145

145

With the intention of taking Alesya home, Nicholas planned to handle all the pending catering payments. He also intended to help his team transport all the equipment back to the restaurant. However, seeing Alesya, who had just experienced a major problem at Silvi and Devin's wedding, Nicholas decided to ignore all his work.

He delegated all his tasks to his secretary, including dealing with the remaining bills. He preferred to accompany Alesya, who was still crying, rather than continuing his work. For Nicholas, seeing Alesya smile was his top priority right now.

"On a cloudy and slightly chilly afternoon like this, it's nice to have something hot, spicy, and slightly sour. It's very refreshing," Nicholas mumbled, describing a hot and flavorful soup that many people enjoyed.

Alesya, sitting beside him, turned to him, raised an eyebrow, silently questioning what kind of food Nicholas was referring to. "Hmm... where should we eat, with a romantic atmosphere but away from the crowds?"

"Do you mean?" Alesya finally became interested in Nicholas's mumbling. It sounded more like a direct invitation than talking to himself.

"Well," Nicholas held Alesya's hand, "It's cloudy, chilly, and I think we'd better have a meal somewhere before going home. But what kind of food do you think we can enjoy?"

"I don't know," Alesya replied casually. She swore she didn't mean to ignore Nicholas; it's just that she was still in shock from what had happened.

Alesya also couldn't believe that she had entrusted everything to Nicholas completely, without holding anything back. There was a mix of happiness amidst the sorrow, making it hard for her to describe her current state.

She hoped her relationship with Nicholas would go the way she had always wanted, now it was just a matter of finding a way to admit that she had feelings for the man currently holding her hand tightly.

"Instead of getting a headache, how about we go to Puncak?" Nicholas glanced at Alesya briefly before focusing on the road ahead. "Puncak? What's that? The peak of a mountain, a hill, or..."

"Puncak is the name of a place in one of the cities, not too far from here, about two or three hours without traffic. It has a beautiful view and a cold climate, just perfect for a woman who's going through a heartbreak."

"I'm not heartbroken, though!"

"If you're not heartbroken, why are you so quiet?"

"I just don't feel like talking right now, Nick."

"That's why I said you're probably heartbroken; usually, you're as chatty as a chick looking for its mother."

"Nicholas..."

"Well, if you don't want to be compared to a chick, then smile, okay?"

"Alesya..." Nicholas continued, trying to cheer her up.

"Yeah, if you don't want to be compared to a chick, then smile, okay?"

"Alesya blushed, revealing her row of pearly white teeth.

"So, what do you think? Should we go to Puncak?"

"Is it far?"

"It's not far, Alesya, two to three hours, as I mentioned earlier."

"Well, maybe we shouldn't."

"Loh, why?" Nicholas asked.

"What if Bryan comes looking for us later? You know that guy can be really annoying."

"Yeah, you're right," Nicholas grimaced. "But you see, Al..."

"It's better if we just go home. I need some rest, seriously. I'm exhausted, Nick."

"Okay, then, if that's what you want, we'll go home. But when we get home, promise me you'll look perfectly fine. If you run into Arya and Shabila... I don't want them to know anything bad happened to you, including..." Nicholas bit his lower lip.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone what happened to me earlier. Because, honestly, I want to forget how rude Devin was to me."

Nicholas didn't reply. He was afraid he might say the wrong thing because he had thought of mentioning their relationship earlier.

Upon arriving home, Alesya went straight to Nicholas's room, ignoring Shabila and Bryan, who were sitting in the living room.

Whatever had happened between the married couple, they both seemed silent, with Bryan burying his face in his hands. Shabila, on the other hand, appeared indifferent as she played with her phone.

"Alesya, I'll catch up with you later, okay? I want to cook something for you." Nicholas shouted from the top of the stairs.

"What are you cooking?" Alesya stopped in her tracks.

"I have something; just wait for me upstairs."

"It won't take long, will it?"

"No, probably just half an hour. Why? Afraid of being alone in the room?"

"Why would I be afraid?"

"Is it because of ghosts?"

"What kind of ghosts?" Nicholas wanted to follow Alesya to find out what kind of ghost was bothering her.

Alesya sighed. "There are no ghosts, Nicholas. Now, go and cook. I want to rest." She walked slowly, her thighs aching.

One by one, they climbed the stairs until Alesya reached her room. She lay down, feeling tired and exhausted. Just as tired as her heart and mind because her problems never seemed to end.

"Do you see? What makes food special isn't just Alesya; it's Nicholas too. And you? You just give me money and ask for your share in bed. A husband's duty isn't just that." Shabila protested once Nicholas and Alesya disappeared from their sight.

"So? Bryan chased after her, demanding an explanation for Shabila's earlier words.

"You have to treat me like Nicholas treats Alesya. I want to be pampered like that too. When was the last time you cooked for me? You don't have to make complicated dishes, just instant noodles."

Bryan shook his head, "I can't cook."

"But I don't care; now go to the kitchen and make something for me. Whatever it is, I just want to get what Alesya gets. I don't want anyone to be happier than me, especially your second wife. Do you understand?"

Frustrated and annoyed, Bryan rose from his seat and left Shabila to follow Nicholas into the kitchen. He felt like scolding Nicholas and Alesya for being so romantic in front of him, making Shabila demand the same treatment.

Cooking was a foreign concept to Bryan; he hadn't even fried an egg before. That's why he had never touched the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Nicholas began to execute the food materials available in the refrigerator. This time, his goal was to make chicken meatball soup since there was no beef stock in the fridge.

Nicholas began to crush the chicken meat, adding spices, flour, and various other ingredients. He then made meatballs and let them soak in warm water.

The aroma wafted through the air, enticing Bryan's appetite. He approached, longing to taste his little brother's creation.

However, his pride held him back from doing so.

Nicholas, who had been working, was secretly observant. He noticed that Bryan had been staring at a pack of instant noodles and two eggs for almost fifteen minutes.

One red onion and garlic, a few red chili peppers, but Bryan hadn't done anything with the ingredients yet. Nicholas didn't understand what Bryan was planning.

Bryan didn't ask for help, and Nicholas wasn't willing to offer any assistance or suggestions.

Finally, when Nicholas finished making the chicken meatballs, ready to serve, Bryan spoke up. He noticed a few meatballs left in the pot.

"Nik, is this still being used or not?" Bryan pointed to the pot.

"What? The pot? No, it's done," Nicholas replied, glancing at Bryan's instant noodles. "Why are you waiting for this pot? There are others over there." Nicholas gestured towards the storage shelf where two identical pots were.

"No, not the pot."

"Well then, what is it if it's not the pot or the stove? Be clear!"

"Yes... is the meatballs still in use?"

"Oh... the meatballs? No, they're not. Why?"

"I want to use them as a topping for the noodles I'm making," Bryan said, wiping his neck, humbling himself by asking Nicholas for help.

"Sure, go ahead. Just take them. You can add the noodles and eggs. Done. Serve it with the instant chili sauce from the fridge over there. There's instant chili sauce; you don't have to bother making it yourself."

Despite his dislike for Bryan, Nicholas still helped him prepare a meal for Shabila.

"Okay," Bryan agreed. He unwrapped the noodles and put them in the pot, waiting for a while according to the texture he usually ate when his housekeeper prepared them.

Meanwhile, Nicholas, who had finished cooking, went to find Alesya, delivering the meal he had prepared to the girl who was now starting to dance gracefully in his heart.

As Nicholas walked towards the stairs, he crossed paths with Shabila. She seemed to be peeking, sneaking glances at the bowl in Nicholas's hand.