Chapter 20
Fiona
After helping me buy a load of groceries, Ryan begins the drive and, on our way, we pass a flower shop. The bright colors draw my attention and my longing. I’ve always loved flowers. Mom used to keep flowers in the house when I was younger. and they always made my day when I saw them
Jack had never bought me flowers, and honestly, he’d never really made a romantic gesture. I should’ve known something was wrong hist by that, but it never occurred to me
1
I haven’t had anyone surprise me with a gift or a romantic gesture since my mom died.
“I’ll help you take the bags in Ryan announces, pulling me from my thoughts.
When I look up, I realize we’ve parked in front of Ethan’s mansion. I figured Ryan would take me to my house, but since 1 didn’t give him a particular location, I guess he made the decision for me.
It may work out better here, though. Ethan probably has the spices he likes here so I won’t have to worry about him not liking his dinner.
Once we get inside, Ryan dismisses the staff, letting them know I was cooking Ethan’s dinner. A little embarrassment washes over me as the staff looks me over, but I don’t let it stop me. I follow Ryan to the kitchen and pull out the ingredients we bought.
I wasn’t sure what Ethan liked to eat, so while we were shopping. I let Ryan help me pick out the food. He and the Wester region, where Ethan comes from, has mainly meat–based dishes, so we bought the best rib–eye steaks we could find.
I don’t know much about the Western region, and when I asked. Ryan didn’t say much other than it’s split into multiple lands that have a single family or leader who oversee the land, kind of like a mayor. Then, he explained that there’s a type of king who is over everything.
The fact that there’s somewhere nowadays where there’s still a king ruling is strange yet also interesting. The Western region is isolated and keeps to themselves, from what I’ve heard, so not many people here, in the Eastern region, know what goes on there.
I tried to ask questions, but Ryan said he isn’t able to give me more information. The Western region doesn’t like their business spread, and if I wanted to know more, I’d need to ask Ethan.
“You can watch this video. The woman who made this is from the Western region and makes tutorials on how to prepare our food,” Ryan tells me, setting up a laptop on the counter.
The woman on the screen is pretty with brown hair and bright eyes. She’s talking about the types of steaks to buy for this recipe
“Thanks, Ryan
“Do you want me to-
“I’d like to do this on my own if possible,” I tell him. I told Ethan I’d cook to make it up to him, and I will
Ryan nods. “If you need help, just let me know.” With that, he leaves the kitchen and shoos away some of the lingering staff
I start the video, pulling out each of the utensils, dishes, pans, and spices the woman lists. We begin with the spices in a bowl a sweet and spicy combination of brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, cumin, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder
The woman then walks me through cutting a slit in the steak and pressing in some of the spices while also rubbing the rest on the outside. Her instructions on cooking the meat are to get a cast iron pan and heat up some oil in it. She talks about. how they like rare steaks, so I set the timer like she instructs and flip the meat when the timer goes off, setting it again.
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Chapter 20
The sweet and spicy smell rises around me, making my stomach growl.
While the meat cooks, I pull out the potatoes and start washing them. Soon, the meat is done and I place it on the keep-
warm corner of the stove.
She continues talking about the Western region foods while I work on the side dishes. I wash, cut, and boil potatoes in a pot before mashing them into perfect smoothness of mashed potatoes. I follow her instructions on adding spices to add a little kick before moving onto the vegetables.
The woman talks me through cutting the peppers and onions, seasoning them, and cooking them in a large skillet. The way she mixes flavors is so different than what I’ve done or tasted before. She’s so creative and free with her flavors, while I feel like everything I eat has the same spices over and over.
After two hours of cooking and an hour of food and table preparation, I finally take a seat at the table with everything laid
out in front of me.
The sound of a door opening reaches my ears as I take a break, and a minute later. Ethan walks in. His dreary expression makes me glance at the clock. 10:12 pm.
Maybe we should’ve picked another night to reschedule.
“Are you okay. Ethan? Come sit down.”
He turns to me, his eyes running from my hair down to my toes then back up again, focusing on my face.
