As Alex shared his idea, Calum's jaw dropped. "Wait, hold on a second." He squinted at Alex, trying to gauge if he was serious. "Do you even know how to cook? Or are you just… you know, throwing ideas around?"
Alex chuckled, scratching the back of his head, feigning a bit of uncertainty. "Maybe a little of both," he admitted with a smirk. "But come on, how hard could it be?"
Calum folded his arms, raising an eyebrow. "Pretty hard, obviously!"
Alex tried to contain his laughter when Calum added, "Cooking takes skills, not just good intentions. You must know how to balance flavors, handle ingredients, and keep everything from becoming a disaster!"
Alex's grin widened. "Oh, I'm aware. But here's the thing. I think I've got this under control."
Calum shook his head, still skeptical. "I don't know, man. I'd be excited if you pulled it off, but cooking isn't exactly something you just pick up overnight."
Alex shrugged, his confidence unfazed. "Guess there's only one way to find out. How about I cook something up for lunch?"
Calum let out a long sigh, still uncertain, but he nodded slowly. "Alright, I'll admit, I don't have any better ideas," he said, scratching his head. "If you can pull this off… it'd be easier to sell food than anything else we brainstormed. People gotta eat, right?"
He paused, thinking about the workload. "I mean, sure, it'll probably get out of hand at some point, but that's a problem for future us," he added with a small grin. "Besides, if this works, we could use it to build capital. Who knows? Maybe we can branch out or venture into other businesses later."
Alex nodded, his excitement growing. The idea of creating something with his own hands and seeing people enjoy it felt surprisingly rewarding.
"Then it's settled. Let's go grab the ingredients and get cooking," Alex said, already heading for the door.
Calum grabbed his bag, shaking his head with a faint smile. "You're really serious about this, huh? Alright, lead the way, Chef Alex. But if we mess this up, you're ordering takeout."
Alex laughed, feeling a fresh surge of determination. "Deal. Just wait—you're in for a treat."
As they headed out together, Alex felt a sense of purpose that had been missing for so long. This wasn't just about a mission or the system; it was the start of something that could change his life.
***
Alex and Calum stood in front of Nicole's apartment, grocery bags in hand. They exchanged a glance, both a little uncertain about this spontaneous plan. Alex had quickly thought of Nicole when they'd realized that cooking in their dorm wasn't an option.
He remembered that she lived alone in an apartment her parents had bought for her, one she'd taken over while figuring out her path in life. Thankfully, she'd responded to his text with surprising enthusiasm.
Nicole opened the door, her laughter ringing out before greeting them. "You two really showed up with a bunch of groceries, huh?" she said, her voice filled with amusement. "When I got your text, I thought you were joking!"
Alex grinned, a little embarrassed. "Hey, desperate times. Our dorm kitchen is just… let's say it doesn't qualify as a kitchen."
Calum shrugged, holding up his bags. "We're serious about this, Nicole. You're looking at the future culinary duo of Brimstone," he joked, earning a chuckle from Nicole.
"Well, I can't say I expected you guys to be starting a business like this," she said, stepping aside to let them in. "But I'm all for it. And you're lucky—this kitchen doesn't get enough use."
She led them inside, and Alex took in the cozy apartment. Nicole had a knack for decorating; everything felt warm, welcoming, and thoughtfully assembled. The kitchen, however, was the real gem. It was spacious, with a sleek countertop and all the needed equipment.
"Whoa! This is more than a complete kitchen," said Calum in amazement.
Nicole watched as Alex surveyed the kitchen, his eyes lighting up. "You look like a kid in a candy store," she teased.
Alex laughed. "This is perfect, Nicole. Seriously, thank you."
Nicole waved it off. "Just make sure I get a taste of whatever you guys cook up."
Calum set down the bags on the counter, glancing around at the neatly arranged spices and utensils. "Alright, Chef Alex, what's on the menu?"
