14. Tasty Meal.
1122 Words
~LUNA~
He called me dewdrop again. I couldn't stop smiling as I stared at his retreating figure before he finally disappeared into his room at the end of the hallway.
Not just because he remembered the pet name, but because he suggested dropping me off at school tomorrow. That alone wiped off the traces of anger in my heart at his rejection last night.
Even though I wasn't sure where we stood. Or whether there were any traces of likeness he had for me. Or whether that night really meant something to him. I wanted to hold on to the fact that I hadn't totally lost.
There was still hope that he might see me as more than a one-night stand. It was a glimmer of hope, but I was willing to hold on to it. See where it would lead me. The one-night stand was just to prove Eric wrong, but right now, it was becoming more. I didn't know how and when it happened. Was it during our throes of passion or afterwards?
I couldn't say, but one thing was certain: he had arrested my interest and heart. It was unreasonable, believe me, I knew. But it couldn't be helped.
With a half smile and a shrug, I turned and made my way towards the stairs. This stomach of mine needed to be fed before I would venture out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The noodles I made were ready by the time I heard his footsteps echoing down the stairs. Ask me how I deciphered it was his footsteps... Well, maybe because of the fact that my heart had picked up pace.
I hurriedly turned off the stove before rushing out of the kitchen. He had already descended the last stair and had landed in the big sitting room when I made it out. Of course he did. That was what those long legs were for.
"Alex," I called out before I could chicken out. I could remember him frowning slightly when I called him that. Perhaps he was used to people calling him Xander and not Alex. Well, I couldn't be one of them. Till I found the perfect pet name for him, he would be Alex to me.
He whirled around at the sound of my voice, surprise registering on his face. At least there was no frowning. My eyes rolled up and down his broad figure clad in prim and proper black tailored pants, and a white long-sleeved dress shirt, which he stylishly rolled up his forearm.
His blue eyes were still piercing and electrifying. They were calling out to me, the same way his curly dark hair, which looked slightly ruffled, was calling for my touch.
Saliva lodged somewhere in my throat, precipitating a cough that dragged me back to reality. Focus Luna.
I didn't know how he would take my offer, but he left me no choice. One good turn deserves another.
"I made noodles for you." Not just for him. I also made it for Ace because I figured it wouldn't go down well with him if he found out I made food for just Alex. Plus, I also needed to thank him for being equally protective.
Back to the man in front of me. His brows shot up, his lips curling up, indicating he was at a loss for what to say.
"I don't normally eat before I leave for work." He finally said, when I thought he wasn't going to reply. His voice was soft but crisp, making me dizzy.
I mentally shook my head, putting on a smile to hide my inner battle.
"Yeah, because you don't usually have time to prepare them," I explained, gesturing with my hands.
His lips twitched. He was struggling to hold back a smile, and I could feel it.
Tugging at his work case before casting a glance at his Rolex wristwatch. He gave me a curt nod. "Just mine?"
I caught the hopeful glint in his eyes right before it disappeared— unless I was imagining it.
Slowly, I shook my head. " For Ace, too, and mine." I had a feeling he wasn't so happy to hear that, but he masked his reaction behind a tight smile.
"Very well then. I will spare a few minutes. Bring it on."
With a warm smile flashed at him, I turned and headed towards the kitchen. "Coming right up. Tell Ace to wait, too."
I heard his grunt before the sound of his footsteps. I guess he was heading towards the dining table.
I knew I wasn't a bad cook, but I couldn't help the tiny fear gnawing at my insides about whether he would actually like my cooking. Obviously, he was a man of high standards. I bet he had graced the meals of talented chefs.
The fear started to grow, but I mentally stepped on it, shrugging it off as I dished out the noodles into three breakable plates.
It wasn't high-class noodles in a manner of speaking, but I made sure it had its fair share of eggs and veggies. That could count, right?
Dumping mine on the large table at the center of the kitchen, I put theirs in a tray, making sure to add bottled water before leaving the kitchen.
He was already settled at the dining table with Ace when I came out of the kitchen. They were discussing in muffled voices, but my footsteps must have alerted them to my presence. They turned simultaneously to face me.
Ace was beaming with smiles when I got to the table.
"A fairy godmother told me that you made us a delicious meal for breakfast."
Chuckling, I separated the plates, keeping each of them in front of them. "It's just noodles."
"And I happen to have turned into a fairy godmother, right, Ace?" The sarcasm dripping from his voice made me want to laugh. He rarely made jokes. But the edgy undertone of his voice held me back.
Ace shrugged, perhaps taking the statement at face value. "Perhaps. You never can tell."
Scowling at him, he dragged the plate closer, peeking at me. "Where's yours?"
I gestured towards the kitchen. "I will take it to my room—"
"Nah-uh, dewdrop," he said firmly. "You are eating with us."
I already had my excuses why I didn't want to eat with them lined up, but that pet name with the strange softness of his voice undid me. "I'll just..." I pointed at the kitchen, his magnetic gaze, a tad smoldering and diving me into a web of confusion.
"I'll just get the food, then," I replied, turning to dash towards the kitchen, the warmth of his voice still pulling at my lower region. Damn! Luna!
- Writer
