Chapter 14
1008 Words
Chapter 14
I pulled out the chair slowly and sat down, I kept my arms folded for a moment like the plate in front of me was something I still hadn’t decided to trust, like the plate has personally offended me.
“Relax birdy,” he said lightly as he leaned back in his chair across from me. “It’s not poisoned.”
“That's exactly what someone who poisoned the food would say.” I said sharply as I exhaled.
I picked up the fork reluctantly. The metal clinked softly against the plate.
The first thing I noticed was the rice, it wasn’t plain like the one people made when they rushed things. Each grain was separate, tiny green fleeks clung to it, maybe parsley or something close to it, thin slices of carrots, bell peppers like a little burst of colour.
The fork hovered in front of my mouth for a moment, the steam curled slowly around it while it carried the smell straight to my brain.
“Careful,” he said. “It’s hot.”
“If I die,” I muttered, “I’m haunting you.”
Jake’s mouth twitched. “Fair.”
I rolled my eyes and finally took a bite, I pushed the fork into my mouth.
And then it hits!
The flavor spread instantly; rich, savory, balanced in a way that made my shoulders begin to loosen slightly before I caught myself.
Damn! The sauce.
It was thick and creamy. I could taste coconut milk first, warm and sweet then something warmer underneath it. The spices: curry, ginger, garlic.
They didn’t attack my mouth badly the way cooked food does, they melted together slowly, each flavor taking turns easily.
A small piece of chicken slipped in with the bite. Peppery at first, but tender. It almost fell apart against my tongue like it’s been marinating all day before it was cooked slowly.
“This is so good!” I thought to myself.
My stomach warmed up immediately, the kind of warmth that spreads slowly when you eat something hot after a long day.
I chewed slowly, keeping my face neutral. I can’t be caught savoring the food.
Across the table, Jake watched me with the patience of a student who wasn’t in a hurry to hear the verdict from the judge about his food.
“Well?” He asked.
I swallowed, “It’s…... edible,” I said flatly.
Jake leaned back in his chair, folding his arms.
“That good, huh?”
Of course, it’s so perfect!
I love it!
I took another bite before answering. “Don’t get excited.”
But the fork didn’t leave my hand, I held on to it lightly on the surface but I was holding on to it like my life depended on it.
“Say it,” Jake said.
The food tastes so divine and heavenly, I wish the person that cooked it would taste better…….
Rave!
No!
It’s just food, eat and go back to your apartment. I thought to myself.
“I won’t.” I replied.
He smiled to himself and finally took a bite of his food, chewing slowly like he had nowhere else to be.
I caught myself watching him. Ohh, what a view!
The steady rhythm of his chewing; slow and patient, his muscles flexed slightly every time he chewed made my stomach tightened.
The way he took a sip of water before another bite.
I love every bit of it.
His mouth moved slowly and you could barely notice he’s eating. My mind flashed back to the kiss at his garage, soft lips, clean breath, or the way he looked at me at the festival; gorgeous eyes, clean cut, nice smell.
I wonder what the hell it would be like if he looked at me the same way while I’m under him……
Rave!!!!!!!
My throat went dry, I gripped my hand around the fork.
I exhaled slowly a few times and my breath was caught slightly in my chest. I gulped down the cup of water beside me.
He didn’t look back and that was such a relief!.
I continued eating the food slowly, kept catching glances at each other but never said a word till we were done.
I finally took the last bite, filled to my satisfaction, thanks to this gorgeous man.
I pushed the plate aside.
“Thank you for the food, it was not bad.” I said. “I should go now.”
Yes please, before I lose my mind.
He simply nodded. “Anytime.”
I stood up from my seat and made my way to the door while he walked behind me to see me out.
I paused at the door, my mind flashed back to his books and the way he paints men, I got irritated immediately that my fingers tightened around the handle.
“You’re wrong, by the way,” I said without looking back at him.
“About what?” He asked, sounding maybe confused.
“Men.”
“Maybe,” he replied calmly.
“But I’m okay being wrong if it means writing something better.”
He could be right.
I didn’t answer, I opened the door and shut it behind me before he could think of saying something else to me.
I made my way back to my apartment, turned on the lights and dropped onto my bed almost immediately.
“It’s been a long day.” I said to myself.
I stared blankly at the ceiling like I was reading something from it.
The words from his books replayed in my head.
“Stupid stories.” I said to myself.
Men don’t exist like that, they don’t think like that, they never think.
Bunch of fools!
I turned my head on the pillow and shut my eyes but the moment I did Jake’s voice replayed in my head.
“I write men like they should be.”
I snapped my eyes open.
For the first time in a long while I had a very uncomfortable night.
- Writer
