Selena barely spared a glance for Mara and the others; her gaze stayed fixed on Tara. "Get in the car," she said. "Jasmine wants me to take you to see a project."
Tara could hardly believe it. She was just an anonymous intern, and Mara and the others were much more senior. It seemed unlikely that Jasmine would select her to review any projects. But she answered, "Sure thing, Manager Selena."
Once they both climbed into the car, Selena rolled down the window, looking back at the group still standing there. "No need to wait. Tara's not riding the subway tonight. If you don't hurry, you'll miss out on a ride with Will," she called.
Mara and her coworkers had worked at the company for years but still didn't have their own cars, relying on rides from their more generous colleague Will each evening.
Selena's words struck right at their pride, but since she was their manager, they could only grit their teeth in silence.
In the passenger seat, Tara sat quietly, all too aware of Mara's implications but unwilling to waste her breath responding. Her goal was simple: finish the internship and get her certification. So long as nothing interfered with that, she could let others say what they wanted. Still, hearing Selena defend her gave Tara a small, unexpected thrill. Having someone on her side felt good.
As they drove, Selena cast a sidelong glance at Tara. "Didn't you catch what Mara and the others were hinting at?"
"I did," Tara replied.
"So why not stand up to them?"
"No need. It's just talk," Tara said calmly. "If I act like I don't understand, it actually bothers them more."
Selena laughed. "You're too good for them."
Lowering her gaze, Tara allowed herself a faint smile. Growing up, relatives always praised her as well-behaved, but in truth, she wasn't—she simply lacked the courage to show her true self.
Selena parked in front of a mall, proving Tara's suspicion correct: taking her here was just an excuse to get away from the others.
Tara got out first, and as Selena changed shoes inside the car, she hesitated, concerned about Selena twisting her ankle on the high curb in those heels. She extended her hand. "Here," she said softly.
One hand in her pocket, she appeared nonchalant but was, in fact, tense. What if Selena rejected her? What if Selena thought her offer was silly? In the brief pause that followed, Tara's heart pounded faster and faster, like it was about to leap out of her chest.
Fortunately, Selena didn't reject her; with a smile, she placed her smooth, warm hand lightly in Tara's. Tara barely dared to hold it.
Once out of the car, Selena withdrew her hand, and Tara followed quietly alongside.
At the grocery section, Selena picked up a pack of beef. "Do you know how to cook?"
"No," Tara answered honestly.
Tara was eyeing the beef when a soft laugh sounded by her ear. She looked up to find Selena smiling with a knowing glint in her eyes. "You look like someone who'd know their way around the kitchen," Selena remarked, a hint of playfulness in her tone. "I assumed you did."
Noticing Selena's gaze linger on her hands, Tara reflexively curled her fingers. "If you want me to try cooking, I can give it a shot," she offered.
She called her "boss" again, showing no particular reaction to the hint in Selena's words, as if it was just a casual joke.
Selena's smile softened as she placed the beef in the cart. "No need. Tonight, you'll get to taste my cooking."
They continued shopping, adding a few small chilies, vegetables, and various spices. "All set?" Tara asked.
Selena shook her head, her heels clicking as she walked into the kitchenware aisle. She picked up a steamer, a small ceramic pot for soups, and a selection of minimalist dishes, all in a clean, modern style that reflected her personality.
Tara mentally calculated the cost of everything in the cart. It would take a significant chunk of her intern's salary, but if it made Selena happy, she decided it was worth it.
Tara had considered getting herself some snacks but changed her mind after they finished in the kitchenware aisle. She asked again, "Ready to go?"
With all the ingredients and tools bought, she assumed they were done. To her knowledge, Selena avoided snacks to maintain her figure.
But Selena shook her head again, leading Tara to the snack aisle.
This time, she wasn't as decisive, and they strolled slowly, with Selena occasionally tossing a few bags into the cart. When they reached checkout, Tara noticed with surprise that all the snacks were her own favorites. She felt a mix of surprise and a small thrill of happiness.
"That'll be $358," the cashier said with a polite smile. Tara winced at the total; they'd spent nearly half of her monthly stipend in one trip. But seeing Selena's bright eyes and happy smile made it worth it; a small price to pay for a happy boss.
