Create Your Own Rainbow Instead Of Waiting From Someone

||Lucas||

After the discovery at the noodle restaurant before, Lucas was unsure how to behave around Daphne. He kept second-guessing himself, afraid of annoying her even further. Disappointment overtook his anger.

On that night, Lucas didn't immediately leave the restaurant. He told Michael to go home first. Even though he was saddened by what he heard, Lucas was uneasy because Daphne was drunk.

Hiding outside the restaurant while standing in the cold, Lucas made a call to Daphne. It was answered after a few ringings. Her speech was a bit slurry.

"...oh, it's you..."

Lucas kept his gaze on the restaurant. He could barely see Daphne and her group of colleagues, obscured by the other patrons.

"Daphne, where are you? Do you need me to bring you home?"

"...no need... hic! My friends... bring me back..."

"But..."

Tut!

Daphne immediately hung up, not giving Lucas any chance to respond. Knowing that he didn't have the courage to contact her anymore, he just waited at the same spot. His limbs grew numb because of the cold.

In the end, Lucas saw Daphne and her colleagues walking out of the restaurant. The male teachers suggested they send her back but, the female ones politely refused the offer.

Lucas just watched silently when the female teachers helped to support the drunk Daphne heading home. He kept a distance from them, afraid they might think he was a creep.

"Lucas, hey, Lucas!"

Lucas jolted out of his stupor. Blinking his eyes, he stared dazedly at Michael standing opposite the kitchen island.

Right now, Lucas was inside Michael's apartment. He followed the older man after clocking out at three o'clock. Today, their schedules ended early. The same went for all of the cafe staff.

Michael noticed that Lucas was easily distracted by what was on his mind these days. He suggested to the younger man to come to his place and bake some cakes. They could have them for tea time.

Lucas had two classes tonight, starting at eight. He had to rush home soon before going to the prep school.

Lucas shook his head a few times, "...sorry, I was thinking of something."

Michael only smiled, "A classic chocolate cake sounds perfect for today. What do you think?"

"It's good," Lucas agreed, "I don't mind, Mr. Lou."

Michael already had the ingredients at room temperature. After handing an apron to Lucas, both of them got into the task. As always, Lucas paid attention to how Michael worked even though it was a simple recipe.

Soon, a classic chocolate cake glazed with chocolate cream was served for the late tea time.

Michael brewed some coffee to go along with the cake. Both of them sat in the living room.

The apartment was a two-room one even though Michael only used one of them. Floor-to-ceiling windows decorated half of the apartment. They could easily see the snow falling outside from the living room.

"Sometimes, I think about your teacher," said Michael after having one bite of the cake.

"Oh, Grandpa Chen?" Lucas smiled faintly.

Nodding, Michael continued, "Didn't you say that he's such a mysterious old man? I wonder what's his real background."

"I always think about that too..." Lucas' smile had a hint of longing, "If only I could ask him more before he's gone."

Michael just hummed quietly, acknowledging Lucas' words.

Lucas' fondness for baking started when he was still young. It all began because of the old neighbor who resided next to his family home.

An old man lived alone inside the two-story house on the right side of the Liu family home. The neighborhood knew him as Grandpa Chen. His wife had passed away more than a decade ago.

With no child between them and the loneliness that followed, Grandpa Chen spent his time making the neighborhood children happy with his creations. He had baking skills that enamored the people who had tried his desserts.

When Lucas was young, most of his mother's attention was on the toddler Kevin. He often ran to Grandpa Chen's house to see what the old man would be making today.

Grandpa Chen didn't forbid Lucas from helping him. The young boy was introduced to the world of sweets by the kindhearted grandfather.

Ever since then, Lucas started to learn baking from Grandpa Chen. Throughout his childhood, until he became a teenager, spending time with the old man inside his kitchen was the most memorable for Lucas.

Until Grandpa Chen's death when Lucas had just reached seventeen. He was close to his eighties at that time.

Despite being alone without any blood relatives, Grandpa Chen's funeral was lively. Most of the neighborhood came to say farewell for the last time to him.

"Grandpa Chen left me his recipe book," Lucas sighed, "But... I only keep it."

"It's so precious to you. But, you should try making them. Let his beloved recipes continue living on."

Michael's words had truth in them but, Lucas only smiled.

Until the end, Grandpa Chen was a mysterious yet compassionate figure. He was always there when Lucas was disheartened because of how his parents treated him.

Linda and Richard disliked how Lucas always went to Grandpa Chen's house to make cakes. To them, he should use that time to study more even though Lucas was a diligent student.

Whenever Lucas was unhappy and complained about his parents, Grandpa Chen often said the same thing to him.

"Create your own rainbow instead of waiting for one from someone. Not even your parents perfectly know what is best for you."

Grandpa Chen didn't treat his feelings lightly. The old man was unlike most people who only disregarded what he felt, only telling him to listen to his parents without any questions.

"Lucas."

Michael's call brought Lucas out of his memory lane. Both of them locked their gazes on each other.

Michael continued speaking, "I know that I've been saying this but, you should really try baking as your profession."

"Mr. Lou, I plan to take the civil service exam," Lucas shook his head, "That's why I attend the night classes."

"You can start small if you want like a home baker," Michael shrugged, "It's hard but, it's better than only chasing others' dreams. You only live for your family until now, right?"

Lucas was stunned. Those words hit deep into his heart.