"Ally, my father said… a woman like me doesn't need to cook well. I only need to study and care for myself to become a smart, beautiful, and respected woman. Later, a handsome nobleman from the capital will appear and propose to me." She explained in a passionate voice.
Allynna is tongue-tied to hear that. She couldn't believe how shallow her words were.
"My beautiful friend, you must return to land; wake up! Gosh... You watch too many dramas to make your imagination run wild." She shook her head and then turned her gaze, focusing on grilling.
"I do not imagine, alright. That is the fact of life on this island!" Lizzy rose, "Ally, I'm sorry I can't help you cook. I have to watch my favorite drama. It's airing now—" She moved to the living room area and watched TV.
Allynna didn't answer. She's found it useless to talk with Lizzy. The way she thought was different from hers. Sometimes, she wonders why she can be good friends with Lizzy when they are complete opposites, like ice and fire!?
After some time, Allynna was curious to ask Lizzy. She glances at her, who is immersed in looking at the TV screen.
"Liz, are you sure your father said that? Didn't you say that yourself?"
"WHAT?" Lizzy glances at Allynna with her confused expression.
"My goodness... Lizzy, since when do you have short memories?" Allynna rolls her eyes.
"Hahaha, I tease you, young lady. Yeah, I made it myself." Lizzy laughed again. "Are you satisfied with my answer?" She was too lazy to do house chores. Fear of her hands getting rough because her biggest dream is to become an artist, a top movie star in this Empire.
Allynna "..."
"Wow! This is the latest trending drama. Have you watched it, Allynna?"
"You know me so well, Liz," Said Allyna sarcastically. "I have no interest in such a luxury. I'd rather spend my free time practicing math or other science topics." Ally continued with comically blatant bragging to tease her friend.
Lizzy "..."
Indeed, she asked the question to the wrong person. Her best friend is an odd person. Ally only likes studying and doesn't like playing around like her. She prefers to stay at home helping her mother or accompanying her father hiking or fishing. Anyone who knows Ally will understand that her lifestyle is similar to that of her parents.
"Liz, can you help me prepare the cutlery?"
"Sure, dear..." Lizzy immediately stood up and prepared cutlery for the two of them.
Before long, the food Ally cooked was ready. It smells so good.
After one bite, Lizzy was shocked. "A-Ally, are you seriously the one who seasoned this meat?"
Lizzy was shocked when the meat entered her mouth and melted with a fantastic taste. The seasoning is so balanced, so perfect. "You didn't buy it at the steakhouse in front of my mother's hotel, did you?" she added.
Allynna was speechless.
She ignores Lizzy and starts to eat too. When the piece of meat touched her tongue, the salty and savory taste of the meat immediately merged in her mouth. It melted without having to chew for too long, making her shocked. She couldn't believe her first dish could be as delicious as her mother's.
"Liz, I think today I found out I might be a talented chef—" Allynna said. She smiled proudly, knowing her cooking was indeed heavenly delicious.
Now, she is excited to cook another dish. Tomorrow, she decided to cook chicken. All the recipes that her mother taught her are still neatly stored in her mind. She can easily remember all the steps.
Then, the idea of making dessert also appeared in her mind. She will make her favorite cake, which her mother often makes.
'Mom, now I found a new interest, a new hobby, cooking...' She talks in her heart to her mom.
"My dear Ally, from now on, I will come to your house to eat dinner. Promise me, every night, you must cook two servings..." Allynna could only smile at her. Lizzy adds, "Well, Ally, just for your ears, your steak is more delicious than my mom cooked."
Allynna couldn't help but chuckle when she heard Lizzy talk badly about her mother. "Liz, you are an ungrateful daughter. Your mom already does her best. Why are you still gossiping about her bad cooking skills?"
"Gosh, Ally... You must keep this secret, alright? Or my mom will kick me out of my house." She said while eating her last steak. "Friend, try my mom's cake… you will know how bad she is at cooking." She smirked at Allynna with pity.
"I like Auntie's cooking; it's pretty good... but sometimes some dishes have too much seasoning. Sometimes they taste too salty or sweet," Allynna stopped her words, feeling sorry because she had also joined Lizzy in saying negative things about Aunt Angelina.
"So, we're on the same boat then," Lizzy laughed before she continued, "My father and I never complained to her anymore. We just quietly ate because, back then, my mom got mad when we told her that the dishes were often too salty or too sweet. She retaliated by going on a cooking strike for a week." She suddenly felt her throat go dry, gossiping about her mother.
Lizzy sipped water before continuing, "Her strike made us miserable. During that time, we could only buy food from outside. Now that we've learned from that incident, we accept the fact that my mother isn't good at cooking. She's just good at managing hotels..." She laughed.
"Liz, I'm starting to suspect that this cake is yours. You brought it for me just as an excuse, right?" Allynna narrowed her eyes at Lizzy, suspicious of her.
"No, it's true that my mother asked me to take it for you. If you don't believe me, you can ask her tomorrow."
"Alright, I believe you. And we're done here. Stay put, Okay, Liz? You must help me wash the dirty dishes and clean my kitchen." Allynna said.
Lizzy forcefully smiled as if Ally could read her mind. Then, she nodded, and the two of them immediately tidied the dining table and cleaned the kitchen.
Cleaning the kitchen felt quick as they did it together while cheerfully chatting. Then she suddenly remembered Lizzy's promise to help her clean the house.
"Liz, when are you going to start cleaning my house? Do you still want me to talk to your father?" Allynna asked when she saw Lizzy immersed in watching a drama on TV after doing the dishes.
"This weekend. What do you want me to clean?"
"Help me tidy up my parents' stuff. I plan to donate some of it that I no longer need to people who could use it..." Allynna explained.
"Alright, I will help you. It's an easy task!" Lizzy said.
"Yeah, it's easy because we'll do it together. And, besides... You'll still have energy once it's done." A playful smile appeared on Ally's calm face before she continued, "That's why after we finish, you need to get ready the day after. My backyard has tall grass. I need your energy to clear it. And this time, you'll do it on your own." Allynna said seriously, even though she was holding back her laughter inside.
Instantly, Lizzy felt like she wanted to run away. How could she take care of her backyard!?