A Gift To The Mafia

Chapters 16 - Lean

Iyanna's POV

I sat at the table across from him eating the dinner he prepared. I had to admit to him so many times how much of a good cook he was.

"You know we could make a good team at the Vineyard's kitchen because I do need a chef."

He held the fork up and waited until he swallowed everything he was chewing before he replied to me.

"Miss Brently, I will pass on that lovely opportunity."

"Why would you have such a wonderful talent and let it go to waste?"

He chuckled.

"I am willing to use my other talents, I am not cooking," he said with a smile.

"Think about all the fun memories we could create plus you aren't doing anything right now so cooking could be a form of therapy for you."

I knew I was over doing it but I still had to try. He was just looking at me and smiling while I tried my hardest to convince him.

"I have to save my passion for cooking for when it matters, like now," he said. I bit back my smile and pushed some food into my mouth. He was mostly subdued with his approach but I'm sure he knew he was affecting me.

"Well I am left to figure this out on my own."

"I won't be manipulated Miss Brently," he said and the laugh escaped me.

"I'm wondering if I am getting ahead of myself? Thela told me not to take on such a big task as yet and I am now thinking she might be right."

I was picking brain now that we are on a mutual level, his opinions might not be me fueled by his so-called hatred he harboured.

"I can honestly tell you that it won't be easy and you won't get everything right off the bat or in one go but I trust that you will excel," he said.

That's exactly what I wanted to hear, the raw honest truth from him.

"Well thank you for believing in me, it would be more if you were my chef," I glanced at him and put my head down, playing with a piece of meat on my fork.

"See this is why I know victory will be written beside your name, that drive and determination you have, you will be just fine."

I had to laugh out loud.

"You should do motivational speeches," I said to him and I could see him slightly blushing.

"Cook a girl one good meal and she will think you are a superhero and can do anything."

I took a small tomato from my plate and threw it at him. "Ungrateful" I said. I like when he laughs out, it was so infectious.

"I could never be ungrateful right now, look at the company I have. Miss Iyanna Brenttly, Keeper of the Vineyard's kitchen, slayer of hams and yams." He started to clap and stood up to gesture to his imaginary crowd.

He was corrupting me with laughter.

"Then you are the one who told me that you hate theatrics and now look at you being over dramatic."

"Well they say show me your company and I will tell you who you are."

"Funny" I said.

He pointed at my plate, "Are you through?"

"Yes, I am full, thank to you."

He removed the plate from before me and placed it along with his into the sink. I was surprised that he did the dishes right away. Where I am from, men aren't like this