Recipe For Love

The sound from the alarm forced maverick eyes open. He turn to the alarm with a disgusting look on his face.

"It's morning again!" he sighed, he sat on his bed, the blanket leaving his half body naked. He remove the blanket and stood up, and grabbing his phone.

Of course he knew his father would have mess his phone with missed calls.

"It is a habit, he can't live without me," he shrugged, as he headed to the bathroom to shower.

He dressed up after bathing, and proceed to downstairs, where his secretary Ethan, awaited.

"Good morning, sir," Ethan greeted.

"Are you trying to choke yourself?" Maverick asked, ignoring his greetings.

"No sir," Ethan replied and adjust his tie.

As Maverick walk towards the exit, Ethan grab his hand.

"You need breakfast, before going to work," Ethan smiled.

"Oh! You need a break right?" he asked, smiling.

"Break? No...sir..your father..."

"My schedule for today?"Maverick cut him off, walking out of the mansion.

•••

"Good evening ma'am "James smiled, at the customers.

"Do you have channel latest bag?" the lady asked, scanning the boutique.

"The one with a small ring at the right edge?" James clarified.

"Yeah," the lady replied.

"Okay ma'am, I'll get it for you, "James said, leaving to retrieve the bag, when Ava went to approach the lady.

"Oh wow! I love your earrings," Ava complimented.

"Thank you, you look good too," the lady said, with her gaze fixed on Ava's outfit.

"Earrings like this go well with this kind of bags. Channel is a popular brand so, I understand why you think it is the best for your outfit. But I guarantee you that, after checking out this bag, you will not buy Channel again." Ava explained, showing an alternative bag to the lady.

The lady collected the bag with a confused expression, she check it out...

"Your...."James couldn't complete his sentence, as he notice Ava with his customer.

"I am sorry for the intervention, she...."James was cut short by the lady.

"I will take this," the lady smiled.

"Okay ma'am, your card?"Ava smiled, processing her transaction and packaging her goods.

"You aren't buying channel anymore?"James questioned.

"No," she replied.

After some minutes, Ava returned and gave the lady her package and bid her farewell.

"She was supposed to buy from me!" James snapped.

"What are you talking about? I just help a customer in choosing bag that'd match her outfit, what's so wrong in doing that?" Ava asked, with an innocent look.

"Nothing is wrong with that, after all you are the best sales rep," James smirked.

Ava prepared to leave when her phone rang.

"Mom?"She picked the call.

"What! I am on my way now,"She exclaimed, hanging up.

"James, I know you hate me now but you have to do me a favor, cover up for me when Sharon comes back, bye! Love you!" Ava screamed, blowing kisses.

"What can I do to her?" James sighed frustratedly.

•••

Ava got to the hospital breathing heavily.

"Mr Jensen?" a nurse asked, and she nodded, trying to catch her breathe.

"Ward 005" the nurse replied, and she ran off to the ward.

"Dad!"Ava called, walking slowly to her unconscious father. She hold his hand, glancing at her mother and brother.

"What happened?" Ava asked her mother.

"He was okay when he woke up; he even went out to chat with his friends, it happened when he came home for his medications," Mrs. Jensen explained tearfully.

"Did he take his drugs in the morning before going to his friends?"Ava asked.

Mrs. Jensen nodded.

Ava sighed, worried about the hospital expenses.

"Don't worry, I paid them," Ryan, Ava's younger brother said.

"Why would you do that? You are still a university student! Where did you get the money from?" Ava snapped.

"I work in a convenience store," he replied, before walking out of the ward.

"Mum! You saw that right? You saw how rude he was, right!" Ava yelled.

"Just let him be; you can go back to work. I'll stay with him." Mrs Jensen guaranteed.

Ava stood up, and peck her mother's cheek and left the hospital, thinking about how to fund her father's surgery fee.

She walk to a bench, and sat down. Enjoying the cold breeze.

"Okay! Let not think about anything!" she sighed, and close her eyes.

"Ma'am! Are you alright?" Nott, a Chinese man who was passing by, asked Ava.

