Secret in the Heart ||Descendants|| (♡Ben)

20

~Past~
Kara had been wandering the darkened halls of Auradon Prep, her stomach grumbling with hunger. She had spent hours in the library, lost in the pages of ancient texts about Auradon's characters, and by the time she realized how late it had gotten, the dining hall was already closed. The thought of going to bed on an empty stomach didn't appeal to her, so she found herself standing in front of the kitchen doors, contemplating whether sneaking in for a snack was worth the risk.

After a moment of hesitation, she quietly pushed the door open and slipped inside. The kitchen was massive, gleaming with polished countertops, stainless steel appliances, and rows of hanging pots and pans. She expected it to be empty at this hour, but as soon as she stepped in, she was startled by a voice behind her.

"Looking for something?"

Kara spun around, her heart leaping into her throat. A man in a white chef's coat stood near one of the counters, his arms crossed over his chest. He was older, with a warm yet amused expression on his face. Kara was caught completely off guard.

"I—I'm so sorry," she stammered. "I didn't think anyone would be here."

The man chuckled, waving her concern away. "No need to apologize. I'm always here. Name's Remy. Head chef."

Kara felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I didn't mean to intrude. I just... missed dinner because I got caught up in the library, and I was hoping to find something to eat."

Remy studied her for a moment before breaking into a smile. "The library, huh? That's dedication. Well, you're in luck. I've just finished prepping for tomorrow. How about I whip something up for you?"

Kara's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You'd do that?"

Remy nodded. "Of course. It's no trouble at all."

Relieved and grateful, Kara followed Remy further into the kitchen, where he started pulling out ingredients from the fridge and pantry. She watched in amazement as he moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, chopping vegetables, mixing ingredients, and stirring sauces. The air quickly filled with the mouthwatering scent of fresh food, and Kara's hunger only intensified.

"So, what's a girl like you doing missing dinner for a bunch of old books?" Remy asked as he worked, his tone light and friendly.

Kara smiled sheepishly. "I guess I got carried away. There's just so much to learn here, and I feel like I need to know everything."

Remy glanced at her with a knowing look. "Ah, one of those types. Always pushing yourself to know more, do more."

Kara shrugged. "I guess so. I'm still getting used to being here, and sometimes it feels like I need to prove myself."

Remy nodded thoughtfully. "I see. But don't forget to take care of yourself too. You won't be much good to anyone if you're running on empty."

Kara chuckled softly. "You sound like my friends."

"Well, they're right," Remy said with a grin. "But I think you already know that."

Remy placed a steaming plate of food before her a few minutes later. It wasn't anything elaborate—a simple pasta dish with fresh vegetables and a light sauce—but to Kara, it felt like the best meal she'd ever had.

She took a bite and let out a satisfied sigh. "This is amazing. Thank you, Remy."

He smiled warmly at her. "Anytime, Kara. You're welcome in my kitchen whenever you need something."

Kara looked up at him, feeling a sense of comfort she hadn't expected to find. "I might just take you up on that."

From that night on, Kara and Remy formed a special bond. Whenever she needed a break from the pressures of school or just a moment of peace, she found herself in the kitchen, chatting with Remy while he worked.