"You know, it's all your fault."
His tone was calm yet laced with a quiet disappointment that echoed in the still morning air. Nephis knew deep down that his frustration was not aimed directly at her—it was the circumstances, the lost chance, the way everything had come to a halt that weighed on him.
Truth be told, Nephis felt a profound sense of regret too. After years of locking away her emotions and burying her true self, she had finally mustered the courage to reveal her heart. Discovering just how starved she had been for genuine love was both a painful and liberating revelation. Now, having bared her soul to the one she adored, she struggled to hide the vulnerability that came with it.
Sunny, meanwhile, was caught in a whirl of conflicting emotions. Although he was upset about how events had unraveled, he could not help but feel a twinge of relief. Earlier that day, a secret moment had been unexpectedly witnessed—not by an outsider, but by his own younger sister. In Sunny's eyes, it was a minor mercy compared to the consequences that would have followed if someone like Effie had caught them. Effie's harsh judgments and relentless nature would have set off a chain of scandal and endless reproach. Yet even this small mercy came at a price; his sister had collapsed from the shock mere moments later.
Now, Sunny and Nephis found themselves in a quiet guest bedroom, tending carefully to his sister as she lay pale and fragile on the bed. Sunny had already assured her parents that she would stay with them until she recovered, easing their worries. The room, though softly lit and filled with gentle murmurs of concern, seemed to hold the weight of the day's turbulent events.
Before Nephis could offer comfort or voice her own tangled thoughts, Sunny's nervous energy broke the silence. His voice, carrying a trace of unease, urged, "Be careful—Effie is coming."
At those words, Nephis tensed. For a fleeting second, her face turned into a mask of unreadable emotion. The mention of Effie, with her sharp tongue and unyielding standards, made Nephis wish she could escape into a safe, dreamlike retreat. But she fought the urge to flee, knowing that they had no time to lose.
After a few moments, as if some invisible threat had lifted, Sunny's rigid posture relaxed. In a hushed whisper, almost as if he were sharing a secret, he murmured, "She's gone." The relief in his voice was palpable, and Nephis, too, felt her tension ease. In that silent exchange, a subtle smile tugged at the corner of Sunny's lips—a smile that spoke volumes about the unspoken affection he held for her. Yet, as he tried to hide his blush and lower his eyes, his rapid, uneven breathing betrayed his inner turmoil, drawing a tender, almost imperceptible smile from Nephis.
Eventually, after a long, heavy pause, Sunny sighed deeply and turned toward the door. His steps were deliberate as he walked down the quiet hallway. Nephis followed close behind, her steps light and careful so as not to disturb Rain, who slept soundly in the adjacent room. The old wooden door creaked softly as they stepped out into the corridor, a sound that somehow underscored the gravity of their situation.
Though Nephis had longed to retreat into the comforting seclusion of the guest room, oe even to sunnys own room and having the chance to embrace him, fate had other plans. Their path led them directly to the heart of the home—the kitchen. There, seated in an elegantly carved wooden chair that reflected the home's age-old charm, sat Effie. She appeared almost expectant, as if waiting for their arrival so that she could be served a meal.
A weary sigh escaped Sunny as he entered the bustling kitchen, his mind already whirling with thoughts of lunch. The idea of preparing a hearty, satisfying meal for Effie—who had not eaten in quite some time—seemed almost like a small beacon of normalcy in an otherwise chaotic day. The scent of fresh herbs and vegetables mingled in the air as he began to plan, determined to restore a sense of order amid the morning's turmoil.
As he moved about the kitchen, Sunny's thoughts drifted back to Nephis. In her quiet resilience, he saw the strength to weather even the most turbulent of times. He resolved that once his sister was stable and Effie's unexpected visit was managed, he would find a way to openly share the feelings that had long simmered between them. There was too much left unsaid, too much caught between the lines of duty, love, and unyielding family ties.
In the old family home, where every creak of the wooden floor held memories of joy and sorrow, this day added another chapter. Despite the mishaps and unexpected crises, there remained a promise—a hope that through shared struggles and unspoken bonds, they would all eventually find healing and understanding. Together, Sunny and Nephis silently acknowledged that even in the midst of chaos, their hearts were intertwined, ready to face whatever came next.
Sunny's kitchen was bathed in the soft, golden light of an early winter evening—a gentle reminder that even the longest days eventually yield to quiet, reflective moments. Tonight, his focus was absolute. With practiced ease and quiet determination, he set out to create Beef Wellington—a dish that promised not only layers of flavor and texture but also a visual spectacle that could transform any modest meal into an unforgettable feast.
Before he even lit the stove, Sunny surveyed his ingredients with a meticulous eye. He had selected a pristine, center-cut beef tenderloin—its marbled interior a testament to quality, lean yet supremely tender. In his mind, this cut was the canvas upon which he would paint a culinary masterpiece. With a pinch of salt and a generous crack of freshly ground black pepper, he seasoned the meat evenly. Then, in a well-oiled, scorching-hot pan, he seared the tenderloin with swift, confident strokes. Each side was kissed by the intense heat for only a few precious minutes, enough to create a deep, caramelized crust that locked in the natural juices and imparted a rich, complex flavor. Once the sear was complete and the meat had a moment to rest and cool just enough to handle, Sunny brushed its surface with a vibrant smear of English mustard—a secret ingredient that added a subtle tang and a hint of heat, perfectly setting the stage for the flavors yet to come.
