Flipped: Back Again (L.T. Sequel to Flipped)

Chapter 11: Pokerface

The budding anticipation for tonight courses through me, giving me a weird adrenaline rush. I was suddenly energized and determined to make this a nice dinner. The hidden excitement of having Eliza come over for the first time in years added to my desire to please. I had this unexplained goal to impress Eliza and for her to see how much I've progressed over the years; and like her, became successful by my own means.

I made a trip to the local shops around town to find some inspiration for tonight's meal. All the advice I got from venders and various mums walking by were great but I found it'd be too difficult for an amateur like me to achieve their choice of cuisines. I finally broke down and called my mum for any ideas. I'd grown up helping her in the kitchen so an old family recipe wouldn't be too hard to recreate I thought. And just like I guessed, she gave me the perfect idea for tonight. My mums stew. No one can resist the sultry flavor of the broth and marinated vegetables inside. If I serve that up with some homemade potatoes, it'll be a feast to remember! With her guidance, I buy the appropriate groceries and proceed back to the flat. On the way, I pick up some flowers and a new vase for the table. It should be a nice addition.

For a good hour I slaved in the kitchen trying to get all of the food prepped. Washing, cutting, dicing, mincing, every little thing I had was a tedious task to prepare and I damn near called it quits. But I couldn't. I had something to prove tonight. I knew Eliza would try to test me somehow, it'd be like when she set me up with Amelia. I knew that if my home wasn't the commercialized relationship you see everywhere, Eliza would pounce on it and make it seem like we're headed for disaster. I wanted to show her how good of a life I've created here, with Eleanor at my side. She needed to see that I've finally found some happiness even if it's not with whom I imagined at first. I'm trying to move on and I hope she'll let me after our deal is done.

After I've mixed all of the ingredients in the pot, I rest the top on it and let it boil on low. It needs to sit for some hours so now I have time to prepare the house. I'm not the tidiest person; Eleanor's more of the cleanly type. And because of this exact reason, I have a trusty housekeeper that's scheduled to come in at any minute. Right on cue, my doorbell rings and I jog to the door to let her in.

"Just in the knick of time, Susan. You never disappoint." I wink at her, sharing a friendly embrace with the older woman.

"Oh hush now," she blushes, giving me a pat on the bum. "I just do what ya pay me for."

I step aside to let her in and tell her about tonight's plans. She praises me on the delightful smell of the house and I know I'm on track with dinner. Susan then plugs in her headphones and sits down her suitcase full of sprays and cleaning supplies. "Well," she says, handing me a bottle. "Let's get to work."

~

"Oh..my...gosh..." Eleanor says in awe when she walks through the front door. She drops her bag with her mouth hung open, dumbfounded. Susan gives me a side smirk, high-fiving me when I raise my hand. That was the reaction I was looking for.

"I've never seen it so clean." She continues to gasp, admiring the house.

"That's 'cause we did a deep clean. And don't worry, I won't charge ya extra since I got Lou to help me." She wraps an arm around my waist and pats my chest. The house really did look spectacular. It was polished from top to bottom. I was afraid that I'd permanently smell like house cleaner for the rest of my life due to the constant use and scrubbing. Not to mention I spilled some on myself, now reminding me of how I'm in need of a hot shower. I have to unfortunately say goodbye to Susan for the day so Eleanor and I could finish preparing for tonight.

Being a gentleman, I let her take the bedroom shower while I used another down the hall, typically for guests. When I replaced the ammonia smell for old spice, I leaped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my waist before I exited. Eleanor wanted me to be a little dressy tonight so I pick through my wardrobe for something casual yet formal to satisfy her wishes. I've never been quite fashionable and to be honest, Eleanor's the one to usually choose my outfits for these things. But this time she was preoccupied in the bathroom, leaving me to decide for myself. I settle on a blue button-down shirt and a nice pair of jeans. This should get her approval. I slide on the jeans and button the shirt up, rolling up the sleeves mid-way to have some room. Next I just take my styling gel and position my hair to the side, parting it on the right for a nice clean look. I'll have to shave later but the mild scruff is okay now. I don't think the company will mind.