It Starts with Love

Chapter 15 - Unwell

    "Good morning, blondie," Taliana greeted Sascha. He had just arrived at her flat so they could have breakfast together. After their first-round victories the day before, they hadn't been able to find time to see each other. Taliana had a nagging suspicion that Alexander Sr. had lengthened Sascha's recovery time so he'd finish late. She shrugged it off knowing full well that they each had their own priorities.

"Morning." Sascha placed a kiss on her cheek. "You're cooking?"

"I'm attempting to. I hope it turns out okay." Taliana frowned at the frying pan before her. She was trying to cook an omelette but it didn't look anything like the picture from the online recipe she was following.

Sascha stood beside her and looked at the pan. "I think you're supposed to slice the cheese, Talia."

"I thought cheese melted when cooked?"

"I think that's for butter?"

Taliana slapped her hand to her forehead. "I forgot to put butter. Do you think I can still add it now? It'll still taste the same, right?"

"I don't know how to cook, either."

Useless. Taliana examined the frying pan again and referred back to her phone for the recipe. "I don't understand this."

"Why don't we just eat out?" Sascha suggested.

"I wanted to cook for us. I had it all planned out. Make breakfast, have a nice talk and just chill on the couch."

"Talia, baby, come here." Sascha reached out to her.

"You call me baby again and you're waking up bald tomorrow."

Sascha grinned. "Come here." He grabbed her hand pulled her to him. "The day's not over yet, alright? We can still buy breakfast then come back and chill on the couch like you wanted."

"I just wanted to do something special for you." Taliana leaned her head on his shoulder and automatically, Sascha's arms went around her. They fit together like two pieces in a puzzle. "I wanted to spend time with you."

"It's the thought that counts. Besides, we can still eat out and spend time with each other."

"I wanted some privacy, I guess."

Sascha smiled mischievously. "Privacy? What exactly did you have in mind for this morning?"

"I guess you'll never know because we're going out." Taliana gave him her own version of a playful grin.

"Such a tease." Sascha grabbed her hand as they went out of the flat and began leading her to a small café in the village. They chose a corner booth and sat across from each other.

"I don't think I've eaten anywhere other than the players' restaurant this past two weeks," Taliana observed. She picked up the menu and looked it over.

"It's good that I took you out then."

Taliana peered over the top of the menu. "So, this is a date?"

"You're wearing sweats and a hoodie, not even my hoodie. What do you think?" Sascha deadpanned.

"You don't have to dress up to go on a date."

"Trust me, Talia, when I take you out on a proper date, we're dressing up."

"Do I have to wear heels and a dress and all that shit?"

Sascha chuckled. "You make it sound so bad. It's like you've never dressed up for a players' party or something."

"That's because I haven't. Not lately."