"Tali, some seafood was delivered earlier, a gift from a board member to Sir. Would you like to cook that? It's fresh," Manang suggested.
I went to the fridge right away and saw the seafood Manang mentioned: shrimp, crabs, squid, and mussels. Hopefully, Sir isn't allergic to any of these.
"Sure, Manang!"
I took out the seafood and cleaned them. When Manang offered to help, I declined and suggested she sit and watch instead. I wanted to make up for what I did to Rozzean by cooking well, so he wouldn't be embarrassed in front of his guest.
I also grabbed a chicken from the fridge. I was going to make spicy chicken barbecue, and the last dish would be sisig. I checked the time; it seemed like I would manage to prepare these dishes as I had more than one cooking station. I would do some multitasking. I am used to this since we are a big family at home and my brothers are heavy eaters.
"You're really good at cooking, Tali. Where did you learn?" Manang asked.
I glanced briefly at Manang and returned my focus to slicing. The truth was, I learned cooking from my Mom. Back when we had Dad and my three big brothers in the house, they ate a lot. So, I suggested to Mom that she teach me to cook so I could help her.
That's how I learned to prepare a variety of dishes, even in high school.
Based on what I can do, you wouldn't think I'm the child of a billionaire. The same goes for my siblings. We weren't raised to expect everything to be served to us. It's not the type of upbringing our Mom and Dad wanted.
"Oh, well, I got used to watching cooking videos, Manang, and I really enjoy cooking. If I get the chance to study, I'd like to take a culinary arts course," that's what I told Manang.
Culinary arts, huh?
Maybe, when I come back, I should consider taking that course?
But my life's course might change if I can prove there's no reason to stop the marriage my dad wants. It's been a week in Rozzean's house, and I haven't heard or seen any sign of his girlfriend.
"Manang, can you clean my room?"
While I was busy, suddenly our boss came in. I looked at Rozzean, who had just arrived. I wondered why he wanted his room cleaned. It seemed clean when I checked earlier. Could it be for the guest he mentioned? But why in his room? oh gosh, don't tell me?
I erased the dirty thoughts that came into my mind right away. Not in in front of him I would think about lewd thoughts!
"Sure, sir," Manang replied. She glanced at me and smiled before leaving the kitchen.
I focused on cooking, I was so focus on cleaning the meat while checking the simmering water.
"What are you cooking?"
And when I thought I was alone, I almost had a heart attack when I heard Rozzean's baritone voice behind me.
"Oh, Jumbo hotdogs!"
I accidentally dropped a piece of meat in the sink. My heart raced due to the surprise. I thought he had followed Manang upstairs!
I looked at my boss and found him now leaning on the island counter, watching me intently.
"S-Sir, I didn't realize you were still here."
"What are you cooking?" he asked again.
After washing the pork, I placed it in the boiling water. I glanced at Rozzean while drying my hands. There was no need to wash anything else; I had already cleaned the seafood and chicken. All that remained was to cook them.
"I'm making sisig, seafood, and spicy chicken barbecue, sir."
He nodded. He stayed, is he gonna watch me cook? but, while looking at him I think we are okay now as if no throwing-shoe-on-him that happened.
"Take your time. My guest will be late."
Oh...
He straightened up and seemed ready to leave the kitchen. But when I remembered the seafood, I asked if he had any allergies.
"Sir, you're not allergic to seafood, are you?" I inquired.
He shook his head. "No. That's one of my favorite foods."
Favorite... I smiled a bit. Just a bit.
"Ahh..."
I glanced at the mussels.
"I added mussels, sir. Do you eat mussels?"
I asked with a smile, waiting for his response. However, my smile faded when he grinned at me.
"I eat mussels, Tali."
As Rozzean turned and left, I faced the sink and took a deep breath. What was that? What the hell was that? I was sure there was a different meaning behind his response because of his smirk and the way he licked his lips!
"Thaliana Tangi, calm down, it's nothing. He just answered your question," I whispered to myself.
But why did hedo that? What the hell!
II felt my face heat up. I lightly tapped my cheeks to snap out of the thoughts about Rozzean as he answered my question.
However, I suddenly stopped when a disturbing thought entered my mind.
Rozzean, in between my thighs, smirking while his eyes were filled with desires.
"You taste good, Tali."
That fckng wet dream! stop it, Thaliana Tangi!
I washed my face to removed the dirty thoughts because of what Rozzean did before he left the kitchen. Dang.
"Are you almost done?"
I looked at Manang. She just came back. She smiled at me, and then approached me. I was placing the dishes I cooked into containers. I also arranged the presentation. I have some knowledge of how to make the food look good.
"Wow, they all look delicious," Manang said.
I raised my index finger while my other hand rested on my waist.
"Oops, Manang, the sisig and seafood are not suitable for you. They can raise your blood pressure. You should go for the spicy chicken barbeque; it's not too spicy." I explained.
Manang gave me a playful scowl and flicked my nose. I chuckled at her reaction. After finishing the food preparations, I took a piece of chicken barbecue from the pan. There were some leftovers there, so I placed them on a plate and offered a taste to Manang.
I kept looking to my left, just in case our boss would suddenly appear out of nowhere, like a mushroom.
"It's delicious! That's why Sir enjoys eating here at home. Ever since you started working in the kitchen, I've noticed that he eats here more often," Manang said.
Oh, Manang, she's boosting my confidence. But, well, Rozzean has been missing for three days.
"Really, Manang? Is it true that Sir often eats out?" I asked.
I continued chatting with Manang while I cleaned the sink and the utensils I used. She was still eating.
"Yes, I'm not kidding. I'm telling the truth. He usually eats out and rarely at home. Even our guards outside appreciate the dishes you cook."
It's good to hear that. I smiled at what I heard from Manang. Since I moved out and lived in my own house, I rarely received compliments about my cooking because I'm usually alone. But back in the day, my older brothers often praised my dishes. Now, they all have their own families, so we don't often eat together at my Dad's place anymore.
I actually missed that.