233 A nerve-wracking momen (1/2)

Harry swallowed the meat and put down the knife and fork. He rested his chin on his hands.

It was quiet for a minute or two.

She was getting more nervous as she waited. Why wouldn't he say anything? Was it so bad until he became speechless? Was he trying to not hurt her feeling by not talking?

But even if it was bad, it was the first time she made it, she argued. Of course, as it was her first time cooking it, it would not reach his standard. There was a lot more for her to learn. And... and... she would practice more. Practice made perfect. She had no doubt with more practices she would produce delicious steaks just like him.

Instead of making her feel better by telling her what he thought about it, he reached for his fork and knife again and cut another small piece of steak. Then, he dipped it into the sauce she made and put it into his mouth.

Again he chewed the meat slowly, savouring the taste. He closed his eyes as he chewed.

Another few minutes passed by with Ryn staring at Harry without blinking.

Her heart was pounding so hard, she started to fidget. She could not stop herself. It was so nerve-wracking. Even her first photoshoot and even her catwalk never this nerve-wracking at all. Why was he torturing her like this?

He put down the knife and the fork down. And then smiled.

”So, how is it?” she asked eagerly. She could not wait anymore. Why was he being this way, torturing her?

He crossed his arms and leaned back. The smile never left his handsome face.

”Harry?”

”Well, for a first-timer I can say you are…” he paused, smirking to see her expression. So adorable. He never thought he could tease her this way.

”What? What?” she asked eagerly, leaning forward in her nervousness to know his opinion.

”I can say you are good. Taste it yourself,” he said, nudged the plate closer to her.

Still nervous, Ryn lifted her fork and knife. Slowly she cut a small piece of the steak she cooked. She placed it onto her plate.

”What are you waiting for. Taste it,” he urged. He saw how scared she was. He never saw her like this before. Why was she so nervous?

Gulping, she used the fork to pierce the piece of steak and slowly brought it into her mouth. Like Harry, she did not dip it into the sauce, not yet. She wanted to taste it in its pure original taste.

Ryn closed her eyes and chewed it slowly, tasting it, letting it overwhelmed her taste bud. Then, her eyes widened.

”Good, huh?” he grinned watching her reaction. He knew she was a good cook and happy to be the first person to taste the steak she made using his recipe.

Once they finished the steaks, Ryn quickly collected the empty dishes they used. Harry wanted to do it but Ryn insisted for him to rest at the couch.

”Thank you again for teaching me, Harry,” Ryn said as she walked him to the door.

”It's my pleasure. Besides, I've never taught people cooking before so this is a golden experience for me,” he laughed. ”Luckily you understand my instruction quickly or I won't know how to explain what I've been doing for years.”

”Are you sure you don't want me to pay back everything you bought?” she asked for the fourth time.

”Yes, I am sure. It's my treat,” he rubbed his nape sheepishly.

”Really?” It did make her feel weird when he refused to accept the payment. They were not that close, as close as she was with Andy or with the Long siblings. It was hard for her to accept this kindness because most people she knew always asked the money back whenever she asked them to buy her something.

”Yes. Don't worry,” he assured her. He wished so much to pull her into his arms or at least touched her hands. But he did not dare. All he could do was conveying his feeling, his love, through his eyes, and hoped she would understand and accept him.

But she was too 'stupid' and 'slow' to understand. She looked at him like a friend, there was nothing more than that.

They spent about another minute or two at the door before he finally left. She let out a sigh and closed the door. Then, she skipped toward the kitchen. She planned to make more steaks with the leftover ingredients.

It took her no time to have two more pieces of steaks in the plate. She rubbed her hands eagerly and poured another glass of iced lemon tea. Then, she started to devour them happily.

Yum. She wiped her stained lips with a small kitchen towel and sighed happily. She finally

managed to make her own delicious steaks.

And tomorrow she decided to buy more steaks to make it at home.

And tonight she knew she would be sleeping with a huge smile on her face. That was how satisfied she was today.

*~*~*~*

Mika put down the glasses she wore and rubbed between her brows. She was tired of all the meetings she had to attend and all the paper works and files she had to read before she could approve them. She crossed her arms on the table and laid her face on it.

So exhausted.