Dark Paradise - Joel Miller x OC

"I'll try "

"Do you ever cook something yourself?"

Joel leaves his fork hanging when he hears the woman's question. It's true that most of the time he managed not to eat at home, taking advantage of the many opportunities the main street offers, or accepting his brother's invitations. But for the past ten days, he had changed his ways, bringing home food prepared by others. He didn't want to force her to eat outside, where curious stares and questions about how much food she was eating might have blocked her. And she was already having enough trouble eating to inflict her his bad cooking.

"I made you breakfast the first day.

-Oh yeah, that's right.

-And it took me quite the concentration to do it.

-It was just oatmeal, what concentration do you need for that." She says with a soft chuckle. Faced with his lack of response, she resumes.

"That's so sad though, you have this incredible kitchen and you do nothing with it.

-It wouldn't be so incredible after I burn it down.

-Come on, you can't be that bad.

- Don't tempt me."

She laughs again before plunging her fork back into the tiny portion of vegetables Joel brought her back. He smiles, delighted to see her regain her footing, one step at a time.

-------

Joel had barely got up when Tommy came to see him that day. Seeing his brother's face, he realized he must have slept as much as he did. Barely. He had a bag in his hand, containing some clean clothes and the book she was reading at the moment.

"Thank you. She's still sleeping, I guess she worn herself out since she's here. She had a nightmare at some point, but I doubt she'll remember this morning, she fell right back asleep.

-Good, good.

- I got this for you."

He takes the gun from its hiding place before handing it to him. His younger brother takes it, a sad look on his face.

"Did... Did she talk to you?

- A bit. She... She's hurt. She's been through a lot.

-Yeah, I won't blame her. Thanks anyway. For looking after her and... You know."

His brother nods gravely.

"Maria cleared my schedule so I could look after her today.

-Hm, I might be wrong but I'm not sure she'll want to see you. Or Maria for that matter.

-Why? Is she mad at us? Did we do something wrong?

-No but... She's ashamed, I guess.

-I must tell her it's ok

-I already have. Just... Give her some space, alright? I know you and Maria are the peacemakers, always making people talk their emotions. I ain't criticizing, that's good, and she'll need it at some time. But sometimes, people just need some time to process."

Tommy sighs. But he knows his brother is not wrong.

"I guess you know what you're talking about. So... I entrust her to you. Either way, as soon as she tastes your cooking, she'll quickly come back to us."

The elder laughs softly. He can only agree with his brother. As he leaves, Joel begins to prepare breakfast, not taking his eyes off the pan. No way he's burning her first meal at his home.