The Seeker Infinity

Chapter 7 : Civilization

Little did Chris and Joy know, their peaceful meal was about to be interrupted by the looming threat of the unknown, casting a shadow over their moment of tranquility.

As Uncle Jim approached their table carrying their order, Chris's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Oh look, it's like our order is already here," Chris exclaimed eagerly, his anticipation evident in his voice.

Joy's gaze shifted to the steaming plates of amobo and rice that Uncle Jim set before them, her mouth watering at the delicious aroma wafting from the dish.

"Thank you for bringing our food, Uncle," Joy expressed her gratitude, a warm smile gracing her lips as she inhaled the enticing scent of the amobo.

Uncle Jim placed their orders on the table, a warm smile graced his lips as he addressed Chris with affection.

"Looks like my beloved nephew has grown up from a boy to a man... You didn't tell me you had such a beautiful girlfriend, Chris," Uncle Jim remarked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Chris's cheeks flushed crimson at his uncle's teasing, stammering in response, "Uncle!... She's not my girlfriend... She's my client."

Joy, equally embarrassed by the sudden attention, blushed furiously as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, unsure of how to respond to Uncle Jim's playful banter.

Uncle Jim's expression softened as he realized his mistake, his eyes filled with genuine remorse.

"Oh!... I'm so sorry!... I misunderstood the situation... I thought-" he began, his voice laced with apology.

But before he could finish, Joy shook her head and offered him a reassuring smile.

"No, it's okay. It was my fault for not telling you that I'm Chris' client. My name is Joy," she said softly, her tone gentle and understanding.

Uncle Jim's features relaxed as he accepted Joy's forgiveness, his gratitude evident in his expression.

Chris glanced at Joy, his cheeks flushed even deeper with embarrassment after the misunderstanding with Uncle Jim.

Meanwhile, Uncle Jim expressed his gratitude and introduced himself to Joy. "Nice to meet you, Joy. I'm Jim. Well, my nephew is perfect to hire as a guide. He knows this city very well and he's good at discovering new things..."

Joy returned Uncle Jim's smile warmly. "It's nice to meet you too, Uncle. Your nephew is indeed a good guide. He was very helpful when I needed him," she said, her eyes softening as she turned to Chris with a gentle smile.

"Ahem... Uncle, you still have customers to serve," Chris gently reminded Uncle Jim, his warm smile conveying both appreciation and understanding.

Uncle Jim nodded in agreement. "Yes, yes... I have to go now. Enjoy your meal, kids," he said before bidding them farewell.

With a final nod, Uncle Jim left the table and returned to his duties at the stall, leaving Chris and Joy to savor their meal in the bustling marketplace.

Joy then turned her attention back to Chris, a smile graced her lips once again as she proceeded to enjoy the meal that Uncle Jim had prepared for them.

"How is it? Is it delicious?" Chris inquired, his smile reflecting his genuine interest.

Nodding enthusiastically, Joy savored another bite of the adobo before replying, "Yes, it's delicious!" Her eyes sparkled with delight as she continued to eat, savoring the rich flavors of the dish.

"This amobo is so good! I can't believe Uncle Jim makes such delicious food!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement and appreciation for the culinary delight before her.

"Glad you like it," Chris replied, his happiness evident in his tone as he watched Joy enjoy the meal.

Returning his smile with warmth, Joy nodded in appreciation before returning her attention to her meal, her heart filled with gratitude for the simple yet meaningful moments shared with Chris.

As the hooded person continued to observe Chris and Joy from a nearby table, Uncle Jim approached, ready to serve.

"What are your orders, sir, ma'am?" Uncle Jim inquired politely, his friendly demeanor contrasting with the mysterious aura of the hooded person.

The Hooded Person turned to look at Uncle Jim, their expression unreadable beneath the shadow of their hood. After a moment of consideration, they replied in a neutral tone, "Oh, just water."

Uncle Jim nodded in understanding before excusing himself to fetch the requested water, leaving the hooded person to their thoughts.

Taking advantage of the momentary solitude, the hooded figure retrieved a cigarette from their pocket and lit it, the faint glow illuminating their features as they gazed intently at Joy, who remained seated with Chris.

Uncle Jim returned with the water and handed it to the hooded figure, the mysterious individual accepted it with a nod of gratitude.

Taking a sip of the water, the hooded person's gaze remained fixed on Joy, their eyes cold and calculating as they observed her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

Unaware of the scrutiny directed towards her, Joy continued to converse with Chris, her attention focused on their shared meal and the warmth of their connection amidst the uncertainty that lingered in the air.

As Joy stretched her arms, indicating she had finished her meal, Chris noticed her movement and gently spoke up, his voice soft and caring.

"Are you full? We can go now if you're ready," he suggested, a warm smile gracing his lips.

Joy nodded in response, a contented expression on her face as she stood up from her chair.

"Yeah, I'm full. Let's go now," she affirmed, picking up her backpack and slipping it onto her back.

Chris and Joy approached the counter where Uncle Jim stood, his warm smile greeting them.

"So, did you two like it?" Uncle Jim inquired, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

With a nod and a smile, Joy expressed her gratitude. "Yes, the food was delicious. Thank you for preparing it," she said warmly.

Chris echoed her sentiment with a nod of agreement, his smile reflecting his appreciation for Uncle Jim's hospitality.

Reached for his wallet, Chris ready to settle the bill, Uncle Jim intervened with a warm smile.

"Don't worry about it, this meal is on me. It was my pleasure to serve you two," Uncle Jim insisted, his generosity shining through his words.

Before Joy could protest, Uncle Jim cut her off with a gentle but firm tone. "No buts, the meal is on me. Now go ahead, you two," he said kindly, gesturing for them to leave.

With a grateful nod, Chris and Joy accepted Uncle Jim's generosity and made their way out of the food stall. Joy waved goodbye to Uncle Jim with a warm smile on her face, her heart filled with appreciation for his kindness.

Uncle Jim waved back, returning their smiles with one of his own, before disappearing back into the bustling activity of the marketplace.

As Chris and Joy walked away, their conversation turned to their next destination, their hearts lightened by the unexpected act of kindness they had just experienced.

With excitement bubbling in her chest, Joy eagerly turned to Chris, her eyes shining with anticipation. "So, Chris... Where to next?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Chris met her gaze with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes as he posed a seemingly random question. "Are you allergic to some flowers?" he inquired, a playful smile dancing on his lips.

Perplexed by the unexpected question, Joy furrowed her brow in confusion before shaking her head. "No, I'm not allergic to flowers. Why are you asking me that?" she responded, her curiosity piqued.

A warm smile spread across Chris's face as he replied in a teasing tone, "Well, it's a surprise... So I can't tell you." His playful demeanor only added to the intrigue of their next destination.

Raising an eyebrow at Chris's cryptic response, Joy couldn't help but play along with his game. "A surprise? Well, I'm not sure if it's a good or bad surprise. But alright then, let me follow you," she said with a playful lilt in her voice, her curiosity piqued.

Unbeknownst to them, the hooded figure continued to shadow their every move, their presence adding an undercurrent of mystery to the unfolding adventure.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the marketplace, Malcolm Vern and his henchmen scoured the bustling crowds in search of Joy, their determination unyielding as they pursued their elusive target.

To be continued....