Love In Silhouette

❇「Chapter 8」❇

I heard a slight bustle in the dining room from where I was seated eating in the kitchen and I knew it was one of the staff hurrying to find out anything to assist in.
I rolled my eyes in boredom and pushed the spoon of soup I was holding into my mouth.
Just then, the kitchen door was somewhat flung open as Tope scampered in.

"Madam, Oga is back, let me start mixing his Semo, and you can go and greet him." She smiled, obviously thinking I was eager to meet Asher.

Greet him? I never heard of anything more ridiculous. Pigs would fly the day I greet that self centered man.

Unfortunately, I had to pretend I was excited so she wouldn't smell a rat.

"No don't worry, you guys should go and sort him out. Tell Mrs. Wale I'll be here to mix the Semo, and when he comes down I'll serve him."

That seemed to satisfy her as she nodded and left the kitchen.

I smirked and braced myself for what was coming.

In about fifteen minutes, I heard the sound of activity resume in the dining room and so I assumed Asher was already there.
I stood up and tiptoed towards the closed door. Pressing my ear gently against the surface I listened for voices.

Sure enough I heard the deep baritone which belonged to Asher.

"Tope, why is my food not out?" There was a sound of scuttling of feet and I assumed that was Tope.

"I'm sorry sir, madam is probably still serving it. I'll go and bring it now."

"Madam?" His baritone dropped and I smirked.

"Yes, Madam prepared food today. I'm sorry she took time to serve it, I'll go and bring it right now."

I heard her footsteps approach the door and so I quickly straightened and hurried back to the kitchen table to resume my eating like I wasn't even eavesdropping.
At the same moment I sat down on the chair, the doors burst open and Tope rushed in.

"Madam, Oga is already downstairs. Are you done with serving his food, so that I can carry it to him in the din..." She stopped in her tracks once her eyes landed on me still comfortably eating at the kitchen table.

Her eyes widened and her jaw fell open.

"Ma...I...I thought you were serving his food." She finally found her tongue. With all drama, I gently pushed my chair back and stood up.

"Don't worry, I'll go and meet him." The look on my face showed no expression as I brushed past the speechless Tope and towards the open kitchen door.

The moment I stepped out of the kitchen and into the dining room, a chill ran down my spine and I swallowed as I just realized the gravity of what I was about to do. I knew that he was standing to my left and all I had to do was turn and I would meet his eye.

Was I ready to take that decision?

Without waiting for an answer, I took the bull by the horns and swiftly made the turn.

Sure enough, he was standing and staring coldly at me with his pitch black pools.
Once I met his gaze, my mouth went dry and I could literally feel my knees begin to buckle but against their will, I held them in place.

We stood there for God knows how long; my zeal now too evaporated for me to even speak and he, comfortably making me uncomfortable with his death stare.

"What is all this nonsense I hear of you cooking my food? Who ever permitted you to cook my food and why isn't it ready yet?" He finally spoke, more like spat.