Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2862

The chef, a white man, spoke fluent Mandarin and smiled kindly. “You must be Mr. Carnes’s girlfriend? Just so you know, the fee is non-refundable, even if you end things now.”

Sylvia smiled. “I know. Thank you again!”

“Alright, goodbye!”

Sylvia nodded and ended the video call.

She turned to Gabriel. “Want to roast the chicken wings?”

“Do you know how?” Gabriel asked.

Sylvia replied, “Didn’t you already marinate them? Just put them in the oven and set the temperature and timer.”

Gabriel handed her the tray of wings.

Sylvia turned and slid the tray into the oven, then asked, “What made you want to learn how to cook?”

Gabriel started picking out other ingredients, his tone calm. “No reason. I just thought you should know what it feels like to come home to a homemade meal.”

Sylvia paused, her back to Gabriel, staring at the oven in a daze for a few seconds before remembering to set the timer.

She turned around and smiled. “Need my help?”

Gabriel let out a soft scoff. “You just sent away the chef I hired. If you don’t help, are you planning to eat everything raw?”

Sylvia lowered her gaze with a soft laugh and rolled up her sleeves. Noticing some tomatoes on the cutting board, she asked, “What are these for?”

“Beef and tomato stew,” Gabriel replied.

Sylvia couldn’t help but laugh again. “You’re getting ahead of yourself.”

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

The overhead light fell on her fair, delicate face, her lashes trembling, their shadows flickering like the emotion she could no longer hide.

In the end, she couldn’t resist him.

She closed her eyes and pressed her red lips to his jaw, lingering in a gentle kiss as she whispered back, “I am.”

*

Beside them, the pot of seafood stew continued to bubble, sending up clouds of steam—just like the rising heat in the room.

Soon, a hand reached out and turned off the stove.

…

Sylvia clung tightly to Gabriel, her lips red and glistening from his kisses. She rested her forehead against his shoulder, catching her breath.