The sun was beginning to set when Jade unlocked the front door and stepped into the spacious new house. The silence that greeted her was a stark contrast to the usual lively chatter that filled the home when the men were around. She set her bag down on the entryway table and kicked off her shoes, wiggling her toes against the cool hardwood floors.
The thought struck her as she wandered into the kitchen: she wanted to make dinner. The men were always the ones cooking or arranging takeout, and she realized it had been a long time since she had prepared a meal herself. It was time to change that.
With renewed energy, Jade pulled open the refrigerator and surveyed the contents. There were fresh vegetables, a variety of meats, and plenty of pantry staples. She decided on a comforting meal—chicken parmesan with roasted vegetables and a simple salad. It was a classic dish, hearty but not too complicated.
Jade tied her hair back into a ponytail and washed her hands before pulling out the ingredients. She grabbed chicken breasts, eggs, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, fresh basil, tomatoes, garlic, and mozzarella. From the vegetable drawer, she selected zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots for roasting.
She started with the chicken, carefully slicing the breasts into even portions before pounding them with a meat tenderizer to ensure they cooked evenly. The rhythmic sound echoed through the kitchen, and she couldn’t help but smile. It felt good to be doing something so normal after all the chaos of the past weeks.
Next, she set up a breading station: one bowl with beaten eggs, another with seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with grated parmesan, and a third for the flour. One by one, she dipped each piece of chicken into the flour, then the eggs, and finally the breadcrumbs, making sure each was thoroughly coated.
“Perfect,” she muttered to herself as she set the breaded chicken aside and moved on to the sauce.
In a medium saucepan, she heated olive oil and added minced garlic, letting the aroma fill the kitchen. She tossed in chopped fresh tomatoes, a pinch of salt, and a sprinkle of sugar to balance the acidity. As the sauce simmered, she tore fresh basil leaves and added them to the pot, stirring occasionally.
While the sauce thickened, Jade turned her attention to the vegetables. She sliced the zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots into bite-sized pieces and spread them out on a baking sheet. She drizzled them with olive oil, sprinkled them with salt, pepper, and dried oregano, and tossed them with her hands to coat everything evenly.
The oven beeped, signaling it had preheated. She slid the tray of vegetables onto the middle rack and set a timer.
Back at the stove, Jade heated a skillet with a generous layer of olive oil. One by one, she placed the breaded chicken breasts into the pan, the satisfying sizzle confirming the oil was at the perfect temperature. She browned each side to golden perfection before transferring them to a baking dish.
Once all the chicken was seared, she spooned the fragrant tomato sauce over each piece, topping them with thick slices of mozzarella and a sprinkle of extra parmesan. She placed the dish in the oven, alongside the vegetables, to finish cooking.
While everything baked, Jade prepared the salad. She grabbed a mix of leafy greens, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a handful of walnuts for crunch. For the dressing, she whisked together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey in a small bowl. She smiled, pleased with how quickly it all came together.
With a few minutes left on the timer, she set the dining table. She placed placemats, silverware, and wine glasses at each seat, lighting a few candles for ambiance. By the time she returned to the kitchen, the oven timer was beeping.
She pulled out the roasted vegetables first, their vibrant colors slightly caramelized and glistening. The chicken parmesan followed, the melted mozzarella bubbling and golden on top. Jade arranged everything on serving platters, adding a garnish of fresh parsley for a final touch.
Taking a step back, she surveyed her work and nodded with satisfaction. The kitchen was warm and filled with the delicious aroma of home-cooked food.
“Not bad for someone who hasn’t cooked in ages,” she said to herself, laughing softly.
As she wiped her hands on a towel, she heard the sound of car doors shutting in the driveway. Moments later, Milan, Enzo, and Thiago walked through the door, their faces lighting up when they caught sight of her.
“Something smells incredible,” Thiago said, shrugging off his jacket.
Enzo raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the table. “Did you do all this?”
Jade grinned, placing her hands on her hips. “I did. I figured it was my turn to spoil you three for a change.”
Milan stepped closer, his icy-blue eyes softening as he took in the spread. “You didn’t have to, but this looks amazing.”
Thiago peeked into the oven, as though still not believing it. “You’ve been holding out on us, Jade. I didn’t know you could cook like this.”
Jade laughed, pulling the plates from the cabinet. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Thiago.”
Enzo smirked, grabbing a bottle of wine. “Well, tonight’s the night we find out.”