A LOVE THAT IS FOREIGN

The Guy Last Friday

Asia wander her eyes around the penthouse. The way all the stuffs in this household being placed to their spots don't surprised her. For unknown reason, she already picture and visualized how the inside is going to look like. As if she's been here before, she just couldn't remember when and what for.

"This way to the kitchen," Carlie lead the way.

She drop her disturbing thoughts, follow every step of the old woman until they entered into a beautiful, spacious and organized kitchen. This notably luxurious kitchen feels like those magazine-front-covers-worth she's been dreaming to have for her own.

"You have the full access to the kitchen but the kitchen only. Sir Rufus don't usually eat breakfast, in lunch, he's often out with his business partners or friends so you will not have to worry about those. All you have to do is prepare a dinner for him. That is all."

Asia nod, "yes."

Carlie turn around, her delicate emerald green eyes bore into Asia's black lenses. "In case you needed a comfort room, you can use the one in the drawing room. The door beneath the staircase."

"Okay, I get it."

"I believe that everything that you needed is already here. Don't you agree?"

Rescanning the whole room, Asia nodded again. "Y-yeah. I think everything's here already."

"Great." For the first time, Carlie curved her lips. This old woman's vibe is quite humorless, it's uncomfortable for Asia's point of view. She move four steps forward and then pulled out something from her pocket. A brown small envelope that she left just above the island table near to them. "That's exactly 500 dollars for the first hour." Carlie stated then she pulled something from her pocket once more. Now it's a key she put above the money. "And this is your spare key for this penthouse. Don't do anything funny, Ms. Ybañez. Trust is a luxury sir Rufus don't offer for everyone."

"I will not do anything bad, Carlie. You can definitely trust me."

"Good." Carlie's aura became lighter. Before leaving Asia alone, Carlie said that she'll be making a list of foods Rufus do not eat or he's allegic to.

When she is finally all by herself, she couldn't help but to admire the kitchen over and over again. There's a double sink at the left side, at the far end are couples of burner and stove of different kinds, also a manual and electric oven. Exhaust fan were placed at the both ends of the wall. Fixed drawers up and down are also present, to the places where they are supposed to be.

Unaware to her own emotions, Asia started squealing. This is her own type of heaven. In a whole house, it is undeniable that her favourite part is the kitchen because she's into cooking more than being into a guy.

With her hands caressing the marble table, she reached the medium double freezer. Meat occupies the upper part while seafoods are all stored into the lower freezer. Veggies, fruits, wines and other cold foods were all kept into the refrigerator next to the freezer.

Honestly, while looking at all those raw ingredients, Asia couldn't decide what to cook. There are so many dish in her head she couldn't pick one. It's like choosing in between all her favourites.

Thinking that "sir Rufus" is an old man with white strands of hair and beard wearing an eyeglass, she finally come up with the perfect meal. A suitable dinner for the man she assumed as an old guy.

After wearing the black apron hanging beside the refrigerator, and after tying her hair down at her back, she started picking ingredients.

Chicken 'n Dumpling Soup, Tropical Fruit Salad and Beef Steak. Those are the dishes she have in mind.

Usually, Chicken 'n Dumpling Soup take too much of preparation and time but since she'll be cooking for only one serving, she's cofident that in just an hour, the main dish will be all set.

Fryer chicken, peppercorns, cloves, condensed cream of chicken soup, condensed cream of mushroom soup, chopped carrots, peas, celery, potatoes, those are just some of the basic ingredients which surprisingly are all present into that wonder kitchen.

When all ingredients are finally onto the table, Asia started cutting them into their required shapes. As soon as she starts cooking, she find it so hard to stop. It was her only escape. The first time she land in New York, cooking was her only comfort zone. Every time she longed for her family, she simply make a dish that'll remind her of happy memories with them. It became her amazing distraction which helps her a lot in keeping herself altogether.

Asia consumed an hour after finishing the dinner. She designed the plates delicately, as if it's a masterpiece of a professional chef. Satisfied to the outcome, she quickly grabbed her phone and took an instagramable photo.

Still admiring her creation, Asia unknotted the apron from her back and then she pull it off her nape. After hanging it back to its original spot, she approached her sling bag, the money and keys Carlie left on the table. It's been exactly an hour. No need for additional payment. What's important is she's been paid as promised. No less.

"Carlie?" She called out.

Her sling bag now accross her chest. She wanted to go but it would be harsh to just leave without saying a word with Carlie, or to anyone from the household.

"Carlie?"

Although she's been informed that living room and other parts of the house were off-limit, she still went there to check on the old woman.

"Carlie, can I go now?" Her voice is more louder this tme.

Should I just leave? I'm done here anyway.

Or maybe I should stay for a minute? Goodness. What do I do now?

She's still stuck between the two option when something from the living reminds her of dirty Friday night. There are bookshelves at the near far holding several books written in English and Urdu. As if her feet has its own brain, she started walking unconsciously towards the bookshelves. Yes, she was tipsy that night but she wouldn't forget the view of that books in Hussain's living. It was fascinating, it was terrific. And that view from Friday night look like a replica of what she's seeing right now.

"Could this be...?" Asia whispered then she started unlocking the puzzle.

The lobby. The elevator ride. The main door and... Now, this whole living room.

Only then, she found the answer to the familiarity of the place.

"No way..." It came out like a sigh. Asia gripped on her sling bag as soon as she realized who's house she's currently working for as a part-time cook.

She stood there frozen for a quite long moments until she finally found the courage to move. Asia turn around immediately, took her first step forward but halted as soon as she saw a man standing in the entry way.

Double no way!! Her subconscious screamed.

When the man move forward, starts walking towards her, Asia couldn't do anything but to gulp hard. Her knees felt like it's gonna melt. And her belly clenched deliciously when dirty memories cameback to her oblivious mind.

Rufus left a small gap between them. He look down on Asia and with a sheepish grin, he teased, "it's not Friday but I believe we can do something so much better than standing and staring."

She gulp for the second time. It occurs to her that the man she slept with, the man from Fulton Market and this man in front of her are all the same! Her mind is in turmoil. She literally don't know what to do. She even forgotten that she have a tongue and she have the ability to speak!

Good grace, what the hell is going on?! She asked no one but herself.

"How have you been? Hermosa?" Rufus speak her second name so husky and sexy she have to breath sharply. It's the same effect of this man. Asia is determined to leave before the situation gets really heated between them both.

Before he could speak another word, Asia already move, walk pass him and never look back until she was out. Her heart were throbbing fast and hard as she press the elevator button. She don't know what just happen but there's one things she's sure about. She's never going back into that house. Screw the 500 dollars.