Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“With all due respect, we don’t know anything about this woman.”</span> you whispered to the young girl. <span class="mu-r">“At least give me some time to do a background check first.”</span>
Araña nodded as if to concede the point. She was young, but she was still a professional. Even she knew the importance of practicing proper security protocols.
<span class="mu-r">“Still, I feel like I should’ve heard about this before? I always liked to think that I was pretty street savvy.”</span> you said, taking another bite of your torta.
<span class="mu-g">“I haven’t had my truck for that long. This one, I mean.”</span> Chef Ameyama answered, rapping her knuckles on the metal counter. <span class="mu-g">“My old one got blown up by Iron Man by accident, so he had this new one built for me.”</span>
Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at her. Ameyama let out a nervous chuckle.
<span class="mu-g">“Iron Man built you a food truck?”</span> Prowler inquired.
Ameyama cleared her throat and tucked a lock of hair behind one ear.
<span class="mu-g">“Well, he said that he really liked my food, and that he was super sorry for what happened, so…he sort of made me a new one.”</span> she explained.
Prowler took a cautious step away from the vehicle, likely expecting it to be carrying onboard weapons, or something equally ridiculous. Ameyama either didn’t notice, or pretended not to.
<span class="mu-g">“I haven’t seen him much after that, though. I hope he’s okay.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“I’m sure he's laid up in one of his many, many summer homes, villas and vacation resorts.”</span> Cat casually replied. <span class="mu-b">“Or he landed himself in rehab.”</span>
Ameyama’s face fell a bit upon hearing that, so you decided to change the subject.
<span class="mu-r">“How’re you only working out of a food truck? You should have your own restaurant!”</span>
Her expression brightened, and she laughed in delight at your compliment.
<span class="mu-g">“Thanks! But, I like running my business out of a truck. It lets me meet all sorts of people, and I have full control over how my ingredients, recipes and equipment are handled. And I can make plenty of money by providing catering services.”</span> she answered, propping her hands up on her hips and nodding at you. <span class="mu-g">“Besides, most restaurants can’t maintain the same level of quality when it comes to adapting recipes for the masses.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Not if you’re serving customers with deep pockets.”</span> Araña offered. <span class="mu-r">“I’m sure they’d pay you whatever you wanted if you could make them food like this.”</span>
She glanced at you out of the corner of her eye as she said that.
Ameyama shook her head in disbelief, clearly thinking that the girl had been joking.
<span class="mu-g">“I don’t think some rich dude would pay me anywhere close to what you’re thinking for my Katsu Tortas.”</span>
Benga raised an eyebrow at that.
<span class="mu-g">“Didn’t you just say that Tony Stark paid to have your truck fixed because he liked your food so much?”</span> she pointed out.
(Cont.)
