Chef Ash

After finishing their shopping, the pair were back in the car and Skye wasted no time before opening the bag of snacks.

"Gosh, I was starving."

She began eating the burger she bought, this time with more etiquette than the last time Ash caught her eating uncontrollably.

"Right, you also need to eat something." She turned to Ash, realizing he was also hungry.

"I'm still driving so I'll eat once we arrive at our destination."

"No, we can't have you starving...here, eat this, I'll feed you."

Ash stared at the fry in her hand, she was offering to feed him and there was no way he would turn down such an offer.

"Go on." She urged.

Ash slowly opened his mouth and took the fry in as he mumbled a "Thanks."

The two went on like that with Skye taking her fill and then feeding Ash until they arrived at their destination.

It was a huge beach house with a great view of the sea. The house had large windows enabling anyone to see inside and a simple swing set by the side. Out of all the Lanxter properties Skye had seen. the beach house was the most normal one.

"Woah... This place looks so amazing."

"I'm glad you like it."

"I don't just like it, I love it."

They exited the car and carried the groceries they bought inside. Much like the exterior, the interior of the house was modest, simple, and pretty.

"I'm shocked with how this house looks."

"And why is that?"

"It looks normal, unlike the other Lanxter buildings I've seen so far."

Ash laughed out, raising a brow at what she said. "In that case, what do the other Lanxter buildings look like to you?"

"OMG, are you really asking that? They look like freaking castles...your house for example takes a five-minute drive from the gate to the front door. No 'normal' family lives like that." Skye exclaimed with her eyes widened.

"I hope that's a good thing."

"Mmm, it depends," Skye said, leaving Ash confused. "Anyways, what are you cooking? You are cooking, right?"

"Nope, I bought these for you to cook with."

"WHAT?!" Skye stared at him like she saw a ghost, "I can't even cook to save my life."

Seeing her reaction, Ash burst out into laughter, throwing his head back in the process. "I'm joking, I'm joking, I'll be the one cooking today... but the look on your face just now was priceless."

"You jerk!... just FYI, if you had made me cook, you'd end up in the hospital because my cooking is hazardous."

"I'd still happily eat it as long as you made it, princess."

Skye involuntarily blushed at his words. 'Princess', the way he called her that in his husky voice made her feel butterflies in her stomach.

"Well-well what are you going to prepare then? Or do you need my help with anything?"

"No. Just sit back and watch the master chef do his thing."

"Okay, my lord."

Skye watched as Ash brought out the vegetables from the bags and began washing them individually. The moment he stepped into the kitchen, it was like he was in his zone.

The way he chopped the vegetables made her wonder if he studied culinary arts before. His movements were skilled and precise and Skye just watched him in amusement.

"Where did you learn how to cook like that?" She asked, breaking the silence.

"I learned it from the chefs at home."

"The chefs?"

"Yes. Growing up as an only child was boring and there were many things I wanted to try out so I asked the chefs to teach me how to cook."

"That's impressive... I wish I knew how to cook."

"You can learn and I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Oh I've tried learning more times than I can count but each time I end up nearly burning the house down." Skye sighed.

"Then I'll teach you how to cook one of these days." Ash offered.

"Really?!" Skye happily asked.

"Of course... which reminds me, the recording from the previous night, is it clear enough?" Ash asked, directing the conversation down a different lane.

"It was clear, every word we said was recorded till the end."

"Good. We'll put it to good use once the time is right."

They both went silent after that. Skye was thinking of new ways to deal with Theo while Ash was solely focused on the food he was cooking.

After thirty minutes of silence, Skye fell asleep on the kitchen counter forgetting she was supposed to watch Ash cook.

Ash finished cooking and began serving the food on the table all while casting several glances at the sleeping girl by the counter. Her light snores made him chuckle at how cute she was.

"Skye, food is ready."

Skye raised her head from the counter with one eye still closed, she seemed to have enjoyed her short nap.

"You're all done?" She asked through yawns. 

"Yes. Come here, let's eat."

"Ah, I'm sorry I couldn't help you out with it."

"It's alright, I understand you were tired." 

Skye stood up and headed to the table where a surprise was waiting for her. "Woah! You made all these?" She exclaimed.

"Yes."

"It looks so good and the aroma is very pleasant too." She said while taking her seat, not tearing her eyes away from the meal on the table.

Ash had prepared rice with meat stew which just happened to be Skye's favorite food. What a coincidence.

"Oh my- It tastes like heaven," Skye exclaimed while drawing another spoon near her mouth.

Her eyes were closed as she did a little happy dance while eating the food, a habit she had developed since childhood whenever she ate something she liked. 

"I admit defeat, you're a great chef, Ash." She playfully bowed to him.

"I'm glad you like it." Ash smiled sheepishly. Part of him was afraid the food wouldn't be to her liking although he knew it was her favorite.

"Why aren't you eating?" Skye asked, noticing Ash hadn't touched his food yet.

"I guess I enjoy staring at you so much that I forgot I was hungry." He shyly admitted.

*cough*

*cough*

Ash's words made Skye choke on her food.

'This guy keeps getting bolder with his words daily.' She said to herself.

"You- you should also eat something." Skye hid her face with her hair as she spoke. It was a failed attempt to cover her blushing face which didn't go noticed by the now smirking Ash.

Feeling happy that he managed to make Skye flustered, Ash finally started eating his food without wiping the grin off his face.

"Why are you grinning like that?" Skye queried.

"That's cause I managed to make a certain someone blush bright red." He smirked.

*cough*

*cough*

"Bl- blush? I-I wasn't blushing... It's just the food was too hot..." Skye lied through her teeth as she hid her face once more out of embarrassment.

"If you say so, princess." Ash teased, making Skye's face turn even more red than it already was.

Underneath his composed act, on the inside, Ash was happy Skye was reacting positively to his advances.

He was initially afraid of pushing her away by pursuing her too soon but since she wasn't bothered by it, he felt he had a shot at winning her heart.

"When we're done eating, there's something I want to show you," Ash said.

"Will you tell me what it is this time?"

"This is also a surprise."

"Okay then, you secretive guy," Skye gave up on asking.