While the beef rested, Sunny turned his attention to the mushroom duxelles, the heart of the Wellington's aromatic core. He gathered an assortment of mushrooms—cremini, shiitake, and portobello—and began to finely chop them with the precision of a seasoned chef. As he worked, he recalled the earthy aroma of freshly foraged mushrooms and imagined their transformation into a rich, concentrated paste. In a heavy-bottomed pan, he melted a generous knob of butter and added the chopped mushrooms along with minced garlic and a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Slowly, over gentle heat, the mushrooms began to surrender their moisture, reducing into a dense, almost pâté-like consistency. The fragrant steam that filled the kitchen was heady and intoxicating—a promise of decadence in every bite.
Aware that one of his guests had an insatiable appetite—capable of devouring a meal meant for five—Sunny was especially scrupulous in every measurement and step. He prepared an extra portion of the mushroom duxelles, ensuring that its savory richness would carry through each generous serving. Next, he carefully laid out a thin sheet of plastic wrap on his spacious countertop. Over it, he artfully arranged slices of prosciutto in an overlapping pattern, forming a delicate blanket that would serve a dual purpose: imparting a subtle, salty flavor and creating a moisture barrier to keep the pastry crisp later on. With a steady hand, he spread the cooled mushroom duxelles evenly over the prosciutto, taking care to leave just enough space at the edges to seal the final assembly.
The time had come to assemble the components into a single, harmonious whole. Sunny placed the tenderloin squarely in the center of the mushroom-laden prosciutto. Then, using the plastic wrap as his guide, he carefully rolled the layers together into a tight, uniform log—each turn precise and deliberate, ensuring that no excess moisture or air pockets would compromise the dish. Once the log was secured, he transferred it to the refrigerator, allowing it to chill and firm up—a critical step that would help it maintain its shape during the subsequent wrapping process.
After the log had chilled sufficiently, Sunny retrieved a sheet of buttery, flaky puff pastry from his freezer. He laid it out on a lightly floured countertop, rolling it just enough so that it was supple and large enough to encase the beef log entirely. With the precision of a master craftsman, he positioned the chilled log onto the pastry and then wrapped it carefully, folding the edges inward until the entire log was snugly enshrouded. Before sealing the package completely, he brushed the pastry with a glossy egg wash, which not only helped to adhere the seams but also promised a beautifully golden finish. With an intricate pattern carefully scored into the surface of the pastry, Sunny's creation was now ready to enter the oven.
As the Wellington baked, the transformation was almost magical. The puff pastry began to rise and separate into delicate, crisp layers, turning a resplendent, golden-brown color that spoke of perfection. The aroma that emerged from the oven was a heady blend of rich, seared beef, earthy mushrooms, and the subtle, savory essence of prosciutto—a sensory overture that filled the kitchen and sent anticipatory shivers down his spine.
When the timer finally chimed, signaling the end of the baking process, Sunny's heart swelled with pride. He carefully removed the Beef Wellington from the oven and allowed it to rest briefly on the counter—a moment to let the internal juices settle and the flavors to meld. With a steady hand and a keen eye for presentation, he sliced the Wellington into thick, generous portions. Despite the modest guest list, every slice was calculated to yield hearty servings—each piece robust enough to satisfy even the guest with an appetite for five.
Before serving, Sunny paused to survey his work with a quiet, reflective satisfaction. The table was set with care: elegant plates, polished silverware, and soft candlelight created an atmosphere of warmth and intimacy. In his mind, the Wellington was more than just a dish—it was a testament to his culinary passion, a labor of love that told the story of dedication, precision, and the joy of creating something truly spectacular.
With the dish assembled and the table set, Sunny prepared to present his masterpiece. He knew that Effie—ever the vibrant and outspoken guest—would likely devour the Wellington in moments, barely pausing to appreciate its intricate beauty before teasing him about how much he had changed over the years. Perhaps she would joke about how lucky Nephis was to have such a talented husband, or how his culinary skills had grown with each new challenge. Despite a flicker of reluctance at the thought of being teased, Sunny's smile remained steadfast. He carried the platter with measured care, as if escorting a precious treasure through a battleground, each step calculated and deliberate.
Finally, as he set the dish before his guests, the soft clatter of cutlery and the murmur of appreciative voices filled the room. The golden, crisp pastry, the succulent beef, and the rich mushroom filling were laid out like a work of art—each slice a narrative of culinary excellence. In that moment, Sunny realized that all his careful planning and dedication had paid off. The meal was not just nourishment; it was an experience, a memory in the making, and a tribute to the beauty of sharing great food with the ones you love.
As laughter and conversation began to weave through the room, Sunny allowed himself a quiet moment of triumph. His signature Beef Wellington was more than a meal—it was a celebration of passion, precision, and the unspoken joy that comes from turning a challenge into an opportunity. And with Effie's playful banter and the hearty appetite of his guest, the evening promised to be one of those rare, unforgettable nights where every bite told a story of care, creativity, and culinary magic.