Keep Your Enemies Closer

His words stung

"I hope I didn't interrupt anything." Mister Hawkes looked between me and Chandler and I felt the heat rise up my cheeks again.
"Oh- no, not at all. Right Chandler?" I looked at Chandler and caught him putting his cap on again. What's his deal?

"No. We were just leaving." He said as he came to stand next to me, halfway shielding my body with his. I gaped at him and then looked at Mister Hawkes.

"That's a shame, son. I haven't seen you in ages and wanted to surprise you. Have you two eaten yet?" The man looked back to me and I shook my head.
"But she isn't hungry. And me neither." I was hungry, but I just nodded. I needed to find out what was going on. I knew my question for today.

"That's not how you treat a lady. She might say she isn't hungry, but she is. Trust me." His words made me grin, because it was right. And when Chandler looked at me, he huffed, before crossing his arms over his chest.

"I asked you and you said no." He scowled. His sharp tone surprised me and I felt hurt.
"If you want to, we can drive to Darmetir's." He added and his face softened once he saw me flinch, but before I could answer him, Mister Hawkes spoke up.

"Why junk food if you have food at home? I'll cook something. What do you want?" Chandler rolled his eyes and looked back to his dad.
"Nothing from you, we're leaving." I gasped at his words. How can he talk to his father like that?

"Chandler!" I said and he snapped his head back to me.
"Allie-" His eyes softened.
"It's okay, darling. I don't know it any different." His father's words made me glare at Chandler. That is no way to talk to your parent. Especially when he was trying to be nice.

"I'm sorry I wanted to spend time with my son. I'll leave you alone." He turned around and walked away. I pushed Chandler, who just shook his head when I gave him a look. Why was he so stubborn?

"Wait!" I said and Mister Hawkes turned around. Chandler glared at me and I pretended like I didn't see it.
"We would love to eat with you." I said and Chandler scoffed. Mister Hawkes' face lit up at my words and he nodded.

"I'll start cooking now. Do you want to help me?" He ashed and I blushed.
"Oh, I can't cook." I said shyly. Chandler snorted from next to me.
"Trust me, she really can't. She would probably give us food poisoning. And she has to go anyways, right Allie?" His words kind of stung and I opened my mouth to talk when his dad once again interrupted.

"I don't believe that. I bet you would only make it better. Come on." He gestured me to follow him and I nodded.

When I glanced at Chandler, he was still glaring at me with crossed arms. He looked like a little kid who didn't get his candy. I rolled my eyes and simply followed Mister Hawkes. I don't know why his sudden attitude hurt me. I'm not supposed to get any hard feelings. Would it hurt me when Mike said that? Probably not.

"Sir?" I asked, when we reached the staircase.
"Call me Tobias, dear." He said and turned around.
"Okay, Tobias. Uh, I was just wondering why you didn't have a chef for that. Not that I'm complaining, but I thought you did." That was the first thing that came to my mind.

He chuckled and started walking down the stairs. Chandler probably doesn't want his father to think wrong, just like I didn't want my mom to think wrong.

"I used to have a few. But I'm guessing my son doesn't need them. He has fired a few of the staff throughout the years. Whenever I get home, I cook now." He said as we reached the bottom of the stairs.

"But he never eats it." Tobias shook his head and chuckled in amusement. When he looked at something behind me, he had a smile on his lips.
"Speaking of the devil." He told me and I turned around to see Chandler watch us from the top of the stairs.

"I thought you were cooking." He still had a scowl on his face as he leaned against the banister. I smiled at how cute he was acting and heard Tobias laugh behind me.
"On our way." I said and walked into the kitchen, without looking back.

"If you don't mind me asking. Who are you to my son? Are you in a relationship or-"
"Oh no, sir. We're only friends." I said and stopped at the kitchen island. He nodded slowly, before shaking his head.
"Not sir, Tobias." He smiled and I nodded.

"Sorry." I answered and he came to open the fridge. He picked out a few vegetables and placed them on the kitchen counter. I watched him silently and couldn't help but wonder why Chandler was acting like this.

"How about a casserole? Are you allergic to any of these ingredients?" I heard Tobias ask and shook my head.
"I love casseroles. How can I help?" I asked while washing my hands. We heard footsteps and I turned around with still wet hands when Chandler settled down at the kitchen island.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" He asked his father, who chuckled at his words. I shook my hands and sprayed Chandler with a little water. His gaze snapped to me and he glared. I blinked at his angry look, but he didn't notice since he already looked towards his father when he spoke up.

"Every time I do, you seem to have plans. So it shouldn't matter if I call or not." His answer made Chandler roll his eyes. Tobias handed me some vegetables and told me to cut them into small squares.

"I would prefer if you do start calling me in the future again. I'm not a fan of surprises." Chandler said and I felt slightly out of place. This was a conversation between father and son and I was only standing there, silently listening.
"Only if you help Allie to cut those zucchinis." I heard Tobias say.

"Fine."