Lamech

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I didn't know if I wanted to strangle Kyle for his interference or praise him. Though mainly I felt embarrassed over the fact that even the chef had noticed my true feelings towards Crimson.

After I had rushed out of the kitchen earlier, I had completely forgotten everything about the food until Kyle had sent me a text saying that everything was almost ready to be tried.

As soon as I had walked into the kitchen, I had started to suspect that the reason behind his text had little to do with the food.

When me and Crimson had started to eat, I had become certain what Kyle had been thinking when sending the text. He had seen the opportunity and had turned me trying the food into a date for me and Crimson.

Crimson was seated with her back towards the kitchen counter, and therefore, with her back towards Kyle. I, on the other hand, had him clearly in my view. As we had started eating and both me and Crimson had remained silent, he had urged me to talk from behind Crimson's back.

I hadn't had any idea what to talk with her about however. What did you say to a woman that your rationality was telling you to keep your distance from, but your irrationality was screaming at you that you cherished above all else?

In lack of better topics, food had been the only thing that had come to me, and it had surprised me how easy the conversation had gone. Though only for a very short moment before we became quiet again.

Kyle had seemed prepared though, obviously more interested in making sure things went smoothly for us than the food. A first for him to be interested in anything else more than food.

As we both tried the main course, he stood to the side and waited for our opinions.

"Goddess, I wish I could cook like this," Crimson said with her eyes closed as she savored the taste of the food. But then she opened them and smiled. "Or actually, no I don't. I rather just eat it than cook it as well."

I smiled at her comment. She was so forward, so honest. Definitely a person to act before thinking.

"I'll take that as you having no criticism," Kyle said and then turned to look at me.

"It's all good," I answered the question in his eyes.

"Well, this is a first. Let's hope you say the same about the dessert. Would be my first hat-trick."

I knew that he was teasing me and rightly so. I would always give him some comment on the food, though it might be the smallest thing, I would always say something I wanted different. But I didn't find any, not this time. Everything was just perfect.

"So you do not like to cook?" I asked and turned all of my attention back to Crimson.

"No. And never learnt either. Saida is the one to cook at home when we don't order food. Honestly, she does basically all of the household chores."

I noted again how her eyes brightened as soon as she mentioned Saida. It really got me curious and I couldn't wait for the day when I would finally meet this person that Crimson cared so much for. If I would ever get to meet her.

I swiftly cut off that train of thought. I wouldn't let anything negative spoil the evening.

"Do you cook?" Crimson asked me back.

"Yes," I said immediately and Kyle started coughing in an instance. I glared at him over Crimson's shoulder.

"Sorry," he said with suppressed laughter. "Got some water down the wrong way."

Crimson didn't seem bothered by Kyle's interruption but looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"Really? No offence or anything, but I wouldn't have taken you for a person that cooks," she said. "Have any signature dish?"

"Pancakes," I said as it was the first thing that popped into my head.

"Oh, well that's unexpected as well."

"Yes, highly unexpected," Kyle added into the conversation, the laughter was still evident in his voice. "But people claim that they are even better than mine."

I wanted to sink through the floor. The truth was that I couldn't remember having ever touched a stove, let along cooked something. I also couldn't come up with a good reason for why I had lied in that moment. To impress her, was the only reason that came to me, but I felt utterly stupid for having decided to impress her with a lie that was so easily seen through.

But then she laughed and said: "I look forward to trying them some time then."

The laugh was like music and the best sound I had ever heard. So filled with joy. So easy and happy. Who cared that I had lied and would get exposed the moment she asked me to cook her something? Getting to hear that laugh was worth the future embarrassment.

And what was more, she had said that she looked forward to trying them, as if she was imagining, expecting us to spend more time together.

I felt like I could fly and that nothing could take away my smile.

"I'll have to find an opportunity to make you some then," I answered and saw how a slight blush appeared on her cheeks at my words.

"What other secret talents do you have?" she asked next after having drank some wine.

My mind went blank as I desperately tried to come up with something. What was I good at? I was a good leader and a good fighter. But those couldn't exactly qualify as secret talents. I was good at predicting the market also. I had built the clans fortune through smart investments. But that neither felt like a secret talent, and if it was, then it was a very boring one.

"He's an excellent poker player," Kyle added into the conversation. "I don't know how many times I've heard the story of him beating the pants off a fortune-teller."