Alex took a deep breath, feeling a new kind of confidence settle over him. "Something simple but good," he said, reviewing the ingredients they bought. "We're going to start with a few crowd-pleasers. Let's try making some flavorful sandwiches, maybe a pasta dish, and… how about dessert?"
Nicole's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Going all out, huh? You're really serious about this."
Alex met her gaze, his expression determined. "I am. This isn't just a hobby—it's a first step."
She smiled, sensing the sincerity in his voice. "Then let's get cooking. I'll be your first taste-tester."
Alex carefully laid out the ingredients for the sandwich on the counter, his movements quick and precise. He glanced over at Calum and Nicole, who were curiously watching him and flashed a grin. "Alright, we're going for a kebab-inspired sandwich. Think juicy, savory, with a bit of a kick."
He picked up a large chef's knife and, in a few swift motions, began slicing the vegetables—tomatoes, red onions, and crisp cucumbers—into thin, even slices. His hands moved with fluid grace, leaving Calum and Nicole speechless.
Calum leaned in closer, eyes wide. "Dude, I didn't know you could handle a knife like that."
Nicole nodded, clearly impressed. "Where did you learn all this, Alex?"
Alex shrugged, smiling. "Just picked up a few things here and there," he said modestly, though even he was surprised by how naturally the movements came to him. It was as if the skill had been ingrained in him, each slice and chop feeling effortless.
Alex laid the chicken on the cutting board, working quickly but precisely. He reached for a mix of spices, starting with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and coriander. He poured olive oil over the chicken strips, massaging the oil and spices into the meat to create a quick marinade.
But he wasn't done yet. To help the flavors penetrate deeper, Alex added a splash of lemon juice and a dash of yogurt, which would tenderize the chicken and enhance the spices, creating a rich, tangy undertone. He swiftly and firmly worked the marinade into the chicken, ensuring each piece was coated evenly.
"Won't it take time for the flavors to set in?" Calum asked, watching Alex's swift process with curiosity.
"Not with the right ingredients and... skills," Alex replied, smiling. "The yogurt and lemon juice speed things up—trust me."
He let the chicken rest for a few minutes, just enough to lock in the flavors, before heating the pan with a drizzle of olive oil. Once the pan was hot, he added the chicken strips, which immediately sizzled as they hit the surface, filling the kitchen with an intoxicating aroma of smoky spices.
As the chicken cooked, he tossed the strips in the pan, caramelizing the edges for a golden, crispy finish while keeping the inside juicy and flavorful.
Calum leaned over, inhaling deeply. "Wow, that smells incredible." Nicole who was watching too, nodded in agreement repeatedly.
"Wait until you taste it," Alex replied, his eyes twinkling with excitement.
He pulled out fresh pita bread, warming it on another pan for a soft, slightly toasted finish. As the pita was ready, he began layering the ingredients—first, a spread of garlic yogurt sauce for a tangy base, followed by a bed of crisp lettuce, then the juicy chicken strips, and finally, the thinly sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions for a burst of freshness.
Alex folded the pita carefully, pressing it down enough to hold everything together without squishing the fillings.
Nicole watched, thoroughly impressed. "Alex, that looks… amazing."
Alex handed her the first sandwich with pride on his face. "Go on, taste it."
Nicole took a bite, her eyes widening as the flavors hit her. The chicken was tender and perfectly spiced, and the yogurt sauce was creamy and tangy, complementing the fresh vegetables. The whole sandwich had the rich, savory flavor of a classic kebab, balanced by the fresh crunch of the veggies.
Calum watched her reaction, unable to wait any longer. "Alright, give me one too!" he said, grabbing a sandwich and taking a huge bite.
He chewed, nodding in approval. "… this is better than any kebab I've had in my life."
Nicole looked at Alex, clearly impressed. "If you can make sandwiches like this, Alex, you'll have people lining up."
Alex smiled, a spark of confidence lighting in his eyes. "Then let's make sure this works perfectly."