Chapter 5 A MEAL FOR TWO

The following morning was the same as the previous one - quiet and empty.

Amelia got up early again thanks to her nightmares.

She pushed back the bedcovers and anchored her curly hair in a brown scarf.

"Let's get cleaning."

She made sure the living room was sparkled with neatness and the air fresh. Since there were.no other staff to assist cleaning at the kitchen, Amelia decided to take that role.

After tidying the house, Amelia decides to make breakfast. She had already whipped out a pan and some pots when she heard the sound of clicking boots.

"Amelia?" Adrian called out to her.

Immediately, she threw the kitchen cabinets open and hurled all the items inside.

"Amelia?" Adrian called again. This time, he was standing on the threshold.

Amelia slammed it close. "Yes, sir."

Adrian knew she was up to something and asked. "What's wrong?"

Amelia removed a stray strand of hair from her face. "N - nothing, sir."

"Alright." He turned to leave.

Amelia's hands trembled. Questions filled her mind and she wanted to ask but she didn't know how to.

Adrian noticed her hesitation and turned around. "D - do you need something?"

Amelia gasped. "N - No. I just... You see, Emily's the one that usually makes breakfast for you and...she's not..."

"I'm not hungry. Don't bother making my meal or touching my food." Adrian said coldly.

Amelia felt her stomach flip.

"The way to the man's heart was through his stomach." Her mother used to say. But obviously, this man doesn't have a heart.

Amelia bowed her head so he wouldn't see her misty eyes. "I - I'm sorry, sir."

He said something and stepped out the door. Just then, Amelia heard a familiar growling sound. She looked up and found Adrian frozen by the door.

"Huh?"

His stomach growled again, this time it was louder than before.

Amelia gasped. "You're - -"

"I will make my own meals. Vacate the kitchen." Adrian returned to the kitchen.

Amelia bit down in her bottom lip to suppress her laugh. Laughing was probably treason in this house and she wanted to avoid that.

Adrian shifted his gaze to hers in an icy glare. "Is something funny?"

Amelia covered her hand over her mouth, struggling to speak.

"Let it out, would you.?" Adrian said in a dry tone as he palmed his forehead.

Just like magic, Amelia removed her hand and burst out laughing.

Adrian clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Y - your s - stomach growled..." she said between laughs.

Adrian watched her holding her stomach as she laughed. Never had he seen her laugh - her eyes were closed, her cheeks pink, her mouth, oh her beautiful mouth was widened with joy. He loved seeing her like that but then last night's encounter flashed through his head and he stiffened wondering what Amelia was hiding.

Meanwhile, Amelia was so busy laughing that she didn't notice Adrian walking in front of her.

"Ahem." He cleared his throat.

"S - sir?" She looked up at him still laughing.

He narrowed his eyes at her and she stopped laughing instantly.

"I'm sorry." She looked down.

"You don't have to apologize every time or it'll lose its value." He helped her chin up.

Amelia looked into his eyes. It was the first time she was noticing them. They weren't red anymore. They were baby blue.

"S - sir." Amelia tried to pull away.

He took that as his cue and let go of her. "I will need you to leave the kitchen."

"Are you sure, sir?" She asked without stuttering this time.

"Yes."

"Okay." Amelia bowed before turning to leave.

Adrian stared at the door even after she left. Was the stuttering part of her speech defect or was it something borne out of fear?

He shook away the thought, preparing to wait on Steven's investigation.

Amelia brushed her hair slowly. She couldn't take her mind off Adrian. He might be scary but he was also very handsome.

Her cheeks pinked when she recalled him standing too close to her. He had a muscular frame with the smoothest olive skin she had ever seen. His jet black hair was so long it fell at his waist and his scent...he had this sweet scent of sandalwood and vanilla that Amelia loved.

Suddenly, she was pulled from her thoughts when she saw smoke.

"Fire?" She gasped. "Fire!"