She opened her eyes.

"How can I be alright? When I just set my eyes on an angel," Ava smiled.

Nott laughed.

"You are so cheeky," he laughed.

"I am Nott" he introduced, stretching his hand for a shake.

"What a modernized name for a Chinese man, I am Ava," she smiled, shaking his hand.

"How did you know, I am from china?" he asked, surprise written all over his face.

"Your accent gives it away," she chuckled.

"You can stop by, our boutique next time,"Ava handing Nott a flyer.

"I have no plan of shopping in a boutique now, I have to provide for my family first," Nott explained, with a smile.

"Oh, you should hurry to work then, Good luck!" she encouraged.

"I am starting a new work today, but my friend isn't showing up," Nott complained, sitting beside Ava.

"You should call him!" Ava suggested.

"He is not picking his calls," he replied.

"Must you go with him?"

"Of course, the employer said I must come with an assistant, " he replied.

"Which work?" Ava asked, eagerly and Nott sighed.

"I think that is too much, I am sorry," she apologized.

"I am applying to be a cook for a business man," he replied.

Ava's eyes widened.

"Like seriously! You are rich, man!" she exclaimed.

"But the problem is the man," Nott smiled, at Ava's expression.

"Why?"

"I was told the man always reject all the chefs that apply, he is a workaholic and he doesn't like eating, he would say that the food did not meet his taste and the chef will not be given the work. So, there is no chance that I will be able to get the work." Nott narrated.

"Nott, let's go to the man together, let's go get the job together!" Ava screamed, her eyes sparkling.

Nott eyes grew wide.

"My friend..." Ava cut him off.

"If you go with me, there is 60 percent chance that you will get the work,"

"Ava...let's do this," Nott smiled, and they stood up from the bench smiling.

•••

Ava and Nott entered the mansion, stunned by the luxurious interior.

"Have a seat," a maid smiled, walking to them.

They sat down.

Another maid brought in, glass of juice.

"Thank you" Nott and Ava thanked, as they curiously wait for their employer.

After some minutes, Mr. Bryce walked into the living room, Nott hurriedly stood up and greet the man, Ava did the same.

"You are welcome to my son's abode," Mr Bryce smiled.

"As you already know, you will be given a test, if you pass it, you will be given the job," Mr. Bryce explained.

"I am fully aware sir," Nott replied.

Maverick entered with Ethan behind him.

"What are you doing, dad?" Maverick snapped.

"You need a cook!" Mr Bryce retorted.

"I have so many maids in this house," Maverick said, in a calm tone.

"Maids aren't cooks! anyways I will hire this man to be your cook and the lady as his assistant," Mr Bryce explained.

Ava quietly watch the scene, understanding why Nott said the job seems impossible to get.

'what do I do?' Ava thought, biting her nails, she glance at Nott, she could see he is very sad and nervous.

'he must really need the job for his family ' she thought.

"You know what my answer is already, his food will be dry and sour," Maverick snapped.

"What if it is not dry and sour?" Ava intervened.

Maverick faced her with a smirk.

"There is nothing you can do; the taste will never be different," Maverick snapped.

"I only need 40 minutes, where is your kitchen?" Ava asked.

"Please follow me," Ethan said, leading Ava to the kitchen.

"But you are the chef?" Mr.Bryce asked Nott, who was also surprised by Ava sudden intervention.

"Ye..s..sir" he replied.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Ava is already feeling dizzy, she open the cupboard and saw a lot of ingredients.

She sighed and tie her apron confidently.

After 40 minutes, she entered the living room with a tray, the food is covered.

Ethan behind her, he stayed with her throughout the cooking period.

"What are you doing? Open it!"Maverick commanded.

She smiled, revealing the food.

Everyone eyes widened when they saw what she made.

Maverick burst into laughter and she also started laughing.

He stop laughing, as he walk closer to her.

"Are you sure this garbage is made for me?" Maverick questioned, staring directly into Ava's eyes.

"Yeah, since you don't like delicious food so, I think you'd like this," she replied with a smile.

Maverick suddenly burst into another round of laughter.

