Cooking for my Ex-Boss

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

The next day, Audrey left early from home to get the fresh ingredients that will be used for tonight. Drove to the office and then dropped by the groceries to buy the remaining components and went back to her home. She took a hot bath with lavender oil hoping to soothe her mind. Stepping out of the bathroom, she changed into a comfortable wide pants and a crop top and prepared an extra clothes to change before the dinner placing it all inside her black tote bag. She went into the kitchen to take out the ingredients from the fridge and placed them inside a paper bag. The bell rang just in time as she walked to the door and opened to see Ethan in his dark grey suit looking sophisticated as always. She did not realize how much she missed him until he stood in front of her door.

"Evening, Miss chef. Let me get that for you." He leaned in to greet her with a kiss on her cheeks, acting such a gentleman as he took the paper bag from her hands. They drove to the Loyd hotel and stepped inside the grand lobby. They strode into the elevator and into his penthouse as his butler greeted them and took the paper bag into the kitchen.

"Clarence is here to help you in any way he can, take your time. I'll be in the office if you need me. And please don't burn down my kitchen, Miss chef." He winked and walked into his office to finish some work which he abandoned in the office so as he could pick her up in time. She began to unpack the paper bag with Clarence standing by her side ready to assist. Started by preparing the bacon, beef and vegetables while Clarence helped chopping the garlic and onions. The oven has been heated and she started to assemble the ingredients together starting with the bacon. Clarence mostly watched in awe from the side as the experienced chef worked her magic. After about an hour, she was done leaving the beef to continue to simmer for another half an hour, reminding Clarence to help call Ethan when it's time for dinner. She helped Clarence to clean up and excused herself to the guest room to take a quick shower, changing into a simple sleeveless nude dress that fits perfectly until the waist and flared down to her mid-thigh showing off her smooth toned legs. Her hair was tied in a simple chignon bun paired with a pair of white pumps. The pungent smell of the food was inviting as she stepped out of the room. Ethan has changed into long grey pants and a casual light blue shirt which was tucked out leaving the few top buttons opened showing off his bare toned chest. His slightly damped tousled hair was pushed back giving a messy yet still looked charming. She hurried to the kitchen and give final touches to the dish and was ready to serve. Clarence set up the table perfectly along with the Pinot Noir wine which suits well with the dish of the night which was the beef bourguignon served with garlic toasted croutons. They took a seat across each other as the food was served.

"Wow, this really exceeds my expectation, Miss chef. This taste amazing. I am impressed." He commented taking the first bite, savouring it.

"Why, thank you, Mr Loyd. You made me blush." She replied proudly.

"You're beautiful." He looked at her truly making her blush at the same time erasing the smug initially plastered on her face. She did not expect that sudden compliments and was unable to respond thus continued to eat her food instead.

"I've never had a woman treat for my dinner before, usually it's the other way around,  so thank you for the lovely dinner, Miss chef." He said after they finished dinner and sat on the couch together holding the glass of wine looking out at the skyscraper. Audrey was getting nervous and ponder how she would bring up the conversations she overheard the last time was here.

"Are you still seeing Cale?" He blurted causing her to choked on the wine that she was drinking. His question caught her off guard and wildly random. She was supposed to ask him, not the other way round.

"What? No! No. I'm not seeing Cale or anyone else. We went out to that event once but he's just a friend nothing more. Why?" She answered, confused why she was explaining too much on the simple question.

"Why did you meet him for lunch the day after our meeting of the lawsuit? My PI was tailing Cale to the restaurant and saw you with him." He asked, explaining when she tilt her head to the side as if questioning him.

"I wanted to confront him whether he was responsible for the food poisoning, which he denied and fair enough I trusted that it was not him. Although he did admit to pursue the lawsuit and apologized for it. I asked to meet him at his office but he insisted on meeting over lunch instead. But there's nothing going on between me and him." She explained in detail assuring him that she was only seeing him alone.

"Why do you ask me that?"

"I've told you before, he's not a good person, Audrey. Don't see him ever again. Don't be around that kind of person." He replied.

"No, why do you specifically ask me about the meeting with him during our lawsuit? Did you think that I was... working with him to sabotage you?" She said realizing the meaning behind the question. He stayed silent.

"What! That's why you were acting so weird that morning! You'd think that lowly of me? I can't believe it. Are you that ignorant? Terrified, thinking that people always have a motive around you? I... can't... believe you. Ugh!" She said feeling infuriated not realizing shaking her head and muttering inaudible sigh.

"No! Yes. I apologized. It's not you. It's Cale that I don't trust. Looking at the picture of you and him just clouded my judgement and I thought wrongly of you. I apologized Audrey." He said sincerely.

"Just because you have trust issue, doesn't mean that everyone wants something from you. There are people who sincerely care about you not wanting anything from you, Ethan." She stood up disappointed and angered, thus feeling the sudden need of fresh air to cool her down, making her way towards the glass door that leads to the balcony. She tried to look for a handle or lock or anything but could not find it. Embarrassed, she turned around avoiding his questioning look and frowned looking down at the floor hoping that it might swallow her whole instead of standing awkwardly unable to open the damn door.

"Can you please help me open this door?" She muttered scowling at herself. He let out a chuckle and clicked on the tiny button which opened the balcony door. The cold wind and fresh air was what she needed, looking amazed at the city lights under the night sky.

"So, you care about me, Miss chef?" He followed standing closely behind her ignoring the soft voice of his father's warning not to be enticed by any woman, instead he followed his heart that has been yearning for her.

"I didn't say that. I said people, not necessarily me." She teased hiding her smile overlooking the city that never sleeps. He noticed. He slip his hand towards her waist and pulled her closer to face him. Lifting up his other hand to tuck the strands of hair brushing on her beautiful face behind the ear and caress her cold blushing soft cheeks. She embraced his gentle touch as her heart raced. Lifting up both hands placing them on his chest. She noticed the faint scar on his upper left cheek below his eyes, slowly lifted her right hands, gently tracing the scar with her thumb as her other fingers leave tingling trails on his cheek and chiselled jaw.

"My father's ring pierced through that when he hit me when I was eight, for playing too much basketball." The words flowed out of his mouth while his mind was bewitched by her beautiful sincere eyes, not realizing that he shared a glimpse of his dark past he tried so hard to hide.

"I'm sorry." She whispered wholeheartedly as if she tried to relive what he went through. Pressing her palms on his cheek partially brushing his tousled soft brown hair.

"Don't be." He leaned and claimed her lips slowly while she closed her eyes feeling his touch. They slowly deepened the kiss emancipating the desire they held after trying to contain for some time. His arm clasped her waist, tightening till she leaned on his hard chest, while her hands brushed against his hair pulling him closer. Heat rose on her cheeks, their hearts yearning to taste each other. The passionate kiss slowed, his lips lingered on hers leaving her panting with delight, stalling the end of tasting her sweet tender lips. Slowly, she opened her eyes gazing into the two deep blue ocean looking back at her. Smile crept in his face feeling content looking at her lovely smile. Is this what I need? He thought, but for now, this is what his heart wants and settles with that.