~~~ • ~~~
Our footsteps came to a halt in the kitchen.
This room…
It was larger than I had expected.
It wasn't just your ordinary home kitchen.
A long island counter sat in the middle. The surface was clean, almost gleaming.
Along the wall—rows of cooking utensils hung neatly.
Knives of various sizes.
Pans.
Pots.
Metal ladles lined up like a display.
Everything was in order.
As if every object had its own designated place.
_
I stood a few paces back.
The box of meat from earlier was already open on the counter.
A few cuts had been taken out.
The color was a vivid, fresh red.
The woman walked over to one side of the kitchen.
She picked up an apron.
Lifting the straps, she slipped it on from the front.
The fabric draped perfectly against her figure.
It looked simple.
But—
In my eyes.
It looked stunning.
It suited her perfectly.
…
The thought just sprang into my mind out of nowhere.
I immediately furrowed my brow.
What was I just thinking—
