|61| • Amelia
Two eventful weeks passed.
Most of us from batch A were more familiar with ourselves, in the past week we were able to shuffle around due to the amount of group projects, which made it almost impossible not to make friends.
At first, it was pretty nerve-wracking when Raul wasn't in my group one time, but I tried to play it off by being bubbly.
I and Willow Rue also spoke a few times, she was an interesting one, whenever we talked I felt myself laughing at her jokes.
Other chefs had so taken us, but today Chef Gaston himself was going to take us!
I couldn't contain my excitement! Due to our numbers, we still sat together as a group, but our tasks were going to be individual.
"If you smile any harder, your cheeks will tear, pretty girl.
" Raul teased, budging my elbow. I turned my head, looking up at him.
How could I contain my excitement? Giggling, I stretched out with a sigh.
We were all seated now, waiting for him to make an appearance.
As the days passed, I and Raul got closer.
Though I tried to avoid him dropping me off because of what happened before when Evie said he didn't like it.
Raul was simply a natural flirt, I think.
"Are you excited? The last time we saw him was during the entrance exams." Raul chuckled, nodding his head, he leaned closer to me with a sigh of his own. "I'm just pulling your legs, of course, I'm excited. But it's going to be an individual test now. No hiding behind the group."
"You'll do great," I told him with a wink.
He smirked, "You think so?" I nodded, of course, I thought so. He smiled, Raul had a charming smile, especially when his teeth peaked out. Raul opened his mouth to say something but the door creaked open, revealing the owner and founder of this entire academy, Chef Gaston.
His strides were confident and graceful, his lean body arched up as he strolled in well-dressed in his chef attire. We all stood, without being told. "Good morning, Chef Gaston." Seeing him this up close was still amazing. He smiled a warm smile, nodding his head.
"Congratulations on making it here, all of you." He stood in front of the podium, placing his hands on his hip. "Well then, let's begin."
His smile flattened and was followed by a strict stare.
Taking a bite of the hamburger, I hummed, placing my palm underneath my chin.
It was so moist and flavorful! We were finally done with all our classes for the day, after Chef Gaston taught us how to make the perfect crime br?lée, Chef Hannah thought us the acts of cakes.
It was quite a full day but by 3 o'clock we were finally having lunch.
Raul munched on his bowl of fruits, nodding his head in approval.
"So you're not going to eat any food?" I had to ask, we didn't get to eat anything until now yet here he was, with nothing but a bowl of fruit. He smirked, shaking his head. "I'm not hungry. Want some?" He asked, taking a cut of pineapple to my lips.
"Burgers and pineapple don't go." I huff, moving my head too much on my burger once more. He chuckled, taking it into his mouth even though it just grazed my lips.
"Are you going to be free this weekend?" Raul asked out of the blue.
Come to think of it, it had been a while since I went out with Evie, we both had been busy with our lives for these two weeks, and I honestly missed hanging out with Evie.
Pursing my lips, I shrugged. "I think so," I said, this made him smile. "Great." He cheesed.
Finishing my burger, I raised a suspicious eyebrow, "Great?
How is that great?" He snorted, taking the napkin to wipe something off my lips I smiled, letting him.
"Thanks," I muttered when he was done. Raul adjusted on his seat, dropping his fork.
When he said, "I would like to take you out on Saturday," my stomach churned.
It didn't sound friendly at all. Memories of the Darrick situation flooded my mind, making my smile falter.
I tensed my shoulders, hoping this wouldn't turn out the same way.
"T-take me out?"
"Hey loser, hey Amelia." A voice interrupted me.
I felt relieved to see Kaji and Arnold had arrived.
I greeted them with excitement and hugged Kaji after she put her tray down.
They joined us at the table, completing our group.
I blushed and looked down, trying to act like our previous conversation didn't happen.
"Perhaps I didn't say it right, it's actually a group hangout.
I was inviting you to come with us." Raul rephrased, making me look up.
A group date? Really? A huff left my lips.
"Oh yeah, we always meet up during the weekends to chill out.
Would you like to come, Amelia?" Arnold asked, cutting down his pancakes drizzled with honey and butter.
Relief washed over me, so he wasn't asking me on a 'date date'.
Phew!
"Of course! I'd love to come." I said with a wide smile, it would be nice to be part of their weekend hangout, even if it wasn't going to be an often thing as I'd love to go on dates with Evie as well as visit my dad.
Glancing back at Raul, I noticed that he was already gazing at me, pursing my lips, I looked down at my plate.
Maybe I was just getting ahead of myself.
I hoped so.
After our lunch, Kaji drove me back home.
Raul had offered, but I just smiled, saying it was alright.
He was being nice, it almost hurt to dismiss him that way.
During the ride, Kaji and I spoke about different things, including how I and Raul were doing as friends.
She told me he was usually flirty and to ignore him and call him out if I couldn't bear it anymore.
Hearing this sounded reassuring, that meant he didn't like me, right?
When we arrived, I thanked her, coming out of her Corolla. Since it was still early, I hoped Everest was back home, the thought of spending the day together filled me with joy. Sporting a cheerful expression on my visage, I proceeded to climb the flight of stairs.
Since Evie had given me a spare ket of my own, I wouldn't have to knock or ring the bell whenever I came.
It made me feel like it was truly our home, blushing at my thoughts, I moved to unlock the door but it was already opened.
Pushing it open, I closed it back, locking it this time.
Was Evie home? My tummy swirled with hope.
"I'm back!" I called out, hoping to hear my favourite human's voice.
"Sweetheart?" My heart did skips at his voice, smiling to myself, I followed the sound of his voice to see him in the kitchen side, arranging some plates.
