REBORN ( Unedited)

chapter 14.DESIGN

"Wow," I gasped, my eyes widening in awe at the sheer beauty of the kitchen. Enveloped in this enchanting space, I felt a sense of belonging, as if each gleaming appliance whispered secrets of culinary delights waiting to be crafted. It was here, amidst the harmonious dance of tradition and modernity, that my imagination took flight, painting vivid scenes of culinary mastery and unforgettable moments yet to unfold.

"This is nothing," Osage said with a shrug as he pulled open the microwave, producing leftover dinner. "You should see your boyfriend's kitchen; it's really transcendent."

I raised an eyebrow, confused. "Who?" I asked, gently hopping onto a chair and pulling the plate close to me. My stomach growled in delight.

"The general, naw," he said with a stern face, laughter dancing in his eyes as he handed me a fork. "Very funny," I replied, rolling my eyes and accepting the fork.

I took a bite of the spaghetti, and the flavor burst in my mouth like fireworks. "Hmmm..." My eyes closed as I savored each bite, not wanting to miss anything. Osage's laughter did nothing to shake me out of my moment of flavorful bliss. I nodded, swallowing the delight in my mouth.

"Whoever is the chef, they need a raise." Osage and I shared a smile before I returned to my food, and a comfortable silence occupied the room.

After finishing my meal, I got up to wash the dishes. "Don't worry, I got it," Osage offered, stretching to pick up my empty dish. I shook my head, grabbing onto my plate and cup in a tight grip. "I got it." I washed the dishes and handed them to Osage to put away.

As I returned to my seat, I noticed the cookies from earlier. "Thanks," I said, looking at Osage in appreciation. He nodded, taking a bite from his cookie. We sat in an awkward silence, not wanting to address the elephant in the room. My curious mind finally spoke up. "Baby, huh?"

Osage sighed, running his hands through his hair and down his face before sitting beside me. "I was hoping you didn't hear that, but I should have known better." He looked at his interlocked fingers, his right thumb playing with the ring on his left thumb. "I didn't mean to," I said, pouting. He looked at me with a small smile. "She's my life. I can't see myself without her."

He paused, taking in his surroundings. "Proposing to her was the best thing I've ever done in my life, and we were both preparing for our wedding. She was more excited than I was." The smile grew as he recollected happy memories. "But everything had to take a halt when things got messy." The smile disappeared from his face as I leaned forward, not wanting to miss any information he was about to share.

"I would just like to say..." He looked at me, staring into my soul with all sincerity.

"I'm sorry for not telling you about Grandpa, but I promise it was for your own good." I remained quiet, letting him get everything off his chest.

"The crash was an assassination attempt on his life." He finally said after minutes of silence. "He was lucky to have fallen sick that day, and when we took him to the hospital, they almost killed him by prescribing wrong medications to him. Thank God we found out just in time."

As I sat in the kitchen, I couldn't help but notice the way the light danced across Osage's face, illuminating the sharp angles of his jawline. He was a man of few words, but his eyes spoke volumes. I watched as he sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of his secrets.

"Hira found out she's pregnant," he said, his voice low and gravelly. I felt a pang of surprise, my eyes widening as I processed the information. I had so many questions, but before I could ask any of them, Osage continued. "We've talked about kids, and I was happy when we found out..."

He trailed off, lost in thought. I watched as he picked up the last cookie from the tray, his fingers closing around it like a vice. He brought it to his mouth, his teeth sinking into the soft dough with a quiet crunch. His eyes never left mine, his gaze piercing as he chewed.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as he swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. He was a man of quiet strength, his movements economical and precise. I watched as he pushed his chair back, the legs scraping against the floor with a soft screech.

"The battle is ours," he said, his voice dripping with conviction. "We don't need to bring in an innocent child along." I felt a surge of frustration, my hands curling into fists as I struggled to understand.

Osage stood up, his movements fluid as he walked away. I watched him go, my eyes fixed on the broad expanse of his back. He was a man of mystery, his secrets locked tightly behind a mask of calm.

I sighed, my shoulders sagging in defeat. I had so many questions, but it seemed like I was going to have to wait for the answers. I stood up, my chair scraping against the floor as I followed Osage out of the kitchen.

I trailed behind Osage, my eyes fixed on the back of his head. His dark hair was cropped short, revealing the sharp angles of his skull. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I watched him move, his muscles rippling beneath his skin like a predator stalking its prey.

We walked in silence, the only sound the soft creaking of the floorboards beneath our feet. I felt like I was walking through a minefield, never knowing when Osage would drop another bombshell.

Finally, we reached the living room, and Osage turned to face me. His eyes were expressionless, his face a mask of calm. I felt a surge of frustration, my hands curling into fists as I struggled to understand.

"What's going on, Osage?" I demanded, my voice low and even. "What's this battle you're talking about?"

Osage sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. "It's complicated," he said, his voice dripping with exhaustion. "I'll tell you everything, but you have to promise to listen."

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. I was ready to hear whatever Osage had to say.

"Okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll listen."

Osage nodded, his eyes locking onto mine. "Good," he said, his voice firm. "Because once you know, there's no going back."

And with that, he turned and walked away leaving me with more questions  than answers. Again.