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chapter 30
Last Updated:
2025-03-24 09:43:18
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The chef and The charmer chapter 31
Damien povThe first rays of dawn barely painted the sky when my eyes snapped open. The penthouse was silent, save for the faint hum of the city below. For the first time in a long while, the weight of responsibility tugged me out of bed. After a year of avoiding everything, I was finally going back to work.The cold water hit my face like a slap, jolting me fully awake. I stared at my reflection, watching droplets slide down my face, catching on the faint scar on my temple — a souvenir from the accident. I barely recognized myself. Shaving, dressing, each motion felt mechanical. The tailored suit clung to my frame, the crispness of the fabric unfamiliar after months of living in loungewear. Still, the weight of it settled something in me. Damien Blackstone was back.As I sipped my coffee, I pulled out my phone and dialed Chris.“Well, well, look who finally remembered how to use a phone,” Chris teased.I smirked. “Don’t start. I need backup today. You in?”Chris sighed. “You sure you
Last Updated : 2025-03-25The chef and The charmer chapter 32
Damien povI slipped into my car, the engine rumbling to life as I pulled out onto the main-slicked road. The meeting with the board of directors had ended over an hour ago, but their words still echoed in my head. The weight of the discussions pressed against my mind, but it wasn’t what made my chest tighten. That honor belonged to my mother. Her call had been cold and clipped, each syllable sharp as glass. She was back from France — when the hell had that happened? Of course, she didn’t bother to tell me. She never does. Everything with her is calculated. Controlled. Just like that house. Cold. Silent. Full of secrets.The drive to the family mansion stretched longer than I remembered. It stood like a ghost against the darkened sky, perched on its remote estate where the elite of New York hid behind their wealth. As the wrought iron gates creaked open tall and imposing, my tires crunched over the gravel driveway. I hadn’t set foot here since my father’s funeral.The mansion looms in
Last Updated : 2025-03-26The chef and The charmer chapter 33
Evelyn povThe scent of garlic and rosemary filled the kitchen as I stirred the pot, the warm aroma wrapping around me like a familiar embrace. The rhythmic chop of my knife against the cutting board echoed in the quiet space, a soothing sound after a long day of writing recipes and buy groceries.I glanced at the small folded note resting against the spice rack, the one Damien had left for me this morning. Just a simple, lazy scrawl of” heading to work “. Don’t burn the kitchen down while I’m gone. - D.” . A smile tugged at my lips before I shook my head, tucking the note into the pages of my recipe book.The front door creaked open, followed by the sound of keys dropping onto the console table. Heavy footsteps. A sigh.Damien.I kept my focus on the cutting board, but my ears picked up every small movement—the rustle of fabric as he loosened his tie, the low exhale of exhaustion. The air in the room shifted slightly, like it always did when he entered.“What’s for dinner?” His voice
Last Updated : 2025-03-27The chef and The charmer chapter 34
The grand dining hall of Damian’s mother’s estate was as imposing as the woman herself. Crystal chandeliers cast an almost blinding glow over the long mahogany table, which was set with fine china and polished silverware. I smoothed down my white satin dress, feigning composure while internally bracing myself for the battle ahead.Damian’s mother sat at the head of the table, a perfect picture of cold elegance. Her eyes flickered to me, sharp and assessing, as if she were dissecting my very existence. I forced a polite smile, knowing she could see right through it.“So, Evelyn,” she began, her voice silky but laced with an unmistakable edge. “Tell me, where are you from?”“Cold Spring,” I replied evenly, keeping my tone polite but distant.Her perfectly arched brow lifted slightly. “Cold Spring? And your family? What do they do?”“Just regular civilians,” I said, holding my posture firm. “Nothing extravagant.”She hummed, taking a slow sip of her wine. “Interesting.” Her gaze lingered
Last Updated : 2025-03-28The chef and The charmer chapter 35
The next morning, I woke up alone in my room, the distant hum of the city filtering through the penthouse windows. Damian’s presence was nowhere to be felt—not that it ever was. We had separate rooms, separate lives, even if we were bound by this arrangement. Still, a faint trace of his cologne lingered in the air from when he had passed by my door last night. He was long gone. Again.Over the next week, a pattern emerged. Damian left early and returned late, his face drawn with exhaustion. He barely had time to eat, let alone talk. When he did speak, his words were brief, the sharpness of his usual charm dulled by whatever weight he was carrying.One evening, I was curled up on the couch when he finally came home, his tie loose, his sleeves rolled up. He looked exhausted, but still unfairly good. He sighed heavily as he dropped onto the couch beside me.“Long day?” I asked softly, studying him.He rubbed a hand down his face before leaning back against the cushions. “You could say th
Last Updated : 2025-03-29The chef and The charmer chapter 36
Damian’s POV – The morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, casting long shadows across the sleek, polished desk. I leaned back in my leather chair, the unopened letter resting on the surface in front of me like a loaded gun. I had barely slept. My mother’s words had carved their way into my mind, stirring memories I preferred buried.A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts.“Come in,” I called, straightening as Chris walked in.He looked like he had just downed a gallon of coffee—sharp suit, tired eyes. “What was so urgent that you dragged me in this early?” He dropped into the chair across from me, one brow raised. “Don’t tell me it’s about last night. You and Evelyn put on a good show.”I exhaled slowly, reaching for the letter and tossing it onto the desk. “Read it.”Chris picked it up, unfolding the expensive stationery. His expression shifted from mild curiosity to sharp focus as he scanned the words.“Damn,” he muttered under his breath. He lower
