The fire leapt from the edge of the pot, illuminating Louis’s face and Elisa’s eyes.
Louis had been concentrating on flipping the wok. He had seen a comment online about the most handsome images of men, and one of them was a man cooking while flipping a wok.
He was completely absorbed, but as time passed, his expression became increasingly uneasy. The handle of the pot suddenly became hot in his hand, nearly causing the vegetables to flip out.
Elisa wanted to laugh, seeing through it all, choosing not to expose his embarrassment, and changed the subject, asking, “Where are the utensils?”
Louis took the stir-fried green pepper and shredded pork off the stove and onto a plate. He walked to the cabinet above, pressing gently on Elisa’s head to prevent the door from hitting her.
“Here.” Louis took out the utensils. Elisa was very close to him, and he could smell the fragrance of her shampoo emanating from her. Thinking that they used the same bottle of shampoo, their scents were the same. It made him feel closer to her. Louis couldn’t help but twitch his ears and quickly took the utensils down.
“I’ll take it.” Elisa held a bowl in one hand and used the other to hand the plate of green pepper and shredded pork that Louis had just prepared.
As Elisa walked away, Louis’s movements became quick and skilled. He quickly stir-fried the hot and sour shredded potatoes and served the boiled cabbage soup.
“See how it tastes.” Louis eagerly watched Elisa, closely observing her every move.
Ordinary home-cooked dishes are difficult to make delicious, the boiled cabbage soup was light and sweet, the hot and sour shredded potatoes were golden and distinct, with a crispy texture, and the green pepper and shredded pork were tender and flavorful, making it a great accompaniment to rice.
Elisa picked up her fork and ate very seriously, tasting each dish before looking up at Louis.
Louis stared at her without blinking, the look of anticipation resembling that of a failing student waiting for the test results.
Elisa laughed, generously praising his cooking, “It’s delicious.” She had also learned to cook. Initially, in order to please Hamish, she had specifically sought out a chef to learn to cook. She could tell that Louis had put effort into cooking; without a few years of experience, this level of skill would be impossible.
Louis contentedly squinted his eyes and served Elisa half a bowl of rice. After the two finished their meal, it was already 8 o’clock.
After dinner, Louis felt like sleeping. Looking at the time, it was still early. Usually, after dinner, he would take a walk outside. But today… he didn’t want to. He was afraid of running into Hamish. He had too many questions about the relationship between Hamish and Elisa, but he didn’t dare to ask.
For many years, he had been sailing smoothly. Even when he first entered the entertainment industry, he didn’t encounter setbacks or difficulties when transitioning from one field to another. In the words of his agent, Jack, he was the chosen one, being fed success by the heavens.
But now, for the first time, he had encountered an obstacle and a threat. He didn’t understand Hamish, but in just three years, Hamish had taken 40% of the Burns family’s shares. This showed that he was not simple.
“Great actor, what are you thinking about?”
Louis came to his senses, lifted his head and pursed his lips. He was thinking about the relationship between her and Hamish, wanting to know everything about her, yet not daring to ask. He was afraid that once he knew everything, he wouldn’t even be able to be her friend.
Before meeting Elisa, he had always thought he was emotionally strong, not easily flustered, and not one to avoid things. He could handle things smoothly step by step. But he had never expected that in matters of the heart, he would be so timid and fearful.
“Do you want to watch a movie? It’s still early.”
“Yeah, after watching, I’ll rest. I have to get up early and leave tomorrow.”
Louis’s face visibly stiffened, and his pupils shrank. “You’re leaving?”
Elisa lightly replied, “Yeah.”
Louis asked in a low voice, “Is it because of Hamish?”
“No,” Elisa answered without hesitation, which seemed suspicious. After a pause, she looked seriously at Louis, who was sitting diagonally across from her. “It’s not because of him. I have to go to a very important place tomorrow.”
“Are you coming back?” His complexion did not return to normal; it seemed somewhat pale, and his eyes were fixed on Elisa.
Elisa shook her head. “Louis, we are friends. I am grateful for your help this time. If you need help next time, feel free to ask, as long as it’s something within my ability…”
Louis’s eyes dimmed for a moment. “I brought you here, not to ask for anything… Elisa, this is my home.” Can you understand my true intention in bringing you home?
Louis owned many properties, in Chiwood and Bankshire, but these were merely investments and not places he considered home. Even the White family’s house was never considered his home. Except for this place…
This was one he personally decorated, not large but with everything one could need. Even the children’s room was designed with various books, despite the absence of a girlfriend, he had thought of a child first.
Deep down, Louis had always yearned for a home, not just a house, but a place that would bring him a sense of security. A place where he could see the light as soon as he turned around, and most importantly, a place where the person he liked lived.
Elisa sat up straight, speaking each word with exceptional clarity and seriousness: “Thank you.” Besides “thank you,” she didn’t know what else to say.
Louis shook his head, feeling as though his heart had been twisted. It had only briefly hurt, but that discomfort lingered, very uncomfortable.
“Are you close with Hamish?” he asked softly, his eyes half closed.
“Previously familiar, now unfamiliar.”
“Do I have a place in your heart?”
Like children comparing their importance, Louis’s question was too direct. Elisa’s emotions were complicated, and an indescribable emotion seeped from the left side of her chest.
She stared at Louis’s face, so similar to Autumn’s, and after a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Yes.”
Satisfied with the answer, Louis smiled. He knew he had a place in Elisa’s heart.
He didn’t ask for much; he was easily satisfied. As long as she had a place for him in her heart, that was enough. Relationships grow every day; tomorrow, he would be even better to Elisa than today. He didn’t believe that his position in her heart wouldn’t rise.
In the dim light, Louis’s ears turned slightly pink as he casually looked for a movie to watch. Self-doubt began to creep in. Usually, he was overly confident, but now, the thought of the person he liked watching a movie he acted in made him wonder where he might have performed poorly, even before the movie began.