Love Unfolding 111 Culinary Arts

KAILEEN ANDY LEWIS

The examination period ended and we're just waiting for the result to be posted three days after and that would be tomorrow. For now, I was waiting for Alex's shift at the jewelry shop to end.

I invited her for dinner— alone.

I leaned on my car, waiting outside the jewelry shop and not long, Alex's figure came into view.

Her dark seductive sharp eyes met mine and she smiled with that plump lips of hers.

Another thing, Alex looks really good but not better than me of course.

'hahaha'

"So what's this dinner about that you can't tell me about it over the phone?" She asked in a low voice while we're on our way to that dinner I reserved.

"I'll tell you when we get there."

[************]

Claire welcomed us at the restaurant looking seductive as always.

I caught Alex rolled her eyes away from Claire.

She then wandered her gaze around. Gradually, her brows met and threw me a quizzical look.

"Oh, the restaurant is closed for tonight," I informed and I'm not going to tell her that it's because of this meeting of ours.

I lead her to the kitchen and everything was in order: neat, sparkling.

n.o.body also was in there, and I smiled as I noticed my companion's reaction at the sight she's seeing.

Alex took a meticulous stride inside, running her fingers on the edge of the counter. Her gaze was intently running through every kitchen utensils and cooking equipments.

She's like a child visiting a doll house for the first time.

Then Claire walked in, disrupting Alex from her reverie.

"Everything you need in here?" She asked me and I nodded.

She then leaned on a table, switching on something, her back at Alex, her a.s.s wiggling and d.a.m.n—

I saw Alex checked her out and a pink blush crossed her cheek.

I bit the inside of my cheek to suppress a laugh or even a smile.

"Thanks Claire," I appreciatively smiled at the woman.

"I'll handle it from here," I added.

She nodded and turned to Alex. She gently rested her palm on Alex's shoulder and squeezed it once. Well, she always do that to me but the next thing happened shock the h.e.l.l out of me.

"Don't touch me," Alex hissed and shrugged away Claire's hold from her shoulder.

'what the—'

Claire's mouth hung low in disbelief and confusion.

She then snorted when she recovered, "I didn't know your friend here is a germaphobe, " she turned to me.

She then walked away from Alex and walked towards me. Her smile fake and clearly offended.

"You're just too ugly to be touching me," Alex coldy said and slid down on a stool nearby.

My jaw dropped on the ground in disbelief once more.

Claire was fuming in anger beside me. Preventing more damage, I cupped both Claire's shoulders and pushed her out to the door, smiling guiltily.

"It was an irony Claire, an irony" I convinced the woman as I was pushing her.

But d.a.m.n— I know she's not buying it.

When she's gone, I closed the door behind and glared at Alex.

"What was that?"

She shrugged, "She's way too hot to be lurking around me."

'what?'

Alex groaned, "She's too hot to be touching me when I can't touch her back…."

'd.a.m.n'

"… so better shove her away."

'pfffft'

I laughed, "You're a weird one Alex."

'so weird'

[*************]

"So why are we in the kitchen?" She asked.

"I'm going to cook dinner for us," I winked then grabbed an ap.r.o.n and tied the lace on my waist.

"You serious?" She asked in disbelief, chuckling.

I just smiled and got started.

Everything I need was in placed. I had planned this all along anyway.

I could feel the intent gaze of Alex; boring holes in me but not naughtily though, but more into my cooking.

I have done my research about her, even ran an investigation but for the personal facts, I had squeezed them out from her sister, Mei, without the girl knowing my true intention.

I hate to admit it but Mei really is a blabbermouth so opposite with her sister.

Alex kn the other hand is a woman of few words.

'hehehe'

Well, according to my findings, Alex: in her heart, wants to be admitted in a Culinary School. She longed to be a Chef and not in an Engineering School where she met her lover who changed everything in her life nor she wanted to take over the family business but—

… but her parents were pressuring her and left her with no choice.

Hence, I was giving her a demo in the kitchen of something she fancies in her heart: something she desires deep within her, the—

… the sizzling of the wok, the sprinkling of the seasoning, the flash of flame from the burning of the wine I used; I masterfully demonstrated my cooking style before her eyes as well as how I meticulously presented to her the way I aesthetically plated my dish to please the eyes.

She was mesmerized— I could tell from the sparkling of her cornea.

I smiled and grabbed a bottle of red wine when I'm done then sat opposite her.

"Dig in," I encouraged.

She has this bewildered look as she stared at the plated dish on the table and knitted her brows when she looked up at me.

I smiled and wiggle my brows playfully but she kept on staring at me, forcing me to answer her unspoken question.

I sighed, "I'm actually a Chef."

Her brows furrowed even more.

I scoffed, "A… A self professed Chef, " I stammered.

She glared at me then held her spoon and fork then started to dig in.

She paused chewing at the first bite then resumed and took another spoonful and then I was doomed —

'hehehe'

She shot me a really scary glare.

I forced a smile, "Well, I actually studied culinary arts in Franz," I confessed.

"I was seventeen back then, I trained under a renowned Chef of a three star Michelin Restaurant for two years—"

"… I gained recognition and certification but I did not pursue the career."

"I was just really fooling around and enjoying life as it was," I shyly smiled.

Well, that was true. It's just that the restaurant's owner is a close family friend and my curiosity had the best of me to learn that time. Also, Chef Sylvie was so enthusiastic of having me around hence, everything just went well.

For now, Alex didn't say a word and was just staring at me; dumbfounded.

"So Alex, I want to give you an opportunity to learn culinary arts in Franz for two years."

"Everything is on me."

A moment of silence: we were just staring at each other, not blinking and gradually her mouth hung low.

"Are you f.u.c.king kidding me?"

"No," I deadpanned.

"How do you—," she cut herself off when realizing what I did.

I just guiltily forced a smile.

She stood up and shot me a glare, "I don't want you poking your nose in my business!"

'd.a.m.n'

I expected that reaction from her.

"I just want to help Alex."

She snorted, "Help?"

"… and what would you gain from helping me?"

"… to gain favor from Erika because we're cousin?"

'gosh'

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

Why does all the people I extended a helping hand with always retorted with me— expecting a return?

'd.a.m.n'

Can't I just help because I want to help?

"I'm helping because you're my friend!" I firmly answered.

She again snorted and plastered a sarcastic smirk on her face.

"One thing I first learned in life Andy," she hissed.

"… that nothing is free in this world," she then made her way out the door.

"Alex," I called but she didn't look back.

"Alex wait."

"I said wait!" I shouted.

She stopped and faced me with that angry and annoyed expression.

I picked up an envelop and handed it to her.

"It's a contract," I informed.

"It has my seal and signature so it's authentic."

"Read it when you calm your mind down."

"… and let me know of your decision before my graduation."

She sneered, gripped the envelop hard and left.

'woah'

That was intense.

Well, everything in the contract is favorable to Alex.

Truthfully, I will gain nothing but loss— financially. Even so, what I did would make a difference in her life so I'm happy anyway.

Also, written in the contract, a considerable amount of capital to open up a restaurant after her training.

Isn't that great?

Am I not great?

I don't give a f.u.c.k about money and anything when it comes to my friends and family.

'duh'

So let me be your friend then—

Okay?

'hahaha'