Evelyn stepped out of the restaurant, feeling a bit lost.
Left or right?
She went back to the front desk and asked about local snacks.
The clerk suggested Elmwood Lane.
It was packed with street food.
A ten-minute taxi ride.
The doorman hailed a cab for her.
Evelyn arrived at Elmwood Lane.
The variety of snacks overwhelmed her.
Her first thought was how fun it would be to share this with Charlotte or Emily.
But she was alone.
She walked slowly, buying a snack whenever something caught her eye.
She tasted the food and made mental notes.
She planned to bring Alexander here tonight.
Her phone rang.
It was Alexander.
“Don’t worry about me, I’m fine!” Evelyn answered cheerfully.
“Where are you?” he asked.
“You won’t believe it—I’m at Elmwood Lane! So much food here!”
“You’re alone?”
“Yes! It only cost nine dollars for a taxi, and I got change back!” she said proudly.
“I’m at the hotel,” Alexander replied, rubbing his forehead.
He had just finished lunch with the branch executives.
He had some free time and thought he’d check on her.
“Oh, don’t come back tonight? I’ll head back now!”
“No, wait there. I’ll come to you.”
“Don’t you have work this afternoon?”
“I can spare some time. Just don’t run off like a runaway piglet.”
“I won’t!”
He asked for her exact location.
She described the stall in front of her—a barbecue squid stand, a sweet soup shop across the street, and roasted chicken wings to the side.
Alexander sighed and told her to wait.
Evelyn ate her chicken wings while waiting.
Ten minutes later, she spotted him.
She waved half a chicken wing excitedly.
Being tall had its perks—he stood out in the crowd.
Alexander walked over, amused.
“Didn’t I tell you to rest at the hotel?” he asked.
“I rested on the plane. I had nothing to do, so I came out. Look at this street—it’s full of food, and it’s cheap! I haven’t even spent a hundred dollars yet!” she said triumphantly.
“It’s really worrying to take a foodie out,” he said, shaking his head.
“I’ll go back soon! I can take care of myself!”
“Come on, I’ll walk with you for a bit.” He took her hand.
“Do you want something to eat?” she asked, offering him half of her chicken wing.
“What’s good?”
“So many things! The roasted chicken wings are amazing!”
“Really? Let me try.” He took the half wing from her hand and bit into it.
Evelyn almost said she had already eaten from it, but it was too late.
They shared two more snacks before Alexander had to rush back to the office.
Assistant Maya took over.
Maya was a few years older than Evelyn.
She was local, outgoing, and easy to get along with.
They clicked instantly.
“Mrs. Sterling—” Maya started.
“Just call me Evelyn,” she interrupted.
“Would that be rude?” Maya smiled.
“No, ‘Mrs. Sterling’ feels weird.”
“You’re Mr. Sterling’s wife. I’ll stick with your name. Is this your first time here?”
“Yes, I’ve only heard about it,” Evelyn nodded.
“Then let me show you some special spots this afternoon.”
“Great! I heard there’s a beautiful university here.”
“Yes, it’s one of the famous landmarks. I’ll take you there if you’re interested.”
“Is it far?”
“Not at all.”
They headed to the university first.
Evelyn was still a student herself, so she found it fascinating.
Maya had just graduated from there and proudly gave a tour.
Evelyn listened intently.
“Which university did you go to?” Maya asked.
“T University.”
“My dream school! I didn’t get in.”
“Your school is great too, especially your major.”
“That’s true,” Maya smiled.
They strolled around campus, chatting.
Maya commented that Evelyn looked very young.
If she hadn’t been introduced as Mr. Sterling’s wife, she wouldn’t have believed she was married.
“I got married a bit early,” Evelyn said softly.
It was true—she married before graduation.
“It’s better to be early. You get to be happy sooner. Before this, we only heard Mr. Sterling got married. I feel honored to meet you.”
“I’m the one bothering you.”
“Not at all. I’m happy to help. Later, I’ll take you to a temple. It’s very popular for prayers and vows.”
“Sounds good,” Evelyn agreed.
She wanted to pray for her family.
Maya added that the temple was especially effective for marriage and children.
Evelyn felt embarrassed but nodded.
She didn’t need to pray for marriage.
Children, maybe.
But she wasn’t ready yet.
Better to pray for peace first.
After the tour, it was time to head back.
Before returning to the hotel, Evelyn asked Maya to stop at a mall.
She bought Maya a small gift to thank her for the afternoon.
Maya tried to refuse.
Evelyn insisted.
“I had a great time. It’s just a little token.”
Maya finally accepted.
Back at the hotel suite, Maya stayed for a while before leaving.
Evelyn took a bath.
She planned to go out again with Alexander after he rested.
But he still hadn’t returned.
She sat on the living room sofa, watching a movie while waiting.