Chapter 99: An unexpected visit for Noah and Luna.
Since talking with Ren, Noah had been carrying Aria’s magic object in the inner pocket of his jacket for two days and still hadn’t found a suitable opportunity to give it to her.
The golden star with white crystal fragments looked simple, but Noah knew exactly what would happen the moment Aria touched it, but the real problem was getting her to accept it without her interpreting something completely different.
With anyone else, Noah would have tried to present it as a gift, but he no longer trusted that she would correctly interpret any gesture.
’I just have to give it to her.’
That was all, at least in theory.
That afternoon he arrived at the café a few minutes before starting his shift and found that Luna was arranging some cups behind the counter.
Since the encounter he had with Aria and the conversation with Ren, Noah had avoided telling too many details to both Luna and Yume.
Not because he wanted to hide something from them, he simply saw no advantage in telling them that Aria wanted to make him her fiancé and seemed to have too much interest in convincing him.
Luna and Yume already had enough reasons to get jealous.
Noah changed and, when he returned to the main hall, Luna was cleaning a table.
"There’s fewer people today."
Noah said.
"It’s early."
"That means I can practice on the register."
"Yes."
"I hope there are no customers trying to ask for my number."
Luna looked at him.
"Don’t say that."
"Why?"
The entrance bell rang, at which Luna closed her eyes and Noah looked toward the door.
A woman dressed formally entered first, then another appeared and finally Aria Celestia.
Noah went still upon seeing her.
’Of course.’
Aria wasn’t wearing the high school uniform, but instead wore an elegant skirt, a light blouse and a perfectly fitted jacket.
Her hair was styled with more care than usual and, in addition, she was carrying a small bag from a store that Noah didn’t recognize.
Luna stopped cleaning, Aria saw her and both of their expressions changed.
Noah immediately felt that the atmosphere was becoming uncomfortable, at which Aria smiled.
"Good afternoon."
Luna responded without smiling.
"We’re busy."
Noah looked around and there were four empty tables, which Aria also noticed.
"Doesn’t seem like it."
Luna left the cloth on the table.
"We have reservations."
Noah whispered to her.
"But we don’t take reservations."
Luna gave him a look that made Noah shut his mouth, while Aria walked toward them.
"I came as a customer."
"We can’t serve you."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"The establishment reserves the right of admission."
"Luna."
Noah said.
"What?"
"We can’t kick someone out just because you don’t like them."
"I didn’t say I don’t like her."
Aria interrupted with a smile.
"I’m glad to know that."
"I didn’t say that either."
The two women accompanying Aria remained a few steps behind her.
One seemed like an assistant and the other had the look of a bodyguard.
Aria looked at Noah.
"I came to see you."
Luna responded before him.
"He’s working."
"I know."
"Then don’t distract him."
"I’m willing to pay."
"Noah isn’t for rent."
Noah raised a hand.
"That sounded worse than necessary."
Aria let out a small laugh, but Luna took a step toward her.
"You can choose any table, place an order and leave when you finish."
Aria kept her smile.
"That’s what I was planning to do."
"Good."
"But I want Noah to serve me."
"No."
"I say yes."
"And I already gave you an answer."
Noah brought a hand to his forehead, but before the argument could continue, the manager came out of the office.
"What’s going on?"
Luna pointed discreetly at Aria.
"This customer..."
The manager saw Aria, stopped for a moment to look at her carefully and her expression changed immediately.
"Miss Celestia."
Noah looked at the manager and then at Aria.
The woman walked toward her.
"I didn’t know you would come in person."
"I wanted to get to know the establishment."
The manager smiled.
"It’s an honor."
Luna frowned.
"You know each other?"
The manager looked at Luna.
"Her family made an important contribution to the business this morning."
Noah blinked.
"A contribution?"
Aria corrected.
"An investment."
Luna went still while the manager continued.
"The Celestia family is financing part of the renovation of the security system, the new cameras and the remodeling of the back area."
Noah looked slowly toward Aria.
"You did that?"
Aria smiled.
"The place where you work should be safe."
"Aria."
"What?"
"You can’t buy the place where I work just to convince me."
"I didn’t buy it."
The manager raised a hand.
"That’s correct."
Luna looked at the manager.
"So can we ask her to leave?"
"Of course not."
The answer was immediate, at which Luna clenched her jaw while the manager continued.
"She must receive the same treatment as any other customer."
Aria raised a finger.
"Preferably better."
The manager smiled uncomfortably.
"Professional service."
Aria accepted.
"That works too."
Luna looked at Noah, who already understood what would happen, and the manager spoke.
"Noah."
"Yes."
"Serve her."
Luna intervened.
"I can do it."
Aria responded.
"I want him to do it."
"Noah is still on his probationary period."
"Precisely because of that he should practice with someone important like me."
Luna looked at Aria, who looked back at her and the manager sighed.
"Noah will take the order and Luna can supervise him."
Aria smiled.
"Perfect."
Luna didn’t seem to share that opinion.
Aria chose a secluded table while her companions occupied another table, close enough to observe, but not to hear clearly.
Noah took his notepad while Luna walked behind him.
Aria sat down and Noah stopped next to the table.
"Good afternoon, what would you like to order?"
Aria didn’t look at the menu.
"A white tea."
"Anything to eat?"
"Something sweet."
Noah pointed at the menu.
"We have..."
"Choose whatever you want."
Luna spoke.
"Customers should decide their own order."
Aria turned toward her.
"Is that written in some rule?"
Luna remained silent, at which Aria turned back to Noah.
"I trust your judgment."
Noah checked the menu.
"Then it could be a slice of vanilla cake."
"Perfect."
Noah noted it down.
"Right away."
Aria raised a hand.
"Wait."
Noah stopped.
"Yes?"
"Stay."
That simple order will provoke a new rivalry.