The Last Embrace 261 Casualties

Adam and Caden were eating breakfast in the dining room.

"Did you have a company in your room, last night bro?" Caden asked.

"Yes. Jessy and I were having a date in the city last night then she sleeps in my room and went home in the wee hours of the morning," Adam replied.

"Ah, okay," Caden said.

"Yum, you're pancake today taste better than last week, bro!" Adam commented. "Why is that?" he asked.

Caden smiled. "Well, I just happened to discover a new way to add flavor to the pancake to make it more creamy and flavorful, but it's a secret bro, sorry I can't reveal to you my secret ingredients," he grinned from ear to ear.

"Oh, really—? I guess I know where you got your new pancake recipe bro," Adam scanned at his mobile phone.

"Where?"

"Here in YouTube videos, 'coz I see you browsing on the video recipes the other day," Adam chuckled.

Caden scratches his head. "Ah, I'm busted bro. You are right, I can learn so many food recipes on YouTube. I'm planning to study Culinary Arts since I love eating and I crave foods a lot, it would be good to learn how to cook during our break time when you have no engagement or photoshoot to honor. I want to be a Chef!" he said enthusiastically.

"Well...go ahead... bro. I will support you all the way," Adam smiled and patted his friend's shoulder. "For now, you can practice cooking in our kitchen one recipe at a time. Just master one recipe first then progress onto another recipe to broaden your knowledge in preparing and cooking different dishes...some people can cook delicious dishes without even attaining culinary course just like Nana Aida... she has no formal schooling in cooking but the foods she cooked every day are praiseworthy. People can excel in what they do because they have great love and pa.s.sion for what they are doing," he explained.

Caden awarded Adam a thumbs-up sign. "Wow, thank you for boosting my confidence bro, starting tomorrow I will cook you my first masterpiece..." he bragged.

Adam raised his brows. "And what could it be—?" he asked interested.

"I will cook you a red braised pork belly, Chinese style! It will be super delicious for sure!" Caden chuckled.

Adam smiled broadly. "Okay...bring it on...show me your cooking skill bro!"

"I will start with 1-kilo pork first," Caden said and began browsing videos about how to cook braised pork belly on his phone.

Adam has done eating, he stood up and left the table bringing with him his hot mug of coffee and went to the living room to watch the morning news on TV.

While sipping the coffee, there was news on TV about the fire that broke in one of the residential buildings in the city last night. Thankfully there were not many casualties, only two people died, but some of the residences got minor injuries and were taken to the hospitals for further health check-up and observation. There was a mystery surrounding the tragedy because the fire died even before the ambulance has a chance to fight the fire, then the occupants of the floor where the fire has started found themselves waking up in the ground floor without knowledge how did they even arrive there in the first place?

Adam felt sad that two people died in the fire last night. He was thinking what could he have done to prevent the death of those people who perished on the fire? On the other hand, he and Jessy lend a helping hand to put out the flames quickly preventing the fire from spreading to other floors but still, in the end, death was unavoidable.

"What news is that bro?" Caden sat on the sofa holding his mug of hot coffee.

"Ah, just some news about the fire that broke last night in one of the condominium building situated in the city," Adam answered.

"What—there was a fire? So... you and Jessy were able to witness the fire before you come back home last night?" Caden asked curiously.

Adam nodded his head.

"You did not help to put out the fire, bro?" Caden asked.

"Jessy and I helped to put an end to the fire quickly but still two people died, so it's kind of jarring that although we were able to put the fire out still people died just the same," Adam said, a gloomy expression marred his face.

"Yeah, sad indeed. I'm feeling sad about the two people who died and my sympathy for their grieving families. But stop feeling guilty bro, if you and Jessy did not stop the fire, many people would have died last night. It's your timely help that saves more lives. Two person's death is a bit bearable and acceptable compared to many. Maybe those two people died because they're meant to die. Let's just pray for their eternal peace in heaven, and let's hope their bereaved families can recover quickly from their grief. Cheer up, bro! When it comes to tragedy and accident, death is sometimes unavoidable you can't save everyone," Caden consoled his friend.

"Yeah, I guess you are right, bro," Adam nodded his head in agreement.

They switched the channel and looked for a sports show.

"By the way, what is our schedule for today?" Adam asked.

"This afternoon, we will be going to the mall for the perfume promotion. You will be signing your fans autograph right outside the entrance of the store for two hours," Caden answered.

"Okay, so let's get ready then..."

"It's okay bro, just relax and have a beauty sleep, so that your fans can see your glowing porcelain skin and ogle at your handsome face. I suggest that you go back to your room and sleep again so that you don't look haggard and you will look fresh for your public appearance later," Caden said.

"Okay... whatever," Adam answered and sauntered back to his room.

Inside his bedroom.

Adam went to his bed lazily and lie down to take a quick nap. He was wondering what Jessy is doing right now? As usual, she will be in the clinic doing blood transfusion.

Then his mind wandered to his brother Zain. He was thinking of his brother's proposal, he can't take that proposal out of his mind.