Last Updated : 2025-04-02The chef and The charmer chapter 37
Evelyn POVDamian’s world is nothing like mine.I realize this the first moment I step into the kitchen—our kitchen, technically, since I live here now. A penthouse too grand, too extravagant for someone like me. Stainless steel appliances gleam under warm, recessed lighting. A marble island stretches across the center, as if it were made for casual morning coffee and whispered confessions. Every tool, every spice jar, every delicate crystal glass has a place. Everything is intentional. Thoughtful. Perfect.Unlike my life. Unlike me.I tighten my grip on the handle of my knife, grounding myself in the familiarity of the blade’s weight. Cooking has always been my solace, my anchor. No matter how chaotic things get, the act of preparing food—the slicing, the seasoning, the slow transformation of raw ingredients into something nourishing—keeps me steady. It keeps my heart from drifting toward dangerous waters.Because that’s what this is. Dangerous.I exhale slowly, pushing aside the uns
Last Updated : 2025-04-02The chef and The charmer chapter 38
After my walk with Damian last night, something in me shifted. Lighter. Freer. As if the weight of pretending, of balancing the tightrope between what was real and what wasn’t, had finally eased just enough for me to breathe.For the first time since stepping into his world, I felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.That morning, as I moved around the penthouse kitchen, my phone buzzed with an email notification. I wiped my hands on a kitchen towel before picking it up, expecting another mundane message. But as soon as I saw the sender’s name, my breath hitched.From: Chef Alain DufortSubject: Private Catering RequestDear Miss Evelyn,I hope this email finds you well. I had the pleasure of watching you few months back at Cooking Contest, and your passion for food was truly inspiring. I am hosting a private birthday dinner for my daughter this Saturday and would love for you to handle the catering. It will be an intimate gathering of about twenty guests, and I trust your e
Last Updated : 2025-04-03
Latest chapter
The chef and The charmer chapter 46
Damien povThe soft hum of the private jet was the only sound that filled the space as we descended into New York. Outside the window, the skyline came into view—a cold, familiar silhouette against the night sky. I leaned back in my seat, eyes fixed ahead, my jaw tight, arms crossed. Evelyn sat beside me, her hands clasped together in her lap. She kept stealing glances at me, but I didn’t turn to meet her eyes. I couldn’t. Not yet.The landing was smooth. The kind of landing that made you forget you were ever up in the air, but I was far from grounded.The ride to the penthouse was a quiet one. The black SUV glided through Manhattan traffic with ease. Streetlights flickered across my face as I stared out the window. My reflection in the glass looked just like I felt—tense, distant, unreadable. Evelyn finally broke the silence.“Are you okay?”Her voice was soft, almost hesitant.“Yeah,” I said, too quickly. My voice didn’t carry the weight of truth, but I didn’t have the energy to pre
The chef and The charmer chapter 45
Damien povI hate the smell of this room—the heavy scent of jasmine and the stale air that seems to hang like a fog. I can’t escape it, not here, not with her. My mother. She’s sitting there, on that damned velvet chair, with a glass of wine in hand, her eyes narrowed like she’s studying me from across the room. Everything about her exudes control, dominance, like she owns the space. I used to care about it. I used to be afraid of it. But not anymore.“Damien,” she says, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. “We need to talk about the engagement.”I take a breath, steadying myself. Here it comes.“ Mother, Evelyn and I aren’t getting engaged.” I say it as calmly as I can, but I know the tension in my voice betrays me.Her lips curl into a thin, almost disdainful smile. “You’re being stubborn, just like your father. He never listened to reason either.”I can’t stop the flash of irritation that sparks in me. “Don’t bring my father into this.”“Oh, I’ll bring him up if I wa
The chef and The charmer chapter 44
The air was thick with humidity as we stepped outside, the garden lush with tropical flowers and towering palm trees swaying gently in the breeze. The morning sun cast a golden glow on the table set with fine china, as if everything about this moment was meant to impress, to look perfect.Damien’s hand brushed against mine, his fingers warm, but there was no comfort in his touch. It was a fleeting connection, barely enough to soothe the unease that had settled in my chest since last night.I followed him to the table, my steps slow, measured. Morgan, Damien’s mother, as usual sat at the head, her expression unreadable, like she the queen presiding over some royal council. Beside her was his Uncle Anthony, loud and boisterous, already cracking jokes that didn’t quite land. His cousin Miranda sat across from him, her eyes narrowed, calculating—always on guard. Aunt Claire sat silently, as if waiting for the storm to hit, her gaze darting between the two of us, sharp but quiet.They were
The chef and The charmer chapter 43
