Chapter 41: But him
Roman had already begun leaving, and that was when it hit her, he was actually serious about getting the things she had carelessly requested.
"Wait... I mean..." she called out, just as he was a step from the door. But he didn’t flinch, didn’t even pause to acknowledge her words. Without looking back, he opened the door and stepped out, leaving her staring after him in stunned silence. She couldn’t believe it was that easy to get him moving. If she had known, she might have taken advantage of this side of him a long time ago. But something about it made her wary. She knew better than to test the limits of her luck.
Still... how was she supposed to stop him now that he was so intent on cooking for her? The truth was, she wasn’t even craving what she asked for. What she really wanted, what her body actually yearned for, was cake and chocolate. Sighing, she collapsed back into the bed, hoping sleep would come if she just gave in to it. But her body betrayed her, tossing and turning from one side to the other. Two whole hours passed and sleep never came.
Frustrated, she grabbed her phone and mindlessly scrolled through TikTok, losing another two hours to dancing strangers and funny skits. By the time she looked at the clock again, it was late, uncomfortably late.
Getting out of bed, she noticed the sky outside had long gone dark. A strange anxiety twisted in her chest. Was he still not back? What if he was out there, roaming the city in search of her ridiculous request? Fresh seafood wasn’t exactly easy to find in cities like this. And with that kind of resolve in his eyes before he left... God knows how far he could have gone.
A pang of guilt clawed at her. She was about to call for Kay when something stopped her, a rich, savory scent drifting in through the hallway, arresting her movements. She froze, nose twitching. It smelled divine. Her stomach let out a loud growl, betraying her hunger, and before she could think, her feet were already moving.
Maybe it was Maria cooking, she thought hopefully. That woman could work miracles with the simplest ingredients. But... no. There was something different about this scent. It was seafood. And not just any seafood, it smelled fresh, seasoned to perfection, like something out of a coastal restaurant. Her curiosity spiked.
She picked up her pace, heading straight for the kitchen. But nothing could have prepared her for the sight that met her eyes.
She froze in the doorway, her breath catching. It was the most surreal, unexpected image she had ever laid eyes on and it hit her like a bolt of electricity. The kind of moment that etched itself into memory forever, every detail sharp and glowing.