Xi Long chuckled as he saw her ready to eat. She had snuck up behind him and sat at the table without him noticing. Sitting down at the table he picked up his utensils to eat but slowly moved his hands. He wanted to watch her take her first bite and was slightly nervous if she would like it or not. He had took some classes when he was younger and had been cooking for himself for the past 20 years so he had faith in his dish but you never knew people's preferences.
Digging into the dish, Ying Yue was excited to taste it. She mixed the omelette into the rice and veggies creating a mixed fried rice. She sliced up the chicken cutlet into strips so she could pick it up easier with her chopsticks. Picking up a strip and dipping into the hot sauce on the side she placed in her mouth. As soon as the food met her tongue she was instantly brimming with happiness. The food was beyond her expectations, she loved the seasoning of the chicken and the hot sauce gave her the small spice kick she was craving. Her taste buds were on fire enjoying the food. How did he create this amazing dish so quickly? Whether he guessed it or not, this dish matched her taste very well. She loved spicy food, chicken and rice.
"So how does it taste? Do you like it?"
"Mhmm its delicious." She didn't want to compliment him but that was her being stubborn. He had took her out, bought the ingredients, and cooked just for her. She was touched by his actions and her heart was warming up to him. As she continued to eat, she saw him smile and finally start his food. She started focusing all her attention and started devouring the meal. There was no conversation, only sounds of chopsticks and a spoon hitting a plate. It was harmonious and a warm environment to anyone looking in.
Once they finished the meal, she picked up the dishes and rushed to the sink before he could do anything. If he would cook the meal, she would clean up afterwords, that was only fair. Washing the dishes and all the pans and utensils she placed them on the rack to dry. To finish up she wiped down the counters and stove. During all of this, Xi Long had sat down at the counter watching her move around. It was peaceful and comfortable watching her like that. They were going to watch a movie next but he didn't know how she wanted to watch it. On the computer or on the tv?
"So what movie are we watching? Romantic? Crime? Sci-fi? Horror?"
"Horror! Definitely horror, its my favourite genre."
"Mhm, do you have netflix?" Xi Long was slightly shocked at her choice but it seemed to fit her well.
"Yes. Turn the tv on and its linked to it." Following her instructions she went towards the tv and grabbed the remote. Sitting at the couch, he flipped through the titles available for them to watch. Many gruesome titles were listed from demonic to reality based murders, he had narrowed down the choices to a few that she could make the final pick from.
"Come choose." Hearing his call, she plopped down next to him at the other side of the couch. Seeing the distance, Xi Long moved over closer to her and placed his arm behind her on the sofa.
"....what are you doing?"
"What am I doing?"
"Move your hand from here."
"I'm not even touching you, its fine. Unless you want me to wrap my arm around you instead versus the sofa."
"Who would want that! You better keep your hand there or I'm cutting it off." Glaring at him for extra measure she turned her attention back to the tv to choose the movie. After some debate she finally settled on a western movie called - "The Conjuring." She had heard good reviews about the movie but didn't have the time to sit down and watch it. The movie was a new horror movie that was released in America a couple years back and had quickly been labeled as a true scare. She had a small habit where she would watch these movies and call out all the weak plot points that happened. I mean, if the killer is coming for you why would you run upstairs?? For what reason would that ever make sense?? In those moments, she would immediately rip into the character. Turning on the movie she moved to get comfortable and realized that he had shifted even closer to her. Sighing, she gave up on rebutting him and just gave her attention to the movie.
It took 10 minutes before she started seeing what the other reviewers were talking about. They had good suspenseful music and solid jump scares but the longer she watched the more she couldn't hold back.
"Why would you do that?"
"So DUMB, why."
"Yes, yes please go and get yourself killed. What even was your use?"
"If I was in her position, I would have never done that."
"I still never understand how in these Western movies people can tell that there is something with someone or the house but do nothing about it??? I would've left so quick."
Turning to him in frustration she said "come on you agree with me? What would you do?"
"Mhm yes I agree with you."
"Right?! Ghosts can be so scary and you never know where they are. Do you believe in spirits/ghosts?"
"Yes, I mean why not. If there is an after life then they definitely exist." All of a sudden he saw her face drop into a serious expression on her face as she looked past him in horror.
"Kitten what's wrong?"
"You believe in ghosts right?"
"Yes, I just said I did."
"Will you believe me if I said there's one behind you right now."
"What."
"Xi Long...there's something...behind you."