The Woman He Married

08. Dinner and Expectations

Everyone left in the afternoon, dragging Xavi with them for another round of drink and party. Zane took a nap right after they left, while Mae spent some time organizing her little room. After a while, she went to the lounge and sat on the couch, staring out at the pool. The sun was shining through the glass wall. It was a peaceful noon. She lied down and rested her eyes. Mae eventually fell asleep while staring at the cloudless blue sky.

When she woke up, she was covered with a blanket and the sky was dimmer than the last time. Mae sat up and glanced around while tying her hair up into a messy bun. It's about time that she starts preparing dinner. She put the blanket back into the basket by the couch, wondering is Xavi had came home and gave her the blanket.

She walked into the kitchen to find Zane cooking dinner. She gasped, "I'm so sorry, I feel asleep. I usually have my alarm on and--"

"It's okay, don't worry about it. I feel like making dinner," Zane told her. He poured her a glass of cold water and gestured for her to take a seat.

"Thank you," Mae muttered, taking a sip as Zane kept staring at her until she drank the water. "I didn't know you can cook."

Zane frowned, "Why wouldn't I? It's a survival skill. How do you think I'd live before you came here?"

"Deliveries," Mae shrugged, "Fast foods. Skipping meals."

Zane gaped at her, and she adverted her gaze after a while. He scoffed, "You know... You're a little braver these days. I feel like you hate me, in a way."

"Oh, I don't hate you," Mae shook her head in denial.

"But you don't like me either?" He questioned.

"I'm being friendly," she replied, "and professional."

Zane hummed, "Okay, that's fair. I'm not always anybody's favorite."

"That's okay, me neither," she smiled softly. Mae looked into the pan and saw a salmon fillet on it. She looked around the room and noticed that the setup was made for two. "Is someone coming? Should I make drinks?"

"No, just us two," Zane shook his head. "I don't want to have dinner alone tonight. Didn't feel like it. Felt extra lonely today."

"Huh," Mae breathed, "But should I make drinks?"

"You're allergic to shellfish, right? Not seafood in general?"

"Yeah, I can have seafood as long as it's not shellfish." Mae tapped her fingers on the marble surface, feeling like she shouldn't just sit and watch. "Mr. Williams, should I make drinks?"

"Ugh," he grumbled softly, "If you insist."

"I insist," she grinned as she stood up and went to the fridge. "What drink would you like? Something fresh? Beer? Liquor?"

"Make me your favorite," Zane told her. "Your favorite drink, Kate."

"But I don't think you'd like it."

"I can try."

"You don't drink sweet drinks."

"You like sweet drinks?"

"Sweet tea is my favorite."

"Sure, let's drink sweet tea."

"Are you sure?"

"A hundred percent."

"Alright, then." Mae hummed, "Should I make one for Xavi, just in case he comes home?"

"Xavi is probably spending the night out, don't mind him," Zane told her.

"Right," she nodded, grabbing two glasses from the shelves.