Disguised As A Boy To Attend Belmont High School Chapter 139: A Friend In Need

Olive and Lara made their way down the stairs to the dining room, where the kitchen was located, just as Mark had said.

As they entered the kitchen, the sight that greeted them made their eyes widen in shock. Pots and pans were piled high in the sink, and the countertops were cluttered with dirty dishes, takeout containers, and expired food. The air was thick with a foul odor that made Olive’s stomach churn.

"What the heck!" Lara exclaid, quickly covering her nose with her hand to shield it from the terrible sll wafting from the kitchen.

Olive followed suit, her stomach knotting at the revolting sight. "When was the last ti he cleaned this place?"

"That’s not the question," Lara said, shaking her head in disbelief. "The real question is, when was the last ti he even visited the kitchen, let alone cleaned it?"

"Let’s just clean it up," Olive interjected, her expression betraying her disgust and irritation at the state of the kitchen.

"Clean what?!" Lara exclaid, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Let’s just wait for the cleaning agency to send so people. To be honest, I don’t even want to eat here. I don’t want to end up falling ill!"

"Co on!" Olive frowned, trying to muster so determination. "We promised to help him out. We don’t know when the cleaners will arrive. We should just do it!"

"Oh my goodness, this is insane, girl!" Lara complained, tears forming in her eyes, but Olive ignored her and marched into the kitchen, dragging Lara along where they both reluctantly began their cleaning duty.

The two dove into the chaotic ss, scrubbing and wiping every surface. Lara grumbled under her breath, "This is disgusting. Seriously, how can soone live like this?"

Olive chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "You’re just mad because your perfectionism is being tested."

Lara shot her a playful glare. "Hey, soone has to maintain standards, you know!"

As they worked, the kitchen slowly transford. The sink was cleared, countertops wiped clean, and trash taken out. After an hour of intense scrubbing, Lara stepped back to survey their handiwork. "Not bad, considering we’re not professionals."

Olive smiled, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "We make a good team."

Just then, Mark poked his head into the kitchen. "Hey, guys! You’re done cleaning? Well done! What’s next, grocery shopping?"

Lara nodded, a hint of relief in her voice. "You’ve co downstairs but not at a perfect ti. You should have seen how terrible the kitchen was!"

"Really?" Mark raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.

"Damn! You should have seen it!" Lara exclaid, only to be playfully nudged by Olive. "Anyways, we should get so fresh food in here."

Olive checked her phone. "I’ll make a list. What does Aiden like?"

Mark shrugged. "He’s not picky, but maybe just ask him."

Olive headed to the living room, where Aiden was already lounging on the couch.

"Hey, what kind of food do you feel like?" Olive asked, sitting beside him.

Aiden smiled weakly, his voice soft. "Whatever you guys want. I’m not hungry anyway."

Olive’s expression softened at his reluctance. "We’ll get sothing light then. You just have to eat. Soup or pasta?"

Aiden nodded slightly. "Pasta sounds good."

"Okay, we’ll get so pasta and other essentials," Olive said, standing up with renewed purpose.

Lara soon joined them in the living room, her annoyance returning at the sight of Aiden.

"Guy! What a ss you caused in that kitchen!" Lara exclaid, her hands placed firmly on her hips in frustration.

Olive facepald at Lara’s outburst, feeling the tension rise again.

"I’m sorry, guys. I haven’t been in there in like forever. That’s why I suggested we order so food, but you both insisted on cooking. I tried to warn you, but you didn’t listen," Aiden explained, swallowing hard as Lara’s gaze bore into him.

"The cleaners would have been the ones to clean up. I would have called for them since but I hardly co to the mansion. Now that I’ll be here more often, it’s always going to be cleaned," Aiden added, carefully choosing his words, hoping to appease Lara. Miraculously, she simply stord over to the couch and took a seat.

"Uhm... we should go to the market now. I will drive you there," Mark suggested, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

"What about Aiden?" Olive raised an eyebrow, concerned.

"I can manage. I’ll stay at ho. It’s not like I’m crippled," Aiden replied with a soft laugh. "I’ll wait for you guys to get back."