"Wow!"

To be continued.

"Wow! You must have really loose some screws," Maverick exclaimed, as he burst into another round of laughter before changing his expression completely to a serious and mean one.

"You failed, now get out of my house," he ordered.

"They are not going anywhere!" Mr Bryce snapped.

Maverick glared at Ava. "Dad!"

"The maids will show you your room, good luck," Mr Bryce said to Nott and Ava.

"Does that mean we got the job?" Nott asked, just to be sure.

"Of course!" Mr Bryce replied, with smile.

Ava rush to Nott and pull him into a warm hug. "Thank you," he whispered in her ears.

Maverick smirked, and storm out of the mansion, Ethan followed him.

"I have to bring some of my stuff, I will be back in a few minutes," Ava promised.

"Do as you wish," Mr. Bryce smiled, and left the mansion.

Ava and Nott went to their various home to get their stuffs, and to deliver the good news to their family.

~~~

Later that day, Maverick return into the mansion.

He went straight to his room to have his bath.

"What was he thinking?" he muttered, recalling his Father's expression when he approved Ava and Nott.

"I pity them," Maverick chuckled thinking of the best way to get rid of them, especially Ava.

He get on his bed and covering himself with a blanket, Nott knocked on the door.

"Who is there?" he questioned, as he walk towards the door.

He opened it and saw the last person he is expecting to see before going to bed.

"I am sorry to disturb you, sir. I want to inform you about my arrival as your personal and new cook. My assistant will be around tomorrow morning. Good night, sir," Nott explained, with a smile.

"The next time you disturb my privacy will be your last moment in this house," Maverick snapped rudely and closed the door on Nott.

"I shouldn't care about his rude manners, as long as he is going to pay me," Nott shrugged his shoulder and left to his room.

•••

Later that night, Ava went to see James, and they decided to have a drink in a bar, she actually visit him to bid farewell.

"Are you serious?.." James couldn't complete his sentence, chocking on his sentence.

"Of course! You see what I've always told you about been crazy and friendly?" Ava chuckled.

"That's unbelievable! Do you know the billionaire you will be working for?" James asked, interestedly.

"So, you think I will know a billionaire, and I will be stupidly working for Sharon? Hell no!" she snapped.

"I actually thought we will be together until the very end....I was planning to name our boutique AJ wears," James pouted.

"Sorry, friend. I just got a better offer," she stuck her tongue at him.

She stood up and grabbed her Gucci bag.

"I will chat with you later," Ava winked and left the bar.

James was her only friend because ladies seems to get tired of her; she was not always serious and doesn't seems interested in what most girl drool for. So, she only have a male friend, and that was James.

•••

Ava was about to enter the compound when she started hearing some strange movement.

She move closer to where the sound was coming from.

"What is going on?" she gasped, at the sight in front of her.

The two guys that holding Ryan's cloth release his cloth roughly, and he fell to the floor.

"If you don't return my money in the next five days, I'll send your head to your mother," one of the guys threatened.They left.

Ava was dumbfounded; she started blaming herself for accepting their father's hospital bill from her younger brother.

'I should have reject the money.' she thought.

Ryan stood up and made to leave, but Ava dragged him back.

"I will not answer any of your questions..." Ryan hadn't finish his statement when Ava slap his right cheek.

"I didn't ask you to share my responsibility!" Ava yelled, tearfully.

"How is paying dad's hospital bill your responsibility? How is feeding us and catering for my needs your responsibility? Mother needs to eat, father needs his medication, I need to buy textbooks, your salary is not even enough to buy my textbooks not to talk of father's drugs or food stuffs!" Ryan explained angrily.

"You should have told me..."

"I will pay their money; don't worry about those fools" Ryan snapped and left.

Ava found her way into her room, she was so devastated.

How much work does she need to do to change her family standard of living.

Next morning, Ava barely get a good sleep, she kept thinking about what happened yesterday night.

She rush out of her room to Ryan's room, but when she got there, he had already gone out.

"Ryan already went to school?" Ava asked, not believing her eyes.

"He hates being late in school," Mrs. Jensen replied, with a smile.

"Late in school? Mum this is 5;00 am!!!!" Ava yelled.

"So? He said he have to read before the morning class" Mrs. Jensen explained.

Ava roughly rubbed her hair frustratingly, before going back to her room to pack her stuff for her new job.

