"Do you like spicy foods?" Gray asked while he was preparing our dinner in our house. Lyuna wasn’t around as she went out of town with Dio and Gray insisted on staying at our house since he was renovating his unit.
We have another spare room, so I told him to just sleep there since he won't be coming back to his condo for months and he doesn't really like going home especially with what happened to him and Ethan. He never goes home and only does it during special occasions.
I smiled at the thought because finally he was ready to let go of his unit that was designed by Vivian and he even let me design it for him. At least, that’s a start and he’s really proving that he loves me.
I should start designing it to become our space. For now, I will not step foot inside his unit until the renovation is done because I don’t want to overthink the things that they did in that place in the last years.
It made me jealous, yet what can I do? We don’t stop meeting people. I also have a lot of people in my life that even though we no longer talk, they are still part of who I am. Life gives us temporary people so we can be the better version of ourselves to meet the right one.
After all, I got him. It’s not easy to move on from that and I couldn’t blame him. Time heals all wounds and I hope he will finally heal soon and can fully trust someone. I felt that his jealousy was rooted from the fact that he was scared that he might lose something important to him, especially if the one who got it from him was also important to him.
"Yes," I replied, not looking at him, though I could smell a delicious meal. I glanced at him for a second before turning to my laptop again.
I was doing some paperworks and also taking some time to write an update. I think I need to finish some of my stories for my readers. I don’t have a lot but they are enough for me to continue writing.
Damn! He was so hot in his apron. If he were my chef, I would always be full and would love to eat anything, even him. Kidding aside, Gray chose to cook his specialty which is Paella. I am not really fond of it but I would like to try his dishes. Well, he'd been telling me that it was his first time cooking for a girl. I felt like my hair grew another inch.
"That's great. By the way, what are you doing?" He was intrigued. "You should be drooling over your hot boyfriend." He winked at me while holding the knife.
I chuckled and placed my knuckles under my chin and pretended to drool. He laughed at me and continued to do what he was doing.
“Do you want me to remove my shirt?” He teased me.
“Sure, why not?” I chuckled but eventually stopped him because he was really going to do it.
“Don’t tease me. I am really going to do it.”
I grinned. “Do it later, babe!” I winked and finally saw him blushed.
He coughed and turned the other way as he changed the topic.
"I am checking some files my mother sent me," I replied.
"Oh. Is that work-related?"
I nodded.
"My mother sometimes asks me for designs and now she is asking me for some suggestions about their project. They're planning to close some multi-millionaire deals." I explained upon checking the draft of our architects. This is giving me a headache. I felt like I needed to make my own design too so my mother would stop bothering me. This is her way of telling me to do some work for our company, too.
"Where is your family residing?"
"Spain." I said.
"Oh. I see. Looking forward to having projects with your company," he smiled. "Maybe, we can work on a project."
"Wait…" I remembered asking. "What's the name of your company?"
I really don’t pay attention to businesses around the country since the truth is I never liked meddling with businessmen or women. It is just I cannot do something about it because I was born to manage our company in the near future.
"Holster-Elizalde Construction Firm." Gray plainly said and I almost jumped from my seat after hearing that.
"Holy crap!" I blinked. "You are a billionaire!" I stated.
I might now have given much attention to businesses around here but that name can’t be distinguished from others. Gosh! I wasn’t even aware of that when I met Ethan. He never bragged about it and I don’t read business pages or magazines so I don’t really know the faces of whoever owns them, not until now.
Damn! Grandpa is even a billionaire to begin with and I am not aware. Yeah. I should have realized that because Ethan is oozing with so much prestige, same with Gray who changed his car every now and then. Why am I not aware of it?
It’s not a big deal but I should have known about it. Maybe, in the near future we can really make projects with them although my family mostly build structures in Europe while their company is in Asia. How nice would it be to work with him? My mother might think of merging our company with them if...well...if Gray and I get married in the near future. I am definitely looking forward to it.
"I am not. My grandfather is." He replied.
"I cannot believe this. I am not even aware!" I said and started browsing about their firm that I heard from my mother who told me that it's the biggest Construction Firm, not only here in our country, but also outside our country. She kept mentioning it before and I never paid attention to it. Who cares, right?
I am not really interested in this kind of thing, but it piqued my curiosity since I don't really know about Gray's family. I know they are rich and they own a business. But, it never occured to me that Grandpa is that rich that he could even buy me another heart in the future.
Okay, I am exaggerating but that's news. And, I couldn't believe Gray was such a lowkey. He never bragged about it although I could see it from head to toe.
"Why do you look so shocked?” He said, confused. “Didn’t my brother tell you about it?” He added and was waiting for me to say something.
I carefully picked my words because I don’t want to say something that would ruin his mood. Although, the mere pronunciation of Ethan’s name would definitely put him in a bad mood.
“He never bragged about things like that to me.” I plainly replied.
He twitched his lips.
“So, you aren’t really close?”
I want to tell some lies to stop the conversation but we promise each other to tell only the truth now.
“We’re close enough. We somehow spend a lot of time together.” I told him.
He looked closely at me.
“Tell me something I don’t know about you and Ethan.” He urged me and I know he was hoping that we never really had a thing.
“Are you asking if we had a thing?”
He nodded as he started mixing the ingredients inside the pan while also looking at me once in a while.
“We never had a thing.” I honestly replied. “I would lie if I tell you that I never thought of making it work with him because it crossed my mind.”