Just as she pulled out her phone to pay, Selena beat her to it, swiftly handling the bill. She grabbed the bags of ingredients, giving Tara a knowing look as if preempting her protest. "Don't worry about it. Next time, it's on you."
Tara watched as Selena's long legs, elegantly shaped by her black heels, strode ahead, her skirt swaying like flower petals with each step. Smiling to herself, she grabbed the lighter bag of snacks and quickly caught up.
She carried the snacks, which were light, while Selena carried the heavier bags of groceries. Tara shifted the load, taking the heavier bag from Selena and handing her the lighter one. Just as they reached home, the kitchenware they'd ordered arrived as well.
Selena hung her suit jacket on a hook, revealing a sleek black camisole with delicate straps over her shoulders that made her skin look creamy white. She turned to Tara and asked, "Do we have an apron?"
Tara handed her a childish, Hello Kitty apron from the cabinet. "This is all we've got."
Surprisingly, Selena didn't seem bothered by its childish design. She merely raised an eyebrow before reaching out to take it. As their hands met, Selena's fingers playfully brushed against Tara's palm.
Tara's fingers reflexively tightened around Selena's.
Selena looked up, her gaze teasing. "What's wrong?"
Tara quickly let go. "Nothing." She hurriedly took out the groceries, saying, "Let me help you with this."
"Not yet. I need a favor first." Selena took a step closer, gently setting the beef aside and leaning in toward Tara, her voice a warm, enticing murmur. "I can't reach the apron tie at the back. Could you do it for me?"
Her warm breath brushed against Tara's cheek, making her throat dry up. She stepped back, grabbed a glass of water, and took a few gulps before managing to say, "Sure. Turn around."
Selena turned, her fitted dress accentuating her slender waist with a slight gap between it and the apron. As Tara looped the ties around and tightened them, that gap slowly closed until the apron fit snugly. Leaning in, Tara carefully tied a double knot.
While Selena cooked, Tara worked as her sous-chef, washing and chopping vegetables. They worked smoothly together, and in no time, Selena had whipped up three or four dishes.
Selena placed the dishes in warmers, added ribs and corn to the small ceramic pot, and said, "I'll let this simmer. You're off duty. Go relax."
Tara went to mop the floors, tidying the living room, bathroom, and her own room. Only Selena's room remained, but she hesitated, unsure if entering without permission would upset her. She lingered uncertainly by the door.
"Dinner's ready," Selena called warmly from the kitchen.
Turning, Tara saw Selena removing her apron, hanging it on a hook. The table was set with steaming hot dishes, each bursting with savory and spicy aromas—all her favorites. A sense of warmth and comfort settled over her, an unexpected feeling of home.
Growing up, Tara had never understood why her classmates who boarded at school looked forward to going home so eagerly. Home had always been a suffocating, stifling place for her. But watching Selena in the kitchen, she understood.
This felt like home—warm, joyful, harmonious. Who wouldn't want to come back to this?
Quickly, she took a seat and served Selena a bowl of soup before trying the spicy beef.
The flavor was intense and spicy, the meat sliced just right, tender and seasoned with a hint of wine. The familiar taste brought memories of her late grandmother, the only person in her childhood who had made her feel loved.
Her nose stung, and she blinked back tears.
Selena, sitting across from her, paused mid-sip and set her bowl down. "What's wrong? Does it not taste good?"
It shouldn't be—she'd looked up the most authentic recipe and checked it multiple times.
Tara quickly adjusted her expression. "No, it's delicious. Just ate too fast and it went down the wrong way."
Selena's worried look softened, and they finished their meal.
Afterward, they both reached for the dishes to start washing up.
Tara thought it would be absurd to let her boss cook and clean, so she gently grabbed Selena's wrist. She barely applied any pressure, but Selena flinched, hissing in pain.
Selena tried to pull back, but Tara held on, sliding her hand down to Selena's forearm to avoid hurting her. She gently pushed up the sleeve of Selena's oil-splattered cuff.
On Selena's otherwise pale wrist was a red, swollen burn mark with a few small blisters, clearly a fresh burn.