“I should ask you that,” he mutters, stepping closer. My breath catches when his fingers brush my cheek right beneath my eyes. “You cried.”
I nod then shrug, trying to ignore the heartache that sprouts in my chest at his words. I’d done really well forgetting about it while I cooked..
“It’s nothing I can’t handle myself,” I answer. Actually, it would be nice to have some help, but the thought of him seeing just how dysfunctional my family is sends a bit of panic and embarrassment through me. I’m sure his family is as put together and strong as he is while mine is a dumpster fire.
“You don’t trust me,” Ethan says softly
“I—I just need time to take care of things on my own, Ethan. It’s embarrassing.” I murmur, hating that I have to admit my
indiscretions.
He doesn’t say anything, thankfully, he merely hums, takes the seat at the head of the table, and studies the meal. I sit next to him, silently.
“Did you make all of this yourself?” He asks while I serve the food.
“Yes, it took me three hours.” I admit.
Ethan’s brow quirks up in amazement as anger and tension leave his body. Our failed date aside, he must have had a bad day at work to come home so late and upset. So, instead of digging in, I watch as he takes the first few bites. Ethan chews silently, his face a blank mask
Does he like it?
I want to ask, but I stay quiet, letting him try each dish. The steak. The potatoes. The veggies.
He silently tries each one before moving back to the steak with a pleased expression.
“Do you like it?” I finally ask and pick up my own fork.
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Chapter 20
“I do,” he answers, looking at me The softer, satisfied gape makes me smile. “This reminds me of the meat my mother weld make on my birthday, although, I haven’t had it in years”
Years!
“Why Is it because you moved here?” I ask Maybe his mom is still in the Western region. It would explain her not making him meals anymore.
“It was my mother’s choice. After my brother was born, she never made it again. He proses and takes the last bite of weak before saving. “You did really well. Finne”
it
The compliment warms my chest, and I smile. Ethan doesn’t inually impart compliments, stake and cherish the at kindnes
“I never knew you had a brother,” I say, and as soon as the words leave my lips. Erhan stiffens. He doesn’t have to say anything for me to realize he doesn’t want to talk about his brother, so I drop the subject and finish eating, I don’t to get upset again.
After dinner. I move to clean up the table, but Ethan stops me by laying a hand on the small of my back
“Leave them. The staff will clean up.”
Not arguing. I allow Ethan to lead me to his room, and after kicking his shoes off, he falls into the bed- clothes an
“Um. Ethan”
“Come here.” He holds his arms out, and feeling tired and drained. I don’t argue. I climb in and let him wrap himself around me. He pulls me to his chest, and as I lay there, I notice a picture on the nightstand
“Do you play soccer?”
“I did. Was a star in high school,” he answers shortly; however, the shortness seems to be more from drowsiness like usual “We have a company soccer game in a few days. Do you want to come?”
“I’d love to.” I whisper, feeling a bit of excitement. This is the first time I’ve felt like he wants me around Like we’re more equal than we have been. Maybe after more time, we’ll find our way around each other and this year won’t be too bad. Ethan says something else, but the exhaustion from the day keeps me from hearing as it drags me into sleep
Pulling into the parking lot, I spot Isla at the front of the store. Isla should be meeting me here to help me pick out a business suit, so when I don’t see her standing outside, I realize she probably already went inside.
I expect to see a smiling, happy Isla, but when I enter the store, I find loud arguing
“You will dirty these clothes if you try them on,” a rich girl sneers, glaring at Isla. She tries to yank the blue suit out of Isla’s hands.
“There’s nothing wrong with me,” Isla argues. “In fact, I’d think the store would love to have someone who could pay cash instead of using a credit card.”
The mean girl gasps in outrage.
“Isla,” I call out, making my way over.
Both women turn to me, in
Isla with a smile and the other woman with an irritated and disgusted expression as she takes me
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Chapter 20
“Neither of you are good en
The girl stops, tilts her head a bit, then scrunches her noser up.
“Why do you have the scent of an Alpha on you?”