His eyes darkened at the thought and I could feel jealousy that somehow made me smile, not that I like seeing him jealous.
“Did you like him?”
“Somehow.” I shrugged. “I was giving my attention to another guy before so I never really figured out my feelings for him.”
“Another guy?” He scowled. “So, you have a lot of guys in your life?”
I nodded. “You can say that I met a lot of guys but we never worked out. You are my first boyfriend, so you can call them experiments.” I joked.
“Tell me about these guys…” He glared at me.
“I’ll tell you about it next time, okay. Just go and cook for me.”
He rolled his eyes. “Fine. Let’s finish Ethan first. So, what happened? Why didn’t you try it?”
“Your brother is a playboy.” I stated the truth.
“My grandfather said he was willing to change for you, well, he did.”
I paused. There was silence between us because of how Gray said it like he was hurt or I don’t know, there was some jealousy or maybe I don’t know. I couldn’t figure it out. It must be envy.
“Now I know the reason why…” He smiled a little.
“What do you mean?” I said, confused.
“You’re the girl he used to tell me about when we’re still good.” There was bitterness in his voice. “He told me great things about you, really great, that I actually wanted to meet you before. And, now...I saw how lucky I am because you chose me first…” He emphasized those words.
“You were always the first choice.” I sincerely smiled at him.
“Hmmm…” He scowled. “You told me you were busy paying attention to another man when you met Ethan. Who was it?”
I stuck my tongue out and changed the topic. There is no way I am going to tell him that it was him. Well, I am going to tease him first.
“Woah! I cannot believe it!” I said, amazed. “You can buy me a soul with your company’s net worth.” I did research about them so I will have an idea and can tell my mother to start some project with them around Asia.
He rolled his eyes because he knew I wasn’t going to tell him who.
“Why are you so shocked? You are also a daughter of a billionaire."
I ignored what he said because I never really like talking about my family's money nor bragging about it. Honestly, I don't even like people knowing that I am a daughter of a billionaire because I just want a simple life. It's not like I am complaining but I learned how to humble myself. After all, it is not my money. Lyuna didn’t even know about it and the people around me. I am hiding my true identity to them because I don’t want them to be friends with me because I have a lot of things to offer to them.
"Who told you that?" I pretended. “You don’t have a legit source. I am working as an instructor.”
"Well, you have an old vintage mansion. Also, what's the name of your firm and where is it located?"
I shrugged. "Not gonna tell you."
He pouted as he started putting the dish on our plates. Wow! I am already hungry just by staring at the food.
"That's unfair!" He protested. “I am going to investigate it.”
I chuckled. "But, wait, did you get an offer from a publishing company?"
A lot of writers who became famous in the writing site where he was writing were already published authors and they already have contracts from publishing companies and some of them even have their books turned into movies.
"Yes, I did." He replied.
I washed my hands before facing the food. Gray removed his apron, washed his hands, and served me the food.
"Wow! Thank you for the food!" I clapped my hands.
Gray smiled and handed me the spoon and fork.
"Wait for it to get the right temperature before you eat it."
I happily nodded at him like a kid that was given her favorite candy.
"You turn them down?" I asked, going back to the topic.
"Yes. I was really busy and didn't have time for that."
"But, that's just sad. They offered you and it was time for your stories to become a movie!" I pouted. "You should have said yes."
"Well, now. I have a reason to publish my book because of you."
"Nah." I shook my head. "Don't do it for me. Do it for yourself because you like it."
“Actually...I really don’t want it. I just like to write.” Gray explained as we waited for the food to cool down. I am so excited to taste it yet Gray kept on stopping me.
When I couldn’t wait for it anymore, he picked up the spoon, scoop some rice, and blew it.
“Okay, say aahh…”
“No. I can do it--”
“Tsk! Just open your mouth!” He ordered.
Of course, I obeyed the master while trying to hide the butterflies in my stomach. Gosh! Gray is killing me with his stares.
I chewed the food and tasted it.
“Oh my!” I reacted. I am not exaggerating or being biased but he is really a good cook.
“When did you learn it or where? Did you study?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I was alone when I was studying in another country so I had to learn how to cook and realized I enjoyed it. Although, don’t tell my family.”
“Why?” I said.”You cook really great!”
“I told myself I will be cooking for my future wife.”
I blushed. Gray saw it and chuckled.
“Now, you know. I want you to be my wife.”
“You are not lying?” I confirmed, although I was teasing him.
“Do you want me to call Vivian and ask her?” Gray answered.
“No...no…” I stopped him. “I believe in you now.”
I continued eating the dish he prepared for me with a smile on my face and I literally ignored Gray until I finished the dish.
“Should I be jealous of how you chewed the Paella?” He joked.
“It’s so delicious!”
“I am more delicious!” He commented.
“Really. Let me taste you!” I said, leaning closer to him and he was surprised that I kissed him, finally making him blush. He’s so cute.
“I’ll wash the dishes. You can now take some rest, my handsome chef.” I wore the apron when he hugged me from behind, sniffing my hair.
“Hey! You’re tickling me!”
He chuckled between my neck that sent shivers to my whole body as he tightened his embrace.
“I am so happy.” He whispered. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
“Do you want me to be your husband?” He seriously asked.
“Are you proposing?”
“Not yet. Just wanna know.”
I turned my back and faced him.
“I want to build my future with you, Gray.”