Robbie Jocks Outstanding Women's College.
After a day of leisure, Ruboo finally remembered his duties and made his way to the kitchen. Ignoring Spalding's displeased glare, as if his presence were an invasion of territory, he grabbed pots and pans. After a clatter of activity, he produced a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes.
This was one of the few dishes he knew how to prepare.
Fortunately, one must specialise in one's craft.
Everyone who tasted his tomato and scrambled eggs applauded enthusiastically.
Though whether it suited the young witches' tastes remained to be seen.
American Chinese food and authentic Chinese cuisine are, strictly speaking, two entirely different concepts.
As Ruboo divided the tomato and scrambled eggs onto four plates and headed towards the dining room, he overheard Madison joking about Nasperdin's severed tongue.
That girl will ruin herself with her sharp tongue sooner or later.
But for now, Ruboo wanted to say she'd done well.
Watching Spalding storm past with a dark expression.
Ruboo gave a subtle smile.
Why must you wear that sour expression all day long?
Proud of serving witches for generations?
Have you grown addicted to being a servant?
Perhaps I should teach you that nobility is not born, but earned.
Rising to become the master—that's the true path!
Of course, all this depends on having sufficient skill.
Ruboo, who still needed to lie low for the time being, approached the dining table and addressed the young witches: "Ladies, this is absolutely authentic Chinese cuisine, prepared by my own hand. I trust it meets with your approval."
"Dear Ruboo, you've been so thoughtful!"
Madison was in high spirits, having had her morning wish granted by evening. Especially after comparing it to Spalding's sour expression, she beamed and said,
Ruboo, I must say, you're the very model of an ideal boyfriend.
"That woman's at it again," Queenie remarked from across the table.
Nan chuckled, "Madison's growing rather taken with Ruboo."
Hearing this, Zoe, who had just risen to help Ruboo carry the tray, frowned.
To prevent the witches from starting a fight before they'd even eaten, Ruboo quickly interjected, "Why not try the flavour first?"
Queenie was the first to pick up her fork.
Her eyes lit up almost immediately. "It's delicious! I never imagined tomatoes and eggs could taste so good together."
With that, she polished off her plate in no time, clearly not just paying lip service.
Zoe then took a few bites herself and remarked in surprise, "Ruboo, how come I never knew you were such a good cook?"
"I only learnt recently. I wanted to surprise you."
This remark made Zoe beam with delight. Ruboo then turned to the other two and asked, "Madison, Nan, how do you find it?"
Nan replied, "It's a novel flavour. I think I'll grow to like it."
"Quite good. Compared to the Chinese restaurants I've tried in Los Angeles, it has a distinct twist. I suppose this is what they call authentic. Spalding's repertoire is rather limited. Ruboo, my stomach will be relying on you from now on." Madison offered Ruboo a sweet smile.
"My pleasure."
Without disturbing their meal further, Ruboo patted Zoe's shoulder and turned to leave.
Watching Ruboo's retreating figure, Madison turned to Zoe beside her with keen interest. "Never imagined you'd fancy this sort of chap. Mind you, I've never dated an Asian guy myself. How does it feel, Zoe?"
Zoe flushed. "What do you mean, 'what's it like'?"
"I hear Asian guys are clever, shy, not very funny, mostly bookworms, lacking in romance. Is Ruboo like that? He seems different to me. Oh, and does Ruboo know martial arts?"
Madison fired off a barrage of questions, culminating in a particularly bold inquiry: "How does Ruboo measure up? I've heard Asian men..."
"Enough!" Quini cut her off. "This is mealtime. If you want to be a tease, Madison, you'll have to find another time."
Madison fell silent, glaring at Quini with eyes ablaze.
Just then, Nan suddenly offered reassurance to Zoe, who looked rather pale: "It was just an accident, Zoe. Ruboo is still alive, and I believe you'll find a love that, while perhaps different, will still be fulfilling."
"Nan, you..." Zoe looked up, utterly surprised.
"Nan can read minds, Zoe. You can't hide anything from her," Madison explained, then turned to Nan with a look of pure gossip in her eyes. "Ruboo is alive? That's an interesting turn of phrase. Nan, tell us what really happened between those two!"
"No!" Zoe protested immediately, unwilling to revisit the past.
Nan complied, then turned to Madison. "Surely I needn't recount your murderous deeds, Madison?"
"What's there to say?" Madison shrugged indifferently. "My agent couldn't stand me. He pinned every mistake on me, even when it wasn't my fault, and wouldn't listen to reason. During a stage rehearsal, he criticised me again, so I gave him a little lesson. Never imagined that spotlight would fall right on his head. Well, yes, I did that."
Hearing this, Queenie's tone turned stern. "Your agent was merely trying to get you to hit your mark. Couldn't you do humanity a favour and actually attend a performance class? You second-rate, washed-up starlet! Botox Queen!"
Thud!
Madison, finally losing her temper, flicked her fingers. The tray before Queenie toppled over, its contents splattering all over her.
Seeing this, Queenie wasted no time in unleashing the power of her human voodoo doll.
Clatter! Clatter!
In an instant, a fierce brawl erupted within the restaurant.
By the time Ruboo arrived, drawn by the commotion, the fight had already ended.
Nan pulled Queenie away, leaving only Zoe and Madison at the table.
"What happened?" Ruboo inquired deliberately.
Madison, who had quickly regained her composure and was telling Zoe, "There's no choice now, you have to come with me," brightened at the sound of his voice. "Nearly forgot about you, Ruboo."
"Just girls' secrets. I doubt you'd be interested, Ruboo," Madison explained, then pulled out her phone and waved it at them. "Just saw on Twitter there's a fraternity party tonight. Ruboo, Zoe, fancy joining us?"
"Of course."
Ruboo's purpose had always been this, so he naturally nodded in agreement.
He then turned to Zoe and said, "Zoe, you've been under far too much strain lately. It's time you relaxed a bit."
With her boyfriend saying so, Zoe nodded in agreement.
Finally, Madison scrutinised their outfits with a critical eye. "The lad's attire is fine. But Zoe, do you own any clothes from brands other than Gap?"
In America, Gap was a mass-market, budget-friendly brand.
Zoe's family income was average, so she could only afford clothes from such brands.
She shook her head awkwardly.
Madison proved quite generous in this regard:
To make you shine at the party, you'll have to borrow mine for now.
"Tonight, let's have a cracking good time!"