HEART FOR HIRE ✓

Forty Eight

I've never watched porn in my entire life, but from the stories I've heard from people who have, I think the satisfaction they get from watching it is nothing like the sight of Zion cooking. Let's just say that if I thought Zion was sexy, the sight of him cooking has proven that he isn't just sexy. He is mouthwatering, the most handsome man the world has ever been graced with, the epitome of-

"You're drooling," Riley jerks me from my daydream. "You are his girlfriend now, do you still have to gawk at him like that?"

"Does that mean that when I become his girlfriend, he stops being handsome?"

"I didn't mean it like that. I mean you've probably seen enough of him already."

"Nah," I shake my head, "I don't think I'll ever get enough of this man. He manages to surprise me every time we are together."

"I'm just gonna go and puke," Riley fake-gags and sits down on the chair next to mine. "But in all honesty, you two are the best couple I've ever seen."

"Aww, really?"

"You two compliment each other. He is the best version of himself when he's with you. I never saw him smile this much after Julie but well, how you managed to make him get smitten with you this fast is still questionable. Are you sure you didn't visit any cult, or shrine?"

"Shut up!"

"Or," Riley wiggles his eyebrows, "is it the sex?"

"Riley!"

"What? You guys haven't done it yet?" Upon seeing how flushed I become after he mentions it, he totally gets it. "I never pegged Zion for a patient man but I guess I underestimated him. You guys really haven't done it?"

"Riley," Zion calls from the kitchen. "Shut up. That's my girlfriend. Say one more word about sex and I'll strangle you right now."

"You're just kinky," Riley wags his tongue at Zion and I laugh. These two are like puppies sometimes when they are together.

"God, you are so annoying. Why don't you get yourself a girlfriend?"

"And where should I get one?" Riley raises his eyebrows. "You have all the ladies charmed and nobody pays attention to me!"

"Well, now I'm a taken man," Zion deadpans. "You are free to take any woman you want. Besides, we can always set him up with Jeanette, right babe?"

"Oh no no no," I shake my head, "that's not a good idea."

Not only is Jeanette at her lowest, I don't think she needs a man right now. I can't just set her up with a man after she has just filed a restraining order against the man she once loved. What kind of friend would I be?

"Who's Jeanette?" Riley leans in and asks

"Natalia's wild best friend. You two are a match made in heaven."

Zion is right. These two would really be the most chaotic couple of the century but at the same time, that is not what Jeanette needs right now. She is trying to rebuild herself and secure a future for her child. There is no space for thinking about men - not that Jeanette would give him a chance if he tried anyway.

"I really wanna know more - oh, aunt Marble. Good evening," Riley turns to Zion's mum who just made an entrance with Rosalia's hand in hers. "Hey Rose!"

"Hi Riley, hi Natalia the vampire! Did you bring me some cupcakes?"

********

Dinner is a casual affair with Marble and Riley telling me embarrassing stories about Zion when he was little and during high school. The food itself is five-star level but I don't doubt it because it was cooked by the man I love.

Love, you say?

After our argument the other day, the emptiness I felt when I realized that I had just pushed him away made it clear that I just landed myself into the bottomless pit of love. The happiness I felt when I realized that he hadn't left me but instead came back inside and gave me the best kiss of my life sealed the unending love I feel for him. I could watch him cook everyday. Sit with him in his office as he works. Go and eat steaks at fancy restaurants. Watch him wake up in my apartment. See him defend me and punch assholes for me. He is it for me.

"- Natalia?"

"Uh, what?" I look up at Marble who is asking me a question

"I was asking about your family, dear. What is it like?"

"Oh," I take a sip from a glass of water to hide my embarrassment. "My mum is a chef and owns a restaurant. My dad is a high school chemistry teacher. I also have an eight year old sister. They all live in East Ville, Vegetable village as they normally call it."

Riley laughs. "Why do they call it that?"

"There was this president who wasn't very fluent in English," I explain. "So, once came to visit East Ville and had to give a speech. Around that time, our town was known for growing the best vegetables, so, he wanted to applaud the community for it. Instead of  'the people of East Ville are excellent vegetable growers', he said 'the people of East Ville are excellent vegetables'. Hence vegetable village."

"That's wild," Riley comments as the rest of the people on the dining table burst out laughing.

"Yeah. He made quite more interesting jokes too."

"Tell me more," Rosalia perks up

"There was another time he went to visit the Queen of England and I guess they made him sleep upstairs or something," the rest of the table nods their heads. "Well, when he returned, he told people that he slept on top of the queen."

By this time, the table is wheezing in laughter, Zion is choking on his drink and I can see Riley's eyes bringing out some tears. It's like a very jovial family get together and I feel so happy that they are laughing because of me.

"We should do this again sometime," Marble proposes and without second thought, we all nod.