Chapter 17 Fish Soup

It was nine in the morning when Kia got up from bed. She heard a noise coming from outside.

"It's noisy… Someone is cooking? It seems like someone is cutting something…" Kia said while feeling drowsy.

"Hon… hon? Get up now! I prepared something for you."

She can hear the voice of Ares coming from outside, calling for her. A minute later, the door opened and Ares entered the room while holding a cup of tea.

"It seems like you are not feeling well. That is why I prepared you a brown sugar ginger tea. Oh, right, it is hot. Be careful."

Ares looked so proud of the tea that he made. The smile on his face won't disappear. Kia was still half asleep but decided to sit down and slowly process the things that were happening in her surroundings.

"Come on, drink it. It will help you relieve the pain that you are feeling right now…"

Kia started sipping the tea that Ares made for her. "It is so warm… It makes my body calm…"

"Really? That's great! Did you know that it took me several tries before getting it perfect? The previous ones are either boiled into black coal or boiled into a thick paste, after trying over and over again I finally got a decent bowl! Is it good?" Ares said, feeling proud of what he did.

"Yes! It's really good! Thank you for doing this for me!"

It was like fireworks in Ares' stomach. He could feel the silent terror seeping inside of him, causing his face to blush bright red. His heart raced in silent terror, sending warm blood to his face, and he feared that he looked like an unsophisticated fool.

"It's, it's fine! I just wanted to help you relieve your pain… By the way, I have a sweeter one for you," A grin can be seen on Ares' lips.

"Wait! What are you doing—"

Ares suddenly grabs Kia and kisses her lips gently. Her eyes widened and she didn't know what to do, so she slowly closed her eyes and just let Ares lead the way. They slowly parted their lips and stared at each other's eyes. That is when Kia started realising what she had done.

"What the f*ck just happened?"

Ares started hugging himself, "Hee hee! I'm so sweet! I was dreaming about that back then and now I just did it! Hon, just take a rest for now. I will prepare you for breakfast. Wait for me…" he started walking outside and leaving the door open.

Kia

I can't believe that he kissed me. In front of my brown sugar ginger tea! You piece of filth! You are always trying to get a free ride! Somehow… I really feel comfortable when he acts like this. He is like medicine. I don't feel any pain now…

I closed my eyes and let my sleepiness lead me back to my dreams.

While Kia was back to sleeping peacefully, Ares started watching a youtube video tutorial about cooking.

[First, slice fish fillets into 1-inch-wide strips and place them in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of fish sauce and the cornstarch and toss to coat evenly. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until just softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, ginger, chile, fish skeleton and head, and 2 qts. water; increase heat to high and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat to a low simmer and cook, uncovered, for 1 hour. Remove the fish skeleton and head and discard…..]

[....Then we can treat it like this… and like that…]

"So that's how it is!" Ares said while seriously watching the video. After the video ended, he started to prepare the ingredients and started cooking a fish soup.

Kia was awoken to the smell of Ares' cooking. She got up and opened the window. It’s a beautiful day to start a new chapter in her life. After staring outside for almost a minute, she took a shower and changed into a white mini dress, an embossed floral print mini dress with a square collar, short sleeve, slim waist, and side zip fastener.

"Well! It smells so great! I wonder what he is cooking…"

Kia

I went to the kitchen to watch him cook. Even though our marriage began very dramatically and unexpectedly, I can feel that we are now acting like a real couple. He is very nice and even cooks for me! I am so lucky to have him as my husband.

"Chef Ares, what are you cooking? It smells so good! It makes me get up from my bed!"

He was startled and immediately looked at me, "So, you are awake already! I am making fish soup for you. How are you feeling now? Does it still hurt?"

"No, I feel much better now."

I approached him to see the fish soup closer. It looks so yummy!

"That's a relief. Go and sit there. The fish soup will be ready soon." He said while smiling at me. "Oh right! Your friend Miaree called you just now. I answered it and said that you won't be able to go to school today because of your period cramps."

Miaree was looking for me in the early morning? Oh, maybe she's worried that I didn't go to school today…

"I will wait for you in the living room!"

I said before leaving him and went to the room first to get my phone but then it suddenly started to ring. A call from Miaree?

[Kianna, you finally answer the phone! The school is blown up!]

"What do you mean blown up? So I really don't need to go to school today and tomorrow?"

[Girl, be serious! I am not joking! There is someone who is spreading rumours about you and Nathan Zac Ramirez! They said that someone saw you with Nathan in the girls restroom! Is it true?]

I was too stunned to respond. Did someone see me with Nate in the restroom? How— how come?

"Calm down, Miaree! I will explain later. I will be there soon! Something is wrong here!"

I immediately changed clothes and wore my shoes. I rushed outside, seeing Ares preparing the food on the table.

"Where are you going, hon? The fish soup is ready!"

"I need to go to school. There is something I need to do. I will be back soon!"

"But I have been working hard all morning to cook this. Maybe you can try it first before leaving." he said while pouting.

He looks so cute but I really needed to handle this first, "I'm sorry! It's really urgent. Just wait for me to come back! Time is running out. I'm going to take a taxi. I'm leaving bye-bye!" I waved my hand before closing the door and ran outside.

Ares

"Time is running out. I'm going to take a taxi. I'm leaving. Bye-bye!"

He just left me alone before I…. I am the CEO of the Vueravista Company, and cook for Kianna Myst Saavedra in person! Turns out she didn't even have time to taste it!

My tears started to fall from my eyes. "You are way out of line! Why do you have to do this even though I like you so much! You can't treat me like this! You wicked girl!"

Sob, I am upset!