Natalie Wheeler smiled as her eyes seemed to curve upwards. “Okay, thank you, Madam. What do the Young Masters like to eat then?”
As soon as she said that, her cell phone rang. “Excuse me.”
Natalie walked to the side and answered the call.
“Natalie, I have good news. Starting from tomorrow, Sean is going for an interview abroad for several days. Wahahaha, we can go on a trip together!” Eli Wayne said excitedly.
“Have you forgotten? I’ve found a job that requires all my time. However, I was told that I’m entitled to four days of leave per month. Let’s see if we could find a suitable time in the future. Then again, it’s not good to ask for leave right after starting work,” Natalie said apologetically.
“Well, then give me one full day tomorrow. Let’s go for a day’s trip and go fishing together. I know a place that’s fun.” Eli was still in a good mood.
“Okay, then I’ll see you tomorrow,” Natalie said, then hung up the phone and quietly turned on the recording. She put the phone in her pocket and said to Bettany, “I’m sorry. What kind of dishes do the Young Masters like to eat?”
“Oh, it’s fine. Well, Ralph likes apples and nuggets, but he doesn’t like spicy food. He can’t stand spicy food. As for Dante, his adopted parents are from H City, and people there like spicy food very much, so Dante also likes spicy food,” Bettany Hadley said enthusiastically.
“I’ll remember that. Thank you, Madam,” Natalie said with a smile.
“You’re welcome. I’ll prepare some fries and we’ll be able to serve dinner soon,” Bettany said as she took the chilled fries out from the packet.
Natalie drained the hot water which she had used to soak the chopped mushrooms with. She then threw them into a pot and poured some water into it. When the water turned slightly cloudy, she added some heavy cream and stock into it. She then seasoned it and covered the lid, letting the soup boil.
“You’re good at cooking,” Bettany praised.
“When I was in the orphanage, I was the one who cooked for the children. I think I’m decent at it.” Natalie took out the chilled nuggets from the packet and started frying them.
“Auntie Natalie, Auntie Natalie, you cook so well. I’m really hungry.” Dante ran in and stretched his neck to look at the food cooking on the stove.
Natalie gave Dante a plate of fried chicken wings. “You can eat the chicken wings first.”
“Thank you, Auntie Natalie. Auntie Natalie is the best auntie I’ve ever met.” Dante praised her and added, “It looks like a robot cat.”
Natalie was amused by Dante, a warmth rising in her heart. “Tell me what you want to eat next time, and I’ll cook it for you.”
Bettany looked at Dante eating the chicken wings, her face was little pale. She said to Natalie, “My child is not as well-behaved as Dante. Miss Wheeler, I’m really sorry if Ralph brings any trouble to you.”
“Every child has a different personality. If they were all the same, it’d be meaningless for people to be alive,” Natalie said while frying the nuggets.
“Still, please take good care of Ralph.” Bettany said softly.
“Yes, don’t worry.” While frying the nuggets, Natalie removed the lid from the soup pot and gave a stir. It smelled delicious.
After the nuggets were ready, Natalie glanced at the pot.
“This should be ready in five minutes. You can take the rest to the dining table first. You seem to be someone that likes taking care of children. You know everything they like,” Bettany praised.
“Haha.” Natalie gave a gentle and polite smile and went out with the dishes in her hand. “Dinner should be ready in about five minutes. Let’s wash our hands first.”
“Auntie Natalie, the chicken wings you cooked are so delicious, and the fries are even more delicious than the ones in the restaurant. I feel like I’m flying,” Dante said happily.
“It’s not as good as you said it is.” Ralph took a bite of the chicken wings and spat it out. “It’s disgusting. I haven’t eaten such terrible food before.”
“If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. Just give it to me,” Dante said, picking up another chicken wing.
Ralph was so angry that he ground his teeth together.
Natalie turned back to the kitchen and did not notice that Bettany had suddenly come out.
Bettany was holding a bowl of mushroom soup in one of her hands, and a plate of the freshly-fried fish and chips in the other. She accidentally knocked them against Natalie’s body.
The piping hot soup that had just been taken out of the pot was splashed onto Bettany.
She screamed, and everything fell to the ground.
“Mommy!” Ralph ran over in a hurry and pushed Natalie away. He asked worriedly, “Mommy, are you okay?”
Bettany’s hands trembled and she said with a smile, “I’m fine. I accidentally bumped into Miss Wheeler. Are you alright?”
Natalie shook her head. “I’m fine.”
“The dish is wasted, what a pity,” Bettany said sadly.
“Madam, you should eat something first. There is no sugar in the chicken wings, so please feel free to eat them. I’ll take care of things here,” Natalie said politely.
Ralph glared at Natalie and said to Bettany, “Mommy, you were scalded. There should be medicine at home. You should apply the medicine on the burns first. You’re in poor health, you can’t make things worse.”
Bettany looked at Jasper and asked cautiously, “Can I?”
Jasper got up, went to his room, took out the first aid kit, and handed the ointment to Bettany.
“Dad, Mommy is injured, so it’s not convenient for her to apply the medicine herself. You should help her,” Ralph said to Jasper.
“It’s fine. I’ll do it myself.” Bettany took the medicine from Jasper’s hand and rolled up her white sleeve. Her skin was burning red.
She applied the ointment on the burns. She frowned, her eyes full of tears. Then she changed to another hand, which was also burning red.
“Mommy, your hands are really red. How will you take a bath at night? What if you have a fever? Don’t leave today, I’ll take care of you.” Ralph held Bettany’s hand and blew gently.
Bettany’s tears rolled down her cheeks. “Mommy is fine. You must be well-behaved here. Don’t bring trouble to your father and Auntie. Do you understand?”
“How could you be fine? If you have a fever and pass out alone, no one will know. If Dad doesn’t let you stay here, I will follow you back. At least I can take care of you.” Ralph said with tears.
“Don’t talk nonsense. Be a good boy and listen to Mommy.” Bettany burst into tears.
Ralph held Jasper’s waist and pleaded, “Dad, Dad, can you let Mommy stay? As long as you let Mommy stay, I will be obedient and be willing to do anything.”
Jasper looked at Bettany, who was crying with tears in her eyes. “You can stay here tonight. I’ll find a housekeeper to take care of you tomorrow.”
Bettany looked at Jasper with tears in her eyes. “Is it really convenient for you?”
“Let’s eat.” Jasper sat down at the table.
Natalie had already cleaned the floor, picked up the fish that hadn’t fallen to the ground, put them in a small plate, and brought them to the dining table.
“Let’s eat together.” Jasper said as he looked at her.
Natalie smiled, shook her head, turned around and walked toward the kitchen.
It seemed that Jasper cared about Bettany very much. They were probably in love. Perhaps, things were better that way…