~~~

Meanwhile in Maverick's mansion, Nott was already in the kitchen, cooking.

Maverick entered the kitchen, he became pissed off when he couldn't find Ava.

"Where is your assistant? Don't tell me she hasn't resume work, by this time?!" he snapped.

Nott flinched and slowly turned to him.

"Good morning sir....she will..she went to buy some ingredients," Nott lied, trying not to make it obvious.

"Who gave her the money?" Maverick questioned, suspiciously.

"I..I..I gave it to her...you were sleeping" Nott replied.

"Why are you...."

"Nott!!" Ava's voice cut Maverick off.

Ava entered the kitchen with a smile, but the smile slowly turn to a frown when she saw Maverick, glaring dangerously at her.

"Where are the ingredients?" Maverick asked.

Nott tried to communicate with Ava using sign language, but she doesn't understand, so she decided to use her usual tricks to avoid the question.

"You are here Mr Mave," she smiled.

"I asked you a question! Who the hell are you to shorten my name?" he snapped.

"Oh, I don't know you don't like it when someone shortens your name, but I like it though, Mave sound so beautiful," Ava replied, ignoring his first remark.

"What is your name?" Maverick surprisingly asked.

"Ava" she replied with a smile.

"Should I call you A then?" he snapped.

"You cannot shorten my name because it is already short, it doesn't make any sense if you call me A," she expressed.

"Are you saying that I am senseless!" Maverick yelled, moving closer to her in anger.

Ava was about replying when Ethan appeared.

"You have a call Mr Maverick," he informed.

"Hang it!" Maverick snapped.

"Mr Lucas is on the line," Ethan snapped, Maverick glared at Ava before collecting the phone from Ethan and he storm out of the kitchen while, Ethan followed him.

"Did you have a special mission of making his angry?" Nott chuckled.

Ava smiled before walking to Nott, who was almost done making the food. She pick a tissue paper and clean the sweats on Nott's forehead.

"Thanks," Nott said.

"He is obviously hitting on me, but I'll keep him and his money," Ava winked.

"He is just a rude spoiled brat, nothing more," Nott said, clearing his throat.

•••

Maverick intensified, he become extra angry when he learnt that his phone wasn't ringing, Ethan lied.

"You lied?" Maverick asked, again just to be sure of what he heard from Ethan.

"Yes sir, Lucas hasn't contact us," Ethan replied, with a straight face.

"But you said..."

Ethan cut Maverick off."I couldn't stand and watch them humiliate you"

Maverick went completely silent for some minutes before responding.

"I have an appointment with Leo. Let's go," he ordered, changing the topic too.

"I didn't do anything wrong, did I?" Ethan doubted, as he followed his boss respectfully.

•••

By the time Nott finished cooking, he arranged the dish on the table and went for Maverick, only to learn that he left for work already.

"That foolish rich boy!" Ava spat.

"I badly want him to have a taste of my food," Nott sighed, sadly.

"Nott! There is no need to feel bad because he didn't taste your food. That's his loss, don't you think?" Ava winked cheerfully and Nott nodded with a smile.

They both ate the food and served the remaining, to the maids.

During the day, Nott was busy researching new recipes, while Ava was watching a show on the television.

•••

>

Maverick just returned from meeting; he sat on his chair as he gulped down the bottle of water on the table.

He smirked when he recalled Ethan's words.

"Ava? Humiliate me? A whole me!" he scoffed, bursting into another round of laughter.

He was still laughing when Sophia entered with her usual pretty smile.

To be continued.

"What is that thing that amuse the almighty Maverick to make him laugh this much?" Sophia teased, walking sexily towards him. She sat down on his desk.

"Sophia, have you eaten?" Maverick smiled.

