A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 36: The Secretive Cook

The dress Jophiel had brought with her was blue and fitting, as if made specifically for her. It matched with the color of her eyes, she noticed. The arms were loose on the end and the stripes ran from the top of her back to where her hips curved.

Jophiel gave her a curtsy when she was about to walk outside, and a reassuring smile as if she knew what Elena had to do.

Elena descended the grand staircase and followed the hallway that led to the garden. She could smell the aroma of steaks and omelette, her all time favorite food. Excited, she held the hem of her dress, pushing the door open to reveal an arranged table with two empty seats. She spotted Gabriel standing nearby talking to a maid.

He was dressed in all white! She had to blink incessantly to confirm his identity. His boots were black, perfectly matching with the pair of white pants he was wearing. His coat was white too with a black scarf around his neck. His raven black hair stood out specifically in his new looks.

He finished talking with the maid and turned around to look at her, a smirk on his face when he noticed the look on her face. She stood there, her hands clutching the sides of her dress, breath taken, as Gabriel walked over towards where she was.

"My Lady," he greeted, taking his hand in to hers. His cold lips settled on it as she surrendered her fingers to the little intimacy. Her eyes surveyed the area and the maids were quick to cast their eyes down.

Gabriel’s eyes were on his bunny all the time. He noticed she was afraid of the public eye given that she was quick to watch out for anyone who might be looking at them. Either way, today he was going to overwhelm her with care. Truly, her punishment was much of a loss to him, and he needed to redeem himself now that the chance had availed itself.

He held her by her hand until her eyes were on him again. "Shall we?" He asked, and when she softly nodded, he led her to the table. He was quick to pull a chair for her before he sat on his designated one.

Elena noticed how gentle Gabriel was today. From the moment he walked in, he had done nothing less than to treat her like a lady, and he, some fat and honorable country lord. And for the few days she had spent with Gabriel Sinclair, she knew this was unlike him. Unless he wanted something...

"I had them prepared especially for you," he said breaking her from her reverie. She followed his line of sight and saw the steaks and omelette, her stomach instantly growling when the aroma hit her nostrils. They were there waiting for her to do them justice! But wait! How did he know... ?

"Your brother told me about it in the briefest of time we shared with him. I must admit he was quite puzzled when I asked him." Their eyes met, Elena’s filled with both surprise and realization. "You don’t want the food to get cold." He added, picking a napkin and dupped it. He took the fork and knife too, his movements turning out excellent in Elena’s eyes. Unfortunately, she was caught staring.

Elena cast her eyes everywhere else but on Gabriel, similarly picking her fork and knife as well. She served herself an omelette and worked on the fork. All the while, she could feel Gabriel’s eyes on her. A bite was all it took for her to forget about his existence. The taste of the omelette slapped different, reminding her of her familiar meals in Mysthaven.

Her speed on the fork and knife alarmingly increased, making Gabriel to halt in his actions. Within a minute or two, she was wiping her lips with the napkin, the plate already empty. Her mouth was full but that didn’t make her any lesser of the bunny he knew.

"A sweet tooth, aren’t you?" He asked leaning forward. She lifted her eyes to meet with his but she never stopped chewing.

"This is sweet," she complimented, food still in her mouth. She was acting unladylike but Gabriel enjoyed this version of her more.

Gabriel inserted his hand in the pocket and fished out a folded piece of paper. He unfolded it and let his eyes run through it. "A simple recipe I might say. Though you might advise Lilian to improve on her handwriting."

Elena " "!

She halted in her chewing, her eyes scanning Gabriel Sinclair as if he were some alien. His words echoed in her mind as if what he’d said appeared to be a recurring dream. Wait! So he had Lilian, her maid in Mysthaven, prepare a recipe for her favorite meal!? How - When did all this happen yet she always saw Gabriel here for the last two weeks!

"What?" He asked when Elena stared at him with those curious eyes, and only then did he notice the matching outfit she wore. "Don’t tell me you don’t like my cooking."

Now Elena needed someone to slap her out of this daydream disguised as a nightmare! Not only did he fetch the recipe but also prepared the meal himself!?

He smirked for the nth time. "I wouldn’t let a nameless maid prepare my bunny’s favorite meal." He nearly rolled his eyes. "Did you like it?" He asked, crushing the paper in his palm.

Like it? Hell she loved it! And though it was prepared using the same recipe as Lilian used, she had to admit there was a secret ingredient she wasn’t aware of.

Her lips parted, her eyes settling on Gabriel’s grinning face. He looked like a mighty cook waiting for praise from a once in a lifetime customer.

Casting her eyes at the empty plate, she said, "I loved it." She could already imagine the victorious smile on Gabriel’s face when he heard it. If only she could slap the grin and smirk off his face. Not a very desirable idea but one she’d take the risk to venture into!