ORION
Hearing the ding-dong sound, I can tell that Hannah is at the door. My face brightened up with a smile.
I drop the spoon I am holding and make for the door but Ariana stops me.
"I will get the door," she says, dropping the knife in her hand. "You should go on with the cooking"
I smile. "Thanks, Ari. You're the best"
She smiles, heading for the door. "Should I bring her to the kitchen?"
I nod slightly. "Please do. She will love that. I already told her I will be cooking for her"
"She must be happy," She says and I nod.
"She was when I told her"
"I will be right back"
I pick up the spoon to turn the pasta before pouring it into a sieve. I quickly place the pot back on the gas cooker and pour some oil into it. I pour into the pot some chopped carrots, green and red capsicum, broccoli, and salt. I turn with a spoon slightly. I will be cooking it for a few minutes. I can hear their footsteps getting closer; I turn to welcome them.
"Hey, Orion," Hannah says with a smile. "That scents nice I must confess" she mutters, moving closer to me.
"I guess it is" I coo.
Ari moves closer to us, picking up the knife she had dropped a while ago.
"Would you like to help out?" she asks Hannah.
Hannah's eyes widen. "Can I?"
"Of course, you can. You can take the knife" Ari points the knife to Hannah. I turn to check on what I am cooling. "I can take a rest now that you are here" I hear Ari say and I nod.
She needs all the rest she can get. She's been busy with work all through the week and I know how tired she will be.
"You must be tired from work stress," Hannah says.
"I am. I need all the rest I can get because when Monday comes, work continues. But I won't be missing these foods for anything. Orion, make sure to call me when the food is ready"
"Sure, I will" I answer.
"You can have this" Ari hands over her apron to Hannah.
"Bye, Ariana" Hannah mutters as she joins me in cooking.
I wave at Ariana as she walks to the door and she waves back to me.
"I have not seen your girlfriend," Hannah says after Ariana left.
"You mean Elora"
She nods. "Is she not at home?"
"Of course, she is but it seems she has a lot on her sleeves and she won't be coming downstairs"
"I wish I could meet her actually" Hannah mumbled.
She would not wish that if she knew who Elora was.
"So sad you won't be meeting her anytime soon. But don't worry, you will have all the fun you want" I comfort her.
"I can believe you on that because I am already having fun cooking with you"
I nod but say nothing afterward. "Pass me the plate of chopped onions," I say after a while.
She hands over the plate to me. "Here you go"
"Thanks" I mutter.
Silence returns as we both work hard to get the food ready.
"Do you want to taste?" I ask, trying to be chatty.
Silence has lingered for a long time and I am beginning to feel the awareness between us. I can also tell that she is getting bored but has decided to say nothing about it. So many times, she tapped her fingers on the table, looking into the space
"Sure" she answers.
I pick up a smaller spoon and fetch a little from the pot. "You can have this"
"Thanks. It's delicious" she says.
"You don't have to flatter me"
"I am serious about it. It tastes nice"
I smile. Thank goodness I had learned how to cook in the Demon realm and I have also learned about human food and how to cook a few of them.
"Thanks" I mutter.
"You cook so well. Your wife or should I say girlfriend should be proud of you"
I roll my eyes. Hope she is not referring to Elora. Because she is not my girlfriend and she will never be.
"I guess she is" I mumble instead.
"Would you like to tell me about her? I mean your girlfriend"
I sigh. I don't think I want to talk about Elora. There is nothing to say about her.
"How about we talk about her when we are done eating?"
"I..."
"You must be hungry," I say and she sighs.
"I guess I am"
"Well, food is finally ready" I mutter and she breathes a sigh of relief.
"Finally"
"Thanks for helping me out in the kitchen," I say and she smiles.
"My pleasure"
"You can go to the living room now. I will set up the dining"
"I will help you out with that"
"You don't have to. You have done enough already"
"I insist"
I sigh, giving up on pursuing her further. "Since you insisted you can go with this. I will bring the rest"
"Sure" she whispers. "But are you sure you won't be needing more of my help?" she asks and I stare at her. "I don't think you will be able to set the table quickly if I do not help you out. And I am sure Ariana would be very hungry now"
"You are right" I acknowledge.
There is a lot to take to the dining and I can't take them all in one walk.
she smiles. "I will help you out. Don't try to stop me this time"
"I won't be doing that" I squeak. "You can go with these first. I will take these"
It took a while before the dining was set.
"You should sit. I will get Ariana"
"What about Elora? Won't she be joining us at the table"
"I told you she has a lot to do and won't be coming down"
"I almost forgot that. Will you be taking her food to her?"
"That won't be necessary" I hear and I turn to see Elora, smiling sheepishly at me.
I blink. Why is she here? Did we not agree that she stays away from the living room, the kitchen, and the dining room until Hannah leaves?
"Is that Elora?" Hannah whispers and I nod. "She's beautiful"
I brush my hair backward. "Elora, aren't you busy with work?"
She furrows her brows. "Was I supposed to be?"
I clench my fist. What is she trying to do?
"Elora, we both know that you are supposed to be busy," I say amidst gritted teeth.
She shrugs. "Maybe I was supposed to be busy but now I am not" She smirks and I frown.
Why do I have a feeling Elora has a plan?