By the time they got to the kitchen, sure enough, it was in an unbelievable state. It was in a state of disarray. Why were the sink full with pots and bowls? Some vegetables were lying all over the place on the counters. Hyoyeon had to stride cautiously on the floor to avoid tripping as there was liquid in some parts of the floor which she believed was water. She didn’t believe the maid of the house didn’t do their work of cleaning the kitchen. But, to believe the whole mess was the sole work of Luhan, who was left only for not more than fifteen minutes, rather unbelievable too. How could he manage to turn the kitchen upside down just for cooking? And how could he still be relaxed while cutting the carrots?

As Hyoyeon stepped closer, she cleared her throats. “So, what are you cooking?”

“Dunno. I just tossed everything that I think would look tasty into the pot. Then, maybe it would turn out nice and edible.” He said without a shred of embarrassment. He was done cutting the carrots and readied to put it in the pot on the stove.

She stared at him with suspicion. “Maybe? Maybe? What if you were wrong?"

Luhan smiled innocently. "Huh? Honestly, that thought hadn't occurred to me." The carrots were dropped into the pot.

‘Honestly, that thought hadn't occurred to me.’ You’ve got to be kidding me!

Hyoyeon exchanged look with Kris, who was leaning calmly against the wall. Kris sent her telepathically message as if telling, ‘I told you he is useless.’

“Oh, don’t bother with the tiny little details! You just go wait outside and let me do my cooking. You don’t have to worry much.” This time, Luhan grabbed some zucchini.

“No, I’m worried! I’ll stay and watch. How’s the cooking going?” Hyoyeon peeked at the inside of the pot and her eyes widened in shock.

“Oh, it will be okay!” Oblivious to Hyoyeon’s reaction, Luhan chopped the zucchini.

“But, it just turns blue!” She pointed the pot. What meals were blue in colour?

Luhan was still smiling. “It is. But it will be okay.” Plop. The zucchini went into the pot too.

“What will be okay?” Hyoyeon’s voice raised an octave.

Kris who was only watching till now cracked up laughing. That caught their attention.

Hyoyeon narrowed her eyes as she faced Kris. “That is so not funny!” All this chaos made her forgot their early conversations. Her weird feeling also seemed to disappear into the thin air.

“Sure it is. You just don’t see the humour.” Kris grinned, still wearing the amused look.

One glare and Kris shrugged. “I’ll wait in the living room.” He was still laughing as he walked away.

Luhan continued with his work as soon as Kris left. He was rummaging through the refrigerator and draw out something with deep satisfaction. Hyoyeon’s eyes were drawn to his hand.

“What’s that?”

“Strawberries,” Luhan answered.

Hyoyeon caught Luhan’s hand just in time as he wanted to put those pinkish-red fruit in the pot.

“And why do you need to add strawberries in the cooking?”

“Err, because I love strawberry..?”

That’s it. She hit her limit. “This is so frustrating! Here! Let me do it!” Hyoyeon nudged him aside.

She turned off the stove and dismissed the pot. This was no longer edible. She would get sick if she ate it. She would end up in the hospital, she knew it. So, it would be much safer if she cook it herself. She couldn’t trust Luhan. He was beyond hopeless.

Hyoyeon looked around. From the pile of vegetables on the counter, she could make up some of them.  There were some leftover carrots and zucchinis. She also saw some onions, garlics, tomatoes, potatoes, bay leaf and green chilies. She instantly knew what she was going to cook.

“Are you okay with stew?”

Luhan blinked. “I… guess I’m okay…”

“Where is a new pot?” Hyoyeon started tying her hair in a bun for hygiene purpose and to avoid her hair to become a nuisance later.

“Here.” Luhan gave her a new pot.

“Good.” She put the pot on the stove and added some oil. After it heat up, she sautéed the onion that was finely chopped a moment ago.

“Anything I can help?” Luhan offered.

Hyoyeon shook her help. “No. I’ve got this covered.” Her hands were working amazingly fast as she minced the garlics, sliced the carrots and diced the potatoes and tomatoes.

“Wow! You can really cook! It is always my dream to have a wife who can cook!” Luhan watched in admiration as Hyoyeon put the garlics, bay leaf, some chicken broth and some spices in the pot. After it boiled, she added carrots, potatoes, zucchini and chopped chicken .

A cool smile curled her lips, a smile that stunned Luhan for a moment. They were standing so near to each other, so near that his skin prickling with her nearness. It gave him the chance to observe her for the first time. Up close, she looked so beautiful. Her blonde hair was curled into a bun. A few loose strands were sticking to her neck. She pushed a dangling lock of hair behind her ear and concentrated on her cooking. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. The view of her cooking was dazzling it could almost blind his eyes.

“I… I want to help!” His tone was unnaturally high. Luhan bit his lip. ‘Damn it! Why am I stuttering?’

“No need. I just have to simmer all this until the vegetables are tender.” The blonde was oblivious to his action. She was too immersed with her cooking to be bothered with her surroundings.

“T… Then, I’ll cook the rice!” Again, he was stuttering. He slightly cursed himself.

“Okay.” Her head was looking down at the stew. But then, something crossed her mind. “Wait, you do know how to cook the rice, right?” She asked, her head snapped up. She followed her gaze to see Luhan, carrying the rice to sink to be washed and rinsed.

“I know. You don’t have to guard me so much. I can cook the rice perfectly fine.”

“No, I’m scared! For some reason, I’m scared!” She was still having some doubt. Luhan just looked like the type that was all talk. The kind to be enthusiastic but with no real meaning.

“You really don’t trust me, huh?” Luhan sounded almost hurt as he put the cleaned rice in the rice cooker.

“Of course. Because you are stupid.”

Instant blow. You really didn’t need a knife to kill someone, huh?

“You really don’t hold back, do you?” Luhan chuckled. So honest. She was just so honest. In a cute way. Wait, did he just say cute? He clutched his chest. His hear