Chapter 18 Hot Chicken Soup
"This is my safe spot. I come here whenever I want to lay low and enjoy myself," Cora said as she pulled out a seat in the noisy restaurant which was booming with one of Drake's song.
The lights around us flickered in blue and red, giving the place a warm but playful look. The room had the shape of a bar, high stools by the counter, a glowing display of drinks, but the tables and plates scattered around made it feel like a restaurant too. It was loud, colorful, and chill in a strange but comforting way.
"It's not bad," I muttered as I took a seat opposite her, placing my bag beside me. "Though it's kinda noisy for a restaurant."
Cora beamed, as if I had complimented the place instead of stating the obvious. "Yeah, that's why it’s fun. I met my mate here." She nudged her head to the side, and I followed her gaze.
A guy was standing close to the counter, dressed in black, handing a milkshake to someone. His presence was calm but sharp and he had a strong muscular built.
"Cool. Now I see why you like this place," I replied, giving him a quick once-over before looking away.
"That’s not majorly why I like this place," she said, resting her hand on the round glass table. "So, apart from hot chicken soup, what else do you want to eat?"
My gaze dropped as reality hit me. The only money I had was the amount I planned to use for transport home. Why did I even agree to come here?
I was so caught up in thinking about Warren that I didn’t think of my financial status when Cora suggested this.
"I… how much is a plate of chicken soup?" I asked, my voice stammering a little.
Cora smiled, her eyes filled with excitement.
"It’s free. My mate owns this place. So whatever we eat is free."
Relief washed over me so fast I almost sagged in my seat. "Oh, then… if that’s the case, I’ll take a plate of chicken soup and a bottle of beer."
"Gosh, sis! You got the vibe. I was going to suggest that, but I thought you weren’t the type to drink," she laughed, lifting her hand to call a waitress walking by.
To be honest, I wasn’t the type to find a bottle of beer interesting. But with how the day had been, and the strange feelings pooling in my gut, I needed anything that could help me relax.
Cora placed the order while I scrolled through my phone, checking for Layla’s messages. Surprisingly, she hadn’t sent me any since she left yesterday, and there was no post about her hangout with Tonia either.
Layla loved posting things online. The only thing she never posted was her mate, because she believed he was too handsome and posting him would make other girls try to steal him away.
But the fact that she hadn’t posted anything since yesterday made something twist in my chest.
"Is everything okay?" Cora asked, looking at me with curiosity.
I shook my head and dropped the phone in my bag. "No. I was just checking to see if there’s a message from my sister."
Cora leaned forward with a grin. "Speaking of sisters, let me give you full gist about work. I know you don’t know anyone’s name yet, but trust me, this gist is juicy."
She started talking about everything, about the receptionist who pretended to work but spent more time doing makeup, about the guy in finance who flirted with every woman that breathed, about how Jane once snapped at a staff member so badly the guy almost cried. Even though the names didn’t click, the stories were interesting. It reminded me of how Layla and I usually talked about people.
I couldn’t help laughing at some parts, especially when Cora mimicked their voices.
Our food arrived shortly after. My eyes widened immediately.
The chicken soup wasn’t the basic type I imagined. The bowl was filled with thick, saucy broth, the steam hitting my face with the smell of spice, ginger, and fresh herbs. The chicken pieces were big and soft-looking, coated in the sauce as if they were marinated for hours.
Before I could say anything, another plate was dropped in front of me, grilled beef with fries and pepper sauce.
I blinked. "Cora… I didn’t order this."
"I know," she smirked. "I don’t think chicken soup alone would fill you. I got this for you in case."
"Cora. Thank you," I breathed, genuinely touched.
She shrugged. "That’s what friends do, right?"
We started eating, and each bite relaxed something inside me. The warm soup soothed my throat, and the spice calmed my chest in a strange comforting way.
"It’s so good," I muttered around a mouthful.
"I told you! My mate’s hands are blessed," Cora laughed.
We kept talking as we ate. For the first time today, I felt my shoulders loosen. I laughed at some of the silly things she said, and for a moment I forgot about Warren, Layla, the awkwardness of today, everything.
When we finished, I felt full in a way that made my body lighter.
"Thank you, Cora," I said softly. "I really appreciate this. I’m glad to have someone to relate with."
She chuckled. "Girl, please. You’re the only one in that workplace that isn’t a bitch. I don’t mind hanging with you at all."
I laughed despite myself.
Cora escorted me outside to a cab and waited until I entered, waving at me before heading back inside the restaurant.
Inside the cab, I took a deep breath, feeling the warmth from the soup lingering in my body. I pulled out my phone and typed a message to Layla.
{Sis, hope you’re okay. Text me back please.}
I tried calling her, but it went straight to voicemail. My heart tightened a little. I dropped the phone into my bag and leaned back.
The cab driver stopped me a little away from my house because the money I had wasn’t enough. I thanked him and stepped out, planning to walk the rest of the way.
The street was darker than usual, only a few lights shining from faraway houses. My footsteps echoed softly as I walked, hugging my bag closer.
But after a moment… I felt something. A strange prickling at the back of my neck, like something was watching me.
I slowed down, my breath catching.
Another step… another silence… and then there was a rustling sound, my heart leaped to my throat as I looked around in fear.
The sound was coming from a small patch of woods beside the road. I swallowed hard and took a step back.
Before I could even breathe.
A huge dark wolf launched out of the shadows, its glowing eyes locked right on me.
And it came straight for me.