"No, I came here hoping you could have dinner with me. But,what's up? You've never treated me to a meal before. What's the occasion?"Sophia asked, studying Maverick's mood.

All she knew was that, he was in a good mood, which was unlike him.

"Let's go to my house; my father hired a cook," he smiled, as he grabbed his brief case.

"Why? I thought they were all disqualified?" Sophia asked.

They both went to the park.

~~~

Thirty minutes after, Sophia and Maverick got home, Nott was already asleep. Ava was still watching the TV.

Ava stood up from the couch immediately Maverick and Sophia entered.

"You are welcome," she smiled, as maids rush to collect their bags from them.

"Where is Nott?" Maverick asked.

"He is sleeping in his room," Ava replied.

"Without making dinner?"Maverick questioned, frowning.

Sophia sat beside Maverick. "I need to eat, go and wake him," Maverick ordered.

"I'm afraid I can't do that; Nott have insomnia; he hardly gets good sleep," Ava apologized.

"Okay..."Sophia cut Maverick off.

"He didn't ask you about his medical records; he asked you to wake him! Do as he say; he is your boss, girl."Sophia hissed.

"What would you like to eat?" Ava smiled at Maverick, ignoring Sophia's statement.

"Just make a toast and orange smoothie," Maverick replied. Ava proceeded to the kitchen.

"Wait! Did your maid just ignore me?" Sophie snapped angrily.

"Just leave her; she has loose screws," Maverick replied.

"Then she should go to a psychiatric hospital, why is she here?" Sophia snapped.

"I will definitely...."

"No, Maverick, sack this girl, this minute!" Sophia snapped, breathing heavily.

"Don't get worked up because of a mere chef," Maverick cautioned.

"You are not going to sack her? Seriously," Sophia smirked, packing her bag.

"Sophie...you..."

"Sack her and we will be back together" She threatened and left the mansion.

Sophia was Maverick's only friend, the one who understood him the most.

After some minutes, Ava returned to the living room.

"It's been served on the dinning table," Ava informed, getting Maverick's attention.

"Feed the dogs with it," Maverick replied, and went to him room.

Ava fold her fist angrily. "Why did he disturb me then he knew he wasn't going to eat it!"

Her phone started ringing.

"That spoiled brat!" She chuckled and picked up.

"I don't need any money!" Ryan yelled.

"Take care of yourself, debtor!" Ava said, and hung up.

Maverick walk downstairs and collected Ava's phone.

He typed his number and called it; then her own number pop on his screen.

"Don't turn off your phone, I will message you when I need anything," he said and went back to his room.

"But there are 5 different maids in this house, why should I...."Ava was still complaining, when she received a message from him.

✉️Get me a glass of water✉️

She release a smirk as went to the kitchen to get the water.

"Open it," Maverick responded Ava's knock on the door.

"Here it is," she tenderly handed the glass of water with a smile.

Maverick checked the cup with a disgusting look.

"What's with the stain at the bottom?" he questioned, and dropped the cup.

Ava smiled and went out. She came in with another glass of water.

"I am not thirsty anymore; get me chips instead," Maverick replied, his gaze not leaving his laptop.

Ava sighed and went out, returning with a pack of chips.

"I love chips with orange juice," Maverick snapped.

"But you didn't tell me," Ava frowned, but the frown slowly turn to a smile when Maverick glared at her.

"I will be right back," she winked, as she went to bring cold orange juice.

"I hate cold drinks!" he yelled.

She went to bring a tepid one.

"I lost my appetite," Maverick said, throwing the chips package at her.

She pick out the chips and was about to leave.

"Get me a cup of water,"Maverick said, and Ava burst into laughter.

"Wow! But you are not thirsty," she snapped.

"How do you know I am not thirsty? Be fast I may collapse if I don't see water in the next 30 seconds," Maverick replied, moving his gaze from the laptop to her.

He smiled when he saw sweats on her forehead.

He stood up from the bed, walking closer to her.

"You must be tired," he said, pretending to be worried.

He stop in front of her tucking his two hands in his pocket.

"You just said that you are not thirsty," Ava reminded.

