Chapter xiv

Cheng's POV:

It almost feels weird how fascinating Lina is to me. The way she smiles and would listen to what i was telling her was really cute. Her level of understanding in what i did made me want her even more. She was different from the others and may be am wrong but the fact that i was older kinda makes things easier, she was strong willed but knew how to pick her battles. I mean i have tried relationships before and it always came down to me being too busy or always putting the restaurant first and most women hated that. It was funny because they enjoyed the attention i got as a celebrity and hated what made me famous in the first place. With Lina i never had to think twice before speaking, she would never make me choose, she knew how being a Chef was important to me and respected the fact.

I have loved cooking all my life and the fact that my family was against it made me want it even more. I was competitive and a little rebellious. There has been alot of sacrifices and challenges that i had to face on my own. I have worked hard to get where i am. Although my family was against it at first they warmed up to the idea, now they even cheer for me. I remember when i was featured in an article for the first time after earning my first Michelin star, my family literally bragged to the whole street, my father framed the article and placed it on the family wall and the trophy section at his office. It was crazy of them but i was happy that they were supporting me. I felt special and we were finally past the stage where i had to defend my choices. I was empowered to do more and that is what i did here i am now owning ten restaurants, ten diners and five hotels. Am no superhero because that title belongs to Kelly. She helps me keep things afloat and she is awesome at it. I owe her everything but it also helps that we have been friends since college.

I still remember the day Violet, my college girlfriend dumped me because she claimed i was not romantic enough. The second one said i was too selfish, third said i was robotic. There is no point in denying that at some point they were right. I stopped counting and lost all hope after that. Fame was always their number one priority, red carpets and flash lights, the dress up games, spending my money buying fancy dresses was the thing most women enjoyed from me. It is because of them that i find myself trying harder to be the best boyfriend and possibly life partner to Lina. I make sure i call her twice a day, even have an alarm for that and Kelly helps me too. I want make it work with her despite my crazy schedule. She is one woman am planning to keep forever no matter what.

When i first saw Lina, i was star struck. Her smile and curves caught my attention on the spot. She was not my usual go to woman but there was something about her that made me want her even more. I never thought in a million years that i would date a plus sized woman nor be interested in one. I didn't just want her for the looks, the passion she had in her when she spoke about what she did and how it impacted people's business made me want her as a life partner. I took her to my kitchen on purpose to see if she would complain about it being to noisy or too hot, i was surprised when she asked questions wanting to know more about what i did. At first i thought she was playing with me but her focus and endless questions made me realise that she was genuinely interested. I loved every moment of it. She respected my job and never complained when i picked it over her at times.

Here she was smiling at her phone, the smile that makes her look even younger. I am nervous about introducing her to my family, one because i have never brought anyone home and now i was going to and to make matters even worse am taking her there during my birthday. No one knew about it, i was sure that mother was going to loose it just thinking about it makes me smile. My mother always asked me when i was going to settle down. All my siblings were either married or engaged, i felt pressured so i started avoiding going home for family barbecues but now i was ready. I just hope that Lina wont give up on me.

There were alot of things that i wanted to do to her but i wanted to take my time with it. Am walking on thin ice especially if she makes a move first am sure i wont be able to hold back, i still remember how horribly here ex treated her. I almost punched the idiot that day but Mr. Riverson was there and i have high respect for him i did not wish to change that. The courage that i saw in her eyes when she fought for her father's honour was just priceless, any parent would be proud to have a daughter like her. I wanted to intervene and tell her father that he was doing the wrong thing by punishing her but i was happy i didn't because from what she has been telling me their bond is even stronger now.