Gordon's P.O.V.
I watched as Mariah cleaned her station. She was putting her extra brownies in a bag. She looked at me when I walked up to her.
"You don't have to clean up. We have staff that do that." I told her.
"I know. I was just getting these." She held up the bag. "My siblings are coming over tomorrow."
"May I have one?" I asked.
"Only if you say tomato for me." She answered.
"What?"
"Say it."
I rolled my eyes. "Tomato."
She giggled. "You say it so weird."
I raised an eyebrow. "How's that?"
"You put emphasis on the a."
She pulled a brownie out of the bag and handed it to me. I smiled and took a bite.
"Damn. That's delicious." I muttered.
"Thank you, Chef." Mariah smiled.
"You don't have to be so formal when we're not filming. Call me Gordon." I told her.
She blushed slightly.
"Would you like to join me for dinner?" I asked.
"Where would we be going?" She answered.
"I'd rather we stay at my home. Too many people would recognize me if we were to go to a restaurant."
"Sounds like a deal then. I'll go get cleaned up, and I'll be at your house soon."
"Good."
She bowed and walked away. I took a deep breath and headed out to the back of the building.
~
When I got home, I changed into a tight-fitted white shirt, jeans, and put a wrist watch on. Just about the time I was going to start cooking, the doorbell echoed throughout my home.
I walked to the front door and opened it to find Mariah. She was wearing an outfit that anyone would wear to a fancy restaurant.
"Hello." She smiled.
"Hello. Come in and have a seat." I told her.
I stepped aside and let her walk by. She looked around when I shut the door.
"So what's for dinner?" She asked.
"I was just about to start cooking." I answered. "What would you like?"
"Anything will do. You are a famous chef after all."
She looked back at me as she spoke. I smiled enough so she could see, and she giggled.
"Is it alright if I help you?" She asked.
"If you want to." I answered, leading her to the kitchen.
"You didn't tell me what it is we're making." She said.
"How about a simple dinner? I want to see your skills."
"Simple dinner? You have all of these ingredients and spices at your disposal, and you want to make something simple?"
I raised my eyebrows. I've never had anyone talk to me like that.
"How about I cook for you? Show me where everything is when I ask for it." She offered.
"You'll ruin your outfit." I told her.
"I'm pretty sure you have an apron somewhere."
I opened a small closet and pulled out a white apron. She tied her hair back, and she let me put the apron on her. She tied the back of it, and her eyes met mine when my fingers touched her neck.
"Um......I........Uh." She struggled for words.
I leaned toward her, and her eyes closed as I pressed my lips to hers. She laid her hands on my chest and pushed me back.
"This isn't the right time. Can you wait until Masterchef is over?" She whispered.
"Yes." I answered, my heart shattering in less than a millisecond.
She stepped away from me.
~
When I saw the complete meal that Mariah made, my eyes widened.
"What is this?" I asked.
"Shrimp and salmon. You wanted something simple." She answered.
I had sat at the table while she was cooking, so I had no idea what it was she was making. She set the plate down in front of me. She sat in the seat next to me.
"This looks.......amazing." I whispered.
She smiled. I grabbed my fork and took a bite of shrimp.
"What did you season it with?" I asked.
"That's a secret." She answered, biting into her salmon.
I chuckled and continued eating. We ate in silence. Once we were done, I took both plates and took them to the kitchen. There was absolutely no sign of her ever being in the kitchen.
"Mariah?" I asked.
"Hm?" She sat at the kitchen bar.
"Did you clean up after yourself?"
"Of course. I'm not going to leave a mess in your kitchen." She set her elbows on the table and laid her head in her hands.
I set the plates in the sink and stood in front of her.
"Do you want to impress your siblings?" I asked.
"How?" She answered.
"I'll help you make as many of their favorites desserts as you'd like."
She smiled. "Even if it takes all night?"
"Yes."
Her eyes glittered with happiness. I looked at the clock. It was only nine. I looked at her from the corner of my eye when she yawned.
"If you're tired, you can lay on the couch." I said.
She shook her head. "I'll be fine."
"I don't want you to ruin your clothes. I'll give you some of mine."
I walked around the bar, took her hand, and pulled her to her feet.
