Lost In A Daydream

In the evening, Victoria learnt to make an exotic dish from Greta. It came out well and they enjoyed their dinner. “You’ll need to practice before you actually cook for Colton,“ said Sofia. Victoria waved her off.

“I can manage. Who has the time to practice?” She said, helping herself to the delicious dish that she had learnt. Greta shook her head, obviously she didn’t agree with her but didn’t say a word further. Sofia dreaded the outcome of what Victoria was up to. She knew that her twin was playing with fire but Victoria was stubborn and wouldn’t listen to anyone. It was useless trying to warn her off Colton. 

The next day was a Sunday and a determined Victoria arrived at Colton’s house to make lunch for him. “I thought you would back out,” said Colton with an evil grin on his face. His whole body was tingling with excitement at the sight of her. He knew what he would do while the naïve girl had no idea of his intentions. He was satisfied that she had taken the bait and not given up yet. He would never be satisfied with what she cooked for him. That way he could have his kisses as well!

“Why should I? I never back out of challenges,” said Victoria with a determined expression on her face. 

“That’s nice to hear. So what are you making for me?” asked Colton following her into the kitchen.

“You’ll see,” said Victoria with a shrug. She proceeded to make preparations to cook the delicious beef stroganoff that she had learnt last night from Greta. Colton watched her with interest, standing too close to her, his chest touching her arms, his hot breath upon her neck. Victoria wanted to elbow him away and cook in peace. When she had a point to prove, why did he have to stand so close to her and watch her so minutely. It seemed as if he didn’t have any other work to do. 

“I don’t like rice for lunch. So what are you serving with the beef?” he asked, seeing her slice the beef. 

“I’m not making rice. I’m using egg pasta,” she pointed out. That quietened Colton and he came closer to peer at what she was doing. “Why don’t you go and do your work while I handle this?” asked Victoria at last. With him sticking to her, it was impossible to keep sane and cook. Colton gave her a look as if she had said something crazy.

“I need to see what you’re making. If it’s not at par with mine, you know that it won’t count,” he reminded her.

“You can taste it and then give your verdict. Till then, please let me do my work in peace,” she pleaded. Colton shrugged and walked away reluctantly. Victoria heaved a sigh of relief. She remembered what Greta taught her and proceeded with making the dish, trying hard to be perfect. She knew that he was difficult to please, so she gathered all her wits and cooked with care. She wouldn’t kiss him at all, so this was the only way to win. 

The whole time that she cooked, Colton paced the living room and then fidgeted around in the dining room, eagerly waiting for her to finish. His fate was dependent on the dish she was making. Whether he would get a kiss or not was the biggest question of the hour! He knew what he would do irrespective of how the dish came out. After forty minutes, Victoria served the food that she had prepared on the table. Colton sat down eagerly at the table just like a hungry child waiting to be fed! Victoria served him the delicious Beef Stroganoff served on a bed of egg noodles. 

“Beef Stroganoff! Impressive! Let’s see how it tastes, “ he said, placing a fork full into his mouth. The burst of flavor of the Worcestershire sauce, the sour cream and the Dijon mustard combined with the soft beef and the egg pasta along with chewy mushrooms made him close his eyes and savor the food. There was no doubt that the food was indeed perfect and extremely well prepared. For the first time in his life, he was dumbstruck by someone else’s culinary skills than his own. Victoria understood from his expression that he liked what she had made. She sat down quietly and served herself, waiting eagerly for his verdict. 

“Good, you win a point,” said Colton, avoiding her eyes. Victoria wanted to do a happy dance. So now she needed to learn one more good recipe from Greta and make it for dinner. Then she would be free of the obligations. 

“I’m glad, thanks, “ she answered. 

“You have one more challenge, don’t forget,” he reminded her. 

“I’m aware of that. Dinner, then?” she asked. Colton nodded, his eyes glittering with excitement. He had let this opportunity go but he wouldn’t be at all so lenient in the evening.

“So, what are you making for dinner?” asked Colton curiously. Victoria shook her head. She had no idea what Greta would teach her.

“I haven’t decided yet,” she shrugged. She had no idea why he was making such a big deal out of this. His phone buzzed with an incoming call from Davion and he looked up at her apologetically. 

“I need to take this, you go ahead and feel at home,” he told her. Victoria nodded and he walked away towards the balcony to take his call. Victoria found it strange that while Davion had the time to call his business partner, he had no time to call his pregnant wife! In that case, he shouldn’t have married in the first place. 

Displeased and angry, Victoria finished her food quickly. Then she rushed to the kitchen and cleaned up. Colton was still busy with his phone call so she just covered his food with a plate  and then rushed off. She had to learn another dish as fast as she could. Reaching home, she found an eager Sofia and Greta waiting for her.

“How did it go? Did he like it?” asked Sofia. 

“Yeah, I won a point. He couldn’t find a single fault with it. He loved it,” said Victoria with a smug expression on her face. 

“Great, high five for that,” said Sofia and they did a high five. 

“Now comes the final challenge. Greta, can you teach me a great dinner recipe, please?” she asked hopefully.

“Another challenge?” asked Greta with surprise. 

“Yeah, there were two, remember?” Reminded Victoria. “Please teach me something good, Greta, “ begged Victoria. Greta smiled at her.

“Sure, c’mon. I know just the thing that’ll please Colton,” said Greta. They went into the kitchen and for the next two hours, Greta taught Victoria a dish that would win Colton’s heart. 

Finally, a haggard Victoria went to her room to take a shower. She shook her head at her pathetic condition. She was aiming to be a lawyer and now she was training to be a chef instead. What had Colton Glenn reduced her to? She swore that once this challenge was over, she would return to Las Vegas and resume her classes. She had wasted enough time and as it is Sofia was right. Coming here was a mistake. The only good thing that came out of it was taking care of Sofia. It seemed that she needed her at such a critical time of her life, more than ever. Although she had wanted to tell Sofia about Davion’s phone call to Colton, she couldn’t. She knew her twin waited for her husband’s call everyday and Victoria just couldn’t break her heart. She decided to ask Colton why Davion neglected his wife. 

It was evening and she changed into a lavender dress and blow dried her hair. She had no idea why she was dressing up when she was only going to Colton’s house to make dinner for him. Walking up to his elevator with the ingredients for his dinner, she felt nothing short of his housekeeper. ‘That’s it, Vicky. Where’s your sense of self-respect?’ she mentally chided herself. This was the last time she would do this. From now on, she wouldn’t accept any favors from Colton and therefore there wouldn’t be any need to return a favor.  

She was about to press his doorbell when the door opened. It seemed as if he knew of her arrival. “I was expecting you, Victoria. Have you come prepared or are you ready to give in?” he asked with a smirk, eyeing the ingredients in her hands. 

“Why should I give in? Now move and let me make dinner,” said Victoria, determinedly going to the kitchen but to her horror, Colton followed her. He stood as close behind her as possible, his front brushing with her back. How can anyone cook this way? 

“Colton, I need peace. Can you stop hovering around please?” She requested him while making preparations to make the stuffed chicken breasts. Colton didn’t budge this time and it irked her all the more. 

“I’m not going anywhere. Does my presence make you nervous?” he asked in a hoarse voice. 

“No but I don’t like anyone around me when I’m cooking,” she said in a displeased tone. 

“Why?” he asked her. 

“Because I hate cooking as it is. It makes me angry when people hover around me when I’m cooking,” she pointed out. 

“Who’s asking you to? Just give up. There’s another alternative, remember?” he reminded her, his eyes dancing with amusement.