Fated Love

Chapter 39

I sat cross-legged on Richard's couch, tapping away on my laptop while Adrian sat next to me, scribbling notes on his notepad. We were currently at Richard's house discussing and planning Ian's schedule for the coming weeks. Ian was packing his bags in the room, getting ready to head back to London after an overnight shoot. Shootings in Manchester had come to an end, and the filming was moving onto its second location in London. Although he was tired from the shooting, he had to return to London since he had a fundraising event to attend later that evening.

Richard, on the other hand, was seated on a beanbag with an Xbox controller in hand, playing Call of Duty on the TV and occasionally groaning in frustration whenever he lost.

"I don't like this," He paused the game and turned to us. "Come on, guys, join me. Let's play together." He said, trying to persuade us to join him. "It's more fun that way."

"Is it?" Ian asked, walking into the room with his travelling box. "Aren't you just looking for someone you can beat at the game?"

A crooked smile pulled on his lips as he shrugged. "Hey, Adrian." He called. "Let's play together."

"I'm afraid we can't, mate. We have to finish this up." Adrian replied, not looking up from his notepad.

"Come on, Adrian." Richard persisted. "It won't take long."

Adrian sighed, raising his head to look at him. "Ian is here." He said, running his hands through his hair. "Tell him to play with you."

Ian plopped down on another bean bag next to him.

"You know how he is, Richard." He chuckled, taking hold of the other pair of controllers on the table. "Once he gets started on work, there's no stopping him."

Adrian gave him a side-eye that promptly shut him up.

"Hey, Kiara," Adrian continued, pointing to a section on the schedule. "What do you think about this?"

I leaned over to take a look, and we discussed it for a few minutes while Ian and Richard began their game. The room was silent except for the sound of the game playing.

As we continued working on the schedule, I couldn't help but steal discreet glances at Ian now and then. I had always admired him from afar, knowing and keeping in mind that he was out of my league even though we had bonded well. Being in his presence made my heart flutter, and my thoughts jumbled. I was drawn to him, and it was more my admiration for him than just being a fan. But I knew better than to let my feelings get the best of me and in the way of our professional and rather friendly relationship.

Ooh, girl. My inner voice cooed. Someone's out of the denial zone.

Suddenly, Richard's voice snapped me back to reality.

"Who's the champ again?" He smiled.

"Shut it, Richard." Ian chuckled. "I wasn't feeling the game."

Richard narrowed his eyes at him, nodding his head.

"Well spoken." He clapped lightly. "That's some loser excuse right there. Admit it, man, you've lost to me."

Ian smiled his response and walked over to where Adrian and I were seated on the couch.

:Hey, how's it going?" He asked, holding the back of the couch and leaning over to see what we were doing and in the process, ruffling my hair a little bit.

"Oops, I'm sorry." He muttered, smoothening the little mess he had caused.

I smiled up at him, feeling a warm flush on my cheeks.

"Good, we're making progress." I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I'm suddenly hungry." Richard mumbled, sprawling out on the beanbag. Ian turned around the couch and found his seat next to me. He stretched his arm on the couch as he got comfortable so that it was around me. That little action of his got me all fuzzy and giddy even when I knew it was unintentional.

His arm is around me!! I squealed inwardly.

I think you're getting it all wrong. My inner voice reasoned. He's only getting comfortable.

Yeah, around me. Oh my gosh!!

Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. My inner voice replied.

"Yeah, me too." Adrian said, standing up and stretching his limbs. "I'm tired."

Richard shared a knowing look with Ian, who broke into a small smile.

"Shut your thoughts." Adrian laughed, moving across the room to the kitchen.

Richard gave a closed lip smile staring at his back as he left.

"Of course, I will." He replied, turning his attention to Ian. "That being said, Ian, you should cook for us since you lost the game."

Ian tilts his head at him, arcing his brow in the process. "I don't remember making a wager. "He answered coolly.

"Oh, come on." He started, sitting up straight on the beanbag. "Do us a favour and grace us with your Michelin star cooking. I miss your food."

"Michelin star?" Ian chuckled. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Huh? Michelin star?

I turned to Ian, eyebrows raised in surprise, staring at him as he typed away on his phone. This was news to me –I had no idea that he could cook as I had mostly seen him order takeaways.

"Kiara, what?" He asked, without raising his head from his phone.

"You cook?" I blinked wide-eyed at him, hugging one of the throw pillows on the couch. "With all of your busy schedules?"

"Of course, I do." He threw his head back, chuckling. Why sound so surprised?

"Because I am." I shrugged. "I don't think I've ever seen you cook –well, besides in the movies."

"Oh, really." He smiled. I nodded my response.

"Well, I'll have you know that I can at least hold my own in the kitchen. I cook, but it's nothing too fancy."

Richard shook his head and clicked his tongue. "You're being modest, man." He interjected. "He's a damn good cook."

"Yeah, I agree." Adrian chimed in, walking towards us with a bottle of soda in his hand. "You should try his homemade lasagna."

"Or his chicken tikka masala." Richard piped in while I sat there blinking in awe. "It is wholesome."

Damn, girl. He is a walking green flag.

Ian turned off his phone, placed it on the centre table, and voiced calmly.

"They are only exaggerating. I'm no Michelin-star chef." He said.

"Not when they make it sound that delicious." I replied, fluttering my lashes at him. "Now, I'm interested. I want to try your food." I cooed, giving him my best puppy look. "Please."

He slapped a hand over his beautous face, looking away for a split second, all the while trying to hide a smile.

"Uh.. yeah." He leaned back in the chair, shifting his weight to his left hand.

"Yay!!" I squealed, throwing my hands in the air.

"But... not today." He raised his hand so it was supporting his chin. "Probably, when we are back in London."

"Mhm," I pressed my lips in thought, looking over at Richard and Adrian– they were both busy on their phones.

"Sure, that sounds great." I smiled, feeling my heart race at the thought of having dinner with him.

"I'll fix a date for when I'm less busy and let you guys know." He announced.

"Great idea." Richard muttered, putting away his phone. "I hope I won't be too busy then."

"I hope you will." Ian replied with a smirk.

Richard turned, shooting him a dry look that made the rest of us laugh. As the day went on, we chatted and laughed, and the idea of the dinner became more real. I couldn't wait to see what else I would discover about Ian.

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