The door shut closed. Alice was seated in the van and waited for Luna. Normally, when they go on trips Luna is the one person who does the driving, but that doesn't mean Alice has no experience in driving. She drives as well, but not all the time.

Click — The other van's door opened and Luna hopped in. "Ah, alright Alice you ready," she asked.

Alice didn't mind her much and answered in a lower tone, "Yeah." She sticks to the side of the windshield looking outside of the transparent glass.

Luna inserted the key into the ignition chamber. The engine did not start yet until her third time, turning the key back and forth. Finally, the engine responded with a bursting sound.

Her leg pushed the peddle lightly and the van moved. At first, it was slow but like a cheetah, it gained speed and the van was already on a steady and controlled speed.

The van entered the city streets.

While Luna was on hold of the steering wheel as she drove the van in the ever-expanding road of interlocking sections, it was Alice who was calmly looking outside the glass window with lazy eyes and an unwavering expression.

The City wasn't much populated as much as usual. It was quite and utterly transformed.

Back in the old days, when the virus was never around, people crowded the sidewalks. But now, it seems that none of that is happening. Of course, not all things were unalive for the most part. As it stands, the city is starting to take shape again. Few people from here and there; coming out of their houses and at least get to breath the outdoor air again.

"Hey look!" Alice said.

"Hmm?" Alice replied.

"....Seems like people having a get together. What about that," Luna happily said.

"Yeah, I guess so," Alice said in a low effort.

For as long as Luna could remember, when Alice joined the news team she put all her heart and sweat into meeting the expectations of their superiors. However, her hard earned reward was tarnished when the pandemic hit. Her behaviour slightly shifted. The way she conducted herself — she hated everything about it — and if someone questioned her, she would lash out and start attacking.

Luna hoped that Alice could see the light of day; that they at least weren't suffering.

After a while, the van came to a stop. Alice looked out of the window to see where they are. "Uhm, Luna, this.....isn't the station," Alice asked.

"Yeah I know," Luna said. "Come one, let's go."

Luna opened her door and got out of the van. Alice took some time for her to get out. But she did, anyways. When she got out, she asked herself why the hack they where doing there.

'Chuck's Restaurant. Why are we here?'

The door opened to the sound of bell ring.

"Welcome, welcome," one of the waitress said.

"Thank you," Luna bowed.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Luna, what are we doing here. I thought we were banned from ever entering this place," Alice reasoned. "You know...because of you know."

"Yes Alice, I still remember that little incident of yours," Luna said. "Wait here, I'll be right back.

Luna left Alice to stay behind as she went to attend to something important. Whatever it was, Alice didn't care. The one thing that Alice did care about was the fact that she was back at this restaurant.

Chuck's Restaurant isn't a place where Alice would come to so often. It was only due to Luna's involvement that she was dragged in. It took some time getting used to it, but Alice gradually loved it. During the pandemic, the owner of the restaurant was kind enough to give them free meals. The owner being so kind was because of Luna. To them, Luna was like family.

But, that all changed on one particular night. Alice got so drunk in the restaurant that she made a ruckus that disturbed the customers. And in doing so, she might have ruined the restaurant's reputation.

Alice didn't know the situation escalated that much after watching a video clip of her stunts hit viral on the Internet. She didn't want to go to the restaurant again. The fear of attending meant she will be banned.

Five minutes went by, and Alice sat at one of the tables still waiting as to why was Luna taking so long.

"Alice, Alice," Luna called out. "Oh, you're still here."

"Yeah...I am," Alice responded. "Why do you look surprised?"

But as soon as Luna was about to respond - It was restaurant owner who spoke this time around.

"Well, well, well," the restaurant owner who just so happens to pop out of the back of Luna. "If it isn't the young girl who has brought my restaurant such a bad name."

When Alice heard these words, her skins felt as if something was crawling within. When she looked up, she never wanted to see this person again. She simply bowed down.

"I'm so sorry sir for WHAT I've done!" She said aloud with all her heart.

"I am sorry too, but a late apology isn't going to work," the owner said. He folded his hands and shook his head.

"And so you must be punished accordingly!"

Just as Alice braced for her punishment, she wasn't expecting what would come up next.

"Unfortunately, I am old," the owner said. ".....So I won't do anything unthinkable."

Alice then raised her head and was incredibly shocked.

The restaurant owner's name is Enzo. He's italian. He is old, has white hair, and comes from a very traditional family lifestyle. There is one other thing that does terrify Alice. He was previously a mob boss. Of course, Luna told her that he has retired. Many, many years ago.

As both eyes meet (Alice and Luna), Enzo told them what they'll doing instead of the severe punishment.

"Alice and Luna, as your punishment, you two are to help out in the restaurant until 12 midnight," he said with a smile.

"WHAT!" Alice said in one word; in pure shock of awe and surprise.

"Luna! Did you know about this!"

"Yeah, pretty much," Luna replied. "Since you weren't being much cooperative, I guess the best way, was to surprise you."

The two friends was going to take longer and so Enzo stopped them there. "Alright, stop it right there," he instructed. "We have a lot of people coming, so I expect everything to be prepared and ready!"

'Why me?!' Alice thought.

It was 10 o'clock in the night and the girls did everything they could to help around. Alice became one of the waitress and her job is to wait tables. And it was not that easy. Whenever customers, or a customer finished a table, another one would enter as their was a very long line outside the restaurant.

It's a good thing Alice learnt a few tricks and lessons while she still went to school and college. Her skill: Multitasking.

If someone spoke spanish, Alice came into the rescue.

If someone wanted a different taste, Alice had the best taste in food.

If someone was allergic to certain food, Alice always reminded the customer/s before early consumption.

This went on for another 2 hours until Enzo decided to close the restaurant an hour before midnight.

"Oh thank goodness, it is finally over," Alice grunted. Looking over to Luna, she was quite baffled to see her: standing tall and proud.

"How are you still standing?"

Luna simply smiled in return.

Enzo then came into the mix, "Alright girls, it's time for your rewards."

The girls eyes thought they've seen a ghost when enzo said what he did.

"It is my way of thanking you girls. Most especially you Alice, with your help around, the number of customers giving out compliments just wouldn't stop - so I should at least give something in return. What better way to do so with some classic wine and bread."

Refusing the reward would be cowardice. Alice and Luna accepted their hard working reward and enjoyed it to their hearts content.

"I'll leave you girls to it," Enzo said before leaving.