Chapter 133 - One Hundred And Thirty-three : Anything Wrong, Darling? (1/2)

Maya's POV

”Have a taste” Eden urged me to have a spoonful of his mouth-watering dish set before me and I compiled gladly.

”How is it? ” He asked, dragging his seat towards me which produced a loud squeaking sound with an anticipatory look on his face.

I chewed the food slowly and carefully. Putting on a poker face, my head was tipped to the side as if in deep contemplation, purposely keeping Eden on tenterhooks.

”Hmm” I sighed heavily with a disappointed look and saw his face fall, does this guy have no faith in his cooking at all?

Without warning, my face brightened with a cheeky grin as I gave him a thumbs-up, ” Delicious ”

I watched Eden breathe in relief with his hand pressed over his heart, ”God, you kept me in suspense! To be frank, I didn't taste that ” he confessed causing me to cast him a doubtful glance.

”No way! ”

”I'm serious ”

”This is insane ” I expressed my surprise with my mouth filled with the delicious delicacy. My eyes rolled to the back of my head in delight as the rich sweetness exploded in my taste bud.

”Your cooking skill is on a god-level ” I praised him, some of the food flying out my mouth in the process.

”Fine, close your mouth, and eat then. Talking while eating is a bad habit ” He chided me playfully.

I obeyed without complaint, it was unladylike talking and eating - well, I've never been a lady anyway.

I had no problem with the food save its name: Oven-roasted chicken with country vegetables in a reduced honey dijon glaze over long-grain white rice - yep, catch your breath while pronouncing that.

”You should be my cook once you quit your job, ” I told him after flushing down the food with a glass of water.

Eden cocked a brow at me, ”From a masseur to a cook, that sounds interesting. At least, it's satisfying to know that I've got everything you need in a man ” He told me with a positive smirk.

I scoffed at him,” Hoho, such confidence! I hope you remember these words after you've failed miserably”

He drew closer with a playful twinkle in his eyes,” Does this mean you're permitting me to court you ?”

”In your dreams sweetheart ” I wrinkled my nose at him.

Eden and I continuously bantered throughout the meal and did I forget to mention - dessert - until he dropped a piece of unexpected news.

”You're free to leave for the city tomorrow, the scandal has been cleared ”

I looked up surprised, ”Huh? ”

”You're free to return tomorrow henceforth without fear of being harassed by the paparazzi and angry netizens ”

I blinked, ”The scandal has been cleared at last? That quickly? ”

”Yeah, that quickly ” Eden acquiesced, satisfied with his progress.

He quickly added,” Aren't you happy?”

”Yeah, home at last! Of course, I'm happy, why shouldn't I be happy? ” I said, flashing him a smile that didn't touch my cheeks. I couldn't help but feel that I just lied through my teeth.

Don't get me wrong, I was delighted I would no longer experience cameras being shoved to my face or my hair pulled from behind, but there was a twinge of disappointment in my heart.

It was so hard at first after the breakup with Niklaus, but the days that came afterward were magical. I was happy and for once, connected with people who liked me the way I was without pretense.

They were real and I was real: the face drawing prank was not funny but I liked it - I'm not a masochist by the way - the dinner fight, the massage, snake episode, and many others; it warmed my heart.

This place was like a wonderland placed in an ice globe which would be shattered come tomorrow when everyone goes back to their normal life.

”Alright, I'll leave for the city tomorrow then. But before that, I need to take the kids out ”

”Take them out? ”

”It would be a loss if I don't take a tour of the countryside before leaving. Besides, I promised to treat the kids for helping me with Isabella's handwork on my face ” I explained to him.

Eden agreed, ”Fine, I'll give you a tour then ”

”What? ”

”No one knows this place better than I do ”

I thought over it, having Eden with us wouldn't be so bad. We wouldn't need to worry after security or fear of being bullied by any local tyrant.

I was sure of holding my own at worst, until help arrives but with the kids around, they would become a liability.