âAbel Ryker, of course!â Helios said. âHeâs the only Daddy we recognize!â
âHelios, I want to speak to Daddy⦠no, Abell Emmeline said angrily.
Helios handed his phone to Abel. âDaddy, Mommy wants to speak to you.â
Abel took the phone.
âEmmaâ¦â
âWhatâs the meaning of this, Abel? You kidnapped my sons!â
Emmeline roared deafeningly.
Abel quickly moved his head away from the phone.
âCalm down. Timothy is here too. I brought them here because I L cooked dinner.â
Emmeline frowned. âIs that all?â
âWeâre not enemies, right?â
âOf course not.â
âSo what are you worried about?â
Emmeline did not say anything. Iâm not worried. In fact, Iâm glad theyâre with you.
Timothy took the phone from Abelâs hand. âMommy, Daddy said he learned cooking. Do you want to come over too?â
âWhat did you say?â Emmeline thought she had misheard. âYour Daddy learned how to cook?â
âYes, Mr. Luca said heâs like a pro too!â
âWell, color me impressed,â Emmeline mumbled.
Abel took the phone. âEmma, Iâll ask Luca to bring you here. Come and teach me how to cook.â
âI want to learn how to make oxtail soup and gnocchi. I know the kids love that. Come over and teach me.â
Emmeline took a deep breath. âFine!â
âAlright, Iâll get Luca to fetch you,â Abel said happily.
Haha! This is great!
The Rolls-Royce Ghost drove under the rain to bring Emmeline to the Precipice.
As soon as Emmeline entered the front hall, the four boys spread their arms and ran toward her.
âMommy!â
âMommy!â
âPretty Mommy!â
Emmeline tossed her handbag aside happily and crouched to hug the boys.
âItâs so nice seeing the four of you together!â she said as she kissed each of them on the forehead. Her eyes were brimming with motherly love.
Timothy said, âPretty Mommy, Daddy is in the kitchen. You should go and take a look.â
âOkay! Youâll be good boys, and Iâll also cook something delicious for you!â
The four children went off to play. Emmeline followed Luca to the kitchen.
Indeed, Abel was busy at work inside.
He was dressed in a white shirt and an apron, and he wore a chefâs hat.
Emmeline could not help but chuckle when she saw him.
Abel blushed.
âDonât laugh at me! Cooking is also a skill!â
âIâm not laughing at you. Youâre amazing!â Emmeline said.
âReally?â Abel said, though he was overjoyed inside.
âIndeed. I donât even know how to make that,â Emmeline pointed at the dishes on the table.
âI learned it from the head chef of Nimbus Hotel. If you want to learn how to cook that, I can teach you,â
Abel said.
âTeach me then. I donât mind learning a thing or two,â Emmeline said while rolling up her sleeves.
Abel began to teach her.
âFirst, marinate the beef with the seasonings, coat it with starch, then let it rest for ten minutes,â Abel said while demonstrating the process.
âWow, I see!â
âThe first time I did it, the meat turned out hard and tasteless like twigs. I didnât know I had to prep it!â
Abel continued, âThereâs also a technique to deep-frying. The oil needs to be hot enough so that the meat doesnât cook for too long. In the end, turn the stove up to the maximum so that the meat will be crunchy.â
Emmeline gulped. She was feeling hungry.
Abel playfully poked the tip of her nose with a finger. âYou greedy kitten.â
He forgot he had starch on his fingers. Emmelineâs nose was stained white like a clownâs.
Abel smiled at her but said nothing.
Emmeline continued to learn from Abel.
âRight, stir it a little.â
âAh, turn the fire down a little.â
âCareful, donât scald yourselfâ¦â