THE CHEF OF MY HEART CHAPTER 3.
walter Etoro@etorowalter823249
27 days ago
Tade pushed open the door to his sprawling mansion, the soft glow of the foyer lights welcoming him home. The scent of something rich and tantalizing filled the air, immediately catching his attention. He paused , inhaling deeply, recognizing the familiar aroma of jollof rice , his favourite, but some how.... different.
He walked into the dinning room ,smiling. His footsteps echoing on the polished marble floors. The dinning room was an opulent space, with a long Mahogany glass table that could seat twelve comfortablely. A chandelier hung overhead, it's crystal teardrops catching the light in a kaleidoscope of colors. The walls were adorned with abstract art ,each piece carefully selected by his mother, Remi Adebanjo, to reflect the family's wealth and status.
Tonight, however, the table was set for a more intimate affair. A single place setting waited for him at the head and a covered silver dish sat in front of his chair, the source of the delicious aroma.
His cousin, Amara, the daughter of his mother's sister,his aunt , a promising Upcoming fashionista, lounged casually at the far end of the table scrolling through her phone. She looked up as Tade entered, mischievous smile spreading across her face.
" Hungry?", She teased," I can see that", she giggled, " The new cook is really something" she said.
Tade raised an eyebrow, intrigued. " New cook?, I didn't know we had a new one" . Amara shrugged " Your mom hired her last week. I think she wants to impress some of the guests coming for the charity gala".
Tade uncovered the dish , revealing perfectly cooked jollof rice, aside a grilled chicken and a fresh garden salad .
He took a bite, the rich blend of spices hitting his tongue, in a way that felt strangely familiar, stirring a memory he couldn't quite place.
" Wow" , he murmured, savoring the flavours. " This is exceptional".
Amara leaned forward, her eyes twinkling. " I told you , she got talent. To bad your mom hasn't meet her yet, might be one time she agrees with you on something".
Tade chuckled, but his mind wondering back to the taste. It reminded him of someone....of a five years ago, when he tested love in every bite she made. But it was in the past now, he pushed the thought aside.
Just then, he heard the distant sound of his mother's car pulling into the driveway. He glanced at Amara, who raised an eyebrow.
" Better brace yourself. If this food impressed you, she'll find something wrong with it" .
He shook his head in agreement.
Tade took another bite, savoring the complex blend of spices in the jollof rice. He was about to speak when the soft click of footsteps approaching. He looked up, just a small slender figure appeared at the doorway.
She was petite and light skinned with delicate features that complimented her small frame . Twenty - five years of age. Despite her size, there was a strength about her confidence in the way she moved, as if she belonged in every room she entered.
She carried a tray with a pitcher of freshly squeezed juice and two glasses.
Tade's heart skipped a beat as recognition struck him like a bolt of lightning.
It was her.
The woman he had proposed to five years ago. The woman he had never stopped thinking about.
Her name , Anwana, hovered on the tip of his tongue, he couldn't bring himself to say it. He watched as she moved gracefully, placing the tray on the table with careful precision.
She kept her eyes downcast, but he could see a flicker of something in her expression, a mix of surprise, apprehension and something else he couldn't quite name . Before he could say a word, the front door swung open and his mother's voice cut through the air like a knife.
"Amara, Tade, I'm home!", Remi Adebanjo's was sharp carrying the usual tone of authority .
She stepped into the dinning room, her gaze immediately landed on Anwana.
For a moment, the room seemed to freeze . Remi's eyes narrowed, her expression turning cold and unwelcoming.
A hint of disdain crept into her voice,"You", she spat as if the very sight of Anwana offended her.
Anwana straightened her back, her face a mask of calm, though Tade could sense the tension radiating from her . She meet Remi's gaze with a quiet, respectful nod ,"Good evening, ma'am", she said softly, her voice, steady but tinged with a nervous edge.
Remi's eyes flicked to Tade, a mix of anger and confusion in her expression. " What is she doing here?" , She demanded, as if this were some kind of betrayal.
Tade's own emotions were a whirlwind, shock , confusion and an unexpected surge of protectiveness. "Mother", he began slowly, " this is ... Our new cook , whom you hired last week".
Remi's eyes blazed, " our new cook?, Did you know about this Tade?" , Tade's gaze shifted between Anwana and his mother , searching for the right words, realizing too late , the storm that had just begun to breed.
How does she hire a cook without knowing who , this is hilarious,
He thought within him. " I didn't know" , he finally replied.
Anwana turned to leave , her face still composed but Tade could see the hurt in her eyes.
Tade was lounging in the living room ,lost in thought, when he heard soft footsteps approaching. He looked up and his heart skipped a beat.
There stood Anwana holding a tray of glass. The night was quiet, most of the household retired for the evening.
He stood up abruptly, shock evident on his face, he's hands deep in the side pocket of his night wear . This beautiful soul disappeared from his life and is back in this manner, as he's cook , under his roof. Alot of questions flooded his mind but he's lips were to heavy to utter a word.
"Anwana, what are you doing here?", He finally found his voice.
Anwana's eyes widened, her face turning pale.
" Tade?", He's heart skipped as she said his name .
"I didn't know this was your house, if I did, I wouldn't have shown up, I'm just here to work".
Tade's expression shifted from surprise to confusion," You didn't know? Why didn't you contact me? I tried reaching out"
Her face flushed with embarrassment,"I lost your contact
#NircleStories
