Chapter 17: Getting Familiar
TERESA'S P.O.V.
Lucian's hand was firm, yet somehow gentle as he led me into an enormous kitchen. I felt like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole, except this was no Wonderland—it was more like stepping into the culinary version of the White House–gleaming countertops, shiny stainless steel appliances, and chefs dressed in pristine uniforms bustling around with practiced ease. The smell hit me first: fresh herbs, roasting meats, and... was that saffron? My stomach growled before I could stop it. Embarrassing.
The kitchen staff greeted Lucian like he was some kind of royalty. "Good morning, Alpha," they said in unison like they had rehearsed it, heads slightly bowed. Their eyes flickered to me for a moment, curious, before returning to their work. Alpha? The word buzzed in my brain like a pesky fly, I opened my mouth to ask, but the sight of a towering, intimidating Lucian, calmly striding forward, killed the words before they left my throat. Instead, I swallowed my confusion, pretending I understood. I mean, why did they keep calling him that? I thought Alpha was just a metaphor for a "guy who looks good in suits."
Lucian barely glanced at them, waving off their greetings with a casual flick of his hand, all while still holding mine. Does he know we're still holding hands? I wondered. If my life were a cartoon, my cheeks would've been glowing like neon signs by now.
We walked up to a middle-aged woman with silver streaks in her hair and it was pinned up in a messy bun. She had this no-nonsense aura around her. She smiled warmly but gave me a quick once-over like she was trying to figure out what on earth I was doing here. Lucian introduced her as Madi, the head chef.
"This is Teresa," Lucian said, smirking like he was introducing me as the next heir to a throne I didn't know existed. Madi's eyebrows shot up ever so slightly before she masked it with a smile. Oh great, I'm already gossiping material.
"And what's cooking today, Madi?" Lucian asked, his voice laced with just the right amount of charm and sarcasm that I wasn't sure if he was interested or mocking. That man had layers.
Madi rattled off a list of dishes—half of which I'd never heard of. Bouillabaisse? Cassoulet? Some word that sounded like it came from a sci-fi movie? Lucian nodded knowingly. The guy probably ate gourmet for breakfast. I on the other hand just smiled and pretended I totally knew what they were talking about. I figured I'd Google it later.
"Anything in particular you want to eat?" Lucian asked, suddenly turning his gaze on me. His eyes had that sharp glint like he already knew my answer but wanted to see if I'd trip over myself trying to please him.