Chapter 49: 49. Cooking
[If we go after the plot, Lance would be on the run now. You said it yourself: they need time to bond.]
Paige unexpectedly said
"Yes. You got the job." '
Lance's look at Paige turned cold, while Natasha was practically sparkling from happiness.
"I will go home with you two after school, then," she smiled,
"I could cook every day for you two after school and prepare breakfast for the next day."
She would love to move in with them, but sadly, that was impossible.
Paige interjected, "And buying ingredients."
"Yes...yes! And buying ingredients!" Natasha beamed.
Lance was annoyed and started fighting the system in his head while poking aggressively at his food.
Natasha was aware of his coldness, but she wanted to be a bit closer. Juno had said some time ago that she had to be near him to win him over.
Juno remained silent the whole time, but when Natasha got what she wanted, she grinned and gave her a thumbs-up.
After school, they went home together, and somehow Juno tagged along.
Paige ignored them, while Lance tried to be patient with the female lead. But her excitement felt fake again, and how she clung to him was suffocating.
But he, too, was a teenager, and his patience was wearing out when they finally arrived home.
Two days ago, Sunday was originally the day for the nanny caretaker to come to their home and clean up. However, because Mr. Donovan was searching for someone to move in here anyway, the appointment was directly canceled, so Paige could sleep on Sunday without interruption. And because of this, the Chaos was still there.
Natasha felt as if walking in holy halls, not seeing a bit of the mess, constantly thinking, 'This is where Lance sits.' and 'There he takes off his shoes.' and so on.
Juno grimaced momentarily before sitting on the couch as if it were her home.
Lance gave up and went to his room, leaving Paige to give out a credit card for buying food.
"Where are Uncle and Aunty?" Natasha asked.
"Working," Paige answered and went to her room.
Natasha and Juno were alone. They both quickly went shopping and then cooked for the unthankful Paige and cold Lance.
She cooked with love, and the dinner looked mouthwatering. Natasha went upstairs and saw only three doors.
She knocked on the first one and said that the food was ready, making Paige, wearing an oversized T-shirt that said, 'I am carrying the world,' come out and go after the fantastic smell like a zombie.
So, Natasha went to the second door, and when no one answered, she opened it boldly. But only a little storage room greeted her.
She was a bit confused, as there were no other rooms. Where were the adults sleeping in this house?
With a bad premonition, she knocked on the third door. After a brief moment, Lance came out with half-dried hair, spotting a jogging suit.
She was dazed at his handsomeness before asking reflexively.
"Where are your parents sleeping?"
Lance looked at her and wanted to scoff. But he pushed his annoyance down and said.
"Paige and I live alone; her parents are in another city."
Natasha wanted to ask again where his parents were, but she thought that maybe he was orphaned and only had his cousin's family, and his uncle and aunt were not in this city. How wonderful it would be if she could take Paige's place and be there for Lance around the clock. Perhaps she could do that if they married.
Lance saw her suddenly blushing and rolled his eyes internally. He went downstairs with her following.
When Paige came down, she saw Juno sitting in place and waiting for the others.
Paige impolitely directly served herself some food and started eating.
Juno looked at Paige and clenched her hands together in hatred.
Shortly after everyone was sitting, Lance immediately stared at Paige's chest. Not that there was that much to see after losing weight, but he asked himself every time he saw her wearing something apart from her school uniform, what she had to tell the outside world this time.
Seeing what was printed on her shirt, he burst out laughing.
Natasha looked confused at Lance and asked, "Why are you laughing?"
"Nothing," Lance said, wiping the smile off his face and packing food on his plate.
"New shirt?" he asked Paige while taking a bite. It was excellent, as expected from a female lead—not like the one he was living with.
"Came yesterday when you were out, express delivery."
"So, you had stood up at least once from the carpet?"
"Yeah, and it was arduous," Paige responded languidly.
[Talk to the female lead, and don't let her be left out.]
The system broadcasted in both of their minds.
[I can only talk to her while being mean, but that's impolite when eating the food she cooks.] Paige answered.
Lance only said [It's impolite to talk while eating.]
Since when were these two that polite? The system was finally frantically yelling at Lance.
[DO WHAT YOU ARE TOLD TO OR THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES.]
Lance knew he had no choice, as the system had the upper hand. He hated being controlled by it, and telling himself that it was 'just acting' could do no more good.
He ran his tongue over his teeth.
"So, Natasha, the meal is delicious. How come you can cook?"
Natasha giggled and celebrated that he took the initiative.
"My grandmother raised me, and we lived in a small village. Because of her arthritis, I cooked for us as soon as I could walk." Her eyes moistened, thinking of her; she died shortly before she saved the young Meier.
"She died?" He asked a bit more genuine this time.
"Yes..." Natasha choked up.
"It was three years ago... then I met Meier, ah! I mean my lovely little brother. And his family adopted me." Meier reoccupied a long time from the dog's attack while she was tutored at home to being representable when starting to go to a real school, not some village place where they taught a bit.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone