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She was the commitment type and Elijah wasn’t ready to give her one. So her answer was pretty much clear; it’s a no! And to stand by her word, Arianna would make sure nothing of that nature happens between them again. Hopefully, they wouldn’t have to share a room.

The kitchen was spacious and neat and Arianna had an inkling he was a clean freak. She made a mental note not to leave food dropping on the floor. She wanted to make a good first impression. Don’t think much, Elijah saved her life and the least she could do was to help make their stay comfortable.

Arianna hardened her heart yet that same heart betrayed her by skipping a beat when she saw him in an apron. It was tied around his neck over the shirt he was wearing and to say the sight was heartwarming was an understatement. He was husband material.

Gosh, what the hell was she saying? Well, to be exact, she was thinking about it. You know what? Just shut up, inner mind!

“Here,” Elijah thankfully calmed the turmoil in her mind when he placed the food in front of her.

Arianna was seated beside the kitchen island and when Elijah placed the food before her, he did it from behind, leaning towards her and occupying her space. Her heart pounded more as his chest touched her back, the heat of his body seeping into hers and sending shivers down her spine.

She intentionally didn’t turn around knowing she would only be lost in his gaze. Instead, Arianna focused on the food that was passed right in front of her and saw it was mushroom soup.

In the soup, Elijah added a couple of chilies and fried them with onions and garlic for an extra warm kick. He then stirred it in greek yogurt and served it with crusty bread.

.....

Although the soup looked like cement, the scent was tantalizing and it stirred her stomach, not to mention the fact that she was quite hungry. Speaking of which, how long has she been asleep?

“I must have slept for a few hours, it’s late outside,” Arianna said, staring out at the shuttered window.

“Few hours?” Elijah laughed.

“What’s wrong?” Arianna frowned. That little laughter from him made her seem like a fool.

“Sorry, baby girl, but you’ve been sleeping for more than a day,” He revealed, causing her jaw to almost drop to the ground.

If she had been sleeping for more than a day, that means her mouth..... Arianna wished the ground could open up and swallow her right this moment. She had tried to kiss Elijah with a sour mouth?

She should have known when her mouth felt weird earlier but she didn’t give it much thought because she was distracted by him. No wonder, that must have been the reason Elijah refused to kiss, the mouth odor must have been great. Good God, she wished to disappear at this moment.

Arianna’s mood plummeted that instant and although the mushroom soup tasted great, she no longer had much appetite for food anymore. Her would have been first kiss and she was traumatized already. Arianna was sure she was never kissing any male anytime soon.

Elijah saw Arianna’s crestfallen look and frowned, had he said anything wrong or maybe he shouldn’t have laughed at all.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, unable to take her grimy mood anymore. He preferred her quibbling with him, it was interesting and fun.

“It’s nothing,” Arianna said, giving him a smile that didn’t touch her eyes.

Elijah knew she was lying but he didn’t say anything and let her finish her food first. There would be more room for conversations after she was done.

To her surprise, her appetite returned and she devoured everything on her plate in the twinkle of an eye. Even without her asking for more, Elijah refilled her plate with another serving of the delicious soup. The mushroom soup was creamy, savory, filling, and she ate it with the bread.

By the time Arianna was done, her stomach was bloated and she rubbed it with fascination and happiness. This was the first time she was enjoying homemade food from a stranger – that was hitting on her.

She didn’t even stop to think whether the food was poisonous. But then it didn’t make sense, why would he rescue her only to poison her afterward. Unless he was one of those psychopaths that kill girls when they refuse a relationship with him.

Well, Arianna didn’t care one bit because she was so full she couldn’t even move. She leaned back against her chair to catch her breath and as well, rest. The meal was quite heavy.

“I do love a woman who can eat. It’s so rare to find women these days who enjoy a well-cooked meal without being afraid of their weight,” Elijah said jokingly while clearing her plate.

“And I do love a man who can cook,” Arianna said with a sigh, her eyes closed in bliss, “It’s rare to find men these days who can sweep women off their feet with a single meal,” she said in contentment without thinking much.

However, her eyes flew open when she heard, “So you mean to say you love me?” she found herself staring straight into Elijah’s gaze when she opened her eyes.

It happened that when she dropped her head back and was enjoying the meal, that Elijah had come to stand over her. So when she opened her eyes, his eyes were the ones he saw instead.

Arianna didn’t say anything rather she sputtered unintelligently, unable to defend herself. She quickly stood up from the chair, dumbfounded at the sight of him.

“I don’t love you!” she was quick to say.

But that only made Elijah arch his brows questioningly and she said, “No, it’s not that I don’t love you....” Arianna paused upon reflecting on what she just said, she was the worst at explaining.

“I’m just saying that you’re a good man but you’re not the man after my heart,” She put It mildly, and thankfully, it worked.

“So who’s the man after your heart because I remember you telling me that you’re single,” Elijah asked, stepping closer and crowded in on her till her back hit the island.

“Did I forget to say that I’m really thankful for the meal,” She said nervously, hoping to distract him but it failed miserably.

“Don’t change the topic, Arianna. Tell me, who’s the man after your heart?” Elijah was adamant to know. He felt jealous and surprisingly wanted to have a one on one conversation with the man who managed to make his way into her heart in the short time he left her. Yeah, trust him, just a simple conversation.

“My father,”

“Huh?”

“If you can beat my father’s place in my heart, then you can have me,” She stated proudly. All she had of her father were good memories and she surprisingly missed him too much today.

Elijah was stunned by that revelation, not even in his wildest imagination had he expected that. Unfortunately, how could he beat the place of her father in her heart? It was an impossible feat especially with the little time they spent together.

He simply stepped back, giving her the space she wanted but not without saying, “Your father must have been a wonderful man for you to love him this much. I respect him and as well jealous of him,”

Tears stung Arianna’s eyes and she blinked them away. It had been years but Elijah bringing him up made it seem like it was just yesterday when she lost him.

“You can sleep peacefully tonight, I would never come into your bed, uninvited. You can sleep with the door unlocked.” Elijah assured her and she released the breath she had unconsciously been holding in.

Arianna had been worried that he would do something to her in the middle of the night and she would be unable to stop him because she was at his mercy.

However, she was hit with a stab of disappointment as well. Like a drug addict, her dark mind wanted a taste of seduction once more.

What are you thinking this stupid girl?! Get it out of your mind, she chided herself.

“When the morning comes, we would think about how to go about your issue. Just have a nice sleep tonight,” He said, yet added, “But I’m still available if you need company,” He offered her.

Elijah pecked her on the cheeks before finally leaving. Arianna stared ahead in confusion without knowing that the outside world was burning because of her.