When he came downstairs, he saw that food was on the table and the smell was really good. He didn't eat breakfast so he thought the cook prepared it for Rory. But it was too early. She probably wouldn't wake up until ten, so why did they prepare it this early?
On the dining table were different kinds of foods people ate for breakfast: Bacon and scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes and honey, waffles and whipped cream, orange juice and milk. The spread was nice. So much for one person? It also smelled really good.
Then he saw Rory bringing out a bowl of what he recognized to be Tofu Scramble.
The table also had jugs of orange juice, milk, and coffee.
***
Her eyes closed naturally. She knew she was going to be hit for what she did. She was always beaten when she spoke out or got herself into matters that her stepmom always said didn't concern her.
However, after a few seconds passed, she noticed that the slap never landed.
She opened her eyes, still holding caution, who knew what kind of psychopath he was? She got married to him, didn't mean she trusted him. She trusted no one but herself.
She observed that Daniel just stared at her with furrowed brows. He didn't understand what was going on in her mind. Did she think he was going to hit her?
Rory chuckled nervously and said, "You know what, it's not necessary to eat breakfast. It's fine if you don't want to"
Daniel just walked past her, went to the dining table, and sat down.
Aurora was stunned. He changed his mind.
Minutes passed and she heard Daniel ask irritatedly, "Do you need an invitation?"
"Oh right. Sorry," She joined him and they both started eating.
They were eating in rather comfortable silence, like couples who had been living together for years and believed that talking would spoil the harmonious atmosphere.
Once Daniel took the first bite out of the tofu scramble, he was impressed that he couldn't stop himself from taking the second bite and the third. He was a workaholic and rarely ate, thus resulting in him having stomach problems, one that he didn't take care of and progressively got worse. He didn't even know the reason he even agreed to have breakfast with her. He just did.
"I don't hit women" Daniel finally broke the silence and Rory looked up from her meal. She was pleasantly surprised that he was assuring her. They just met but she already caught on that he wasn't someone who liked talking, let alone reassuring someone. It felt nice.
She was about to say something but her face fell when she heard the continuation that she didn't know was meant to be said.
"Even girls…"
"Then you got married to a girl and according to the law, marriage is between a man and a woman, not a man and a girl, so that makes you a pervert" She retorted. How dare he?
"Are you sure you are a girl?" Was his response when he stopped eating and stared in her direction. But she noticed he wasn't looking directly at her as he uttered his statement.
Rory followed his line of sight and saw he was looking at her chest. Her flat chest.
She covered her chest with her hand, jumped up in fright curled up her legs on the chair, and yelled, "You pervert!"
She threw bacon in his direction, but unfortunately, she missed and fell to the ground.
She saw Daniel staring at her with a mocking look in his eyes as if saying, "And you said you weren't a kid"
Daniel finished his plate and Rory asked excitedly, "How was it? Was it good? Do you want more?"
"Noisy" Hearing his reply, Rory pouted.
"Such a meanie!"
Daniel paused and said blandly, "Not bad"
"Really?" Her eyes lit up like she just received an amazing gift for Christmas. She had never been complimented before. It wasn't a compliment, per se but it was the closest thing to a compliment she had ever received from someone who wasn't her grandma and her Nana.
She noticed he didn't eat much. He only ate two slices of toast and drank the coffee.
Daniel stood up and was about to leave when he saw the chef walk in.
The chef was an older woman wearing a chef's outfit. Her brown eyes went wide with shock when she saw the feast on the table.
She saw Rory sitting down at the opposite end of the table, head buried in her food.
"If you don't know your job, it's better to let someone else do it for you" Daniel's voice was colder than ice. The chef just bowed her head and quickly apologized, "It's my fault, sir"
Rory felt bad for the woman. She was scolded because of her. She wanted to speak up but Daniel had already left.
"Ah! Such a grumpy man" She shook her head.
The chef was about to leave but Rory stopped her.
"Hi. I'm Rory. And I'm also sorry for what happened. It's my fault. I just thought I should cook dinner because I thought it was my duty and that landed you in trouble" She apologized sincerely.
"You don't need to apologize to me, young madam. I didn't know you would be an early riser. If I had, I would have gotten up earlier" The chef explained.
"Don't worry about that. Just make breakfast at the usual time you make breakfast for Daniel"
"But the young master doesn't eat breakfast…." She covered her mouth with her hand. She said something she wasn't supposed to say.
"What do you mean by that?" Rory grew curious. How could someone not eat breakfast?
"Nothing. I'll prepare breakfast by 7 am every morning. Is that okay ma'am" The chef bowed her head and ran away before Rory could reply.
"Weird"
***
Daniel remembered Rory's face when he raised his hand and voice and for some inexplicable reason his heart clenched.
What did she go through in the Devane house?
"Frank, find out everything on my wife."
Frank was in shock at his words. 'His wife?' Was the boss finally liking someone after her.