FORBIDDEN TO FALL IN LOVE

15. Dinner

Valeda sat around a large wooden table, with all the orphanage children. Kris who sat next to him looked awkward as he held a small child.

Not without reason the boy was sitting there. The girl, named Rose, seemed to fall in love with Kris at first sight. Since the Rose saw Kris, she did not move a bit and continued to stick to Kris.

"Roses, here's the same Brother Dan," called Daniel after distributing the food on the table to everyone. "Love Brother Kris, have dinner first."

The rose looked up at Kris who was just smiling. Kris was inexperienced with small children, so she did not know how to deal with Roses. Kris smiled to avoid mispronouncing. Kris knew that if a child's heart was easily hurt and the wound would be long lasting. Seeing Kris who was just smiling, Roses finally let Kris go and approached Daniel.

Valeda noticed Kris' awkward attitude. He imagined what would happen if Kris had children. Must be very funny.

"Miss, don't smile while looking at me like that" Kris said.

"Why? This scenery is rarely seen," said Valeda while grinning.

Kris grunts. "Don't tell Celine this. I'm afraid she won't have children if I'm still awkward like this."

Valeda gasped at Kris' request. He laughed and slapped Kris's arm. "May your relationship succeed" Valeda prayed.

The atmosphere at the dinner was very good. Valeda enjoyed all the chaos. Not all children eat well and follow advice. Even so, Daniel seemed patient to take care of all his younger siblings.

Valeda rarely ate in this crowded atmosphere before. If eating at home with his family, Valeda felt a very heavy burden.

"Miss Val, how's the food?" daniel asked who was sitting on the left side of Valeda.

Valeda just realized that he had not touched the food in front of him. He was too enjoying the warm bustling atmosphere that enveloped the orphanage. "I'm sorry, I'll taste it now" replied Valeda. He immediately bribed the teriyaki beef on his plate. "Hm!" Valeda stopped chewing. He felt something different about the beef in his mouth.

Daniel turned his head as Valeda screamed with his mouth closed. "Is it not to the taste of Miss?"

Valeda. Then start chewing again. He wanted to answer Kris's question, but his brain only reacted to the food in front of him. Kris's teriyaki beef was very different from anything Valeda had eaten before.

"Miss, eat it slowly. In the kitchen there is still a lot of stock" said Daniel who saw Valeda eating voraciously.

"It's delicious to taste, Mr. Daniel!" praise Kris from across the table. "It's appropriate that Miss Valeda eat ravenously!"

"Call me Daniel only" said Daniel. She knew that Kris wanted to be polite to her. But, calls like 'master' sounded strange in his ears, considering they were the same age and Daniel was just an ordinary person. "If you want, I can pack it up to take you home."

"Well, really? I want a little" replied Kris quickly.

Valeda glared at the shameless Kris. But, in her heart, Valeda also wanted the same thing. He still wants to taste the teriyaki beef taste that is very good many times.

"Miss Val also wants me to pack?" bargain Daniel.

"You!" Valeda answered faster than his brain. His face was red with embarrassment. He was mocking Kris just now.

The dinner lasted longer than Valeda had anticipated, as many small children had to take care of Daniel. Valeda was already sitting on the back porch of the orphanage enjoying a warm cup of tea, while Daniel was still busy with his kitchen.

After thirty minutes, Daniel finally approached Valeda on the back porch. "I'm sorry, I'm a long time ago" Daniel said as he sat next to Valeda.

"Take your time" Valeda replied casually. "I also have a lot of time."

"He was waiting in the car. I asked him to call my assistant for work" Valeda replied.

Daniel nodded in understanding. "Thank you for making our dinner so much fun, Miss Valeda," Daniel said. "My sisters are really happy tonight."

"Happy? What did I do until they were that happy?" ask Valeda who doesn't understand.

Daniel smiled faintly, making Valeda turn her face away. "I work desperately, I won't be able to buy them that much meat."

"Then, I thank you. I also thank you for having made such a glut" Valeda said.

Daniel chuckled at the confession of his guest. He looked at Valeda for a while, before deciding to turn the other way.

The night wind blew slowly, making the leaves rustle against each other. Some of them have dried up, apart from tree branches.

Daniel saw one of the leaves fall on Valeda's head. Unknowingly, his hands stretched out to get rid of the leaf.

Valeda, who saw Daniel moving closer, looked quickly. Their views meet. Valeda maintained her gaze just like Daniel did. They were silent, just looking at each other.

"A... There's a leaf on top of Miss's head" Daniel said in the end.

"Oh... Okay.." - Okay..." Valeda doesn't know what to answer.

Daniel immediately pulled himself away from Valeda. He felt bad about being close to Valeda.

"I think I should go home now" Valeda got up from his seat. Daniel hurriedly followed. They walked side by side around the orphanage's side courtyard, where many kinds of vegetables were grown.

Valeda did not open his mouth, nor did Daniel. Until they finally arrived at the front gate. Valeda glanced at Daniel who was standing next to him. "When I stop by here again" said Valeda.

Daniel nodded, seeming to agree with Valeda's words. "Next time, don't bring anything. We have good vegetables. I'll make you some soup."

"It's up to me to take what, right?" valeda replied with a soft laugh. "I'm home."

Kris, who saw Valeda walking closer to the car, quickly opened the door. "Go home now, Miss?" ask Kris.

"Go to my apartment" replied Valeda. After he got into the car, Kris closed the door. Valeda saw Kris waving a small wave at Daniel before following him in.

Valeda's car moves away from the orphanage, bringing Valeda back to his apartment. In fact, she was reluctant to return, as Madam Emely could find her there at any time.

"If Daniel had a chance, he could make a famous restaurant" Kris said suddenly from the steering wheel.

Valeda agreed. He does have a lot of money. Opening up opportunities for others is not a difficult thing for Valeda. However, he must be careful. He had known Daniel not long ago and did not know much about Daniel.

"It looks like Daniel was a good person," Kris commented again.

"You can be close friends" Valeda replied.

***