VII : Gift from the Boss

After driving for a while, Axel drove closer to a big place with lots of cars in the parking lots. He parked the car skilfully in one of the available spots. When we finally arrived, I read the name sign that was carved beautifully in the sign.

Fukuma Omakase

The restaurant had a modern Japanese design that was colored mainly with black and brown color. Many kinds of trees line up neatly in the front of the restaurant.

I blinked. Was this really the buffet I'd mentioned? It looked far fancier than any buffet I'd ever been to with my friends. This was on a completely different level.

"This is the buffet?" I asked, skeptical.

Axel unbuckled his seatbelt in one swift motion. "Yeah, why?"

"It's just… fancier than I expected."

He smirked. "I thought you wanted meat? This place has some of the best."

I nodded, still processing the elegance of it all as I ran my fingers through my hair. Axel reached into the back seat, grabbing a couple of shopping bags.

"For you." He gave two shopping bags to my lap, I looked at him surprised, "What is this?" I asked,

"Just like what I said, it's yours."

Curiosity piqued, I opened the first shopping bags. A luxury handbag—a small, elegant white piece stared back at me.

"What is the reason you gave this?" I looked at him suspiciously.

"Can't you just take it without saying anything?"

"Is it a bribe? So we will study less?" I guessed his intention, because I can't understand why he did this.

"No, okay. I knew that you would bring that heavy, big, ugly bag everywhere, so I think you will need a small bag tonight."

"It's not ugly! It's functional" I defended my pretty big bag to him.

My attention went to the second shopping bag, "and what about this one?" I asked him while opening the shopping bag.

"That's a smartwatch. So you can work more efficiently," he said, then added with a teasing grin, "and because your watch strap looks like it's about to fall apart." He added, I looked at my mechanical watch, he was right, the strap was almost torn off.

I carefully placed the gifts back in the bags, feeling conflicted. "I don't think I can accept this."

"I'm just trying to be a nice boss," Axel said with a shrug.

"But these are way too expensive–" He cutted my words, "You told me to be a good leader," he pointed out. "And a good boss understands what their employee needs."

I wanted to protest further, but his reasoning, though slightly absurd, somehow made sense. And it was kind of sweet. But still I don't think I have the heart to accept this given that I worked for him just for a week and I haven't taught him much.

"If that makes sense to you," he said, his gaze steady on mine, "you have no reason to reject it."

He broke our eye contact, "Let's go, I'm hungry."

I hesitated but finally sighed. "Axel…"

He paused, turning to look at me before stepping out of the car. "Thank you. I'll accept them… as your employee." I smiled genuinely, grateful but still unsure how to process all this.

His corner of lips turned up slightly into the faintest hint of a smile.

"Don't forget your bag," he said, nodding toward the shopping bags before he stepped out of the car.

I quickly grabbed the new handbag, transferring my phone, charger, wallet, and lip tint from my old, trusty bag. I glanced at my reflection in the rearview mirror—definitely needed that lip tint.

As we headed toward the restaurant entrance, I couldn't shake the feeling that I felt bad for receiving these luxury items, but if it will make our relationship become closer, then the only thing I could do is accept it.

A staff member with a suit greeted us at the door and he seemed to recognize Axel immediately.

"The usual place, sir?" The restaurant staff stretched out his hands to his side, inviting us to follow him.

"Yes, Can I request for unlimited dishes with meat today?" Axel talked to the staff while walking side to side with me. "Unlimited, sir?" The staff looked confused, I'm sure it's his first time hearing this odd request.

"Yeah, can you do it like buffet?" Axel asking without any embrassment.

"No problem sir, any preference for the wagyu?" The staff asked politely. "Whatever the chef recommends." Axel answered casually,

We were led inside, and I was instantly mesmerized. The restaurant's interior was even more luxurious than its exterior. Soft lighting reflected off sleek black marble floors, and intricate wooden panels adorned the walls, adding warmth to the modern space.

The tables were elegantly set with minimalist dishware, and I noticed how every little detail, from the placement of the chopsticks to the perfectly folded napkins, radiated perfection.

I swallowed hard, feeling out of place. Axel, on the other hand, moved with ease, as though he belonged here. This was his world—luxury, exclusivity. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, wondering how I fit into all of this.

The staff opened a private room door, where there are only two seats and a long table that was placed face to face with a Japanese chef who was preparing his cooking equiment.

I sat down gingerly, feeling a mixture of awe and unease. "I've… never been anywhere like this."

Axel glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "You'll get used to it."

Would I, though?

The Chef greeted us friendly, and he began to cook the dish in front of us.

I'd never been to an omakase before, and I could hardly wait to try all the dishes the chef would prepare. My eyes were glued to the open kitchen, watching in awe as the chef moved with precision.

The way he sliced and plated each ingredient so skillfully made my mouth water. Everything seemed so delicate, so intentional.

The first dish arrived: an appetizer. Shrimp, perfectly arranged with a delicate sauce drizzled on top. It looked like art on a plate.

Axel and I wasted no time. We both popped the shrimp into our mouths in one quick bite—probably because we were both starving. The flavor hit instantly—the sauce was a perfect complement to the tender, juicy shrimp, harmonizing in a way that made me want more.

I glanced at Axel, catching the subtle satisfaction in his eyes as we shared a small nod of approval. If this was just the appetizer, I could only imagine what was coming next