Chapter 66
The sound of clanging kitchen utensils disrupted the morning
silence, waking Veronica from her sleep. She rubbed her eyes
with her hands to rub off the remnant of sleep from her eyes.
She yawned quietly and sat up.
As she sat up, the aroma of freshly made food made its way into
her room.
“Is Steve cooking?” She asked herself and got up, heading for the
kitchen.
“Wow, someone’s up early.” She commented as she saw him
dishing out the food into two plates.
Hearing her voice, Steve turned to her, “You’re up? Good
morning.”
She nodded and yawned again, covering her mouth, “Good
morning.”
“Why are you up so early?” She asked him and he smiled.
“Come on, let’s eat. I made breakfast and the table is set.” He said
as he led the way out of the kitchen, to the dining area, and she
followed him.
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As they settled down at opposite ends of the table, she said to
him, “But you’ve not answered me. Why are you up so early?”
“Why do you keep asking like I never wake up early though?”
He inquired.
“Maybe it’s because I haven’t noticed you awake this early. I
mean, it’s barely seven.” She replied, her gaze shifting to the
large wall clock as she checked for the time.
“Now that’s on you. It’s not my fault that you’ve not noticed.” He
replied, shrugging.
“So, are you trying to say you always get up early?” She asked
him.
“Always? No way. Let’s just say ‘sometimes‘. With that, I’m
confident.” He said and she laughed. “I’m not really a morning
person, so you can’t blame me.” He added, shrugging.
“Come on, let’s eat before it gets cold.” He said again, grabbing his
cutlery, while Veronica did same. He didn’t eat but waited for
Veronica to take the first bite.
As she took a bite, her eyes lit up in surprise. “Hmmmm. This
tastes really good.” She stressed, a smile visible on her face.
Steve, who had been waiting eagerly for her reaction, heaved a
sigh of relief. “You like it?” He asked her.
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“Of course, I do. It tastes sumptuous, honestly.” She reaffirmed,
taking another spoonful.
“I’m glad you like it.” He replied, smiling and pleased with
himself.
“I’ll have some too,” He said and took a bite, “Wow, it truly tastes
delicious. I almost can’t believe that I made this.” He commented
and Veronica was surprised.
She raised her eyebrow slightly, “Why do you look surprised
though?” She asked him.
“I just experimented with a new recipe and so I’m surprised at how it came out really nice.” He confessed.
“Wow. You mean you haven’t made this before today?” She
inquired again.
“Not at all. It’s my first hand trial today.” He revealed to
Veronica’s surprise.
“Wow, you did really well.” She commended his efforts, giving
him a thumbs up with both hands.
“What is in it?” She asked as she began to eat again, nodding
gently, as she savored the flavour.
“A little bit of everything.” He answered, laughing.
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“Really?” She rolled her eyes at him and he laughed again.
“But honestly, it’s a mix of different herbs and spices that I found
in my mum’s old cookbook.” He answered. “I heard it is good for
the health as well.” He added and Veronica smiled, grateful to
him.
“Wow. That means your mum knows how to cook really well.”
She mentioned.
He sighed, “Yes, she was a great cook.”
Hearing this and realizing what Steve’s statement meant,
Veronica dropped her spoon and stopped eating.
“Is she…?”
“Yeah. She passed years ago.” He revealed, trying not to have a
sad look on his face.
“Oh my. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” She sympathized with him.
“Nah, it’s fine.” He said, forcing a smile. “I really don’t like to talk
about it, that’s why you haven’t found out yet.‘
“I must say, she raised a great young man and I’m sure she would
be proud of you wherever she is.” Veronica said confidently and
Steve smiled slightly.
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“I doubt that.” He muttered.
“What do you mean?” Veronica asked him.
He sighed, “Do you really think she will be proud of me?” He
asked.
“Of course. I’m positive.” She replied, confidently and Steve
smiled again.
“But,” She paused for a moment, hesitating, “What about your
dad?” She asked, “you hardly talk about him.” Steve suddenly
dropped his spoon, his expression turning dark.
“Did I cross the line? I’m so sorry.” She immediately apologized,
seeing his reaction.
“Something smells good in here.” Megan said, strolling in. “I
didn’t get the memo.”
They had been so engrossed in their discussion that they didn’t
notice that she had arrived.
Noticing the tense atmosphere, she asked, “Guys, what is going
on? Aren’t you happy to see me this early in the morning?”
“Good morning, Megan.” Veronica forced a smile, “Join us.” She
offered, and Megan took her seat beside Steve.
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Noticing Steve’s coldness and reluctance to speak, Megan looked
confused. Her eyes daring from Veronica and back to Steve.
“Steve? Why are you not saying anything? Are you not happy to
see me?” Megan asked, concerned.
“Oh no. I don’t think it’s you though. I think I might be the cause.”
Veronica said and Megan turned to her.
“What did you do to him?” Megan asked her, with a serious tone.
“I didn’t really do anything per say. I think I just overstepped,
that’s it.” Veronica answered, getting up because she was
beginning to feel uncomfortable.
“It’s not you.” Steve spoke up, “It has nothing to do with you.” He
looked up at her.