"Nope. Mark should stay ho. Lara and I will go. Besides, your chauffeur is around. He can drive us to the market," Olive chid in, determination in her voice.

Mark facepald at the sudden realization. "Like seriously, I’ve forgotten that there’s a chauffeur outside. Alright, I’ll transfer so cash to you guys." He then grabbed his phone and quickly transferred so cash to Lara. "I’ve sent $2000 to you, Lara."

"$2000?!" Olive and Lara exclaid in unison, their eyes widening in disbelief. "Is there anything we’re buying other than groceries?"

"Nope. Is the money not enough?" Mark raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by their sudden outburst.

"No! No! No! It’s enough. More than enough, in fact!" Lara chid in, tugging Olive by the arm as they headed out of the mansion together.

As they walked towards the parking lot, Lara turned to Olive, excitent bubbling beneath her frustration. "The money is too much!"

"I know, right? That money would open another walnut store for my parents like seriously ," Olive replied as they got into the car. The chauffeur resud his seat at the wheel and drove the Honda Pilot Jeep out of the mansion.

"Where are we heading to, young master and young lady?" the chauffeur asked, glancing at them through the rearview mirror.

"Uhmm... what market is around here, sir?" Olive inquired.

"There’s one down the street. It’s just a five-minute drive, and we’ll be there," the chauffeur replied.

"Okay, good! Kindly drive us there," Olive voiced out with a warm smile.

As the chauffeur began to drive, Olive broke the silence that had lingered in the car. "The illness is taking a toll on Aiden. That’s why we need to help him a lot. We mustn’t let him think about anything that would stress him."

Lara’s expression turned serious. "I know. We need to be there for him."

The car soon ca to a stop, and Olive and Lara stepped out, making their way into the market after paying the parking ticket.

"And by being there for him, it ans we’ll help him everywhere. No complaining, Lara," Olive continued, trying to ease the weight of the situation, though it only made Lara frown.

"Truth be told, the kitchen was a disaster!" Lara chid in, rolling her eyes in disdain, prompting Olive to let out a light chuckle.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sounds of vendors calling out their daily specials. The market was bustling with activity, but Olive and Lara navigated the stalls with ease, gathering fresh produce, pasta, and other necessities.

"We didn’t even spend a quarter of the money Mark sent," Olive remarked as they finished purchasing everything they needed, still having so change left in addition to the hefty sum that lingered in Lara’s account.

"We’ll just return it to Mark," Lara suggested, her brow furrowing in thought as Olive nodded in agreent. "

They soon made their way back towards the car, where the chauffeur had been patiently waiting for them. As they returned to the mansion, laden with bags, Mark greeted them at the door.

"Perfect timing! Aiden’s getting anxious," he said, glancing between the girls and the groceries.

Olive smiled brightly. "We’ve got everything. Let’s cook up so pasta!"

The three of them carried the groceries into the kitchen, where Lara and Olive began cooking while Mark stayed with them, assisting in cleaning the used utensils.

The aroma of cooking pasta and fresh vegetables soon filled the mansion, enticing Aiden’s appetite.

Food was ready, and the dining table was set. As they sat down to eat, Aiden’s eyes lit up. "This slls amazing!"

Lara smiled, leaning back in her chair. "Oli..Authur’s culinary skills at work." She quickly corrected herself. Although Mark already know about Olive real gender but Aiden doesn’t.

Olive playfully rolled her eyes. "It’s just pasta." She then served each person their portion, and they all dug in eagerly.

"We didn’t spend all the money you sent for shopping. It’s just too much," Lara revealed, devouring the pasta and chicken before her.

"Oh really? You and Arthur can keep whatever’s left," Mark replied, prompting Lara’s eyes to widen in surprise, as well as Olive’s, though they chose to remain silent. "You both could also grab yourselves sothing nice."

"Thanks, Mark!" Olive finally said with a grateful smile, followed by Lara, who planted a quick kiss on Mark’s cheek.

For a mont, Aiden’s illness and the ssy kitchen were forgotten as they enjoyed their al together.