Eve opened her eyes and took a deep breath. From the noises outside, she knew that Damien had returned last night. She had behaved rashly last night and defied him for the first time. She touched the other part of the bed and felt relief when it was cold.
"At least, he did not barge in to force me." She clicked her tongue and stretched herself.
She checked her mobile and when she received the message she was waiting for, her eyes gleamed with joy. Hurriedly, she got ready and went down.
The morning sunlight poured into the grand dining hall, illuminating the hall brightly. Damien was sitting on the dining table, and the sun rays were casting a halo behind him. If it had been in the past, she would have frozen at her place to admire him like a lovestruck fool.
But when he looked at her entering the dining room, his eyes narrowed on her face, his back straight and his expression were stony. He did not hide the disdain he felt for her.
"You are late," he snapped, setting down the cup of coffee with an audible clink. "This is the first time you have been late for breakfast."
Eve blinked, then glanced at the antique clock standing tall in the corner. The long hand had yet to reach the hour mark. She was five minutes early. But she said nothing.
Her silence was louder than any argument. She simply moved to the sideboard and poured herself a glass of water.
Damien's jaw clenched. He wasn't used to this version of her. She had always been this quiet. But just a complaint from him, and she would beg for forgiveness and try to please him. But she did not even spare him a glance anymore.
"You used to cook breakfast for me," he said tightly in an accusatory tone.
She turned to face him with a slow smile on her face. "Do you want me to cook for you? I thought you would not like it." when she noticed his face darkening, she did not pursue and stood up. "What would you like me to cook today, Damien?"
Damien narrowed his eyes. Her voice did not show any disdain or anger from last night. Had she finally realized that she was brazen last night? But he did not want to go easy on her today. Or else she would keep challenging him in the future.
"Since we both need to go to the office later, I will not make a big fuss." he said with a bitter smirk. "I would have stuffed mushroom omelette, spinach cheese lasagna, and that mango salsa you once made."
All of them are time-consuming. All of them are annoying. All of them picked to test her patience. But Eve knew him too well.
Eve gave a graceful nod. "That is indeed my favorite dishes. I did not know you remember them. I will make them easily."
Without waiting for another word, she turned and walked to the kitchen.
Damien watched her from behind with a dark gaze. If he knew that these were her favourites, he would never have chosen them. But as she moved with confident efficiency, washing the vegetables with an endearing smile on her face and chopping, kneading dough without hesitation or grievances, something in his rigid posture loosened.
He tapped his fingers on the table, the anger in him simmering but no longer boiling. Something about watching her move in the kitchen always made him feel in control. And yet… today, it felt different. As if she wasn't doing it for him at all.
With a frustrated scoff, he stood up and left the dining hall without saying another word.
He didn't wait for her to bring the food. Instead, he ate a few pieces of toast and fruit the housekeeper had already placed on the table and stormed out.
When Eve returned to the table with a tray full of freshly prepared dishes. She found his seat empty.
The housekeeper hovered nearby, glancing nervously at the untouched side of the table. She looked at the dishes on the table. each one executed to perfection and felt it was a pity.
"Ma'am," she said softly, "Master was angry that it was taking too long. He said he couldn't wait any longer and left."
Eve looked at the dishes she had made with a calm face. The helplessness and dejection that had often been on her face did not come surprising the housekeeper. Eve set the tray down and picked up a piece of omelette with the edge of her fork.
"That is alright," she said, taking a bite. "I have a hard time making these. If he is busy, he will order something from his favorite restaurant later."
He would? She would not even order him after knowing that he had left in anger? Her actions baffled the woman more.
The housekeeper blinked in confusion. Eve offered her a plate and gestured to sit. "Eat with me," she said. "I hate wasting good food."
"I dare not, madam. I had some grocery shopping to complete, so I would leave first." The woman hastily left the house thinking that Eve was possessed by a ghost. There was no way the girl would behave like that.
She only hesitated for a minute before taking out her phone and calling the madam.
"Madam! Young madam had behaved strangely in the morning." The woman explained the whole incident on the phone. "Young master left in anger but she still sat down and ate leisurely and even offered me a part of it. Do you think they had another fight?" the woman on the other side said something, making the housekeeper sigh.
"Yes, I understand madam. I will keep an eye and tell you everything. Thank you."