Chapter 7
1570 Words
POV: Lena
I woke up today having it in mind that I was done being a guest and done being treated like one. Since I was made to feel this much at home, I better act like it. I miss doing the chores, I miss gardening, I miss cooking especially.
Today, I’m going to meet with the maids of the castle and I will find a way to fit it here regardless of whoever has whatever to say. By whoever, I mean Adrienne of course. His thoughts shouldn’t be what’s going through my mind right now.
“What are these dresses?” I heard myself say out loud thinking it was in my head. They were too dramatic and glamorous for a simple stay home day. I’m not royalty but the Moonstone Pack has done a great job making me feel like one so far in my stay here.
Luckily, my denim was laundered for me. I just wore that with a light shirt I was lucky to find in the pile of ball gowns and made my way through the castle without needing a chaperone as usual. I have come to notice the utmost regards and veneration everyone in the palace extended towards me. Especially now that I am all by myself, lost in this beautiful world.
I stopped one of the maidens to ask her what was the name of the matron. Maria, she said. So that stern woman is called Maria. I asked the maid to lead me to the kitchen.
I could perceive the grilling and sautéing before I stepped in. They were a lot going on but again, the staff here all gave a bow as I passed each one.
“What are you making?” I asked the chef by the stove. “Lamb stew, ma’am” he replied humbly. “What would you like to have for breakfast? I could freshly make anything you want?” He went on to ask me.
“Oh, don’t bother. As a matter of fact, I would love to make a meal for myself. I love to cook and I miss the kitchen. I don’t want to wake one day forgetting this skill I cherish so much” I replied.
“Let me show you to the ingredients then”, he said. “After you ma’am” he signaled towards a door.
Barely taking 2 steps, I bumped into this hard body. The firm hands grabbed me my arms that I gained balance. In that split second, I can say I recognized who this could be and of course, how can I be wrong. It was Adrienne.
“Well, hello!” He said as he stopped a bit to look at my face with concerns as though to see if I was ok.
“Hello to you to” I retorted. Before I could say one more thing, the chef leading me to the pantry disappeared, I could bet Adrienne signaled him before I even took note. Well, he wasnt there.
I ducked beneath his hand on the wall to find my way. He followed immediately, asking a thousand questions at once.
“How have you been? Where have you been? What are you up to? What do you…”
“Can you catch your breathe, Adrienne. It’s nothing so big of a deal. I am bored and I just wanted to make a meal for myself. Thanks to you and your family, I have been given the best princess treatment so far. Sadly, I’m no princess and get bored easily.” I explained and I racked through the pantry, shopping for my ingredients.
“Okay, I get your point. You’re welcome by the way, you deserve all princess treatment but BORED???” He asked with a very vain smugness.
“Yes. Bored Adrienne, what about it?”
“You can’t get bored when you have me. Tell me your wildest fantasy and I will make it happen. You wanna go to war just for the thrill? I am just a letter away. What do you think will take the lovey ‘princess’ Lena, out of her boredom” he followed me, swooning. Yes, he was swooning. I felt flattered.
“Can I prepare something for me to eat for starters?” I asked.
“Of course, on one condition though”
“What condition Adrienne?”
“Is it too much to ask for a plate? Or the least, a bite from your meal”, he made fake baby eyes.
He was doing it again. Was He was swooning? Oh yes he was.
Was he flirting? Yeah, he sure was.
“If a bite would get you off my back, I will gladly do that”, I replied rolling my eyes. Was I swooning? Was I flirting back? I hope I’m not pink from blushing. Uh-oh!
****
POV: Adrienne
Now this may look like I’m lying, but this meal tasted different. Delicious of course, familiar even but it had a distinct taste. Maybe I’m used to the chefs around or she really is an excellent cook.
I really wouldn’t expect anything handy, not even cooking, to be done with those slender, soft hands. There’s a lot going on with this woman right in front of …
“Umm, is there a problem?” Lena’s voice interrupted the conversation going on in my head. I must have been so lost in thought I blanked out.
“W-what? Problem? Why?” I managed to stutter, still trying to recover from blanking out.
“Oh my God! It’s the salt, right? I knew your taste buds may not accept it. Oh no! I’m so sorry” Lena what’s regrettably apologizing I almost blank out again cos I couldn’t understand why?
“Lena, Stop! Believe or not, it tasted so good it sent me many lifetimes within a bite. This is excellent. The seasoning? Chefs kiss” I blew a literal chef’s kiss. I was so proud of her, like I knew her my whole life.
“Oh really? Well, that expression didn’t quite pass the message. I was worried I had poisoned you by mistake” she said with head bent low but looking up at me with just her eyes. Those eyes. I’m blanking out again, aren’t I? Adrienne, focus!
“Pardon me, Miss. I must confess I misjudged you. I didn’t think you could pull a basic meal off not to talk of something as sumptuous as this” I caught her give a slight smiley while still digging down her plate with her perfect etiquette. Yet, not a word from her, as if to say if I don’t say everything now, I may miss my chance of ever doing so. Such a lady!
“So it got me thinking, what else is about you? Would you like to indulge me while we are here” I went on.
“Adrienne”, she responded, that was the first time I ever heard my name out of her mouth. Probably the first time she ever said it. Hope it’s not the last.
“What do you want to know then?” She asked. “I have quite an interesting life that I like to think it’s not that easy to catch up with” she said rather coldly.
“Lena, I know you may wanna keep holding back for a longer while, which I understand of course. But I promise you, I don’t bite. I am not here to hurt you. I find you to be quite an interesting woman like you said earlier and even for the sake of your time here, I would appreciate as little as your friendship with me.” I let my emotions take over.
What did she do to make so vulnerable? Okay. Let’s take it down a bit. I probably have scared her away. I sounded desperate. Like a predator. A desperate predator. She will never speak to me again.
“Okay, thank you for saying all that. I appreciate your offer for friendship. But you still haven’t said where you want me to start from. I wonder how conversations would go in this friendship, or don’t you reply your friends when they ask you WHAT PART OF THEIR LIFE YOU WANNA KNOW FIRST?” She replied with emphasis.
Such a mysterious woman, it’s gonna be a long ride with this one. Now I feel like Susanne sent her. But she’s either about to happy for me or be jealous. Well, I have a new ‘friend’ now.
“What is your favorite memory of your childhood home?” I spat out cos now I don’t even know where to start but this should engage her while I keep the questions coming.
Interestingly, she indulged me. I see she is up for some dialogue over breakfast. The one I am almost finishing but haven’t even started with the questions yet.
“Do you want more? There some left I could get you.” I was just seconds into hesitating Lena’s offer when she said “oh please, I still have some on my plate, the conversation is just getting started and You obviously enjoyed the meal” she rolled her eyes.
The child in me jumped in excitement but a held a straight face while she left to get me more. What’s this woman doing to me?
- Writer
