When I return to the living room-kitchen area, Zoan is leaning against the kitchen island, watching me roam while sipping a soda tea that Leo made himself. The teas made by him are famous among the men in our family.
“This place is so beautiful,” I tell him, my voice brimming with excitement.
He gives me a smile that sends butterflies fluttering through my stomach. Now that I know he feels the same,the effect of such a simple gesture is like a rush of pure ecstasy.
I look away from him, reminding myself that I’m mad at him, but the butterflies in my stomach don’t get the memo. Even when I avert my gaze, I can feel him watching me, the same way I’ve noticed over the years but never examined closely. He observes me in deliberate blinks, long intervals between each one, with a focus that seems like he’s trying to memorize every inch of me. And now, it’s making my palms sweat, my pulse quicken, and an unwelcome heat rise across my face and neck.
I turn around, hoping he won’t witness any of my reactions. But I doubt he hasn’t already noticed them all.
The penthouse door opens again, and a man enters, flanked by a humanoid robot carrying my luggage.
He greets Zoan. “Good evening, sir.”
Zoan nods. “Good evening, Viki.”
Viki then turns toward me. “Good evening, Miss Bennett. I’m Viki Anderia, the concierge of this residence.”
I smile. “Good evening, Viki. I’ll be staying in the room upstairs.”
He nods and signals the robot to follow him.
I follow both of them. Once the robot places the bags inside the closet, it departs with Viki. I open my bag and begin arranging my clothes.
Once I’m done, I set the bag aside, pick up another one containing my devices, and step out of the closet.
After taking a long, refreshing shower, I change into my pajamas and make my way downstairs. Leo has returned, and he and Zoan are in the kitchen.
Zoan is cooking while Leo assists him. They always look like soulmates. Thank God they’re both straight, it makes my life infinitely easier.
I reach them and give Leo a hug. He hugs me back, but he’s more focused on handing Zoan some pepper. Leo doesn’t ask, just takes it and sprinkles it into the pan. I purse my lips and pull away, watching both of them. They move with such seamless harmony in silence that it feels like they’ve been cooking together for ages.
“How do you know, Leo, that he needs that ingredient you’re giving him?” I ask.
He leaves Zoan to his gadgets and walks over toward me. I follow him to the couches. He sits down, and I take a seat beside him.
“Pa taught us cooking first,” he begins. “Then he used to keep us silent, giving control of the pan to one and the ingredients to the other. We developed subtle signals only we could see and understand so Pa wouldn’t catch us. Later, we realized that was exactly what he intended. He did this with all our day-to-day activities.”
“Wow. Pa is so cool.”
Zoan returns with the food. It’s been forever since I’ve eaten a meal cooked by him. The aroma alone makes my mouth water.
He gives me my bowl, it has simple vegetables paired with quinoa.
I place a few chopsticks’ worth in my mouth, letting the juiciness and flavors fuse in an explosion on my palate. “It’s so delicious,” I say, speaking with a full mouth. A few particles escape in the process.
Leo points his chopsticks at me. “No one will find you attractive with those table manners. Marco especially.”
I roll my eyes. “Marco likes me already.”
He smirks, glancing toward Zoan, who remains completely indifferent. I don’t like that neutral expression on his face.
“And if he doesn’t like something about me, I’ll change it for him,” I tell Leo, my smile becoming more genuine as the coldness in those particular ice-blue eyes surpasses the freezing point.
Leo laughs, shaking his head.
I finish the rest of the delicious meal in a cheerful mood.
After dinner, Leo asks, “Are you in contact with Iselyn?”
