CHAPTER 10: The Beauty meets Beast's friends

21st May.

Today Alex purposely gave up work so he could spend time with Hannah and Irene. He was with them at Irene's flower shop, helping Irene with the sales. The reason why Hannah didn't work at the cafe today, was definitely because of Alex who forced her to go home so they could spend time together under the guise of helping Irene work in her shop.

"Oh, yes, Alex. I met that guy a few times yesterday." said Hannah showing her enthusiasm.

Alex frowned in understanding. "Hm? Who?"

"The rich businessman who grazed your car."

Instantly Alex remembers about the accident of his car which was crushed and also the rich man Hannah mentioned. "Ah, him." then nodded his head in understanding. However, he suddenly felt annoyed by something.

"Wait, met a few times you say? When you worked? And you just serve him?" Alex charged at Hannah with questions which made Hannah frown.

"Of course. He's a customer at the cafe, Alex. And I work there. I think we're pretty close. You know, I give him bonus service for their orders." Hannah replied innocently, ignoring Alex's expression that had changed throughout Hannah recounting her brief encounter with Justin with a big smile.

"What? I haven't seen you a few times and you've found another man. You're playing behind me, Hannah."

While Alex and Hannah continued to argue, Irene was silent watching the two of them look very cute and comforting.

"Huh !? Who is playing behind whom? what are you talking about?" Hannah was annoyed when Alex involved a joke that wasn't funny at all.

Irene shook her head in surprise. "Ckckck. You guys. Are you really friends?" she chuckled amused.

"No."

"No, aunty."

Hannah and Alex answered simultaneously. The only difference is Hannah who sounded very harsh while Alex answered softly.

"Then?" Irene raised her eyebrows.

Hannah folded her arms across her chest. "Well, I wouldn't want to hang out with a weird, obscure guy like Alex."

Hearing Hannah's words, Alex shook his head and chuckled. "A girl like you just won't understand." said Alex, again with a tone of ambiguity.

Meanwhile, Irene chuckled again with amusement. "I understand, Alex. But, I'm curious about this earlier. This time, what is the name of this man you are talking about?" asked Irene then.

Hannah again showed enthusiasm. "Ah, he--"

Before Hannah had time to answer the name of the man she was talking to Alex about, her mother looked straight ahead and said the name Hannah wanted to answer herself. Irene got up from her chair.

"Justin?" said Irene when she saw Justin enter her shop with two of his friends.

Hannah had not had time to turn around yet. "Oh? How mother-" and as soon as she turned around, she was surprised to see Justin was standing in front of her mother. "-he's here."

Next to Hannah, Alex also looked back and frowned as he recognized two of the three. Hannah rose from her chair and walked over to her mother.

"Wow, you came here with your friends? Do you need anything?" asked Irene turning to Dennis and Edric.

"Hi, aunty. I'm dennis, Justin's friend. Actually, we wanted to meet our friend and his pregnant wife, and she asked to bring flowers, so Justin brought us here."

"I guess I went to the right place, didn't I?" continued Justin, confirming Dennis' words.

Irene nodded her head in understanding, then chuckled. "I'll help you, of course. How much do you need? Just one?"

Dennis nodded his head. Irene was about to go back to pick out a bouquet of flowers according to their request, but was stopped by Hannah who was already standing beside her.

"Mother? Do you know each other?"

Justin, who heard Hannah's voice behind him, turned his head and rounded his eyes. "Hannah?"

Likewise with Dennis who remembered the waitress at the cafe at that time. "Oh? You're the waitress at the cafe, right?"

Hannah chuckled, then stretched out one hand to introduce herself to Dennis and Edric. "I'm Hannah."

"So, you and my mom know each other?" Hannah asked, turning to Justin.

"Hm. Your mother, Irene?" Justin asked Hannah.

With a proud smile, Hannah embraced her lovable and adorable mother's shoulders, then replied, "The only one."

Hannah had whispered about the problem the man she was talking about was Justin and Irene nodded understandingly. Then, not wanting to linger, Irene returned to work while Hannah accompanied Edric, Dennis, and Justin to chat together.

Meanwhile, there was one person who was still standing there, staring at Hannah's interaction with the three men from a distance. With a frantic mind, he wondered why Hannah could get along with the three men as if they were old school friends meeting each other. Moreover, considering how he knew the two of them.