Aileen
After that, Marshall and I picked out some veggies together. He asked what type of veggies or food I liked so he could cook it the next time I came over to his house.
Honestly, that was so sweet of him to do. He understood that Mike had intentions in the first place that’s why he protected me from him. He’s so kind. He worries about me so much. Wish I also had a brother like him. Becky is so lucky.
Just having him around me, makes me feel at ease and protected. Just like I feel around Dave.
I never felt so much safe around guys unless I met these two. Jack is nothing compared to them. Just a replacement that I used to fill the gap in my heart.
But, my fear and hatred of boys was created all because of my father to begin with. That man ruined our lives, robbing away of our happiness. I can never forgive him.
“Aileen, pick out what you want to buy for dessert. I’m done here!” Marshall said, standing right beside me.
“Uh, sure. Give me a minute.”
I grabbed a bag of crackers and some marshmallows then a bucket of ice cream and placed them on his cart.
“Anything else to buy?” he asked, going through the groceries carefully.
“Uh, no. That’s all.”
“Good, Let’s go to the counter.” He suggested.
After standing in line for a few minutes, he paid everything and we headed towards his car.
I helped him unload everything inside at the back seat then went to sit at the front beside him.
“Phew, we are already so late.” He said, checking the time on his watch.
“It’s okay, I’ve already informed Mom. So, no need to worry,” I replied.
Marshall smiled, putting on his seatbelt. “That’s true.”
We arrived at his house in 15 minutes.
It was fairly a big house with a big-ass pool at the front. But, considering where he works and how much he earns this is expected. And he’s also Dave’s Beta. I should get used to visiting big houses as I live in one, to begin with.
“Uh, Aileen, can you help me carry the bags inside? It’ll be a big help,” Marshall requested.
“Yeah, sure.”
“And unlock the door as well, here’s the key.”
“Okay.”
After that, we headed inside together. The house had an old setting with a stylish touch.
I was admiring the beauty of the painted ceilings. It had an artistic touch to it.
“Aileen, you can place the groceries in the kitchen. I’ll bring you something to drink. What do you want?”
“Um, whatever you have in the house. But, keep the ice cream in the fridge first, it’s going to melt.”
“Right away.”
I stood near the kitchen counter, while I watched him go through the fridge searching for a drink for me.
He came back with a can in hand.
“Um, I have some unsweetened lemonade. I don’t know whether you might like it. But, help yourself.”
I accepted it with a smile. “Thanks. But, you should start prepping. I’ll also help you out. Do you have an apron for me? Cause I might start stinking fishy if I start cooking in my clothes.”
“Uh, I forgot about it. Let me go grab it for the two of us. It should’ve been in one of the drawers here.”
He went to grab something from the other end of the big kitchen.
I finished my drink and he came back with a smiley face.
“Here you go. It’s new.”
“Thank you.” I took the apron and wore it over my clothes.
It had a cute big kitty cat at the center and some pink frills over the hems, making it very pretty.
“Wow, it also has two pockets to fit things,” I said out loud, putting my hands inside.
“Yeah, now turn around. I’ll tie it up for you.”
After tying up my apron he put on his apron as well.
It was a blue-colored one with a black cat with a blue bowtie. And he also had matching pockets like me.
After some laughs and giggles, we finally started prepping the fish and stuff.
“Hey, how do I scoop out the meat of the oysters? And what do we do with the crabs?”
“Oh, you probably won’t know it. Let me show you.” He came up from behind me and held onto my hand gently.
His perfume…. it smells so intoxicating. And he’s so close.
“Look carefully. Use the knife like this and scrape it carefully without hitting your fingers. Alright?”
I can feel his breath on my shoulder the more he speaks. It feels so weird.
“Aileen, are you listening?”
“Uh, no, can you please show again?” I stammered in my reply.
Why am I acting this way? This is nothing. He’s just teaching me. I should get my head out of the gutter.
“I don’t mind. But, please pay attention,” he replied, “Take the knife and hold the……yeah like this. You did it!”
