Chef Lennox studied her for a long moment. Evelina could see the calculation behind his eyes, weighing the situation. He had a reputation for being difficult to please, but there was something about Evelina's unwavering confidence that caught his attention. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders relaxing just a touch.
"Very well," he said, his voice softening slightly. "What do you have in mind?"
Evelina smiled, a glint of victory flashing behind her eyes. One step closer, she thought. "Let's start with his usual breakfast. What does he typically eat?"
Chef Lennox nodded and gestured to the stove where several ingredients were neatly prepared. "Young Master typically has eggs, toast, and a light fruit salad. It's simple, but effective."
Evelina nodded thoughtfully, her mind racing as she absorbed the details. "I see," she said slowly. "How about we add some more protein and fiber? Something to keep him full longer, especially considering his busy mornings. A smoothie with nuts, maybe some leafy greens? I believe it would make a difference."
The chef eyed her skeptically. "Leafy greens? In a smoothie?"
Evelina smiled, her tone warm yet confident. "Yes. If done right, it won't be overpowering. Just enough to provide the nutrients he needs without compromising the taste."
"I've never heard of such a combination!" the chef exclaimed, his disbelief evident.
It's something my mom always made. Simple, efficient, and it'll help Mr. Leone, Evelina thought, nodding to herself.
"I'd like to prepare his breakfast," she added, her voice steady with determination.
Chef Lennox blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Evelina's sudden declaration. He crossed his arms, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. "You want to cook his breakfast?" he repeated, his tone laced with incredulity.
"Yes," Evelina replied firmly. Her posture remained poised, but there was a quiet intensity in her voice. "It's a small gesture, but I believe it's meaningful. After all, isn't that what family does? Care for one another?"
The chef's gaze lingered on her, assessing her resolve. It wasn't often he encountered someone so determined to challenge his authority in the kitchen, let alone someone so new to the household dynamics. 'I guess she isn't that bad but still I can not entrust the cooking to her.'
"Cooking for the young master is not a task to be taken lightly," he said finally. "His meals are prepared with precision, and his preferences are non-negotiable."
"I understand," Evelina responded, her tone unwavering. "But I'm not asking to take over permanently. Just this once. Consider it… my way of contributing to his recovery."
Chef Lennox's lips pressed into a thin line as he mulled over her request. Finally, he let out a long sigh and stepped aside, gesturing toward the pristine kitchen counters. "Very well," he said begrudgingly. "But I'll be watching closely. If anything goes wrong, it's on you."
Evelina nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "That's fair," she said, rolling up her sleeves.
Clarissa watched from the sidelines, her eyes wide with a mix of admiration and disbelief. She hadn't expected Evelina to be so bold, nor to see Chef Lennox actually step aside.
Evelina surveyed the ingredients laid out before her, her mind already mapping out the steps. "Do you have some spinach and almonds?" she asked, glancing at the chef.
Chef Lennox raised an eyebrow but wordlessly retrieved the items from the refrigerator and pantry. Evelina took them with a polite nod and began her work.
She blended the leafy greens, almonds, and a touch of honey with some almond milk, creating a vibrant green smoothie. While the blender hummed softly, she cracked eggs into a pan, whisking them with a dash of salt and pepper. She added some finely chopped vegetables, creating a hearty and colorful omelet.
As she plated the dish and poured the smoothie into a glass, Evelina felt a sense of satisfaction. The aroma of the freshly cooked meal filled the kitchen, even catching Chef Lennox's attention.
She turned to him with a calm smile. "Breakfast is ready. I'll take it to him myself."
Chef Lennox folded his arms, his expression neutral but his tone begrudgingly respectful. "It smells… adequate. May I have a taste?"
Evelina handed the plate and glass to Chef Lennox without hesitation. "Be my guest," she said, confidence shining in her voice.
The chef took a forkful of the omelet, his movements precise and deliberate. He tasted it, chewing thoughtfully as Evelina watched him with an expectant gaze. Then, he sipped the smoothie, his expression carefully neutral.
