Matthews Dunlop.

"This is a disaster!" I panicked while I tried to prepare a meal in the kitchen. It wasn't going as I planned. I thought of setting a homemade dinner for just the two of us at my place but I was causing what seemed to look like chaos in the kitchen. The pot of pasta was almost on fire, and the oven where I placed the chicken was causing a lot of smoke. The mess was taking over the entire kitchen, leaving me to face my frustration all by myself.

I wasn't a great cook but I mastered some basic techniques. Back when I was a kid, mom would force me to stand by her in the kitchen and assist her in doing some minor work like chopping the onions or checking the meal just to prevent it from burning. In that process, I watched over how she got things done and I thought tonight was the perfect time to exhibit my skills. Silly me.

"What the heck is going on here?" My dad walked in on me, cutting me off guard. "Why the smoke? Matt, what are you doing?"

"Dad you shouldn't be here," my tongue clicked while I answered him.

"You're causing havoc in my kitchen. What's this all about?"

I scoffed. It wasn't the right time to question me as I was under a lot of pressure but what else could I do? "I'm trying to prepare dinner for Elena and me."

Dad laughed and laughed, a sign of mockery I could only see. "When you don't know how to cook. You're trying to serve hee garbage?" He laughed again but maintained good composure. I frowned at him and hissed. My tongue was out of words from its tip. I was at the edge of giving up and making plan B which will cost extra distance and money too.

"You know what? Step aside, let me help you!" My dad was about to come through but I saw it differently. He was trying to be in the spotlight and take the glory for my credit. I can't possibly say my dad helped in making the meal if she asked. I didn't do as he asked, instead, I stopped him from moving further.

"Dad, no!" I replied and stayed firm. "You can't possibly help me. I got this!" I lied but I was marking my territory. The buzzing sound from the oven got our attention as the chicken I kept in there started causing smokes in the kitchen.

"Step aside lad," Dad shook his head and shifted me to the corner. He got to the oven, removed the tray in it carefully with his gloves on, and got a napkin to clear the smokes away. I could see clearly. Oh, I was shocked, I caused a lot of mess than I perceived. I gave up and stepped aside for him to make the meal I had in mind.

"Where do you think you're going?" He stopped me while I tend to walk out of the kitchen to help me with my business. "Come and help me chop the onions," he tossed them to me after he said. He needed my assistance.

I watched him cook my meal excellently well. The pasta was almost done while the sauce was still on fire. I excused myself to head to where I had some unprepared stuff to do. The dining table wasn't set to my expectations. It needed something to spice up like candles and the flowers I got. Everything needed to be perfect this night. The time was already after seven when I checked and I haven't changed my clothes yet. She could be here any second, I thought.

The process had to be quickened. The candles and the flowers were together in the drawer and I haven't showered yet to get into the occasion's outfit. With my pace increased, I rushed to the drawer and got what I needed. It has the scent of Amber and sandalwood. If you have been coped for too long and you need an imaginative release for a new space or occasion, lighting a candle with such an aroma always helped.

They were both placed on the dinner table with the flower in a vase. It took me a moment to take a glimpse of how everything was turning. It was set perfectly and it amazed me the eye. I was running out of time. I needed to put on my dinner tuxedo and get ready for what I'd planned. My room was upstairs and I rushed into it to change into my dinner wear. Behold I was done. I stood in front of the mirror and indeed I looked cute in my tuxedo.

The doorbell rang from the door downstairs, getting my attention from the bedroom. I guessed it was probably Elena who got to my place sooner than I expected. I adjusted my tuxedo and headed downstairs to get the door for my beloved. I looked back again before opening the door just to see how everything was set.

Dad was still busy getting my meal ready, the dinner table was well decorated slightly with some candles and flowers and I also had an M. P. player just to play some jams to put us in the mood. I pictured this perfectly before setting it up, hoping it goes well even in reality.

I opened the door and the beauty my eyes came across was too much to behold. She was standing there looking beautiful in her black short gown and black flat shoes. Her hair was packed in a ponytail which brought out her face and I couldn't stop staring at her eyes. They looked magical.

"Hey, I'm here!" She greeted raising her gown a bit, bowing her head down like they do in a castle. I found it fascinating and amusing and I went on with it.

"I see you Milady," I greeted back, stretching my hands to hers to kiss them softly, which I did. "You look beautiful." It took me a few seconds to admire such gem I had at hand. Her face was all red, holding in that smile I put on her face.

"Can I come in?" She laughed nervously which alerted me a bit. I agreed and opened the door for her to take her steps. She walked in slowly, admiring the whole thing I set up just for the two of us. I think I got her heart melted as she couldn't take that smile away from her face. She walked up to me and hugged for, a compliment for putting everything together.

