The café door was pushed open.
Paula rushed in, panting, her face plastered with a deliberately manufactured smile. It was so fake that even she felt awkward, but she desperately kept it in place.
"Mr. Boer!"
Her voice trembled a little from running too hard, but she still tried to stay composed:
"Our boss invites you to wait a little while at Rain Dinners! Please do us the honor!"
She paused, then hurriedly added, afraid he might refuse:
"The boss will be back right away! Really! He's already on his way!"
Then she turned to Robin, her expression instantly becoming pitiful.
The speed of that transformation was breathtaking.
"Robin, dear."
She pressed her palms together in supplication, blinking her eyes:
"Please help me out! Otherwise, the boss won't let me off!"
Her expression was so vivid and so pitiful that, paired with her mature attire, it created a strangely endearing contrast.
Robin looked at her and couldn't help laughing.
She stood, walked over to Boer, and held out her hand.
Boer stared at her outstretched hand for a moment.
Then he stood too.
He took that hand.
It was soft and warm, exactly as he remembered.
"Then..."
His voice was soft:
"At least take a walk with me."
She nodded gently.
"All right."
Then she slipped her arm through his, and they walked toward the door together.
Leaving the café, they walked side by side through the streets of Alubarna.
The midday sun was rather fierce, but palm trees lined both sides of the street, their broad leaves interweaving overhead into a green canopy that cast dappled shade. Now and then, a breeze rustled the leaves, scattering swaying patches of light and shadow across the ground.
Paula followed behind, neither too close nor too far, keeping a distance that let