02

“Time to head home” I say, closing my laptop before packing my things. “Alice” I call out as I walk into her office space.

“Yes Lara” she answers. I smile, “please let everyone know that I will not be around tomorrow, you’re in charge tomorrow. So I’m leaving my company in good hands”.

She nods, “I will let them know ma, I’m sure everything will run smoothly”. I nod, “thank you, please let me know if there’s any problem, no matter how small it is”

She nods, “I will, but I’m sure there’ll be no need for that. Have a wonderful day off”

“Thank you Alice” I say, walking out of the office and towards the car park where my brand new Nissan is packed, a gift from my loving parents.

In thirty minutes, I arrive home thanks to the road being traffic free. I hand my car keys to the security, before heading into the house and straight for my room. I’m in a terrible need for a shower.

Once I’m done I change into a pink floral nightgown with a matching jacket since I’ll be leaving my room.

“I’m starving” I loudly grumble from the stairway, the smell of pasta filling my nostrils. “Ugggh” I mumble, as I drag my feet towards the kitchen, I shouldn’t have skipped lunch.

“What’s cooking?” I ask the chef as I walk into the kitchen. “Pasta” Clark replies, turning to face me.

“What?” I reply, covering my mouth in shock. “What are you doing here? And why are you cooking in my kitchen?” I ask, confused.

He looks slightly amused as he watched my awkward behaviour, “Lai invited me over for dinner, and I thought it’d only be proper for me to prepare dinner” he says, turning away from me and stirring the sauce.

I internally roll my eyes, “well a heads up would have been nice. Do I really have to see you everywhere I go” I say, sitting on the kitchen stool.

“And besides don’t you have a family” I quietly mutter under my breath, as I fill myself up with crackers fully determined to not have anything he’s cooking.

“Where’s the chef?” I ask, amidst snacking. He turns to look at me, a bit of annoyance apparent on his face, “do you have to talk and chew at the same time, and besides you’re distracting me, I’m trying to cook here”

I roll my eyes at him, ensuring he notices it, “this is my house and there’s no way you’re going to tell me what to do. Now please can you kindly tell me where the chef is”

“You’re so stubborn” he replies, turning away from me and completely ignoring my question. I have it in mind to go over to him and poke him till he answers me, but he’s my senior and I have no choice but to respect him.

“I don’t know why my brother couldn’t have made a normal and kind friend” I say quietly but loud enough for him to hear me.

“What’s the hassle about” Lai says, walking into the kitchen, “I could hear you two arguing all the way from my room”

I pout before sniffling, “it’s your friend, he’s been so mean to me” I say, pretending to wipe a tear from my face.

“Clark, what did I tell you about being nice to my sister” Lai says, going along with the act. 

Clark frowns, “your sister is a menace, she’s been disturbing me ever since she came into the kitchen. Couldn’t you have asked your parents for a more gentle sister” he says, looking at me, causing me to shoot him a dirty look.

“Well it’s not my fault that I’m disturbing him, he kept being mean to me and reprimanding me” I say, facing Lai.

Lai chuckles, “I know better than to get into your arguments when you two start. I’m heading outside, there’s something urgent I need to do; so you two should please behave while I’m gone. I’ll be back before you know it”.

I solemnly nod, “Clark?” Lai says, “I’m always well behaved, it’s your sister that needs help” he replies.

Lai chuckles, “I guess this is my sign to go. See you two soon” he says, walking out of the kitchen, leaving me and Clark all alone. 

“Please could you ask one of the maids to ring me up when you’re done cooking” I ask, getting down from the kitchen stool.

“And why might that be?” He says, using his professional mannerisms causing me to roll my eyes. 

“I’m heading to my room but I haven’t had dinner. So I need you to tell one of the maids so that I can come down and cook dinner by myself, since you and Lai sent the chef away” I say, my stomach rumbling.

Clark nods, “well, I made enough for the three of us, so there’s no need to cook a separate dinner”. I smile, “thanks for the offer but I don’t want to get food poisoning”

“So would you please call the maid when you’re done?” I ask. He shakes his head, “no, just accept the food and stop being stubborn. I would even taste the food, if that’ll clear your doubts”

I smile, “well since you’re asking me so nicely. I guess I have no choice but to fulfil this wish of yours” I say, returning to the kitchen stool.

Clark nods, “yeah and besides there’s something that I have to discuss with you after dinner”

“With me?” I ask, surprised. He nods, “with you”. I shake my head, “do you mean me, you and Lai or you mean you and I”

He looks slightly annoyed, “I mean you and I, no Lai”. I nod, “what could it be about?” I ask.

“You’ll know after dinner” he says, placing a plate before me and taking a seat right beside me.