CHAPTER 55: How Can You Be Jealous of Yourself?

The beautiful colour of sound from the piano serenades the air and touched every hearts in the room with love and serenity. From the table, Kahina was so amazed by the art in front of her. It was supposed to be the appetizer for tonight but she didn't have the heart to eat such as beautiful as this. It was Chive Blini with Creme Fraiche, Quail Eggs, and Tarragon. It is just a simple perfect golden crisp round shape pancake with chopped Chive, the right amount of Creme Fraiche spread evenly with half cut quail egg highlight by the bright orange fully cook egg yolk on top. And finally, the art was done with a touched of caviar and tarragon leaves.

"Wow! It is such a beautiful colour. I love the way it looks. Oh.. I can't eat this art." her eyes was bright then turn to dim a moment after with long pouting lips. She continues to stare at it but the laughter from the other side of the table put a grin on her face.

"Oh dear, I don't know you are this funny. Just eat it. I have more coming later." He pulled the knife and fork then started to savour it. He intentionally put a dramatic judge like face imitated the celebrity chef way of tasting and Kahina burst with laughter to it.

"Hmm... Hmm... Hmm..." and he nodded with eyes closed and slowly chewed it.

"Hmm... Hmm... Hmm..." Kahina mirror Toshiro acted. The moment she savouring it, her eyes dilated and she stopped chewing for a while and start to point the fork at him with repeated strong nodded.

"Oh! My! God! It is perfect!" She increases her pace and in the blink, she finished everything.

"Toshiro, I can have a dozen of this!"

"I thought you said you can't eat it. Now you can?" he threw a teasing smirked at her and Kahina received it with a satisfied grin.

"It is not my fault it was that good. Hahaha! I'm impressed."

"I'm glad you enjoy it but it is just a beginning," As he finished his plate, he signalled the waiter to prepare for the main course.

"I can't wait for more. So, Mr It-is-just-beginning, tell me about yourself. Do you apologize like this to every client?"

"No. you are the first. I normally don't have a client as beautiful as you." her cheek turned rosy and she averted her gaze to the rose near the candle.

"Your sweet mouth is dangerous. Come on, tell me about you." Psychology 101; to understand people, you must listen to the way they describe themselves. Kahina saw an opportunity to have an important chess piece but she needs to understand the capabilities of him before she decided to keep it or not. Plus, for Kahina to gain this man's power was a bonus for her in future.

"Well, it is quite awkward for me to explain myself out of nowhere. How about we play a game?"

"A game?"

"Yup, both of us have to ask each other five question you want to know the most then the other person needs to answer it honestly."

"What if I fail to answer?"

"Then the loser needs to treat the winner with another dinner. What do you think?" Toshiro found an opportunity to be exploited and he was quite pleased with the end result of it. Either way, he can have another date with her. He can't past this opportunity away and he was delighted when Kahina nodded with the term.

Before she could ask him the first question, the waiter interrupted her with a plate of fragrance yellow rice, a roasted duck breast on the side and beside it is red-pink colour thinly slice onion pickle. It was called Arroz con Pato; a traditional Peruvian dish. Kahina never had a Peruvian dish before but the smell was so mouthwatering to her. She started to dig it and almost forgot about the handsome man opposite her. After her fifth bite she looked at Toshiro and she was surprised he didn't take a bite yet. She raised her eyebrows a few time to him.

"It's nothing. It is so fun looking at you. Is it delicious?" Toshiro understands what was she tried to ask him without stopped herself from chewing the food.

"It is superb! We should do this often! I'm sorry... Let's start the game. I'll ask you first. How do you know about this food?"

"That was your first question? Hahaha! Well, I love travelling and try to be adventurous almost about everything, and I had this rice when I visited Peru before," Kahina nodded while took a sip of red wine.

"My turn, what is your biggest dream?"

"Dream huh? I don't have a big dream but only the simplest one. I want to enjoy my life with the love of mine. Even if we had nothing but each other, I'll be satisfied." Touma's face flashed in her eyes and her lips curved lovingly. Since she decided to pursue Touma, she only had one wish. She imagined herself with Touma and their children live happily in a small house in the countryside far from the hectic life of their family.

"That was a sweet dream. May I know who the love of yours is?" Toshiro can't help but felt a sharp pain in his heart when he saw the loving smile of hers and he clearly understands it wasn't for him. For now, he just pretended he knew nothing about her and Touma and he refused to acknowledge their relationship until Kahina personally admits it to him.

"Hey! It is my turn to ask!"

"My bad. I'm sorry... Ask away."

"What is your biggest dream?"

"Not really creative huh??? I have a dream to fulfil every dream my love have." He answered it honestly but her reaction was not as Toshiro expected. Kahina was clapping with awe.

"Your future wife is lucky. I'm so jealous!"

'How can you be jealous of yourself? Every dream of yours, I'll make it comes true.' Toshiro wished he could tell her that but he knows it is not the right time yet.