~ELENA'S POV~
Max, jokingly, has always challenged my cooking ability, so I promised one day I'd prove him wrong by cooking for him, but being caught up in this whole divorce process with Alex and my Mother's health condition, I have not had the time to fulfill my promise.
So, today, I decided to make dinner for us. "Max, you remember how you told me you were unsure of my cooking skills one certain time?" I asked with a smile on my face
"Yeah… but I was only joking when I said that," he replied with a smile on his face, "wait– you don't believe I meant it"
"Well, none of that matters now because I made a promise that I'd cook for you someday. Today is that day, and I'm going to fulfill my promise." I dropped my glass of wine on the table and jumped to my feet. I turned to Max, who was still sitting on the couch, stunned.
"Elena, you know you don't have to do that, I have enough maids and servants who take care of all that," He mentioned
"One extra maid, tonight won't do you any harm, I guess," I said, and walked in the direction of the kitchen, "so, be my guess."
I had given Kate a list of foodstuffs earlier to purchase at the store. So everything was set and ready. I began to prepare dinner with the help of Kate.
Oh, yeah, Kate, she is the head chef in Max's Mansion. Her cooking skills are top-notch. I was running around the kitchen, engaged in so many things at a time.
While I was cutting the vegetables, I felt the sharp edge of the knife slice through my flesh, then I screamed, but not so loud, "Ahh."
Max rushed in like he was standing close by all along, "Elena, are you okay? What's wrong?" He asked with raised brows, then gazed towards my hands and saw blood coming out. "Oh my god! Elena– Kate, go get me the first aid kit, immediately."
Kate hurried off to get the first aid kit, and Max pulled a chair closer to me. "Elena, please have a seat and let me have a look at it," he demanded in a mild tone, his gaze fixed on my bleeding fingers like a second blink could make things worse than it was.
"Come on, Max, it's just a small cut." I tried to resist, though my voice wasn't as strong as my usual self. "This is not the first time I'm cutting myself in the kitchen; it's just a simple mistake, so don't panic."
Max gave me a look that got me speechless "small or big, first time or not, you are bleeding, the most important thing is to stop this bleeding and you are distracting me from doing that" he said in a soft voice as he took the kit from Kate, he opened it gently "let me take care of this"
Max helped me dress the wound and insisted I let Kate take care of the rest, as I was almost done with cooking. At first, I refused, but then, he wouldn't let me, so I gave in.
After a while, the food was served, and we ate to our satisfaction and went to the living room to relax for a bit.
"Thank you, Max, for helping me dress my wound." I appreciated it with a smile on my face, "surprisingly.. You seemed good at it."
Max chuckled and said, "Not the first time I've had to play 'Mr Saviour'"
"Oh, really," my brows raised in curiosity, "you don't mean to tell me this is a regular thing–saving pretty ladies from domestic accidents"
Max stared at me with a smirk on his face, but then his eyes softened with something unexplainable. "You'd be surprised. Back in college. I dated someone, though she wasn't much of a chef, but she was stubborn, brave, and determined." He divulged, "I used to think I could do everything on my own until I met her. You need to have seen what happened in marketing class back in college; that's a week after she joined our school."
My eyes widened, I leaned forward and whispered in an excitable tone, "Hmm… I'd love to hear it."
Max narrated all that happened between him and Diedre in marketing class back in college.
Max's experience with Diedre was so funny, I laughed my heart out. It had been so long since I laughed in such a manner.
After a few minutes, my emotions were finally settled, and then I spotted Max's smile, reaching his ears. He was still very calm, leaning in his seat like a god, but his laugh lines and the sparkles in his eyes gave away his delight.
"No one. I mean no one ever dares to do such to me," Max disclosed, "only her."
"Haha," I laughed out loud again. "I'm very sorry to say this, but from all you told me, you started it," I said.
"Right," Max replied, "I think I deserved it."
I watched him closely in silence. I was surprised at the unexpected change in his countenance, Max didn't appear like the bold, composed and invincible businessman everyone else feared or admired. Instead, there was something softer in his face–something vulnerable and unexplainable. I wasn't looking to pry much into his life or his past, so I ignored it.
I glanced at the wall clock and I realized it was midnight. "It's late, I need to rest," I said. "I need to wake up early tomorrow to go check on Mom."
"Oh yeah, how is she doing?" Max asked, "I'm so sorry I've not checked in lately, but I'll be coming to see her tomorrow."
"She's recovering faster, and thank you for offering to come see my mother," I responded.
Max escorted me to my room. It was right across from his "Take a good rest. Tomorrow at nine, Patrick will take you to the hospital. I might already be gone when you wake up, but I'll come to the hospital later in the day. And most importantly, don't skip your breakfast," Max pronounced
"Right," I admitted
"I'm serious, Elena, take care of yourself, eat and sleep well. I need you to be healthy for my plans to work," Max reminded, it sounded like a threat from how serious he appeared.
I laughed softly and responded, "Okay, I'll do just that. And, Max, I want to use this medium to say thank you. I appreciate everything you do for me."
"You're welcome," Max replied. "Good night, Elena."
"Goodnight, Max," I responded. I watched as Max turned, limping with the aid of his cane as he entered his room.