101 COOKING UP MEMORIES ARIEL’S POV And Luke stood before me, his chest opened, which translated in me feeling a flutter of nerves. He was impossibly handsome, with deep brown eyes and a chiseled jawline. But I quickly averted my gaze, reminding myself that I was here on a mission and I couldn’t let myself be swayed by his appearance. I had a job to do, and I couldn’t afford any distractions. Well, he was really handsome, and I could let a romantic scene take place. But I didn’t want to let these little thoughts unfolding, to get the best of me. I didn’t know why my brain had to process his comeliness to be surpassingly bewitching this time. It wasn’t like I hadn’t seen him shirtless, or whatever. So yeah, there had been times when I felt like I didn’t need this brain to cloud me with all these silly thoughts. It really had me fucked up sometimes. Could take you to a world you never imagined, what you never wished for could actually be what you’de be thinking. “You can go back to the kitchen now. This isn’t a fashion show or whatever, where you can just….Ughh nevermind.” “What are you saying?” Luke aksed. I sighed, looking at a different direction. “It’s nothing.” And then he walked towards me. I felt the familiar urge to be near him. It grew stronger. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but wish he would stop and stay at a safe distance. I knew that if he got any closer, I would have to confront my feelings and desires, and I wasn’t ready for that. So I silently hoped he would keep his distance and spare me from having to act on my thoughts. Yeah, the crazy thoughts which kept on revolving in my head. Just great. I stood up the moment Luke got close. “Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” “I’m about to take a seat. What does it look like I’m doing?” “I thought you wanted to cook.” I stretched my hands to the direction of the kitchen. n *“I changed my mind.” He grabbed the remote from the table, and changed the channel. “It seems like you weren’t even hungry in the first place.” I crossed my arms, eyes fixed on him. He simply laughed. “You want to know something, Ariel?” “What?” “I haven’t actually tasted your food.” “Oh, really?” I raised an eyebrow. He nodded. “Yeah, quite odd, since we were once in a marriage, that lasted three years.” I gaped at him. “You have got to be kidding me. You were the one who didn’t want to get a taste of my food. All because of your intense hate.” He laughed lightly. “I know. I was just trying to see your reaction.” “Well you saw it.” “So, are you a great cook?” Luke smirked. I chuckled. “Are you seriously asking me that?” “Well, I need to know.” “No. I’m not. My food tastes like hell.” He looked at me for a moment. “I doubt that.” I couldn’t hold a laugh. “Why do you say so?” “I don’t know. I just feel like you’re a good cook.” Luke stood up, and as he walked to me, I shifted backwards. He halted, noticing my movements. “What was that for?” He asked, slightly furrowing his brows at me. “What?” I aksed, although I knew what he was talking about. “I know what you’re thinking. But don’t get things wrong around here. I wasn’t coming to you.” I sighed, averting my gaze, my arms crossed. “I never said that.” “Well, your actions did.” I couldn’t help but chuckle, and I muttered, “Yeah it did.” ‘Luke took a step, and I couldn’t help but do a little moonwalk backwards. He paused, giving me a quizzical look. I raised my eyebrows in response, trying to 101 CKING UP MEMORIES mimic his expression. He then widened his eyes, and I couldn’t resist the urge to do the same, like a comical game of Simon Says. Like two kids in a game of charades. And I have to say, it was oddly amusing. Luke and I couldn’t help but burst into a fit of laughter as our eyes finally broke away. Well, that was quite an intense staring contest we had there, wasn’t it? I couldn’t stop giggling as I looked down at the ground, trying to catch my breath. My hands were still on my waist, as if I was struck with a sudden case of the giggles. Who knew a simple staring contest could be so entertaining? I know, I can be really crazy sometimes. Andre can testify. “Wow, are you really this scared?” Luke shook his head. I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t scared.” “You’re still lying, huh?” He let out a little laugh. “I saw how you just moved like a bullet.” I giggled. “Okay, there’s no need to start making fun of me.” “I’m just saying the truth. Come on, Ariel seriously?” I arched an eyebrow. “Uhmm, excuse me?” “You know you don’t have to be terrified.” “Who said I was terrified?” I gave him a skeptical look. “I saw it in your face. It was really hilarious.” “You don’t know what’s going on in my head.” I pressed on with the argument. “I don’t want to know. Keep your silly thoughts to yourself.” His lips curved into a caustic smile. “Sir, are you going to that kitchen or not?” I made my tone serious, in a playful manner. “You refused to cook for me. Why are you still stressing on this?” “I’m trying to be a little concerned here.” Luke shot me a disbelieving look. “How exactly?” “Don’t ask me questions. What would you like to eat?” I asked, trying to be concerned. I had to remind myself that I needed to make him fall in love with me. Luke chuckled, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine: He let out a contented sigh, and I couldn’t help but watch him with admiration. My eyes were drawn to his impressive chest, and I found myself gazing at his な perfectly sculpted abs. It was breathtaking, the way his muscles rippled beneath his skin. I couldn’t tear my eyes away, completely mesmerized by his physical beauty.” I got lost in his beauty once more, but the resistance was still there, and it helped me push away the fucked up feeling. “I love this question of yours,” Luke spoke, nodding slowly, he had his arms crossed. “It seems like you want to prepare something for me.” “Yeah. Now tell me what you want to eat, for crying out loud.” Luke smirked. “Anything you prepare.” I looked at him for seconds. “Anything?” He nodded, smiling at me. I didn’t want to admire the expression. “Okay then,” I said, and started making my way to the kitchen. “Hold on. Are you really serious?” Luke asked. I exhaled deeply. “Yes!” After that, I burst into the kitchen. I started gathering ingredients, about to see if I could whip up something special. Let’s see how this was going to get. I could just poison this scumbag. But I wasn’t that brutal. And that was definitely not how the plan was supposed to work out. I was about to chop vegetables, and suddenly, I felt a presence behind me, and a shiver ran down my spine. Turning around, I found Luke standing there.