Back in my room, I shut the door quietly. Not slammed. Not dramatic.Just… closed. Controlled.Because if I’ve learned anything since entering the Blackstone orbit, it’s that you never show your cards. Not around people like Morgan.My hands were trembling. I stared down at them, willing them still, as if control over my body could somehow tether the storm brewing inside my chest.I started to paced.Hands clenched. Chest tight. Mind racing.Engagement?We’ll announce it tomorrow, Morgan had said. Like it was already signed, sealed, and delivered.I pressed my palms into my eyes, as if blocking out the world would stop it from spinning so fast. So violently.What the fuck did I get myself into?This was not the deal. No goddamn way.The contract was clear. I was to play the part—smile, nod, show up to events, wear the right dress, drink the right wine, say the right things. For six months. No more. I wasn’t supposed to become collateral in some twisted inheritance war. I wasn’t suppos
The chef and The charmer chapter 42
Dinner ended in a blur of too-perfect smiles and sharp-edged compliments, and I could’ve sworn my cheekbones were sore from all the fake smiling. I made it through the battlefield with only minor emotional wounds, which honestly felt like a win.After the last wine glass clinked and the staff cleared the final course, Damien and I retreated from the terrace. Neither of us said a word until we were halfway through the resort’s private garden path, surrounded by manicured hedges and soft lantern lights that lined the walkway like fireflies.The air was warm but soft, carrying that faint Miami breeze that whispered luxury and secrets.“You did good back there,” Damien said eventually, his voice low and unreadable.I exhaled, folding my arms across my chest. “Good? I felt like I was on trial.”“You were,” he said with a dry smile. “You just didn’t realize the jury was drunk and playing favorites.”I laughed—just a little. It felt like the tension cracked a bit, enough for me to breathe ag
The chef and The charmer chapter 41
As soon as we stepped into the air-conditioned lobby, Morgan waved one of the staff members over like she was conducting an orchestra.“Take their things to the Oceanview Suite,” she said smoothly. “And please ensure everything is prepared for tonight’s dinner. We’ll keep things light today—the real fun begins tomorrow.”Oceanview Suite. Singular.I blinked. Wait—Suite? Not suites?Damien didn’t even flinch.My eyes cut to him instinctively, but he avoided my gaze with impressive skill, like he’d suddenly discovered something incredibly fascinating about the marble floors.Right. Fake dating. Shared rooms. Intimacy for show.I’d forgotten about that little detail in the emotional whiplash of being back around Morgan and Miranda and the rest of Damien’s walking headache of a family.I forced a gracious smile and nodded. “Sounds lovely.”Morgan smiled back, the kind of smile that said, I’m watching you. Then she turned her attention to Miranda, whispering something I couldn’t hear—but d
The chef and The charmer chapter 40
Sitting at the kitchen table, I flipped through my notebook, tapping my pen against the page as I scribbled down thoughts. My mind kept circling back to my encounter with Eric and Emma. Seeing them again stirred something in me—not anger, not sadness, just a strange hollowness. Eric had frozen, saying nothing, while Emma—my ex-best friend—had done all the talking. Her words were laced with that same condescension she always used when trying to get under my skin.I had spent so much of my relationship with Eric feeling dismissed, like my feelings didn’t matter. He never outright hurt me, but he made me feel small, like I was always reaching for something that would never come. And yesterday had only confirmed it—when faced with me again, he had nothing to say. Not even an acknowledgment.The sound of footsteps pulled me from my thoughts, and I looked up to see Damien stepping out of his room. His broad shoulders were slumped slightly, his usual air of confidence replaced with something
The chef and The charmer chapter 39
The city was finally beginning to feel like home. It was strange how familiarity crept in—slowly at first, then all at once. The streets that once seemed too loud, too crowded, too impersonal, now carried a sense of routine. The bakery on the corner who bakes my favorite kind of cake and bread. The barista at my favorite cafe smiled at me like we shared an inside joke every time i get out of the penthouse and last but not the least the corner store where Damien buys me ice cream when we go out for a walk, it has starts to look like a routine for the both of us . The loneliness that once pressed against my ribs was easing, even if it wasn’t completely gone. But even in the midst of my quiet victories, there were moments when the past clawed its way back in, uninvited and unrelenting.Eric and Emma. Their names had lost the sting they once carried, but every now and then, a memory would resurface, raw and vivid. Betrayal had a way of branding itself into a person’s bones, and no amount
The chef and The charmer chapter 38
After my walk with Damian last night, something in me shifted. Lighter. Freer. As if the weight of pretending, of balancing the tightrope between what was real and what wasn’t, had finally eased just enough for me to breathe.For the first time since stepping into his world, I felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.That morning, as I moved around the penthouse kitchen, my phone buzzed with an email notification. I wiped my hands on a kitchen towel before picking it up, expecting another mundane message. But as soon as I saw the sender’s name, my breath hitched.From: Chef Alain DufortSubject: Private Catering RequestDear Miss Evelyn,I hope this email finds you well. I had the pleasure of watching you few months back at Cooking Contest, and your passion for food was truly inspiring. I am hosting a private birthday dinner for my daughter this Saturday and would love for you to handle the catering. It will be an intimate gathering of about twenty guests, and I trust your e
