KIA
I made sure to wake up early to prepare lunch for Ares, despite feeling a bit nervous. Nevertheless, I was determined to do my best, hoping that he would enjoy the meal I was about to cook. Heading to the kitchen, the first step was to wash my hands. Today, I decided to prepare my favorite dish for our lunch. I grabbed my phone and played Britney Spears' "Sometimes" as I started cooking. The tantalizing aroma of the food filled the air.
Once I had finished cooking, I cleaned the lunchbox and placed it on the table. I began with fried rice and, when the oven signaled that the roasted chicken was ready, I took it out and started slicing it. The rice had a perfect texture, not overly greasy, while the chicken had a delightful roasted brown color with a slightly crispy outer layer and tender, juicy meat inside. I carefully arranged the meal in the lunchbox, and it all looked mouthwatering.
Since I hadn't eaten anything earlier in the morning, I wasted no time in serving myself. I scooped some rice onto my plate and selected a large chicken drumstick. Holding a fork and knife, I cut a generous portion and savored the delightful combination of crispy skin and succulent meat. As I continued eating with gusto, I remembered the leftover baked macaroni in the fridge. I quickly placed it in the oven for about five minutes. Once it was done, I added a generous portion of both chicken and baked macaroni to my plate and indulged in the flavors.
Finally, after nearly half an hour, I finished my meal, silently applauding my culinary skills. The meal was so delicious; I hoped Ares would appreciate it too. Feeling quite full and satisfied, I took a brief ten-minute rest before leaving the house. As I headed out, I sent a text to Ares, informing him that I was on my way to his company. He replied, saying he was waiting for me in the lobby.
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The Vueravista Company
Upon arriving at the company, I headed straight for the entrance where a guard awaited me, seemingly ready to inspect my bag. I willingly opened it for inspection. Upon entering, I noticed an unusual emptiness, as if it were an unusually busy day for the company.
"Hon!" Ares called out as he rushed toward me, planting a sweet kiss on my forehead. I couldn't help but notice that he was accompanied by a fellow in a black suit, roughly his height.
"Who's this?" I inquired with curiosity, nodding toward the suited companion.
"Oh, me? I'm Kyle Ramos. I assist Ares here. We're buddies in the company, working together on the same team," Kyle explained, his words tinged with nervousness.
I glanced at Ares and whispered to him, "What's up with him?"
"Don't worry about him, hon. He's just a bit shy-"
"Yes, yes, I'm extremely nervous! I-I'm sorry; this is the first time I've ever talked to a girl..." Kyle interjected, still stuttering.
I offered Kyle a reassuring smile and said, "I'm your friend's wife, so you don't have to be shy."
"Hon, could you wait here for a moment? I need to talk to Kyle," Ares said, taking Kyle aside. They huddled in the corner, engaged in what appeared to be a confidential conversation, probably work-related.
"Alright, since our boss isn't here, we can head to the office," Ares informed me upon his return.
"Are you sure? What if your boss unexpectedly returns?" I inquired.
"No, that won't happen; he's tied up in a meeting in Manila," Kyle added.
"Okay..."
We took the elevator up to the 8th floor of the building. Upon arrival, we walked toward a large door. Upon entering the room and veering to the right, I noticed two slightly open doors. The office was spacious, with two whiteboards, each affixed to a door with Velcro straps, displaying information such as calendar dates. At eye level, there was a cluster of papers, stacks of notepads, older documents, and handwritten notes. Post-It notes adorned the walls on either side, filled with various information.
The room featured a broad desk and a sleek black office chair, along with a table and a sofa placed at its center. It almost resembled a hotel suite. So, this was the CEO's office-a sight I had glimpsed in a picture while cleaning our house's storeroom.
With the lunch in hand, I spoke, "Here's the meal I prepared for you, hon. I made extra, expecting that you might have colleagues joining you, so maybe you can share it with Kyle." Ares shot Kyle a disapproving look.
"No! No! I'm good. I just had lunch earlier during my break," Kyle quickly responded.
I felt bad for Kyle; my husband seemed to be acting a bit selfishly. I wasn't sure why he was behaving this way. Opening my bag, I retrieved the lunchbox and placed it on the table. One by one, I opened the containers, and Ares immediately reached for the roasted chicken, taking a whiff.
"Wow! It smells amazing, hon!"
"Really? Here are your spoon and fork. I hope you enjoy it!" I said, handing him the utensils. He wasted no time taking a bite of the roasted chicken. I watched him closely, awaiting his reaction.
"I don't like it..." he mumbled.
"What? Why? Is something wrong? Doesn't it taste good?"
"I don't like it because I love it, hon! Thank you so much! It's incredibly delicious. I could happily die now!" Ares exclaimed.
I couldn't help but smile as I observed him savor every bite of the meal I had prepared. I glanced at Kyle, who was still standing beside the sofa. I wondered why he wasn't joining us at the table. I was about to invite him to sit with us when there was a knock on the door. Kyle hurried to open it, and a striking woman entered the room.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry... I didn't mean to interrupt your meal. I'll come back later," she said, quickly exiting the room.
I couldn't help but wonder who she was and why she seemed so flustered.