Chapter 18 - What Else Do You Want To Do. (2/2)

Once she had the Booklet, she could get divorced from Zed. With such positive thoughts and high hopes, Jean felt energetic and delighted. She returned to Zed's villa with many bags of ingredients. Then she charged into the kitchen and began her preparations.

First, Jean cleaned the fish and then she used some cooking wine to suppress the unwanted smell...

Jean was a very skillful cook and it didn't take her long to complete her preparations.

As she put pots on the stove and sprinkled herbs and seasoning, Jean found that the feeling of preparing dinner for someone was not so bad. Since she was cooking with a specific purpose in mind, she didn't feel tired. She seemed happy.

Jean didn't know when Zed would come home. She had hoped that the dinner would be finished just before his arrival. Seeing a table full of delicious dishes would please him and start the evening on a good note.

Jean was shocked when she realized what she was thinking and expecting.

Could... Could she be content with this? Jean wondered if she would be happy passing every day planning and cooking meals for Zed and then spending the evening enjoying his favorite dishes together.

Jean was simmering with happiness as she imagined such a life.

It was a pity... Thoughts of her inevitable divorce with Zed filled Jean's mind. She also thought of Eva and Zed's relationship. She couldn't be sure of how Zed felt about Eva. But it was likely that they still had feelings for each other. Such thoughts dampened Jean's mood as she felt that her imagined life would never be a reality. Jean couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

When Zed returned home, he saw Jean in the kitchen. She wore an apron on top of her day clothes. Her long brown hair was casually tied up.

She was busy cooking in the kitchen and hadn't noticed Zed's arrival.

Zed enjoyed watching Jean. He leaned against the kitchen doorway and folded his arms over his ċhėst. A tiny smile danced on his lips as Jean danced to and fro between the stove and counter, chopping, peeling, and putting ingredients in simmering pots. Zed surprised himself when he thought that Jean was a good wife and would make a good mother.

Zed's smile turned into a grin when he remembered being teased by his colleagues earlier that day. He had rushed through several meetings and refused invitations to dine with his partners and clients. He had asked Jean to cook for him and he intended to keep his promise of having dinner together. Upon learning of his homely evening plans, Zed's partners and clients had playfully remarked that he was afraid of his wife. Zed didn't mind at all. He had even driven home quickly to avoid keeping Jean waiting.

And it had been worth it! Zed could feel the warmth Jean brought to his villa. Just like the sunshine, Jean's presence had begun to thaw the ice and snow in his heart. He could feel that his heart was becoming softer and softer.

The next day, Jean was awakened by the persistent ringing of her phone. As she rolled over to check her phone, she was astonished to see that it was midday. However, she was even more surprised to see that Eva was calling her.

Cautiously Jean answered the call. Eva, however, began in an aggressive tone. Somewhere in all of Eva's blabbering Jean was able to understand that Eva wanted to meet as she had something important to discuss. Jean knew what Eva wanted to talk about. So she consented without hesitation. After agreeing on the time and place, Jean ended the call.

The meeting had been scheduled at SD Coffee House in the heart of the city in an hour.

Since there wasn't much time before the meeting, Jean rushed to the bathroom to dress.

When she looked at her reflection in the mirror, Jean was surprised to see that she looked tired and haggard. She even had dark circles under her attractive hazel eyes. She frowned when she realized that she looked rather terrible.

Jean cursed Zed for her appearance. She had been naive in thinking that dinner would go the way she had planned. If she had known that Zed would go rogue, she might have been better prepared. Jean had truly believed that a good home-cooked meal would satisfy Zed.

Last night, Jean didn't know Zed was standing behind her until she had finished sautéing the final dish of green vegetables.

When she noticed that he had reached home, Jean cheerfully went to fill a bowl with rice for Zed before putting food onto his plate. The service offered by Jean was extremely thoughtful.

Jean had expected light dinner conversation. She wanted to bring up the divorce topic. However, from the beginning to the end of dinner, Zed just smiled and did not say anything. He enjoyed the food quietly, and neither gave praise nor criticism to Jean.

Many times, Jean was about to ask Zed whether he would give the Residence Booklet back to her after dinner. But as she saw that Zed was focused on eating, she didn't have the heart to spoil his mood. So Jean waited patiently for Zed to finish his dinner. On seeing Zed put down his chopsticks, Jean asked eagerly,” I have cooked the braised fish and sweet and sour fillet just as you asked. Although the taste may not be as good as the delicacies you have had before, at least, I have prepared them with all my heart. So...”

”So, I decide to reward you with a hug!” said Zed seriously.

And he actually did so! He stood from his chair, walked toward Jean, and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

jean was shocked. It took a long time for her to gather her composure. What was going on? Just a hug? That's all?

No! Jean had worked so hard to prepare this supper. How could it end like this? She still wanted to get her Residence Booklet from Zed.

So Jean immediately poked her head out from under Zed's arms, managed a smile, and said,” I don't want a hug. I just want ...”

”Oh, one is not enough? Then I will hold you all night when we go to bed!” Zed interrupted before Jean could finish her sentence.

”No, I don't ...”

zed raised his eyebrows and interrupted jean again. ”what else do you want? I am afraid that l can't meet your needs today as the wounds on body have not healed yet.”