The Criminal's Love

Chapter 5

It felt like days before morning finally arrived. I woke up a few hours ago and prayed my morning prayer and then just laid in bed and stared at the ceiling until now.

I decided it was time to get up and leave the room. I hadn't seen Walid since last night and I preferred to keep it that way. But I couldn't stay in the room all day long.

I got up and got changed into a summer dress. I combed my hair and put it in a messy bun before leaving the room. I headed downstairs but stopped midway when I saw Walid sitting on the couch, engrossed in his laptop.

I hesitated for a moment but walked past him and went into the kitchen. "Good morning dear." Razza greeted me as soon as I entered.

"Good morning uncle. Thank you for the food last night." I smiled at him.

"You're more than welcome. Let me serve you breakfast. Walid will eat later, he's a bit busy." He informed and I nodded.

"Okay. I'll help you." I said and went ahead to prepare tea.

He tried to change my mind to let him do all the work but I stubbornly helped him prepare the breakfast. He made some fresh bread and I glanced at him now and then, trying to see him work his magic.

I loved everything that had anything to do with baking...

"How long have you been preparing food for Walid and his family?" I asked suddenly, watching him put the dough in the oven as I poured the tea for both of us.

"Since the day he was born." He replied, making me look at him surprised. "Walid's father hired me when Mrs Aydin had Walid. He didn't want Mrs Aydin to step into the kitchen and tire herself since she would be busy with taking care of Walid. It did happen though, that she would enter the kitchen more than occasionally." He smiled. 

"That was thoughtful of him." I admitted, feeling happy for Walid's mother for having a husband who really seemed to care for her.

"Yes and you're probably wondering why he hired me out of all the cooks in town. He wanted a male cook, who in case of an emergency could protect the women in the Aydin mansion. Majority of the staff in the Aydin mansion are men." He tried to explain.

I had heard about the Aydin family. How powerful and respected they were. But that was the little that I knew...

Razza's words made me realize that I hadn't gotten myself into small trouble for sure. The family had male cooks who were there to protect in case of emergency, what more could go wrong for me than that?

"Why are they so cautious? I thought most people in town respected them." I asked, wanting to know more.

"Of course. The people of the town love and respect them undoubtedly. But there's always someone who's not happy with your success. Someone who's trying to take over. Someone who's wishing the worst for you." He spoke, making me actually nod in agreement.

"That's true." I let out sadly.

"I'll bring the rest, you can go ahead take a seat." Razza's voice made me come back to reality.

"Won't you eat?" I asked when he didn't prepare a tray for himself.

"I will, later." He replied shortly while chopping some cucumbers.

"No, you'll have your breakfast with me uncle. I'll wait by the table." I said while preparing his tray. He smiled at me warmly and I felt my heart drop, thinking of my father's smiling face.

Shaking away the image, I took the trays with me and entered the dining room. I put down the trays and went to the big window. I stared out at the sea and smiled. I wanted to visit the beach today. I could spend a few hours there, away from Walid.