Forty nine

“Aren’t you supposed to be teaching me?” He frowned trying to cut the potatoe.

“How do you intend you learn if you don't cook?” I asked him laughing. I collected one of the potatoes and took another laugh.

“This is how you do this” I showed him how I expected him to cut the potatoes. He didn't look pleased but he did it anyway. He took longer than anybody would but I understand he was just learning.

“You make it sound so easy” He complained after cutting the last one.

“It is once you master it. We can stop, maybe cooking isn't just for you” I said resting on the counter.

“How I'm I supposed to cook you meals then?” He asked. I shrugged.

“Charlotte,” I said. He frowned at me and I laughed.

“We should get back to work then”. He smiled.

“Very bossy” He mumbled. I turned back to him

“What did you say?” He nodded, no.

“Nothing” I passed him the spoon.

“What I'm I supposed to do with this?” He asked swinging the spoon around.

“Use it to mash the washed potatoes in the bowl,” I said scooping butter on a smaller plate. He started to pound on the potatoe. I laughed at the amount of strength was putting into it.

“What’s so funny” Anybody who walks in will think I'm punishing him in a way. He looked so stressed out.

“You don't need to pound on it like you're killing someone”

“Isn’t it supposed to be mashed?” He groaned. He collected the spoon and pressed each piece of potato in the bowl until everything was mashed.

“What next?” He asked.

“Salt, pepper, butter_”

“We still have a long way to go” He cut me off.

“We barely started anything” I reminded him.

“Doesn’t feel that way” He laughed. I added a little amount of salt and pepper. I couldn't risk him using too much or too little in the fear of using too much. I passed him the milk and butter to add. I watched him mix everything in the mashed potatoe”

“What should I do with this?” He asked raising the bowl of mashed potatoe up.

“That’s done. You set it aside while we make gravy”

“That wasn’t so hard actually,” He said smiling at the bowl. He looked so proud of himself.

“Says the person who complained throughout” I reminded.

“We can forget about that. I made this” He smiled. I don't know what it was but I was really happy. Seeing him get this excited for making food.

“Let’s see how well you do at the end of the day,” I said to him.

“Reduce the heat” I instructed when he left the small pan on the cooker.

“Ok,” He did as he was told. I gave him the butter to put into the pan. He placed the butter in the pan. While the butter was still melting I added corn starch.

“Add this,” I said giving him the bottle of soy sauce. He turned the bottle over to pour.

“Geez, not that much” I screamed.

“You gave me the whole bottle” He rolled his eyes.

“I didn't say put everything. You're a terrible student” I laughed snatching the food from him.

“Hey!. That's unacceptable. I made the mashed potatoes” He defended himself.

“Whatever?” I rolled my eyes.

I added a tablespoon of soy sauce and a tablespoon of black pepper. I stirred this together for a while before asking him for water.

“Water,” I asked. He passed me the cup of water. I added a little quantity of water mixing it before adding another. I did this until I had the perfect texture.

“Put that in a bowl,” I said turning off the heat.

“Done?” He asked.

“Yes,” I answered laughing at his reaction.

“I don’t think cooking is for me” He mumbled walked away with the pan.

“Because you don't like that I'm better at something,” I said.

“Maybe” He replied.

“You can teach me anything you want in return, that way we are both bad students” I suggested.

“You’re joining me for training” He announced.

“Not something like that” I whined.

“I remember you saying anything I want” I reminded me. I sighed.

“Fine. I can't be that bad. I learnt some things from my parents” I added.

“We shall see” He smirked.

“Now for the steak, I'm leaving it all to you” I announced.

“What? That’s not fair”

“I’ll tell you what to want to do. I'll be here while you make it” I informed him.

“Promise?” I rolled my eyes.

“Promise” I replied. He smiled taking the pan from me.

“Just a little, yes. That's perfect. Now add a little lesser black pepper to that. Turn it over like you did when you added the salt. Geez, Lucian! Noo” I screamed when he added more black pepper.

“Argh! Rain! Don't yell your commands” He complained turning to face me. I took a sip of my juice and looked up at him.

“It’s going to burn if you keep complaining. Add some butter” I instructed. He turned away from me to add the butter.

“Just one scoop Lucian,” I said resting my back in the chair I got Lucian to get for me.

“You’re very bossy”

“You already said that Lucian. Add two cloves of garlic and keep each side facing the pan for four minutes each” I instructed.

“I’m I supposed to time that?” He asked.

“No. To cook, you need a good judgment of time so practice that now” I said taking the last sip of my juice. I waited for him to be done before standing up.

“It’s done”.

“Now leave it in a plate to cool” He did as I said.

“What now?” He swiped imaginary sweat from his forehead.

“Clean the utensils we used”

“Do we really have to?” He asked.

“Of course. Get to work” I said.

“You’re not helping?!”

“I didn't cook” I smirked resting on the wall beside him. Like the baby he was, he complained throughout. When he finished I hugged him.

“What is this for?” He asked wrapping his arm around me, returning my hug.

“You did a good job” I praised him.

“I thought I was a terrible student?” He asked his hands now on my waist.

“Not terrible for a first time”

“Thank you” He thanked me.

“Serve this and let's have lunch”

“Ok” I went to the dining while I left the serving to him.