I ran up to him, jumping into his arms. Everest seemed surprised at my sudden move but caught me just in time, his arms wrapping around my waist. I was pressed against his chest, it felt good to be in his embrace.
"Someone missed me." He teased, rubbing circles on my back.
"I did! Very much." He hummed, pecking my forehead. "I missed you two, sweetheart."
"You came back early today," I told him, not wanting to break away from his grasp. I liked the way he held me, his eyes set on me. "I actually closed before time so I could come here early. Go change, I cooked something for us."
I grinned, "Really?"
"It's been a while since we hung out, hasn't it?"
It was as though he read my mind, I was almost grinning from ear to ear at this rate.
It was good to know I wasn't the only one worried about this, he even cooked for us!
Nodding, I skipped my way into my room. Sighing dreamily when I closed the door.
Laying down my bag, I quickly hopped in the shower, I was probably smelling like pastries right now, seeing that I spent half of my day near an oven.
When I was done showering, I took off my shower cap, plumping my hair into a full afro, deciding on what to wear. I went with satin nightwear, a two-piece. Spraying myself in body mist, and perfume before slipping into my comfortable flip flops. "Is this like a mini-date?" I asked myself, humming.
"So cute!" I squealed, opening the door.
He had already arranged our plates next to each other, candlelight seated in the middle of the dining table.
So this was a date! I grinned, it felt even more intimate seeing as I was in pyjamas and he was in sweatpants and a tank top.
A giggle left my lips, "Baby! Thank you!
" I could help to say, the set-up looked so thoughtful and sweet.
A smile formed on Evie's lips, "Come." He stretched his arms, beckoning me.
Taking his palms, I let him lead me to the dining, pulling out a chair for me to sit down.
"Thank you," I whispered, plopping down on the seat.
Even though he was dressed casually, he still scented incredibly, I could eat him up.
His head moved to kiss my cheeks before pushing the chair closer to the glass table rather effortlessly like I wasn't even sitting on it.
"You look ravishing my dear," Everest said cooly as he sat down beside me, his palm going to hold the side of my lap.
His words forced a giggle out of me. Ravhisng?
In my nightmare? I laughed once more, covering my lips.
"Liar." I teased, nudging his ribs. He grinned at me like just told him my secret, his eyes glistening.
"I'm serious, you look pretty in your little nightwear." He whispered in my ear, pecking my cheeks. His palm was close to my inner thigh, his face close to mine. "That sounds suggestive." I teased, gazing into his eyes. He hummed, smirking at me. "Is it? I had no idea." Evie smiled, pulling away.
"I actually wanted to ask you on a date before, but seeing as you always go to class early, I didn't want to disturb you.
" He began, bringing the plate towards us before serving out a portion of cream pasta and fried shrimp.
The scent alone made my tummy rumble, not to talk of the sight!
Clapping my hands, I waited eagerly while listening to him.
"You wouldn't be disturbing me though, I'd love to always hang out with you," I responded, taking his larger palms in mine. His were warm while mine were a bit cooler. He rose a brow, "But I guess I began to miss you so much this idea popped into mind." He completed, tracing circles around my hand.
"That's funny, I missed you like crazy too," I admitted with a sly smile, laying my chin on my other palm while maintaining eye contact.
Evil laughed, throwing his head back. "Did you?
" He seemed almost hopeful, it was cute.
I nodded, liking how he held my palms in his, how his hand wrapped around mine and somehow protected it.
"Yet we live together."
He was right, we did live together but here we were, missing each other like crazy. How weird was that? My eyes trailed back to the dish, "Did you actually make this though?" I asked, taking the fork to twirl a bit of the pasta. "Thanks for the food," I muttered, taking a bit out of it.
He was staring at me expectantly, "So?"
"It's so good! How did you make this?" I responded with my mouth still full.
There was no way he made something this tasty!
He grinned, puffing his chest out in pride.
"It is, right?" Taking another fork of the pasta, I dug into the fried shrimp.
It still managed to be soft even with the crispy skin.
"Who taught you this?"
I asked, impressed.
He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders sheepishly. "What can I say? I dabble in a few things."
"Boyfriend material," I played along, taking another bite. He laughed, "You think so?" Gosh, when he said these things he seemed so cute. I almost forgot he was the experienced one here. He hadn't taken a bit out of his pasta, so I took my fork, twirling a bit of his pasta before angling it at him.
"Say 'aah'," I cooed like he was in a cradle, stifling a giggle when he rose an eyebrow at me.
"Come on! It's getting cold." He sighed, eating the pasta off the fork.
I blushed, putting the fork down. I just fed him, he hummed, nodding his head.
"It does taste good, maybe even better that you fed it to me. "
"Don't be so cheesy!" I gushed, pushing his side but he only leaned in closer, "Do it again.
" He said before opening his mouth.
Oh now he wanted to say 'aah'?
Scoffing at him, I took my fork to swirl in his pasta.
Was it weird that we were sharing a fork right now?
Perhaps even weirder that when he slid his lips on the cutlery, I wanted to take a bite from the fork even more.
Hiding my smile, I pursed my lips, eating out of the pasta once more.
"I like this..." I heard myself say, leaning into his hold.
He hummed, "The food or the gesture?" Everest asked cheekily, he stared at me like I had something on my face, it was like I could see the hearts in his eyes.
Being the center of attention almost made me shift in my seat.
I shrugged at his question. "All of the above."
"I'm glad you do."
"Thank you." I meant that, this was nice and thoughtful of him.
Focusing on my food, I continued eating the pasta, humming in delight.
His hand had a permanent grip on my lap as he ate his, sometimes glancing towards me before smiling.
Gosh, was this how it felt to be loved? It made me feel of giddy inside.
I didn't want to ever let him go.
Would that be selfish of me?