I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 64

The Silverpine restaurant Natalie chose wasn’t some famous, high-end establishment. It was tucked away in a deep, narrow alley.

The lane was so tight that a car could barely squeeze through. The alley walls were mottled with age, and the ground was paved with a cobblestone path.

The three of them got out of the car at the entrance to the alley and walked the rest of the way, finally stopping in front of a humble, unassuming little restaurant.

The rich aroma of cooking wafted out, thick with the pungent, almost searing scent of chili peppers.

Alexander couldn’t help but sneeze, followed closely by Samuel.

“How do you even know about this place?” Alexander asked, covering his nose.

When he and Natalie were together, they had never come here. In fact, she rarely ate spicy food at all.

Just as he spoke, the owner spotted them and rushed out.

“Ms. Watson! It’s been so long. I was starting to think you’d left Cabinda for good.”

The owner was a middle-aged man who seemed to know Natalie well.

Natalie smiled. “I brought some friends today. You can just decide on the dishes for us.”

“Alright, I’ll make them your usual way and add a few new things for you to try.”

“Perfect.”

The owner then led them inside.

The restaurant was small, nearly filled by just a few simple wooden tables and benches. Only one table near the kitchen was still free.

The sound of sizzling woks from the kitchen, the loud chatter of the other patrons, and the lively, bustling atmosphere created a stark contrast to the custom-tailored suits and polished leather shoes of Alexander and Samuel.

Alexander glanced at the dark, worn table and the yellowed bench, then stood frozen in place.

Natalie knew he was a germaphobe; a place like this must be torture for him.

In the past, she would never have brought him here, or at the very least, she would have wiped down the table and chairs for him.

But now…

Natalie had already taken a seat, showing no reaction.

“If you’re not comfortable here, Mr. Ramirez, you’re free to leave,” she said simply.

Alexander glanced at Samuel Thompson, who had sat down without any hesitation.

“Since we’re already here, I might as well see what makes this place so special.”

The bench was long. Alexander eyed the empty space next to Natalie and sat down right beside her.

She shot him a frown.

Alexander stared at the food, his brow furrowed. He glanced at Natalie, who was eating without any issue. Then he looked over at Samuel, who, after a moment’s hesitation, reached for the spicy fish.

Less than two seconds after taking a bite, Samuel’s face flushed red.

Alexander let out a soft snort of derision.

Natalie turned to him. “Why aren’t you eating?”

“I’m just deciding which dish to start with.”

Forced to act, Alexander saw the chicken in Natalie’s bowl. If she, someone who rarely ate spicy food, could handle it, then so could he.

He picked up a piece of the same chicken.

The fiery sensation exploded in his mouth. Tiny beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his face and ears turned crimson.

“What is this dish? It’s incredibly hot!” he blurted out, coughing a few times. This wasn’t food; it was a weapon.

Natalie replied nonchalantly, “Spicy chicken.”

The name alone should have been a warning.

“There’s a non-spicy restaurant next door. If you can’t handle it, you should go there,” Natalie said.

Alexander composed himself and picked up another piece of chicken. “It’s not that bad once you get used to it.”