Chapter 52: Lunch
Zero held onto the lunchbox bag carefully as he went back. When he reached his workstation, he cleared the table to place the bag on it.
Although he called it a 'bag' it was actually cloth that was wrapped up and tied at the top in a bow. Zero studied the material, noting that it was cotton and most likely handmade. He carefully untied the bow and spread open the cloth.
Inside, was a three-tier tiffin box which was rectangular shaped. The three top layer had two lids i.e. one flat one that covered the dish that was in the top layer and that lid had a fork and spoon in it. It was then covered with a clear plastic lid to protect the fork and spoon.
Zero took off that top inner lid and saw that the top layer was the steamed fish. The smell wafted into the office, and it stimulated his taste buds. Lily had even fillet the fish and deboned it, and there was some liquid (sauce) surrounding it. Basically, the sauce did not drown the fish.
He took off that top layer and found the dessert in-between, which happened to be a light-coloured pudding. He took a whiff and guessed it to be lychee. However, unlike the normally sweet smell that would be associated with lychee, this one was rather mild.
Zero took the spoon and took a little bit, then placed it in his mouth.
The pudding texture was soft and it seemed to melt upon his tongue. As he guessed, it was lychee. Though the smell wasn't strong, the taste was slightly too sweet but still edible.
Rather, he still enjoyed it despite it being too sweet.
He then took that layer off and found the lowest layer to be white rice. Zero had neatly arranged every layer on the cloth bag that was now spread out on the table. In other words, the cloth bag basically served as the tablecloth.
Zero smiled at the thoughtfulness of Lily, knowing that this was the reason why she had wrapped the lunchbox in it. Just as he picked up his spoon again, the rest of the Diamond Team came running in.
"Wow, smell that," said Lucka, sniffing the air.
���She can cook as well as bake?" Akira said, coming closer to Zero's workstation.
Zero ignored them, not saying a word as he started to eat.
"That looks really nice," Yume observed, seeing the glistening oil on the steam fish. From the smell, it was most likely sesame oil and everyone's mouth started watering. More so when Zero was eating, he had such a content look on his face.
"Give us a bit to taste, Zero," Edward said as he reached towards the fork to spear some fish.
"Touch that and die," Zero said coldly, but nonchalantly as he dipped his spoon to scoop up another portion of fish into his rice.
Edward retrieved his hand, pouting, "I just wanted a bit. So stingy."
"Get your own," Zero replied, scooping up some of the sauce and sipping on it, "This is mine."
"Fine," huffed Edward. He turned to the others and said, "Let's ask Lily to make some for us next time."
He frowned when he saw the ashen faces of the others.
"What's wrong with you guys?" Edward asked.
They gave him signals with their eyes, as if it was going round or to the left. Edward just got dizzy looking at them, completely not understanding what they were doing.
Until he felt his back get cold.
Edward's eyes went wider as the realisation hit him and the others rolled their eyes.
Sometimes, Edward can be really obtuse. He may be their genius gadget maker, but he was slow in other areas.
Edward turned slowly and sure enough, Zero was giving him the death glare.
"Uh … I meant, if she'll make lunch for us next time…," Edward began, trying to explain without getting killed, "NO! I meant, if her cafe will start serving lunch, so that means she will cook lunch for us. NO! I mean we buy it from the cafe! I'm not asking her to cook for us exclusively!"
"What? Her baking isn't enough?" Zero asked, her facial expression not changing or relenting in giving him the death glare. In fact, it got worse.
Edward wailed in his heart.
Why is it always him that got into trouble?
"It's great! It's great! I'm hungry! I need to find food!" Edward shouted, flinging his hands in front of him and he ran out.
Yes, unlike Lily that merely rushed out quickly, Edward was running out - like his life depended on it.
Zero, seeing Edward disappear into the distance, finally resumed eating.
The rest looked at each other and left as well.
Zero, in the meantime, was happy, ignoring everything else around him. Now that the 'pests' had gone, he could eat in peace.
The food was still warm and eating it made him feel happy. It was light and delicious, warming him up inside as he swallowed. It was true that he often skipped lunch when he was working, and he just bought food for dinner.
Having home-cooked food surely was different.
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Lily was outside the building, hitting herself hard on the chest.
Gosh gosh gosh gosh … How can anyone be so good-looking?! That light in his eyes when she had given him the food made her smile. Oh, if only she could be there to see him eat.
Did he like it?
Was it good enough?
Lily bit her lower lips and then hit herself on the forehead.
She didn't bring his shirt!
Would he think that she had come just to see him?
Well, she did, but he didn't have to know that!
The excuse she made up on the spot didn't seem such a good excuse anymore. She should have brought his shirt so that the giving of food would make it seem like it was 'on second thought'.
Lily pursed her lips as she walked to the bus stop.
Well, it just meant she had to come back tomorrow with his shirt then. You know, so that he doesn't suspect anything.
Maybe with lunch, too, since she could only come during lunchtime …
Lily entered the bus in deep thought, already thinking of the menu she could come up with for Zero the next day.
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