After taking a quick nap, Sloan was awakened by the grumbling of his stomach caused by the wonderful aroma wafting outside his room. He glanced at the sleeping Sicily beside him, deciding to let her rest a bit longer. He stepped out into the hallway, following the captivating scent that led him to the source of the enticing smell.
To his surprise, he discovered Charlie in the midst of preparing a delicious lunch. The sizzling sounds and mouthwatering aromas filled the air, making his stomach grumble even louder. He couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Charlie's culinary skills.
Engrossed in her cooking, Charlie didn't notice Sloan approaching. His eyes were fixed on the pot, his mouth watering with anticipation. He felt a sudden urge to get closer, to see what delicious creation Charlie was concocting.
As he walked closer, Sloan unintentionally startled Charlie. She turned abruptly, almost burning herself with the hot pot in the process. "Sloan! You scared me! I didn't realize you were there."
Sloan couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt mixed with amusement. "Sorry about that, Charlie. I couldn't resist the temptation of the amazing smell coming from this kitchen."
Charlie smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly. "No worries. I hope you're hungry because lunch is almost ready. It's one of our specialty dishes, Adobo, a local favorite."
Sloan's eyes lit up with excitement. "I can't wait to try it. You're quite the chef, Charlie. It smells incredible."
Charlie beamed with pride, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thank you, Sloan. Cooking has always been a passion of mine. I enjoy experimenting with flavors and creating memorable dishes for our guests while sharing a part of our culture."
Just then, the sound of little footsteps echoed through the hallway. George, the curious and lively young boy, rushed towards Charlie, calling her "Mommy Chawie" and tears streaming down his face.
Charlie knelt down, embracing George in a comforting hug. "Oh, what happened? Why are you crying?"
The boy sniffled, his voice filled with sadness. "I wanted to play outside, but it's raining, and I can't go out."
Sloan observed the interaction, feeling a pang of disappointment he couldn't quite explain. He noticed the genuine love and concern in Charlie's eyes as she comforted the little bout, and it triggered a thought—was that kid Charlie's little boy?
Unable to contain his curiosity, Sloan asked, "Is that your little boy, Charlie?"
Charlie, still focused on George, she forgot that Sloan was still there until she panned her gaze in the direction of his voice. She looked confused, her brows furrowing slightly. Upon realizing the questions, "Oh, no, Sloan. George is not my son. He's Amy's son, one of the guests staying at the resort."
Sloan's initial disappointment was replaced with relief, though he couldn't understand why he felt relieved in the first place. He shrugged off the strange sensation and focused on George, who had caught sight of Sloan and was now looking at him with wide, curious yet excited eyes.
"Hello, I am George. I made the juice this morning. Was it good, was it… was it?" George with expectant eyes asked Sloan. "Hello, Georgie. Yes, I drank all of it and it was soooo good. Thank you!". With just those simple words, Charlie was amazed how Sloan connected with George who was not easy to befriend.
While Sloan and George were talking, Sloan's tummy grumbled loudly. George's eyes widened in surprise, mistaking the rumbling sound for thunder. "Was that thunder?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder.
Charlie chuckled, shaking her head. "No, George. That was Uncle Sloan's tummy. I think it's telling us that it's time for lunch."
George giggled, finding the whole situation amusing. "Uncle Sloan's tummy is hungry!"
Charlie smiled at George's innocence, grateful for the lightheartedness he brought to the moment. She turned to him and said, "George, can you please go to your room and let your mom know that lunch is almost ready?"
George nodded enthusiastically, eager to be of help. He scampered off, excitedly shouting for his mom, Amy, to join them for the meal.
Sloan, now alone with Charlie, couldn't resist the urge to take a closer look at what she was cooking. He stepped closer, his gaze fixed on the pot. Charlie's heart fluttered with a mixture of nervousness and intrigue as Sloan stood beside her, almost intimately close.
Unaware of the proximity between them, Charlie reached for a spoon to taste the dish. She didn't realize that Sloan had leaned in, his presence felt in the air around her. Startled, she accidentally bumped into him, her hand grazing against his. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through both of them, and their eyes met in a brief but charged moment.
The unexpected connection was palpable, leaving Charlie and Sloan momentarily speechless. The silence was broken as George returned, pulling Amy by the hand. She entered the kitchen with a warm smile, her eyes filled with gratitude.
"Charlie, thank you for taking care of George. He told me lunch is ready. I must say, the aroma is incredible. I can't wait to try it."
Charlie quickly regained her composure, her focus shifting back to the task at hand. She smiled warmly at Amy. "You're very welcome, Amy. I hope you enjoy the meal. Please, have a seat, and we'll serve lunch shortly. Oh Sloan, why don't you call Sicily, she might be hungry at this time." He just gave thumbs up signed and turned around still speechless with what just transpired between him and Charlie.
Sloan and Sicily came out of the room and joined the other guests and Charlie. As they all gathered around the table, the room filled with laughter and the clinking of cutlery. The delightful aromas of Charlie's cooking mingled with the joyous chatter, creating a sense of camaraderie and connection.
During the meal, Sloan couldn't help but steal glances at Charlie. There was something about her, something that stirred a longing within him. The unspoken connection between them continued to grow, leaving both of them wondering.
As they savored the delicious meal and shared stories, Sloan, Charlie, George, Sicily and Amy found themselves bonding over food, laughter, and the unexpected twists that life often brings. Little did they know that their shared moments would pave the way for a summer filled with surprises, friendship, and a love that defied the odds.