Chapter 169 New Role (1/2)

That night, Kay and Kyle were at Master Shifu's house, after submitting their notice that they were spending the weekend out of dorms. At the moment, they were busy helping Rheia in the kitchen as she prepared dinner.

Rheia tried to get them out of the kitchen, insisting that she was fine but the Smith Twins were deaf to her insistence. In the end, she admitted defeat and allowed them to help.

Otherwise, they would have taken over and chase her out of the kitchen! She couldn't have that. Rheia found that she enjoyed cooking, and her time in the kitchen gave her a sense of peace that she never thought possible.

Preparing, cooking and most importantly, seeing people enjoy her food gave her immense pleasure.

Nitocris had told her that Kazuya had met with an accident at the last business trip he had gone to. His body was never found so it couldn't be brought back for burial. Instead, they made do with a small ceremony and Nitocris took over his father's position.

Rheia was puzzled at first over the immense relief she felt when she heard the news until her memories of her life with Kazuya began resurfacing in her mind.

She was appalled. How could she have forgotten how he had been? Initially, she felt so bad that she started secluding herself in her room.

Until Nitocris and Shifu began coaxing her. She slowly realised that Nitocris was fine. Happy, even. Her guilt lessened and she slowly healed.

She smiled as she thought of her beloved son, who now lived in the same house. He appeared much calmer and at peace, and her heart was filled to the brim whenever she looked at him.

Rheia looked at the Smith twins teasing each other as they cut the ingredients as she had instructed them. Her smile grew even bigger. They somehow wormed themselves into her heart without really needing to do anything.

She also loved the way her son was whenever they were around. Perhaps he didn't even realise it himself, but she could see it. How his gaze would soften whenever the twins were around.

”Now, take the flour and add these to it,” Rheia instructed Kay, ”We're making dumplings tonight.”

”Beef? Big Bro Nick loves them, right?” Kyle asked excitedly.

”Yes,” Rheia said.

”I'll make the fillings,” Kyle said, pulling up his sleeves and taking out the minced meat from the fridge.

”You know how to?” Rheia asked dubiously.

Kyle gave her a dazzling smile, ”Of course I do, Auntie Rheia. I saw you make it once.”

Rheia decided to trust Kyle, but she still warned him, ”If you mess up, you are barred from my kitchen forever!”

”My Gosh, Auntie Rheia! That's such a harsh punishment!” Kyle said dramatically, putting a hand over his head, ”I will just have to prove my cooking prowess then. After all, this is for Big Bro Nick!!”

Rheia just shook her head at Kyle's antics and went to prepare the soup.

At dinnertime, Kyle watched as Nitocris took a dumpling and put it in his mouth.

”So? How is it?” Kyle asked excitedly.

Nitocris frowned, suspecting something was up but couldn't quite figure what it was. He chewed slowly, and replied, ”Delicious, as always.”

”Kyle made them,” Rheia declared proudly with a smile.

”Except it is a little salty for my taste, but it will do I suppose,” Nitocris continued without batting an eyelid, ”Could be better, but not bad for your first try. At least it is edible. Barely.”

Rheia took a dumpling and tried it.

She hit Nitocris on the shoulder, ”Oh you. Stop teasing him. The seasoning is perfect and you know it.”

Nitocris didn't respond but kept on eating.

After dinner, they congregated in the living room. Rheia, Hawthorn, and May had already gone to their rooms to retire for the night even though it was still early.

Nitocris had gone up as well to make sure that his mother was settled in before he headed back downstairs to where the others were.

He sat down on the sofa, staring intently at Kyle who was joking around with Kay.

”What?” Kyle asked as he turned to look at Nitocris, ”Has my handsomeness finally warmed you up or something?”

Nitocris didn't answer him but turned to Master Shifu instead.

”Sir, with your permission, I would like to put Kyle on missions once in a while,” Nitocris said.

”What type of missions? Nothing illegal?” Master Shifu replied.

”Of course it is illegal. It's assassinations,” Nitocris answered, ”All mafia figures, I assure you. The small-time thieves that Kyle has been catching are not a real challenge for him. The higher-ups, however, would be.”