She dropped the brush and bolted. As she raced down the halls, she found Adrian coughing violently in the halls.

"S - sir, are you alright?" She ran to his side.

Adrian let out a cough. "I - I'm fine."

Amelia looked at the kitchen and instantly froze. The entire place looked like a battlefield. Broken egg shells, flour and plates were smeared all over the place.

Amelia looked at him as though he grew an extra head and he cleared his throat.

"It's not my fault. The pan wouldn't flip the egg by itself. It's deficient. I'll have to get more pans in the market later." He announced.

Amelia's jaws dropped to the floor.

'Are you kidding me right now?' She thought.

Her eyes fell on the charred egg in the frying pan and she nearly sobbed. "The frying pan wouldn't flip the egg inside it?"

"Yes." Adrian declared proudly.

She exhaled a sigh, her hands clenched as she turned to him. "Please, vacate the kitchen."

Adrian froze when he heard her say those words. The murderous glint in her eyes informed him she was kidding.

Without a word, he walked out of the hall.

Several long minutes later, a sweet smell filled the air and Adrian could relax again. At least it was better than the smoke that filled the house minutes ago.

"Sir, your breakfast is ready." Amelia announced.

Adrian took to his feet. Finally, his stomach would stop growling.

He sat in the dining room, watching Amelia as she served his meal. She was meticulous in everything she did and he admired it.

When Amelia noticed he was staring at her, he looked at him and his eyes dropped.

She smiled and returned serving him. When she was done, she stood by the table. "Enjoy your breakfast, sir."

The scent filled Adrian's senses; he didn't know whether to complement her or devour the food. If Emily was around, he wouldn't bother devouring the food. They were acquainted for over 17 years. But Amelia...what would she think if he gobbled up the food like some savage animal. It'll give her another nightmare for sure.

"Are you alright, sir?" Amelia asked.

Adrian felt sweet trickle down his temples and his stomach grumbled again. Amelia took that as he cued to leave.

"I'll leave you to eat your meal, sir." she said with a bow.

When she left, Adrian reached for the bowl of rice. After which, he grabbed the plate of fried fish. As he ate, he could feel the storm settle in his stomach.

"This is amazing." He muttered.

Then his eyes trailed ahead. He wondered if Amelia had had anything to eat.

He tried calling her through mindlink but she didn't respond.

"That's odd." He pushed back his seat and walked to the kitchen.

She was done cleaning the kitchen. The place looked nothing like the war zone he had turned it into earlier.

"Amelia?" He called out and she lifted her head.

"Oh, sir. You want seconds?" She asked innocently.

Adrian froze. She had her hair ties up in a messy bun, exposing her white slender neck. He fisted his hand at his sides. He wanted seconds but it wasn't food.

"I called you earlier." He said instead.

"I didn't hear you, sir. I'm sorry." Amelia apologized.

"It's fine. Have you had breakfast?" He asked.

"Yes." Amelia said with a bow. Then, all of a sudden, her stomach growled.

Adrian grinned. "Sure. Let's go."

Amelia pouted her lips and followed him.

When they arrived at the breakfast table, he held out a chair for her to sit down.

"Thank you." She smiled.

"Eat up." He said as he took his own seat at the head of the table.

Amelia made a low bow and uncovered the plates arranged in front of her. Her face fell but she was quick to cover it up with a smile.

"Thank you for the food." She said with a forced smile and reached for the cutlery.

The plate of fish stared back at her and she gulped nervously.

"Eat it, witch!"

"Look at her vomit!"

Those words flashed through her mind and she froze. She couldn't eat. She couldn't.

"Won't you eat?" Adrian asked.

Amelia turned pale but she hid her face and reached for the fish.

Slowly, she cut a little chunk and took a bite. It was hard to chew and much more difficult to swallow. A spot on her right arm turned red but she dare not scratch the itch. She took more fish, nearly choking with each bite but she couldn't turn down Adrian's request to let her eat. She couldn't let him discover that she was allergic.