banana split made by the hospital chef tasted good and not bland.
"Noted, Princess. The addition is a banana split. Would you like to order some more?" Stella looked excited, and she was writing fast. I just smiled slightly, seeing her cute behavior.
"No, it is enough for now." I would just order the food and drinks I want.
"Yes, Princess. I would get the menu book again." Stella said, putting the small notebook and pen into her pants pocket. I nodded, then gave the book to her.
"Thanks."
"You are welcome."
Stella left from my left side, then walked towards the staff who had been in the same room as me. They seemed to be chatting, and then Stella left them and walked out of the VIP waiting room. I just watched their movements in silence. Music was playing here, so it was not as quiet as before.
I felt a vibration from inside the bag. It made me confused. Did Mom call back like she said earlier?
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