Chapter 187 - I eat moderately, exercise moderately and sleep moderately (1/2)

”Where is the parking lot for you?” Mika asked when they arrived at the building.

”Just park wherever,” Ryn replied.

”O... kay...” Mika chose the closest to the entrance. She was too lazy to walk too far, especially bring those groceries. The crews would not help them. Jeremy told her yesterday they were here just to record and that was all they would do... and oh yeah, interview.

Again they waited for the cameraman to come before they got out of the car and took out the grocery bags. With Mika with her, Ryn did not have to bring too many of the bags. They distributed rather... well... of course, Ryn would bring more than Mika.

”This is so fun,” Mika said once they entered the house. Mika dropped the bags onto the table and skipped to open all the windows.

Ryn smiled. She took all the bags and brought to the kitchen. She started to cook.

”Why don't you start setting the table? And then remind them to come on time,” Ryn told Mika.

”On it,” Mika took out her phone and dialled.

Ryn did not even use a plastic glove when preparing the food. She was used cooking in bare hands. She made the one that took the longest time, marinate the meat. While waiting for them to set, she made the brownies.

”Remind them to bring the BBQ,” Ryn suddenly reminded. She did not have the BBQ cooker yet. For the housewarming party, the main menu would be steaks. Of course, she could use the cooking pan like she did this morning. But as this was an important event, she wanted to make the steaks better.

The meat prep was done, the brownies were in the oven. For the vegetables, she just boiled the potatoes to make mashed potatoes. The other vegetables she would cut into tiny little pieces to make coleslaw.

It was a simple menu but better than buying outside.

Of course, if she let the cook from the Long's decided the menu, it would be so extravagant, she would end up scratching her head thinking whose party it was.

The first to come was Jason. Ryn smiled to herself when she heard the squeal from Mika and a low voice asking her how she felt after working so hard.

”Hey, Ryn. How are you?” Jason came into the kitchen, wrapping his arm around Mika's waist.

”Good. Do you bring...” Ryn did not continue when Jason showed a box proudly.

”Set it up on the table,” Ryn told him.

”I brought these too,” Jason said, nodding at the bottle in Mika's hand.

”Are you trying to make all of us drunk?” Ryn asked with a frown. She was just teasing him.

”This won't make any of us drunk, girl,” Jason chuckled. He ushered his fiancee toward the dining table to set the small stove.

”Yeah, right,” Ryn checked the brownies in the oven.

The next to arrive was Jeremy and he brought something else. Ryn frowned when she saw he did not bring the things she wanted.

”Jason's stove is enough,” Jeremy chuckled when he saw her face. He brought the things to the counter and leaned down to see what was inside the oven. ”Smells good. Dessert?”

”And for the neighbours as well,” Ryn replied. She started to cut the vegetables for the coleslaw. Then, she nodded toward the potatoes. ”Mashed them up, please.”

Jeremy simply pulled the sleeves up and washed his hands. Then, he looked for the potato masher to mash the potatoes.

”Use this,” Ryn handed the butter and some milk at him to mix with the potatoes when he was done mashing them up.

”Salt and pepper?” he asked, looking at the counter.

”Don't make it too salty,” she reminded. Then, when she noticed he was done whipping everything to his own taste, she took a spoon to taste it. She frowned and added a bit more salt.

”It's done?” he asked, smiling seeing her expression. They were used to be like this when they were still together. He would help her in the kitchen and usually, he was in charge of this mashed potato. She never let him make stew or complicated recipe. She was scared he would burn the kitchen, which he never did. He took offence on that accusation but... well... the kitchen was her territory and he obeyed to her instruction.

He brought the big bowl of mashed potatoes to the front, joining Mika and Jason. Then, he returned to get the marinated steaks to cook. This time, he handed the job to Jason and Mika.

”What's the drink?” he asked when he returned again at the kitchen.