6

Petal's POV

The afternoon breeze carried the aroma of freshly prepared spices as I stood by my mother in the kitchen. Her soft hums filled the room, blending perfectly with the rhythm of chopping and stirring. I couldn't believe it when she told me Sebastian would be joining us for dinner. Sebastian—so polished, so perfect—was coming to our humble home. The news had left me in a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from excitement to an inexplicable nervousness.

I had offered to help with the preparations, wanting everything to be flawless. From slicing vegetables to stirring sauces, I immersed myself in the tasks, careful not to let my mind wander too much to thoughts of him. For two straight hours, we worked tirelessly. By the time the dishes were done, I was sweaty, exhausted, and, honestly, smelling like the very food we’d made.

"Go freshen up, Petal. You’ve done enough," Mom said with a smile, patting my cheek.