Chapter Fifteen

Yanire pulled the apron over her head and tied the strings at her back, the way she had watched Miss Secoiya do on several other occasions. Whenever she'd cooked for her family during her time in Virginia, she never really paid mind to whether or not the food got on her clothes but perhaps her older companion was onto something.

Adriel and Secoiya were both out this morning, for different reasons but Yanire had never minded being alone all that much. She moved to the apartment's window and pulled the strings so the curtains opened and natural light poured into the sink and about the room. Her thin hands moved through the pantry, searching for what manner of ingredients the two of them had deemed necessary for the shopping. There was no meat in the fridge to be prepared, which knocked out the majority of meals the woman had first thought of.

Eventually she settled on a simple champorado like they make back home. It was, in essence, a chocolate rice pudding. Martien had never cared much for it but her dear Joeri loved it quite dearly. The woman smiled a little as she thought of the boy and she pulled out her phone to play some of her favourite symphonies.

It was seeming to be a lovely morning as she washed the rice and hummed along to the strings of chords and the beautiful sound of the piano.

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When Adriel heard the familiar sound of the piano from the hallway, his hands hovered at the front door, pausing. Rather than jerk the door open as he initially planned, he was careful and slow so as not to disturb whatever Yanire was doing. Then he slipped into the home and removed his shoes, setting them down slowly by the front door and tip-toeing into the kitchen where some sort of madness could be heard.

When he made it to the frame and she dipped into his view, he leaned against it and allowed himself to watch her for a while. It was similar to the manner with which he had watched her back on Alvarsson Island. She unknowingly moved about the kitchen, humming her favourite chords audibly and letting the rest sink to the back of her mind. The apron betrayed her motherly sensibilities and he realised that he'd never actually seen her use one before, despite hearing of how she'd helped Secoiya in the kitchens.

Her hair was pulled back lazily and somehow the wisps of locks that had escaped still framed her face nicely, exposing the curve of her ear and the shape of her jaw. She took the boiling pot from the stove and poured it in the strainer she'd placed in the sink, shaking the excess water away as the steam from the pot crept up into the air around her. Adriel couldn't tell what she was making from this distance and moved ever so slightly, in hopes of figuring it out. A misstep caused him to kick one of Secoiya's sandals and Yanire jumped, turning around to catch him in the act of staring.

"Adriel- geez."

She let out a slow breath and held tight to the counter to steady herself. Then a teasing look painted her face as she crossed her arms. The man could very well sense a playful lecture coming on and he moved guiltily to the kitchen island.

"This is hardly the first time you've stalked me, Mr. Alvarsson."

The hand on her hip and accusatory finger pointed at him earned her a genuine smile as he nodded. She wasn't wrong about that.

Next she changed her stance to a playful and flirtatious one, batting her eyes at him comically for extra effect. Adriel did his best to keep a straight face, nodding for her to go on.

"The people will think we are in love."

Adriel allowed a hearty chuckle now and then his brows furrowed in surprise.

"Wait, did you just quote Hannibal Lecter?"

Yanire turned away from him and finished preparing her dish in a quiet sort of bliss. Her dark, long lashes fluttered gracefully and he couldn't help but marvel at the way her lips tugged while she hummed. She called out some words about making him a bowl and he replied, in his head, that he wasn't hungry. There was never any use in telling a middle aged woman that you weren't hungry, it was by order of the gods that you shut up and ate whatever plate they handed you. Holidays with his aunties in Drovikstead had taught him this lesson very well.

Eventually she turns and places a bowl before him, and sets one across from him which he could only assume was for herself.

"Do you know when Miss Secoiya will be back?"

Yanire had to use tip-toes and stretch her hands to reach an empty tupperware container from one of the shelves over the counter. Adriel smiled to himself.

"No idea. Probably sometime today though."

Yanire packed the rest of the food into the container and tucked it into the fridge, turning to him with a smile.

"Guess she'll miss out on breakfast."

Adriel nodded as Yanire moved in his direction. Suddenly he furrowed his brow as it occurred to him that he had no idea why Secoiya was out to begin with.

"Wait, what did she say she was doing again?"

Yanire shrugged casually and he opened his mouth to question it further when she pulled the apron from over her head and he lost all sort of reason. She wasn't wearing anything strange but rather it fit her nicely and showed the curves of her body in a very tasteful manner. Adriel found himself entranced as she sat before him.

"You haven't even touched your pudding."

"Is that what this is?"

Yanire shot a warning glare at him as she tapped his hand and gestured to the food. Adriel smiled a little and started to eat.

It was looking to be a very nice morning indeed.

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