Soon, Aiden and the chef returned with fresh ingredients for the taco dinner Emily had ordered. The kitchen buzzed with activity as the chef prepared the meal, filling the air with the rich aroma of seasoned beef, fresh cilantro, and the tangy scent of lime. Plates were adorned with vibrant tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and finely chopped onions, but it was the jalapeños that caught Emily's eye. The sauce glistened, a deep red, hinting at the fiery heat it promised. She took a deep breath, picked up a taco, and took a bite. The flavours exploded in her mouth, but the heat from the fresh jalapeños was immediate and intense. It felt like her tongue was set ablaze.
As she chewed, a sharp burn spread through her mouth, down her throat, and into her stomach. Almost instantly, beads of sweat began to form on her forehead and nose. Her face turned a shade paler, and she subconsciously reached for her glass of water, gulping it down, but it did little to quench the fire.
