Chapter 5 Since when have you known how to cook

Nicholas was sitting inside his office, the space looked strictly professional with an air of luxury, tall glass windows that showed a clear view of the city, with the nightlights illuminating the skyline almost outshining the stars in the sky.

As he normally did, Nicholas stood by the windows staring out into the vast space outside, his expression remained as it normally was, rigid and unfathomable where it was hard to guess his thoughts. In his right hand was a cigarette while on his left was a lighter which he flicked on and then off repeatedly but he didn't light the cigarette, nor did he show signs of actually smoking, it appeared as if he was just playing with it.

He remained like that in silence as if finding his peace, the minute sounds of the lighter clicking on and off until a knocking sound on his door brought his distant looking eyes back to the present.

"Come in." He uttered without even turning back to look who was walking into his office.

After a few seconds when the sound of approaching shoes stopped, his assistant's familiar voice was heard, "President, elder madam Stoll had this sent for you a while ago."

Nicholas hesitated for a few seconds before he put back the lighter in his pocket and threw away the cigarette into the bin before extending his hand to take the envelope his assistant was handing him, he carelessly tore the envelope open to find a golden invitation for a masquerade gala organized by one of his father's old friends whose daughter had just graduated and was joining the family company.

Nicholas knew the Donald's family madam to be a quite broad minded person and she was known to enjoy opulence, the woman had been a long time best friend of his mother's and they both were women who enjoyed luxury living, without a doubt the extravagant party with a masquerade ball theme was undoubtedly her idea.

Seeing Nicholas give the invitation one look before casually dropping it on the table and went back behind his computer typing furiously, Melody, his personal assistant said, "She left that with the instruction that you and Mrs. Stoll must unfailingly attend as she is currently suffering from..." Melody paused her words to see Nicholas's reaction as he had suddenly stopped typing to hear what she has to say, Melody knew full well that only his mother could bring out any sort of emotion out of Nicholas. She continued, "Suffering from a painful headache."

"Got it, you may leave now." He uttered expressionlessly.

Melody nodded then turned around to leave, but before she reached the door she paused slightly as she heard Nicholas's voice on the phone, "Hello, Mom."

His voice was still the same cold tone, but there was a tinge of concern in them. Melody turned around glancing in slight awe at his handsome face, she had been working for Nicholas for four years now, and in all the time she'd known him, he had always been ruthlessly cold and detached from absolutely everyone except one, his beloved mother. From what she knew, he would do absolutely everything for the woman, he would be concerned if he heard she had a simple cold not to mention a headache.

It was always surprising for Melody to see this cold man being soft, and every time she heard him address his mother with some emotion in his always cold tone, it would always stun her. Melody pulled the door close behind her after recovering from her momentary shock.

***

The sound of the car parking at the entrance alerted Angelica of Nicholas's arrival, Tessa gave her a reassuring smile, "I'm sure master will like the fact that you made his dinner tonight madam."

"Thank you." Angelica expressed her gratitude to the woman with a smile.

Once again Tessa was taken aback by Angelica's sudden polite manner, though she didn't know Diana before since they had just been employed into the mansion after the marriage by the elder madam Stoll solely to take care of Diana, Tessa had expected her to be quite spoilt and willful like normal rich young ladies. But the woman before her was mostly quiet yet sweet and polite.

She had kindly asked for help in preparing dinner for Nicholas, and Tessa was quite surprised to realize that she was actually a warm and kind woman. Not many women were like that and Tessa found Nicholas to have been a lucky man to get to marry a beautiful and kind lady.

"Welcome back master, madam has prepared your dinner tonight. If you please..." Tessa was the first to approach him before he could head up the stairs. Nicholas was stopped in his tracks hearing Tessa's words.

He turned towards the dining room sighting Angelica setting the table, a flash of surprise passed his dark eyes before he back stepped heading into the dining area.

Angelica who was focused on setting the table didn't notice the tall figure approaching, as she heard the footsteps, she thought it was Tessa.

"Tessa, could you please pass me the..." Angelica's words were cut off in her throat abruptly when she collided with a tough wall like chest immediately she turned around, she gasped caught off guard then took a step back with her head lowered after she met with his dark frowning gaze.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were there." Angelica apologized softly.

"Since when did you know how to cook?" his voice was laced with query as he gazed down at her suspiciously.

Angelica was immediately alerted by his question and the suspicion in his tone.

Earlier when she had that conversation with Eliana, Angelica was made to realize that there was absolutely no other way she would get Nicholas to want to be intimate with her so she could get pregnant unless she cleared out the dislike he felt for Diana, if he began to have a good impression of her, it would make him despise her less and finally accept her as his wife. In other words, she had to make Nicholas fall in love with her as Diana for her to be able to complete her mission.

The thought had struck her heart at first, she knew that the person he would be falling for would be Diana and not her, but she had come to make herself accept that she and Nicholas were never meant to be, this was a fact she had accepted eight years ago, and it wouldn't change now even if she had to pretend as his wife. At least she would have done a good thing, she would have repaired the relationship of a married couple, that way, Diana could live happily with Nicholas and wouldn't have to endure his anger and hate just like she was doing right now.

Angelica had been thinking of ways to change his impression of Diana that she decided to cook for him, but she had completely forgotten about the fact that Diana could not cook at all, while Angelica was an absolutely amazing cook, anyone who tasted her cooking would know immediately that she was very skilled at it.

And hearing the suspicion in Nicholas's tone, she was immediately scared that she might have exposed herself by cooking for him, what if he tasted it and realized she wasn't Diana?

Looking up at his icy cold eyes, Angelica nervously swallowed her saliva.