Nathan and Bella talked for a while on the phone and finally set a place to meet.
Since it was also lunch time already, they decided to meet in a popular pancitan(noodle shop) at the downtown in a few minutes.
After hanging up the phone, Nathan continued walking and soon left the Camp.
When he met Cardo again outside, he told him a few things before heading down the mountain.
Stepping inside his car, Nathan drove away at a fast speed.
…
20 minutes later.
Nathan parked his car outside an old store called Neneng's Pancitan.
The appearance of the establishment looks worn down because of the passage of time, showing just how long this place has been here.
Getting out of his car, Nathan familiarly walked inside the store and looked around to see if Bella was already here.
With his strong vision, he soon spotted Bella sitting near the window side, her hand on her chin, supporting her head.
She was wearing a pink overall dress that seemed to bring out the youthful energy around her along with her beautiful appearance. She has become a focus of most of the people inside the store.
Even those who were just passing outside can't help but take a look at Natalie who can be seen from the window.
Seeing Bella who looks bored sitting there alone, Nathan let out a small smile before walking towards her without hesitation.
He sat down in front of Bella without saying anything which startled her a bit before she realized that it was actually Nathan.
"Nathan! You startled me."
Bella said with her hand on her chest, heaving a sigh.
"Did I?" Nathan chuckled, "You looked so bored earlier, did you wait for long?"
Bella shook her head and nonchalantly said, "No, I also just got here."
But inside her head, Bella is complaining.
'Yes, I waited for a long time. I've been sitting here for 15 minutes!'
Although 15 minutes might not seem much, it is actually quite a long time especially when you're waiting for someone.
Since we humans sometimes perceive time differently depending on what we are doing, time might sometimes feel like it's going too fast or sometimes going too slow.
When you're waiting for someone, it is common to feel like time is going slowly since we are focusing on the arrival of the person we are waiting for.
To the point that even 15 minutes can feel like hours have already passed.
That is why Bella complained inside her head.
But just because Bella feels like she waited for a long time, doesn't mean that it is Nathan's fault.
Nathan already drove fast to arrive here as fast as he can but Bella's home is just closer to this place making it possible for her to arrive here faster.
Anyway, it doesn't matter since the two are here now.
"Did you already order something?" Nathan asked,
"Not yet, I waited for you so that we can order together." Replied Bella.
"Then let's order now."
Nathan picked up a small laminated paper place on the table.
Bella showed a thoughtful look and said, "I'll get a serving of pancit palabok and a glass of pineapple juice."
"Hmm, Okay, I think I'll just order the same thing."
Nathan nodded, got up from his seat and walked up to the counter to tell their orders.
After a few minutes, Nathan came back with two plates of pancit palabok and two glasses of pineapple juice.
"Our food is here."
After serving the plates in front of Bella and on his own, Nathan sat back.
"I was a frequent customer here before, the food was very good." He said with a nostalgic smile on his face, "Take a bite and tell me what's your opinion."
"Ah, oum!"
Bella picked up her fork and tried a small amount of palabok.
Her movements are very elegant, showing the kind of upbringing she came from.
Since she grew up from a rich family, it is no surprise that she learned about basic etiquettes and even though she is eating in this kind of worn down place, she still didn't forget about her manners.
After putting the first bite of palabok in her mouth, Bella chewed it a few times and her eyes lit up.
"Hmm, it's really good."
Nathan smiled and proudly said, "Right~ I told you it's good. I won't talk about those 5 star restaurants, but I can guarantee you that this is the best pancitan around here!"
Seeing Nathan acting like this, Bella paused for a second before a smile also crept up her lips.
The two ate the food with relish and talked about some trivial stuff in their life, making small talk.
After a while, the two finished their food and it is now time to talk about the important stuff.
Bella fixed her posture and looked at Nathan with a serious expression.
"Since we're done eating now, can we talk about business now, Mr. Nathan?"
Opposite her, Nathan still looks as careless as before, still smiling lightly as if not taking anything seriously.
To Bella's words, Nathan only lightly said, "Sure."
Nathan's casual attitude did not disgust Bella or anything because she knows what Nathan is capable of and the talk she is for really doesn't seem like such an important thing for Nathan.
Bella somehow also felt infected by him and also relaxed a little.
Now with a small smile on her face, Bella said, "Mr. Nathan can still remember our talk about the 'fruits' last time, right?"
"Yeah."
"The thing we will be talki–"
In the middle of Bella's words, Nathan suddenly interrupted her.
"Stop, stop."
Bella stared at him with a confused look in her eyes.
Seeing Bella's questioning eyes, Nathan just lightly said, "Let's not make the business talk long, just tell me what you want directly."
Then at the end, he added, "Do you want me to send the null fruits to you now?"