For a moment, silence filled the room, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Clarissa looked between the two, her hands wringing nervously.
Finally, Chef Lennox spoke. "The omelet is balanced," he said slowly, his tone grudgingly approving. "The vegetables add texture, and the seasoning is… appropriate." He set the fork down and eyed the smoothie again. "As for this," he continued, lifting the glass, "I'm not used to serving leafy greens in liquid form. But it's... not unpleasant. The almonds and honey mask the bitterness well."
Evelina's smile didn't waver. "Does it meet your standards, Chef Lennox?"
He set the glass down and looked at her with a small nod. "It's passable," he admitted. "More than passable, actually. But I'll warn you—Young Master Leone can be particular about his meals. If he doesn't like it, don't expect me to defend you."
Evelina inclined her head gracefully. "Thank you for the feedback, Chef Lennox. I'll take my chances."
She carefully arranged the plate and glass on a tray, adding a small napkin and silverware. As she picked it up, Clarissa stepped forward, her voice hesitant. "Would you like me to accompany you, Evelina?"
Evelina shook her head, her tone firm but kind. "No, Clarissa. I'll handle this myself."
With that, she left the kitchen, the tray steady in her hands, her resolve even steadier. She walked through the halls, her mind racing. This is just the first step, she thought. If I can show even a small gesture of care, maybe I can begin to bridge the gap between us.
As she reached Leone's door, she paused for a moment, steadying her nerves. Then, with a deep breath, she knocked lightly.
"Come in."
Evelina stepped into the room, carrying the tray with the breakfast she had prepared. The moment she entered, she heard Leone's deep voice, calm yet authoritative, as he spoke into the phone.
"Make sure the revised contracts are sent over by noon, Edoardo," Leone said, his gaze fixed on the screen of his laptop. He was seated on the bed, his back against a pile of pillows, his legs stretched out with the laptop resting on his thighs. A single earpod was nestled in his ear, and his hands flew over the keyboard as he typed effortlessly.
Evelina frowned, her brow furrowing as she watched him. Isn't he supposed to be resting? she thought, frustration bubbling within her. He just can't take a break, can he?
Leone seemed to sense her presence because he glanced up briefly showing a shocked expression before returning his focus to his screen. "Edoardo, I'll call you back," he said, ending the call with a quick tap on his earpod.
He leaned back slightly, giving her a curious look. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone cold and distant. His sharp eyes shifted to the tray in her hands. "What's this?"
'Stay calm, Evelina.'
Evelina walked over and set the tray on the bedside table with a deliberate motion. "Breakfast," she said simply, her voice calm but firm. "I made it for you."
Leone raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching slightly in what might have been the start of a smirk. "You cooked?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
She folded her arms, fixing him with a steady gaze. "Yes, I did. Is that so surprising?"
"A little," he admitted, shutting his laptop and placing it to the side. "I wasn't aware you knew your way around a kitchen."
Evelina tilted her chin up slightly, refusing to let his remark ruffle her. "There's a lot you don't know about me," she replied.
Leone's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned his attention to the tray. The sight of the omelet, toast, and the vibrant green smoothie made him pause. His expression didn't give much away, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
"What's this?" he asked, picking up the glass of smoothie and inspecting it like it might bite him.
"A smoothie," Evelina said, her tone crisp. "Spinach, almonds, honey, and almond milk. It's healthy and will give you the energy you need."
Leone stared at her for a long moment before leaning back against the pillows again. "You know," he began, his tone light but teasing, "most wives would just let the chef handle this sort of thing. Are you trying to impress me?"
Evelina narrowed her eyes at him, her posture stiffening slightly. "I'm not trying to impress you," she said evenly. "I just thought it would be nice to do something for you. You're supposed to be resting, after all, not working yourself into an early grave."
Leone's lips curved into a faint, amused smile. "I see," he murmured, taking a cautious sip of the smoothie. His expression shifted subtly as the flavors hit his tongue, though he didn't comment on it.
Evelina watched him closely. "And?" she prompted, raising an eyebrow.
'It's… interesting,' he thought after a moment, setting the glass back down.