Hopelessly Bound: Book 2 in the Bound series

Chapter 14

My wife’s cooking is so delicious, it’s like a culinary masterpiece.– Unknown

                  

The Manuel's house was a few minutes away from the resort. Amazement filled Zainab as she gazed at the structure that housed their friends. 

She expected to see a cozy little cottage, not a sprawling villa.  The exterior was a mixture of glass and stone. The walls were coated with paints of white and grey.  A spacious porch provided ample space for outdoor lounging.  

They journeyed through the driveway surrounded by well-manicured lawns and they climbed the porch steps and stopped in front of the front door crafted from rich mahogany wood.  

Danladi rang the bell and moments later the door swung open. Bola's smiling face greeted them.  

"Welcome. Please come in." She moved to the side to let them in.  Zainab and Danladi crossed the threshold and she closed the door. 

Zainab's eyes roamed around and her astonishment increased. The interior design emphasized an open layout, big airy areas that seamlessly flowed into each other.  

The aesthetics were made up of high-end finishes, hardwood floors, and top-of-the-art fixtures.  

"Let's go to the living room. Hadiza and Mustafa have arrived already."

Happiness filled Zainab as she thought of the discussion she planned to have with Hadiza.  

Bola led them to the living room. Hadiza and Mustafa were seated on a large sectional sofa. Zainab observed Hadiza and noticed she sat with a rigid back.   

Dele welcomed them with a huge grin.  "It's great to have you guys over. "

"Please, have your seat." Bola gestured to the two empty armchairs placed beside each other.  Zainab and Danladi took their seats.  

"You have such a beautiful home," Zainab remarked with a soft smile. 

Bola grinned. "Thank you very much. We put in a lot of effort to set everything up."

"You did a wonderful job." 

"I agree." Mustafa chimed in. "The decor is excellent."

"All thanks to Dele's artistic skills," Bola said with an unwavering smile. 

Something stirred in Zainab's heart as she spied Bola and Dele share an affectionate look.  Pain seized her as she remembered that she wouldn't be privileged to have such an experience with her husband. 

"I think we have complimented each other enough. Now,  let's move to the fun part which is lunch." Dele said with a wide smile. 

"You are right, hon." Bola jumped to her feet.  "To fill our bellies is the reason we are gathered here." 

Zainab stifled a laugh as Danladi's stomach rumbled. She sent him an amused look and he glowered at her.  

The group followed Bola and Dele to the dining room adjacent to the living room. At the center of the room was an elegant glass dining table surrounded by dining chairs with upholstered seats. 

Fresh dishes were laid out on the dining table, beaconing everyone with their tantalizing aromas. 

Zainab struggled to suppress a moan. From her observation, everyone else seemed to be in similar positions. 

"While the men enjoy the arrays of appetizers, Zainab and Hadiza, please, I need your help in the kitchen."

Zainab's expression brightened and she moved in Bola's direction with Hadiza following behind her.