The Kitchen Confession
The sun streamed through the windows of Felix's modern, high-tech villa. The vibe was cozy, yet thick with unspoken feelings. Felix sat propped up in bed, his arm still heavily wrapped in a white bandage from the gunshot, but his focus was entirely on the screen of his phone.
The Sister's Intuition
Felix was on a video call with his sister, Nancy. She was practically vibrating with worry.
"Felix! Why didn't you tell me? I only found out because Fiona called!" she cried. "How did it happen?"
Felix licked his lips nervously, his eyes darting to the side—a total dead giveaway that he was lying. "I... uh, I skidded on my bike. No big deal."
Nancy narrowed her eyes. "A bike accident? Then why don't you have a single scratch on your face or legs?"
Felix recovered quickly with a smirk. "You should be glad, Nancy. Nothing can touch this handsome face."
They both laughed, but Nancy's tone turned curious. "So, who's taking care of you?"
"Don't worry," Felix murmured, his gaze softening. "I have... Gabriella."
Nancy's jaw dropped. "Gabriella? You guys are that close? Should I start planning the official family gathering?"
Felix coughed, turning red. "Wait! She hasn't even accepted me yet."
"Bro," Nancy laughed. "If she's staying there to nurse you back to health, you've already won her heart. A girl's actions speak louder than her words."
Suddenly, the bedroom door creaked open. Felix quickly told Nancy he had to go, but not before Nancy dropped a bombshell: "I'm coming to see you! Actually, I reached town yesterday!"
Felix didn't hear her. He was already distracted by a loud CRASH from the kitchen.
Felix rushed to the kitchen, ignoring the pain in his arm. He found Gabriella standing over a shattered glass, looking awkwardly at the floor. She was dressed simply in an oversized white hoodie and leggings, her hair tied in a messy bun, looking far more relaxed than her usual "revenge-ready" self.
"Sorry!" she chirped.
Felix didn't care about the glass. He grabbed her hand, checking her fingers for cuts. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
Gabriella's heart did a little somersault at his immediate concern. "I'm fine, Felix. Really."
She tried to bend down to pick up the shards, but Felix stopped her. "No, I'll do it. You'll get hurt." Together, they cleaned the mess, their shoulders brushing in the small space.
"Are you planning to cook?" Felix asked, looking at the ingredients on the counter.
"Yes!" Gabriella said proudly, hands on her waist. "I know we can order takeout, but it's bad for patients. Besides, how hard can it be? You just put everything you like together!"
Felix's smile turned awkward. He realized then: Gabriella had zero cooking skills.
"Where's the wheat flour?" she asked. Felix pointed to a shelf. She grabbed a jar of cornstarch instead. "Why is there so little? It feels so smooth," she said, smelling it.
Felix gently took the jar from her. "Let me handle the dough. You... just cut the vegetables."
He gave her a carrot. Gabriella started hacking at it so abruptly it looked like she was declaring war on the vegetable. Felix chuckled and stepped up directly behind her. He was so close she could feel the heat radiating from his chest.
His hand covered hers on the knife, guiding her. "Not like that. Like a Julienne cut—thin and long."
Gabriella couldn't breathe. His voice was a low rumble in her ear. "Do you understand?" he whispered.
"One more time... please," she breathed, her heart racing.
As he showed her again, her hair brushed against his face. Felix leaned in, captivated by her scent—something like vanilla and rain. Gabriella turned around in excitement to show him her perfect cut—"Look!"—and the world stopped.
Their lips touched.
Both froze. The silence was electric. Felix didn't pull away; instead, he swiftly turned her to face him fully. He began to lean in again, his eyes dark with intensity. Gabriella melted, her eyes fluttering shut, waiting for the real kiss—
DING-DONG!
The doorbell shrieked through the house. The spell was broken. Gabriella jumped back, her face flaming red, and rushed to the door to hide her embarrassment.
She pulled the door open and turned into a statue. Felix walked up behind her, his hand resting protectively on her shoulder, but he froze too.
Standing on the porch weren't Nancy or the delivery guy. It was Gabriella's parents—Frederick and Roselette.
Frederick's eyes went from the flour on Gabriella's face to Felix's bandaged arm, then to the fact that they were clearly alone in the house.
"Felix greeted them first, his voice polite and warm. "Welcome, Uncle. Welcome, Auntie."
"Why did you guys come?" Gabriella asked, still flustered.
Roselette stepped in, patting Gabriella's cheek. "How could we stay away? We heard Felix wasn't well." Frederick nodded, looking at Felix's bandaged arm. "Are you holding up alright, son?"
Felix smiled, looking every bit the perfect son-in-law. "I'm much better now."
He insisted on helping them with their heavy bags of fresh vegetables, his movements gentle despite his injury. When Roselette found out they were in the middle of cooking, she gasped. "Gabriella! Why are you making him cook? He needs rest!"
"Let me take over," Roselette insisted, tying her apron.
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A few hours later, the four of them were gathered around the polished oak dining table. The table was packed with steaming bowls of curry and fresh rice and Steamed Bun.
"This is delicious, Auntie," Felix said, taking a bite.
"Take more!" Roselette beamed. Frederick chuckled, looking at his daughter. "Of course, Roselette is the star. Gabriella, on the other hand..."
Gabriella's proud smile vanished.
"She makes everything look so colorful," Frederick teased, "but we can't take a single bite of it!"
"Dad!" Gabriella whined, turning red. Felix leaned in, his shoulder brushing hers, and whispered so only she could hear: "I figured as much. Don't worry." He then placed a piece of chicken on her plate. "I can cook for both of us. Don't worry."
Gabriella looked at the food, a small, genuine smile tugging at her lips. For a moment, the revenge and the secrets felt miles away.
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Deep Intentions
After lunch, while Gabriella was in the kitchen, Felix sat on the sofa with Frederick and Roselette. The atmosphere turned serious.
"Do you truly like my daughter, Felix?" Frederick asked, his eyes sharp.
Felix didn't hesitate. He nodded firmly. "I do."
"How is everything between you two?" Roselette asked softly.
"We are getting to know each other more every day," Felix replied.
Frederick leaned forward. "What if we hold an official family meeting? To discuss the future?"
Felix shook his head gently. "No, Uncle. Gabriella's consent is more important than anything. I'm ready to wait for her until she is 100% ready to say yes."
Roselette and Frederick exchanged a look of pure pride. They could see how much he truly cared for her.
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The Heart's Gravity
A few minutes later, Felix wandered into the kitchen. Gabriella was elbow-deep in soapy water, washing the dishes.
"Shall I help?" he asked.
"Go rest!" she commanded, but then she softened. "And... thanks. For treating my parents like your own."
Felix leaned against the marble kitchen slab, his gaze turning distant and a bit sad. "I will. They are like my parents. Honestly, I'm just happy to feel the warmth of a family again. It's been four years since I lost that."
Gabriella melted. She looked at him, realizing the deep pain he hid behind his smirk. She knew his parents had died in a tragic car accident; she knew he was lonely. Her heart ached for him.
"Gabriella," he said, breaking the silence.
"Mm?"
"Where would you like to go on our next date?"
"You need to recover first, Felix," she said, trying to stay grounded.
Felix didn't listen. He stepped forward, pinning her gently between himself and the counter. He leaned in close, his face inches from hers. "I can't wait," he whispered, his voice dropping to that husky velvet tone. "Did you forget? I'm going to make you mine after our fifth date. I'm serious."
Gabriella's heart hammered against her ribs. Their breaths hitched, the air between them electric.
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To be Continued.....
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