Chapter 73: Allergic to seafood
By the time Augustine emerged and entered the dining area, the rich aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air. Anne had arranged the dishes with care, and the sight of the lavish meal made him pause.
At the center of the table was a butter garlic lobster, glistening under the warm lights and looking delicious. Beside it, a plate of spicy shrimp stir-fry, a bowl of creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta, and a side of fluffy coconut rice complemented the spread.
A vibrant garden salad, with crisp lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced cucumbers, and sweet bell peppers, added a fresh touch to the feast.
Anne beamed as she noticed his reaction. "I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I prepared both chicken and seafood," she said, her eyes bright with excitement. "I hope you’ll enjoy it."
Augustine hesitated for a split second. ’She doesn’t know I’m allergic to seafood.’
But seeing her enthusiastic expression, he couldn’t bring himself to disappoint her.
"I like whatever you cook," he said with a smile. "But you didn’t have to go through so much trouble."
Anne chuckled. "I wanted to. You have helped me so much—saving me more than once, even giving me a job opportunity—but I never properly thanked you. And that night, when I burned the food, I felt terrible. So, tonight, I wanted to cook something that would make you happy."
His expression softened. "I appreciate it. I can’t wait to taste the food. Let’s eat."
They took their seats across from each other. Augustine carefully sampled the dishes—everything except the shrimp and lobster. He took a bite of the pasta, savoring the creamy, rich flavor.
"Mm..." He closed his eyes briefly, nodding in approval. "This is delicious. I didn’t know you could cook this well." He smirked and helped himself to another spoonful.