While Ashrik was busy checking around the house, Lucille was preoccupied with helping Madam Huang. The knife paused in her hand once the elderly lady's question rang quietly.
"He's a good guy, right?"
Madam Huang had leaned closer, lowering her voice. The sound was barely audible above the crackle of oil heating in the pan.
Her tone was soft with a hint of teasing, which went unnoticed by the young lady.
Lucille stared blankly at the vegetables she was chopping. After a heartbeat, she nodded. The little gesture was small yet earnest.
"Yes, he is."
He was great, a great guy.
In the next breath, Lucille belated noticed the teasing way Madam Huang had looked and smiled at her after receiving her response.
Realizing what the old lady truly meant, she was flustered. Her ears burned instantly.
"B-but there's nothing between us," she hurried to add, words tumbling over one another. "Really. We're just... friends. That's all."
