Chapter 13: Request 2

Request 2

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"How adorable," I exclaimed and smiled at him. He glared at me and continued what he was doing. 

What he did was actually very cute. It is also my first time seeing a man blush so hard even at little things which, is very rare.

I didn't know that a man like Neal Valastro would have a precious side. Well, he is probably always like this around his mother. Back when she was still alive. He changed when she was gone, unlike his big sister who is still very much childish at the age of twenty-seven.

I just noticed that he is wearing a white sleeveless t-shirt—probably his favorite tee—perfectly molding his broad shoulders and well-toned torso. Also giving shape to his 8 packs and well-trained pecs. 

My eyes slowly went to his face.

I could not stop gazing at his gorgeous complexion. Looking down on him, it just makes me adore how long and dark his eyelashes are and his slightly aquiline nose making him more irresistible and seductive.

No wonder he is so popular among the girls. He could literally use his looks with anything. Like, using it as a weapon to escape whenever he is in trouble or the like.

He suddenly shifted a bit on his seat that made me look away from his face and faked cough as he asked in an annoyed tone without even glancing on me, "what?"

"Err..." I looked above the ceiling and thought. At the ends of my eyes, I could see that he looked at me with an 'are you goddamn serious!?' look but I ignored him and continued daydreaming.

What was I about to ask him, again? Heck, I completely forgot! He is such a distraction! Because of him, I couldn't think properly.

I am not myself today. Not just today but for the last couple days that I am with this man. It has been like two days, three days only? And my brain is already ceasing to function. How much more in the future, right? 

He would probably laugh at me and throw me out of his house. Why would he need someone stupid like me, anyway? He could simply find someone better who suits the role as his wife. 

A woman like Ate July, perhaps but then again, who knows what type of woman he likes, right? And...can someone tell me why I am talking about things like 'wife' again? 

God, Kira. You don't like it but now you are mentioning it. Ugh, let's just focus on remembering what I have to ask him.

I shake my head rather violently and squinted my eyes, trying to squeeze my brain to get the words out of my head. I crossed my arms while my right foot is tapping the hardwood floor impatiently and finally after almost a year of waiting, I remembered. 

"What do you want me to bake?" I asked him curiously. He stopped for a moment from checking out the papers on his hand and said in a flat voice, "anything."

"Hm, okay." Really, Neal. After thinking so much about what you want me to bake, that's your response? 

Very well then, I hope you won't get disappointed if you would not like it.

I exited towards the double doors and slowly closed it behind me but before I could walk away, I heard him say something to me.

I couldn't really hear the entire word of what he just said but I could make out a couple of letters.

"C...k...s?" What does he mean by that? 

Cheesecake? Probably not. I bet he doesn't eat too much. 

Cinnamon rolls? Hm. I only heard one word come out from his mouth so it mustn't be it. There's also no letter k in it.

Cupcakes? It is possible but...I don't see him as a cupcake guy.

Cookies? Oh. He must have said cookies. It is also Ate July's favorite, right? Especially chocolate chip cookies. It isn't a surprise if Neal has also taken a liking to it. And besides, I couldn't think of other deserts that he would like that starts with the letter c and has a letter k in it. 

But shouldn't I go inside and ask him again? No, I will just stick with my instincts and go with cookies. He was very busy with some things and asking him again would just be a bad idea. 

I went to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients and tools that I need in baking the chocolate chip cookies.

Flour

Baking soda

Salt

Unsalted butter

Light brown sugar

Granulated sugar

Eggs

Vanilla extract

Semisweet chocolate chips 

And now with the tools,

Cups

Teaspoons and tablespoons

Spoon (wooden or whatever)

Rubber scraper

Bowls

Plates

Cookie Molders

Whisk

Baking sheets

Parchment paper (so that the cookies won't stick to the baking sheets)

Handheld mixer or stand mixer (so that the mixing would be much easier)

Sifter (for flours and other dry ingredients)

And other things needed.

I started baking with great excitement. I totally missed doing this.

Ah, it takes me back to the past. Pure nostalgia of when I used to bake for someone special. Not that Neal is someone special to me but ever since that my mother and father had died, I lost my passion and interest in baking. Sure, nana would teach me how but that's just it. 

I do help nana sometimes but I was just forcing myself. I just wished that my parents could see especially my mother how good I am at baking already. I just wished that they were still here to taste it. Give comments about it and help me improve my skills to be better.

What's the use of doing something when there is no one to see it?

All the effort and sweat that you have put into it. It's like doing something special for no one. It's useless. But of course, I also do it for myself but the feeling is just different. 

I just want someone to see and appreciate what I have done.

That's why I am baking this happily right now because I get to use my ability for someone else. Like how I have seen the look on ate July's face when nana decided to bake for her. 

It looked and felt nice to see someone so happy with what you did. It just makes me smile too.