“Yeah, I did. And in one try as well!” I looked beside me to see his face up close.
We peered into each other’s eyes and the silence between us created so much tension, that I didn’t know what to do.
My heart was beating wildly, and I believed he could hear it as well.
Kiki, what’s happening to me? Why am I being such a freak right now?
“I don’t know. I have no control over your brain, only your body. And right now, your brain is screaming wildly for this guy in front of you. It’s not supposed to be like this. Do you seriously have feelings for a guy who’s not your mate?”
I have feelings for Marshall. Is this really true? How’s that possible? I don’t see him that way.
“Maybe, it’s because he’s standing so close to you. I’m misinterpreting something.”
Of course, you are!
“Uh, well, you are getting the hang of it,” Marshall spoke, breaking the silence. “It’s good to see that.”
“Uh-hm…thanks. You are a good teacher as well.”
“You are welcome. Now, do it on your own,” he withdrew his hands from my arm and went back to breaking the crab legs.
What was that just now? I’m really not in my right mind. Or else, why would I start to feel like that towards Marshall?
He chopped down the veggies cause he knew I would cut my finger. Which I obviously did, while chopping onions.
And the blood was all over the counter so he had to bring a first aid kit and after disinfecting the wound, he wrapped a cute flower-printed band-aid over it.
So, thoughtful of him.
Seeing my mishap, he only allowed me to sprinkle the spices and sauces onto the marination.
Then at the end, threw everything in the microwave and we went to sit on the couch with some leftover cake he had in his fridge.
He enjoyed his coffee while chewing on a cookie. I was so lost in the moment that I didn’t notice he was endearingly staring at me.
And the cake was a bit dry which got caught in my throat, making me choke.
I searched for water, but the glass was empty.
“Hey, anything wrong?” he asked, putting down his cup on the table. A worry cloud surrounded his face.
“Uh” I noticed the coffee on the table and gulped it down in one go.
He looked at me puzzled. “I didn’t realize you wanted coffee. If you told me I would’ve brought a second cup.”
“Well,” I heaved a sigh, putting away the cup. “I choked on the cake. Thank god you were drinking it”
I drank from the same cup. Isn’t that like an indirect kiss? I hope he didn’t find that weird.
Why am I messing up everything today? I’m an idiot.
“What? You choked on the cake? It must’ve been dry from sitting in the fridge for too long. I’m really sorry about it. You don’t have to eat it anymore.” He apologized.
“Uh, it’s okay. I’m alright now”
The beeping sound of the microwave brought our attention to the kitchen.
“The food must be done, take off your apron, I’ll bring the plates,” he suggested.
“Uh, sure. I’ll help you bring the bowls to the table.”
We both worked together and finally sat down to eat.
Right when he removed the lid off the pot the aroma of the spices filled my nostrils.
“Wow, it smells heavenly. I can’t even smell the fishy scent anymore.”
“Because it’s cooked well,” he replied. “Let me serve you first. Tell me how it tastes.”
“It must be tasty. Everything looks beautiful.”
He served me a mix of everything we brought, and my plate was almost full till he served the veggies on top.
“Do you think we can finish all of this together?” I inquired, looking at the big pot filled with food to the top.
“No problem, I’m hungry today,” he reassured me. “And you don’t have to force yourself to eat. If there’s any leftovers, I’ll eat them tomorrow for breakfast.”
“You eat seafood for breakfast?”
“I don’t mind eating them at any time. That’s how much I love them.”
“You are really something,” I chuckled. “Bon appetit.”
The first bite made me addicted to the food. I munched into the corn in between and the sauce was the deadly combo.
Marshall is so good at cooking. I didn’t know I loved seafood so much until today. I should come over to eat more often. It’s not like he minds.
“Try this roasted squid,” he suggested, holding out the skewer towards me. “It tastes just amazing with beer.”
“What? When did you make this?”
“When we were cooking. It’s easy, just a few cuts and put on flame with salt and pepper.”
“Really? Thanks.” I took it from his hands and ate it. And just like he said, it was amazing.