From Hate Flourishes Love

Baking His Way Into Parental Hearts

Kai's POV

Dinner with the Storms was an unusual experience. The restaurant was pretty upscale, making me feel out of place. The way the waiters stared at me as I ordered was as if would tell I hadn't been anywhere further than then the café I worked in. Looking at the cheapest thing to order on the menu - it isn't even in English- I decided to go with lobster. 'Lobster' was the only word on the menu that I could read and for the rest of the meal, I just copied what the Storms ordered.

Zander didn't even try to make contact with me for most of the meal. I didn't mind him not talking to me since I was embarrassed for not having Googled him earlier than I did.

I would've at least known that had spilled coffee over him. I am still trying to figure out his motives behind not revealing who he was. He knew who I was. It started to make sense why Sam felt that he only came into the cafe during my shifts. Was he watching me? Why?

I sigh, I have other concerns than thinking about John or Zander.

Mrs.Storm hands a tablet with a schedule for the wedding. I just expected to sign some papers and get it over with. But I guess they have their reasons for wanting a wedding.

Thankfully finals have gone and I'm just taking summer courses for now, or else I wouldn't be able to do half of the stuff on this list.

1. Meeting a stylist. What's wrong with my current style? I examine the room filled with pretentious people dressed in all sorts of fancy outfits and kept quiet. I don't think my sense of style would be appreciated in the circles that the Storms frequented.

2. Wedding outfit

3. Picking a venue

4. Picking a caterer

As I continue swiping down the full wedding checklist, I become aware of the fact that the wedding is in just over two months. Isn't it customary to have at least six months of planning?

I felt a warm breath on my neck and turned to see Zander eyeing the list with a curious, and perhaps unhappy expression. He must have seen the date his mother had highlighted as the day the family's PR team would finally put the public questions about his sexuality to rest. Yet, he seems unfazed by the idea that his parents would disclose details about the affair he had that broke his last engagement. I questioned whether marrying a struggling 20-year-old would truly benefit him. Would people perceive me as his equal or merely a charity case for him? Would people believe for a minute that someone like Zander who dated models, actors, and other socialites could propose marriage to a dull character such as myself?

Lost in thought, I almost missed Zander's inquiry about my acceptance of his parents' arrangements for the wedding. I reply with a simple, "Yes, I'm."

***

Dinner drew to a close, with my hand adorned with an exquisite diamond band that at least weighed two pounds. Despite my initial confusion as to why Zander was signaling for my hand, I allowed him to slip the ring on my finger. I marveled a bit at both him and the ring. The moment was brief, however, as Zander's mother eagerly snapped photographs for her social media.

Following the exchange, there was a moment of awkward silence shared between us - or at least, he may have found it awkward. Perhaps it was my previous blunder of mistaking him for a stranger that led to his reserve.

I mean the guy isn't some major celebrity, How was I supposed to know that the Mr John I was recommending puff pastry to was in fact Zander Storm, my fiance?