"Have a seat," I pulled back the chair like a gentleman and she took her seat in her comfortable state. In haste I was, trying to get the food prepared by my dad from the kitchen, I never knew dad had something else in mind. He was dressed as a chef, with an apron tied around his waist. He held up the dishes filled with our meals in a tray and brought them to where we sat.

"Make sure you enjoy your meal," he said as he dropped our meals for us to eat then winked at me before leaving. I got the message quite well but there was no time for games. I planned on starting the conversation with my beloved when a Twink of light for my eye. It was my dad with his camera taking pics of both of us from afar.

"Dad! Not now," I grumbled. Why does he have to be this way?

"Come on. Just for memory purposes. Smile!"

"Dad!" This time I was more embarrassed. I frowned at him waiting for him to leave.

"Fine!" He took one last shot and left the scene for both of us to have fun.

"Thank you, Dad," I waved at him which got Elena to giggle a little. I found it cute. Dad came back again to fill our glass cups with champagne, surprisingly he didn't have a problem with us drinking it. Maybe I got pardoned today, I wasn't sure.

"Before I say anything," I said lifting my glass cup high up a little, "I just want to say I'm glad that you honored this dinner. It made me happy."

"Aww! You're welcome," she chuckled, also lifting her glass. We cheered at this beautiful moment and took a sip from our cups.

We proceeded to eat our meal prepared by my dad which she didn't have to know obviously. I was cut off guard when I noticed Elena slipping into her thoughts. She seemed lost, yet distracted.

"What happened Elena? You don't like the food I prepared?" I lied while asking about her business. So ill of me but I hoped she understood.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," She apologized as she got herself together. "My mind has been so filled up lately. A lot of pressure comes from the musical auditions. I'm so stressed."

"Oh, I get it. You could have rested back or you should have told me. I'd understand," I mean if I was doing anything that'd cost me her mental health, I should put a pause on it.

"Really?"

"Yes! You can even leave right now if you want. You should take the night off to rest and ease yourself off the pressure."

"Aww. Thank you," She seemed relieved. She picked herself up to leave the dinner I made. I never knew she'd take my words to heart. I mean I cared about her health and everything but I didn't mean it when I asked her to leave. Who was going to eat the food made by me? I mean my dad and me.

"You're leaving?" I was surprised where I sat. Maybe she was just messing around.

"Yes. You said I could leave and take the night to relax."

"I didn't mean it. I thought you'd get the message."

"If you didn't want me to leave, you could have said it," she sat back on her seat while she sounded low. I didn't sit well with her tone.

"I thought you'd get the message, that's what I'm saying."

"Fine I'll stay," she got back to eating her meal but deep down in my mind, this dinner was messed up.

"You don't have to do me any favors by sitting here with me," I was already annoyed so quickly.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I mean you're Miss popular now. Every time we walk together down the hallway, everyone is always calling you from both sides. It even got you the lead role in the school musical. Why would you even have time for me? Am I a burden to you because that's what it feels like?"

Her mood changed and I could tell on her face. I thought twice maybe I said something offensive but she shouldn't have a problem with it if I'm just airing my mind. I expected her to say something but she kept all quiet, just looking at me and the meal, wondering what went wrong in this dinner.

"You don't know what it took me to set up this table. The candles, the flowers even the meal. You're ungrateful."

"What's going on?" Dad walked into the heated dinner we were trying to figure out, still holding his camera in his hands.

"Nothing Me Dunlop I was just leaving. I've lost my appetite," Elena replied to him, adjusting her dress as she stood up to take her to leave. This got me frustrated. I watched everything going on and I couldn't stop her from leaving. I had my regrets within me like I don't know what pushed me to have this dinner.

"Do you want me to pack the meal up for you?" Dad asked further.

"That won't be necessary. Thank you once again for this dinner." She headed for the door and took her to leave, jamming the door closed after her exit. I sat there wondering to myself why I said all those things to ruin this lovely dinner I put on together.

Elena Sergio.

"That's what happened is. He just had to ruin the dinner!" I was finally done ranting with Karen after I got back from that disaster.

"So you mean you bailed out on the dinner he made for you?" She asked further. It seemed she was trying to take his side. Well, I wasn't asking her to support me either but to see I wasn't at fault.

"No I mean he asked me to leave. He cared about me being stressed and everything concerning my rehearsal before everything just got switched up," I said in my defense.

"Hmm!" She sighed. "I remember when this happened when I was dating Diego." There she went, always making it about herself. I was the one with the relationship problems and she knew it.

"Come on Karen. I'm the one with the relationship problem here," I had to let her know and bring her back from her reality to mine.

"You know, Matthews was just being nice. You should have known!"

"Even though, I had to stand up for myself," It was really hard when I was the one getting blamed for not doing the right thing. Those times were over and it was about to change. My sister had no words to say but to leave me in my despair as she left the room. I laid flat on her bed wondering what kind of mess I'd gotten myself into.

Relationship problem? Eish!