Oh My Chef

Chapter 4

"Philip, your daughter is so beautiful," Mrs. Larson said while looking at me.

"She takes after her mother. By the way, where is your son?" Dad asked as soon as he sat on the chair.

"He'll be he---there he is!" Mrs. Larson said, looking at his son.

"What a handsome man," dad commented.

Dad stood up and reach for Mrs. Larson's son's hand for a handshake. I, on the other hand, was left speechless at the handsome guy standing while smiling at my father.

I've seen a lot of handsome men in America before, but his face is like a perfect painting made by the best artist in the world.

"Good evening Mr. Triton."

Even his voice is too perfect.

"Good evening to you too young man. This is my daughter." Dad faced me. "Mikah Safari Triton. She just arrived from America," he said as he introduced me to Mrs. Larson's son.

He smiled at me. "Hi, miss Mikah. I'm Kevin...Mark Kevin Larson," he said and extended his hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Kevin," I said and accepted his hand.

"Let's eat now."

I went back to my chair, and that when I noticed that Kevin's sitting right in front of me. So, now we're facing each other.

"Mikah, what do you think about my son?" I was dazed for a moment when Mrs. Larson said those words.

Why is she asking me this? I just only met his son for minutes.

"I think he's kind," I answered.

Lumawak ang kanyang ngiti. "Really? You're right. He's a kind child, and I think he's the right man for you, ijah."

I was flabbergasted.

"Honey." Hinawakan ni Mr. Larson ang kamay ng asawa niya na nakapatong sa lamesa.

She apologetically looked at me. "I'm sorry, ijah. I just got carried away."

I was just about to answer when dad's phone rang. He stood up. "Let me just take this," he said before taking a step away, enough for us not to hear their conversation.

"We're really glad you came tonight, Mikah. I was nervous because your dad said that you don't want to be in a relationship yet." My gaze went to Mr. Larson.

I only smiled at him. I don't know how to retort an answer, and besides, I really don't want to talk about my relationship status right now.

"We have a problem." I lifted my gaze to dad. He stood there with his serious face.

Mr. Larson's face became firm. He looked at us. "I think you two should talk. We have an important discussion to talk about."

Tumayo na ako at sabay kaming pumunta ni Kevin sa kanilang garden.

"You don't want to do these right?" he suddenly asked.

I slightly nod. "You're right. What about you?"

"At first, I really don't want, but after seeing you...I guess it's worth the try. Hindi naman siguro mangyayari muli yung nangyari dati." He was staring at the stars when he said those words.

Nangunot ang noo ko. "What do you mean by that?" I curiously asked. May nangyari bang hindi maganda para masabi niya ang mga salitang iyon?

From the stars, his gaze went to me. "Every month, mom and dad would introduce me to different girls and made me date them. I actually didn't like it. Every one of them has ulterior motives." He stopped for a moment then continued. "When I heard about this dinner, I didn't want to come, but mom and dad insisted so I had no choice. But when I saw you, I was actually thankful that I came."

"That is one worst experience you had. Even I would definitely oppose that." Pailing-iling kong sabi.

I lopsided smile formed on his lips. "Yeah, and I really hate those girls. They only like my face and body or either they're after our money," he said.

Hindi rin naman kasi maiiwasan ang mga ganyang pangyayari. Kahit noong nasa America pa ako, na experience ko na ring habulin ng lalake dahil lang sa mukha at katawan ko. Thankfully hindi narin yun nangyari pa muli.

"What about you? What did you experience back when you were in America?"

Napaisip naman ako. Nothing much really happened to me back then. "Well, I just met lots of kind people there and even made good friends. That all," I answered, nodding my head slightly.

"He briefly looked at the sky then to me. "You haven't experienced any blind dates or stuff?"

I was about to say no when something popped up in my mind.

"I don't know if it's still called a blind date, but my friend in America forced me to go on a blind date with her so I had no choice but to come. When we arrived at the place, two guys were waving at us. My friend left and ordered us some food and both our partners went to the boy's comfort room. I was about to stand up to help my friend when my blind date's phone rang. I picked up his phone and was about to answer the call but the ringing stopped. What surprised me was that my blind date's phone lock screen wallpaper was my friend's blind partner...and worst, they were kissing each other. My friend saw the picture and went ballistic. And after that incident, she never went to any blind dates anymore." I let out a loud sigh as soon as I finished talking.

He was grinning when he patted my back. "Slow down. Wala namang humahabol sa iyo."

I raised my hand. "I'm fine. I just need to breathe."

"That was really unexpected." Amusement was shown in his face. Sobra atang natawa sa aking kinwento.

"I agree." Tipid kong sagot.

He stopped patting my back and his face became serious.

"What's with the sudden change of expression?" Hindi ko mapigilang hindi makaramdam ng kunting kaba.

"What about you, Mikah? Do you still want to go on a blind date?" He asked, not answering my question.

My forehead creased. Why is he asking me this?

"Of course I don't want to, but I'll go on any date if I want to."

Bumalik ang ngiti sa kanyang labi. "That's good to hear."

He's weird.

"I guess you two are enjoying each other's company."

Napalingon ako sa aming likuran at nakitang nakatayo malapit sa amin si dad.

"Dad, why are you here?"

He walked towards us. "I'm sorry to disturb you two, but we have to go home now, Mikah."

"It's okay Mt. Triton." He looked at me then flashed his attractive smile. "I've had a great time talking to you, Mikah."

I just smiled at him then left.

We arrived in dad's car. "Mikah..." He started while driving.

I looked at him. "What is it?"

"We saw you two having fun together so we decided that you two should go on a date tomorrow," he said.

I returned my gaze at the road. "Don't worry, I'll go."