27 Chapter 27: First-night effec (1/2)
”Is rice ok? How about fish?” Laurice inquired.
She had already decluttered the entire kitchen and checked all the stocks on her pantry and fridge and was already preparing for the rest of the cook.
Sid nodded on both question and responded, ”Any dish is alright Laurice, thank you.”
”I should be the one to thank you, you bought all of these. I would not be able to cook you anything if not for it. By the way, send me your account details later.” Laurice recalled that she owed the man for the purchases and had not much cash on hand to pay him back.
Sid furrowed his brows and asked, ”What for? You don't mean ..?” He has a hunch and he was hating the idea already.
”I can't accept all these for free Sid. It's just too much.” Laurice uttered.
Sid was about to speak when she interjected, ”This will be done in no time. Are you getting hungry?” Laurice looked up to him and smiled. She seems excited and all her prior frustrations strangely vanished.
He heaved a sigh.
How can he complain when the woman was already smiling at him and will be cooking for him at that?
Sid felt helpless in her presence and realized that he was easily pacified with a single smile.
Laurice begun preparing a few ingredients which actually did not need that much effort to prepare. She only had to debone a slab of salmon which she cut in quarters and cooked a portion in a hot skillet while she spread some garlic on top that she minced rather finely in seconds, squeezed some lemon and sprinkled some dillweed herb on top which Sid was quite familiar with. Laurice covered the skillet and reduced the heat and left it to cook.
It was that simple and she was now proceeding towards sauteing a batch of aromatics such as onion, celery, bell peppers, and garlic in a certain order and timing in another skillet, an electric one which she preheated moments ago. She then added the uncooked long-grain brown rice and peas and chicken broth which she dissolved earlier but was somehow disappointed that she did not have much time to prepare her own stock but reminded herself to do batches soon to help her make tastier dishes in the latter days to come.
Laurice seasoned both dishes and headed towards assembling the dining table while waiting.
The entire cook only lasted approximately 20 minutes and soon they were already sitting across each other on the table.
Laurice prepared a simple lemon garlic salmon and rice pilaf for the both of them to eat as dinner.
”It smells appetizing and it looks delicious. I bet it would taste even more delicious.” Sid took a spoonful of food to his mouth and he was no longer surprised that the dishes would turn out to be quite palatable. He was confident that Laurice was a good cook just by observing her back in the kitchen. She did not waste a single minute and was doing a lot of things at the same time. The woman even managed to clean the rest of the utensils used while waiting for the cook to finish. Basically, she need not need him to help her with anything even if he did not have an injury.
'Delicious indeed.'
Sid's mouth watered and he was pleasantly digging in when Laurice spoke.
”I'm glad you like it. It was pretty simple, i thought it would not fit your tastebuds.” Laurice was quite unsettled to serve this particular man whom she knew wasn't someone simple at all. She wasn't worried at first but now that she had actually made him food, she was starting to doubt her skills.
His lips curled into a smile and said, ”What are you taking about? It's delicious. You did great. Thank you for the meal Laurice. Let's eat now or the food will get cold.” Sid leaned forward and spooned some steaming rice over her empty plate.
Laurice heaved a sigh of relief and thanked him for the praise and gesture.
They peacefully enjoyed sharing the dinner together and finished up not long after. Sid presented himself to atleast wipe the table while she washes the dishes. Laurice could not refute him and just let him do as he pleased.