“Sit and finish up with your food.” He said to her.
“Oh no, I don’t think I want to eat anymore.” She replied,
insisting on leaving the dining area.
“I insist. You’ve barely had enough to eat.” He stated, “I’m sorry if
my reaction earlier made you somehow uncomfortable.” He
apologized, while Megan just kept watching, her eyes moving
from Steve to Veronica, depending on who was speaking.
“Okay, you guys are keeping me in the dark and it makes no
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sense.” Megan protested, getting frustrated.
“It’s fine, Megan. There is no problem at all. Just calm down.”
Steve said to her.
“And since when did you start hiding things from me?” Megan
asked, beginning to get a bit sensitive.
“Please don’t start this now, Megan. I promise you, it’s nothing
serious.” He assured her but she still kept frowning.
“Come on. Cheer up.” He said with a funny tone and she finally
smiled a little bit.
She then took a look at Veronica who had now began to eat her
food again, bit by bit.
“Should I get you some food too.” Steve inquired and she nodded
slightly.
“I’ll be right back.” He said, walking into the kitchen.
As soon as Megan saw that Steve was out of sight, she leaned towards Veronica, “What happened? What did you do to him?”
She whispered.
“I didn’t want to…”
Veronica was yet to completely answer her when Steve shouted
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from the kitchen.
“Megan, I can hear you. Leave her alone.”
“I did nothing.” Megan shouted back, trying to defend herself,
making her and Veronica chuckle.
“His hearing abilities are really heightened. He sometimes
doesn’t have to be close by to hear what others are saying.” She
said to Veronica, her tone, lower than before.
“I can still hear you, Megan. Kindly quit gossiping about me.” He
said, approaching them with a plate of food for Megan.
“If you don’t stop gossiping, I’m taking the food back. I promise
you.” He mentioned and Megan immediately sat up.
“Come on, Steve. You’re too strict. Urgh!” She sneered at him and
he did the same, making Veronica chuckle.
Steve handed the plate of food over to Megan, who soon began
to devour it.
“Oh my gosh. Did you make this?” She said, surprised.
“Yes I did.” Steve answered proudly.
“It’s nice, right?” Veronica asked, eagerly and excitedly.
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“Yes, it is. I think I’m going to cry happy tears because of how good it is.” Megan said jokingly and they all began to laugh.
“This is so different from what I have ever seen you make. The taste is unexplainable. You did really good.” She commended, giving him a high five, and he blushed.
“How come you have never made this for me?” She asked him, with a mouthful of food, and he shrugged.
“I have never even made it for myself. I tried it for the first time
today.” He told her.
“And it came out this nice? With all the spices in the right
proportion. I really should begin to learn from you.” Megan said,
making Steve shake his head at her dramatic acts.
As they finished up with their food, Megan asked him, “So what
time are you leaving?”
“Yeah, I forgot to ask. What time are you leaving?” Veronica said
in support.
“I should leave in…” he checked the timeabd continued, “I should
leave in thirty minutes time.”
“Have you packed your bag and everything you’ll be needing?”
Megan asked him, trying to help him remember, in case he hsd
forgotten anything.
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“Yes, I have.” He answered and before she asked him another
question, he said, “and before you ask. Yes, I have double-
checked everything.”
Veronica chuckled, “You both are dramatic. You’re really two
peas in a pod.”
“Nope, we’re not.” Steve disagreed and Megan sneered at him,
making Veronica laugh at their reactions once again.
“I should get prepared, I don’t want Beta Richard to start calling
me.” Steve said, getting up from his chair and clearing his plate
“Is he going with you?” Megan asked with a curious look on her
face.
“Not really. He is only going to accompany me to the border.” He
answered and she nodded, ‘okay‘.
As he was about to leave his seat, Megan handed her plate over
to him and he shot her a deadly stare.
“Can’t you help me with my plates?” She asked lazily.
“And why should I do that? I have you food, you don’t expect me to clear your plates too. You’ve got hands and legs like the rest of us. So get up.” He said, his tone serious.
“Urg!” She grunted. “You’re too rigid.” She complained.
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“That’s your cup of tea. Just get up and clear your plates.” He
ordered her and she got up, grumbling.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you.” Veronica stretched her hands to
collect Megan’s plate and Megan smiled happily.
“No way.” Steve refused and Megan’s smile vanished. “That is
not going to happen. She is not your slave. Take your plate into
the kitchen and clean it up.” He spoke firmly and she took her
plates to the kitchen, grumbling as she went.
Done with his plates, Steve went to his room to get dressed and
in about twenty minutes, he was done and out of the room with
his bag.
“You’re set?” Veronica asked and he nodded, smiling.
“Take care of yourself.” He said to her, and then turned to
Megan, “take care of her.”
Megan scoffed, rolling her eyes, “what about me? Who will take
care of me me?
“You’re old enough to take good care of yourself.” Steve stated,
and Megan rolled her eyes at him but he didn’t care.
“Anyway, take care of yourself.” She said to him and right at
that moment, his phone rang. It was Beta Richard.
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“Urgh! It’s Beta Richard. I’m late. I’ve got to go. See you guys next
week.” He said in a rush and dashed out.
