Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Danas wakes up earlier than the other days because this is the day she goes to the market to shop. Before going to the market, Danas made a shopping list first.

She painstakingly checked the food storage refrigerator to note the items that had run out and needed to be bought again. Melvin is fussy about food. She makes it a rule that her favorite food or drink is always available in the refrigerator.

"The stock of fruit for juicing is running low, I have to buy more," Danas said while writing it down in her phone note.

After that, she also checked the dry snack cabinet. Some of the jars looked half empty. The stock of snacks like roasted almonds had also run out. Danas made another note of it.

A maid approached Danas when she saw her busy. She offered to help her. "Morning, ma'am. How can I help you?"

"Christina. I'm writing a list of things to buy at the market later." Danas replied as she closed the door of the silver two-door refrigerator in front of her.

"Oh, ma'am is going to the market?"

"Yes, I'm leaving in a few minutes. Do you want to come?" Danas thought about inviting Christina because it was obvious that she would have a hard time carrying all the groceries.

"Yes, ma'am. I'll accompany you to the market." Christina looked happy when Danas asked her to go to the market. The reason is because Danas will surely chase her to buy delicious market snacks or stop by the many culinary places scattered along the way.

For domestic helpers like Christina, just tasting food outside the home is like traveling. Sometimes she also feels bored with the chores around the kitchen and cleaning the house.

" If so, now let's list the spices and ingredients in the kitchen that are about to run out," said Danas.

"Yes, ma'am. There are several kinds of spices that are running low."

Danas then stepped into the kitchen and looked at the spice storage. Normally she would buy enough premium quality ingredients and arrange them on the shelves. Some were processed and stored in glass jars and made into homemade instant seasoning.

"Madam, why do you prefer shopping at the market? Why don't you go to the supermarket?" Christina asked idly as she cleaned up the stacks of spice boxes.

"I just like going to the market, Chris. Vegetables and other foodstuffs are fresher there. Everything is brought in from the garden or just out of the warehouse. It's different from the supermarket, where everything is frozen and stored for a long time. It tastes different." Danas reasoned. Christina nodded her head listening.

"That's right, ma'am. I see that like chili peppers or tomatoes, the ones you buy at the market and the ones you buy at the supermarket are very different. If you buy them at the market, they last longer and don't spoil easily. It's different if you buy them at the supermarket, once you take them out of the fridge, they'll be soft and rotten in no time."

Danas grimaced at that. It was true what Christina said. "Yes, Chris. That's because the food has gone into the cooler and gone through the freezing process. Once it's taken out, it thaws quickly. The nutritional content is also reduced because it was refrigerated for too long.

After taking note of all the food to buy, Danas rushed out of the house followed by Christina. "Come on, Bi. Leave now, before it gets too late."

"Yes, ma'am. Let's go!"

The distance between the house and the traditional market was not too far. Instead of using public transportation or having the driver take her, Danas chose to walk. The reason was to get some morning exercise.

Arriving at the market, Danas quickly searched for the items she wanted to buy. She chose the freshest ones and the price was reasonable. Actually, there is another reason why Danas prefers to shop at the market. Danas is happy every time she sees the smiles of the merchants whose goods she buys.

"For me, it may only be a small amount of money, but for them, this money is very valuable to fulfill their family's daily needs." That's what Danas thinks. She knows all too well how hard small traders have to work and compete with supermarkets or even online merchants.

Danas deftly selects the goods, while Christina helps carry them. Every now and then Christina would look at her employer. She liked Danas because she was not only beautiful but also good at cooking.

Madame was young, beautiful and smart but she was a simple housewife. She loved shopping at the market and didn't act like other young mothers. It was a pity that she was often abused by Mr. Melvin. Hmm.

Christina continued her daydream as Danas arrived at the fishmonger and was selecting fresh fish. She bought a yellowtail and a big pomfret.

Is it true that a woman like this madam can commit such a big crime? Rumor has it that she killed Mr. Melvin's sister, but I doubt it. Highly doubtful! It seems very unlikely.

Madame Danas is so humble and kind, never even asking a maid for help with anything. Once she made a small mistake, she would apologize, so it doesn't make sense that Madame would do such a thing.

Christina continued to daydream until Danas called out to her. "Bi, please help bring this fish. I think I've bought everything already?"

"Uh, I-yes. Yes, I think I've bought everything. All the bags are full," Christina said, pointing to the two large bags she was carrying.

"Is it heavy, Bi? If it's heavy, let me carry it," Danas offered to carry the bags. However, Christina hurriedly stopped her.

"No, ma'am. Let me do it. Madam also carries other bags of groceries, we'll repo them."

Danas already had two shopping bags in her hand, but the contents were not as heavy as Christina's.

"That's okay, then we'll go home now." Danas took Christina home. When passing by the market hawkers, Danas stopped by briefly and offered Christina to buy her favorite food.

"Choose whatever you like, Bi. Buy a lot to take home and share with friends," Danas said with a smile.

Christina was very happy. She enthusiastically chose a lot of market snacks and even tasted and ate some of them while still in front of the seller. Danas just shook her head at her assistant's behavior.

After buying souvenirs, Danas invited Chris to go straight home. They were going to take the usual sidewalk road but Danas saw the highway was so crowded and hot.

"Chris, how about we take a detour through the village road? It's not too crowded and hot."

"Yes, ma'am. Indeed, the highway is crowded and hot at this time of the day. More pollution."

Danas then turned into a narrow and quiet alley that cut through the village. She knew that street even though she rarely passed by it. Danas didn't even dare to cross the deserted alley if she walked alone. She thought that since she was with Christina, it would be safe.

However, Danas' assumption was wrong. At the corner that was quiet and far from residential areas, she was suddenly surprised by three village thugs who confronted her.

"Wow, someone just came back from the market here. Here, deposit the security money first!"

Danas was shocked and glared at the three thugs who suddenly asked her for money. Meanwhile, Christina cowered in fear behind her and whispered to Danas. "Madam, they are village thugs and asking for money!"