"That was then, I am thirsty now," he smiled.

"Your room is upstairs, I have to take the stairs to bring you these things from the kitchen, it's not that easy Mr. Mave," Ava smiled.

"I am thirsty,"Maverick repeated.

"I need to check if you are really thirsty," Ava smirked, before Maverick could figure out what she is trying to do, Ava grab his neck, but he quickly push her away and she landed on his bed.

Maverick eyes grew wide every seconds, he slowly touch his lips. He swiftly turn to Ava with a frown. "What are you trying to do!"Maverick yelled.

"I wanted to check if you are thirsty," she said, feigning innocence.

"And how does that have to do with my priceless lips?" Maverick snapped, his fingers not leaving his lips.

"Your lips? I was trying to check the temperature of your neck, the temperature of your neck will determine how thirsty you are, I heard that from a doctor in my hometown," Ava narrated.

Maverick became dumbfounded.

'Why did I touch my lips? Why did I asked her to come to my room? Why did I push her?' so many thoughts ran through his mind as he stood there speechlessly.

•••

After some minutes, Ava find her way to her room, her heart beating heavily.

She used her hand to fan herself, her cheek was red enough to make tomato paste.

"What if I ain't so talented? What if the story didn't pop on my head? And why was I trying to kiss that fool?" Ava questioned, pacing around the room.

~~MORNING~~

Next morning, Maverick woke up late; he have no idea about what kept him asleep.

He yawned and got up from the bed, he was smiling when he remembered what happened the previous night. The smile slowly turn to a pity look.

He had his bath, brushed his teeth, dressed up and pack his necessary document inside his brief case.

He peeped his head through the door, to check if Ava was in the living room, and luckily she wasn't there.

He held his brief case unto his chest and sneak into the living room; he was about leaving when Ava appeared.

"Arrgh!" he screamed, as he hit his leg against the couch.

"Are you okay, sir?" Ava asked.

"It's nothing," he shrugged off and was about leaving but Ava stop in front of him.

"You have something to say?" he questioned.

"Have breakfast before you leave, please " she pleaded.

"I..." he was about giving excuses.

Ethan entered.

"Of course, a worker should eat, for energy supply," Ethan replied Ava instead.

Maverick eyes grew wide.

"Let's go, boss," Ethan said,

"I have to be in a meeting," he replied calmly.

"Okay then, wait here" Ava smiled, and went back to the kitchen.

After some minutes, she appeared with a bag. She handed it to Ethan.

"Please ensure he eat this after the meeting," she pleaded.

"Okay, thank you," Ethan smiled.

They left the mansion.

Ava was about returning to the kitchen when Joanna, a maid, stopped her.

"Hi" Ava waved.

"Did you give the food to Mr Ethan or the boss?" Joanna asked.

Ava stared at her for some minutes, Joanna keep a straight face, waiting for Ava's reply and she was already lost while staring at Joanna. However, It is nothing new for Joanna, she is used to getting lustful stares from ladies and men.

'Since when did you start liking ladies, Ava!' Ava snapped inwardly.

"The food is for the boss; I gave it to Ethan, since he is his secretary," she explained.

"Make sure you add Ethan's portion next time, he is also a workaholic, he hardly has time to eat," Joanna explained, and left.

"Her face, voice, and figure is so damn beautiful, but I don't get why she is going for less. Maverick is obviously more handsome, why did she choose Ethan? Well they said; pretty girls always settle for less," Ava concluded, entering the kitchen.

"Ava, have you tried this?" Nott asked, with a smile.

"Of course! Your cooking skill is just too amazing," she smiled, giving him a thumb up.

•••

>>

Sophia slowly brush her hair, as she recollect what she experience at Maverick's house yesterday.

"That's his first time saying no to me," Sophia smirked, and dropped the brush angrily.

She carried her bag leaving her room angrily. Her gaze narrowed upon seeing her father, Mr. Dutton in the living room. She asked inwardly, "Why is he here?"

"You are late again,"Mr Dutton complained, his voice dripping with authority.

Sophia heart skip a beat.

To be continued.