(Adrian)
The clacking sound of pots slowed down my steps. I was surprised to find Aurora in the kitchen, out of all places.
My mind was at peace, but I had to trouble her for making me feel tensed.
I snuck behind her and pulled my arms around her waist. She jerked, turning around with her eyes closed and pointing a knife at me.
Then I trapped her, placing both hands at her sides. My hands moved up and stopped at her hips.
"I will give you anything you ask of me, but please, go away," she begged in a broken voice.
Who the heck does that?
I tried hard not to laugh, but I couldn't stop myself.
She was never not funny.
"Silly, it's me, again."
She opened her eyes slowly, holding her chest with her hand, rapid breathing.
"Kill me," she shouted when her breathing rate normalized.
I covered her mouth, but she struggled to take it off. "Shh! You're too loud."
"Sorry. Good morning."
"Morning, angel."
"Now, get your hands off me. Someone might see us."
I held her waist, pressing my body against hers. "Who cares? I want to devour your lips. They are tempting," I whispered, licking a spot behind her ears.
"Addy!"
I looked up at her with burning desire in my eyes, tucking the strands of her hair behind her ears. "Fuck. Say that name, again."
She bit her lips, unable to meet my gaze. She seemed hesitant. I doubted if she wasn't comfortable around me or she was shy.
I traced my fingers under her nightgown, running them up her thighs, then I stopped at her panties before sparing her a second glance.
Her fingers curled up like she wanted to stop me, but she didn't. She couldn't, because she wanted it. She wanted me.
"A-addy!!!" she moaned, at last.
No, Adrian stop!
Damn it. I was losing control.
"I'm sorry," I apologized.
Her eyes watered as I moved aside.
"Don't be a crybaby, blondie."
She forced a smile. "It's okay."
"So, how was your night? Why didn't you inform me before leaving the room? Do you know how scared I got?" I asked, changing the atmosphere.
"First, my night was fine. The second, I didn't want to disturb your sleep. Not like I was running away from home. Lastly, I didn't know you'll get scared. Besides, you did that to me for a couple of weeks."
"So, why are you in the kitchen?"
"I just got here because I want to cook everyone's favorite dish. I owe everyone a good treat and an apology. So, I gave the chef two days off," she explained.
"Sounds great! I want to help, too."
"No, I will do it all by myself."
"You're cooking everyone's favorite, but not yours. You didn't even think about yourself, but I did."
"I haven't seen you cooking before, so how do I trust you with this?" she asked, curious.
The first and last woman I ever cooked for was Kendall, but I couldn't tell blondie. I didn't want to stir up envy in the air.
I don't even feel great talking about Kendall with anyone.
"I stopped cooking years ago, but that doesn't mean I have forgotten how to cook. Just name any food, I'll show off my skills and prove that I'm better than you," I bragged, tying an apron.
She stared at me, amused, I guessed. "More like a cooking competition, now."
"Call it whatever. What do you feel like eating?"
"I can't think of anything, right now. Oh, yeah… potato slices and chicken sauce."
"Do you even know mine?"
"Of course. I got it from the George, but I'm using my own special recipe."
"I can't wait, angel."
"Me either," she said.
"Can we start, now?" I asked.
"Sure, but I have something on my mind and I don't know if it sits right with you," she said with a bothered look.
But she was happy a while ago.
Did I say something to her?
I fixed my gaze on her with full attention. "I'm all ears."
"Nevermind."
She knew I didn't like seeing her in this mood and she was doing this.
"Just say it. I don't mind, blondie," I urged her.
"Okay. Can Aurelia live with us and my sister, too?"
"Are you comfortable with it?" I asked.
She nodded. "Yeah."
"Then so be it."
"Thank you, baby," she squealed, hugging me.
Baby. The word echoed in my head.
I was grinning like a fool, now. "Anything for you," I said, pulling away from the hug.
"We should begin the cooking process. There's no much time left," she reminded me and we got to work.
It was fun cooking with blondie. The laughters we shared in-between, rubbing flour on our faces and a hell lot of fun stuffs.
We were both in a mess after we were done cooking. The table was set for breakfast, then we went our separate ways to take a shower.
I prayed in silence that our lives continued that way– blissful, peaceful and united.
I smiled in anticipation for our first breakfast together. Everyone was sitted at the table when I arrived, just as a normal family should.
"Good morning, Adrian," Aurelia greeted.
"Big bro, good morning," Annabel said after her.
"Morning, morning. It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" I asked.
"Indeed," they chorused, laughing.
My eyes averted to Anastatia. "Stacey, are you feeling better?" I asked, lowering voice.
She gave a small smile and nodded.
"What happened to my niece, sis?" Annabel asked.
"Uh, she–"
Aurora interrupted. "We'll talk about this later. Just eat."
"Okay," Annabel said, picking up her cutleries.
…
Aurora didn't stop talking about how delicious the sauce I made was. She was a good cook, too. Everyone attested to it.
She was about saying something to everyone when my phone rang, so she waited. I answered the call and placed it on my ear without checking the caller's ID.
"Hello?"
"Meet me at the hotel room," the voice that sounded like Kendall's ordered.
The call got disconnected.
All eyes were on me, now. "Sorry, I have to go," I said, putting down my fork.
"But you haven't even eaten half of it," Aurora pouted in a sad face.
"It's important. Please, you all should stay indoors and be around Anastatia all the time," I instructed before leaving the table.
It was better safe than sorry.
I grabbed my car keys, upstairs and left home.