Jenna moved the ladle, turning the thick soup before she tasted. She used the back of her hand to wipe off the sweat on her forehead before going to check the next pot where rice was boiling hot.
"This will be ready soon," Jenna muttered. When she heard the sky rumble she humd.
"A good food for a great weather," Jenna smiled to herself. She had almost forgotten how she loved to cook, bake cookies, and make juice out of dried fruits.
She lost her spark when she left ho but she was keen on getting it back. Turning her attention to her girls, Jenna noticed Mabel was now even laughing. Like she had forgotten what happened earlier. Though the sadness remained in the girl’s eyes, she wasn’t so depressed.
"I’m going to paint your face with that," Mabel giggled, running around the kitchen with Harriet.
Jenna laughed softly; it made her happy to see the girl laugh again. It wasn’t going to be easy but little by little she would be able to find her smile again.
Returning back to the soup, Jenna took a dry rag to open the cover and check once more before bringing it down. The first ti she moved the heavy cover, the heat burned on her palm that she let go of it imdiately.
"Ssssss," Jenna hissed, jumping back away from the pot.
The kitchen door threw open and the young man that had arrived earlier rushed inside.
"Jenna,"
Jenna frowned, "I know that voice," she muttered. "Hart?"
The young man dropped his hand fan and dragged Jenna forward, covering her with his arms.
"I missed you so much Jenna, I’m sorry I wasn’t there all this ti." He inhaled deeply.
Jenna tried to push herself from the hug but he tightened his grip.
"Don’t even think about it, you always want to keep things to yourself and not let others in. Which is why I didn’t even know you were suffering, I’m done letting you push away,"
Jenna closed her eyes and sighed; she knew it was futile pushing him away.
"Hart," she patted his back gently.
Mabel and Harriet glanced at each other, wondering who the strange visitor was that hugged their mistress in such an intimate manner.
"Percy says they’re getting married?" Bruno who just arrived whispered.
Harriet widened her eyes, "Married?"
The young boy nodded, "Yes, that’s what Percy says,"
Rhane stood at the entrance of the kitchen, his eyes on the young man and where his hand was holding.
After a few minutes Jenna finally moved back, a smile on her face.
"Hart, it’s been a while. I heard you left the trade." She began, moving a strand of her hair that covered her eyes during the tight hug.
The young man smiled, tapping the bridge of Jenna’s nose.
"And you never asked directly? Is that how much you hated ?"
Jenna exhaled, "I had my own issues Hart, it’s not because I hated you. That’s a strong word."
"My lady, when is the wedding?" Percy chid happily, entering the kitchen. When he passed Rhane, he grinned.
Jenna noticed how her servants had now gathered inside the kitchen and she blushed.
"What wedding Percy..." Her voice trailed, her eyes falling on the darkened set of hazel eyes that made her shudder.
Hart picked up his hand fan and closed it, pushing it into his pocket.
"I see you’re growing all alone and fine, isn’t that why you refused help from or even Cortez." He said, folding his hands across his chest.
Jenna rolled her eyes, "Cortez is married, you didn’t attend his wedding."
"What about ?" The young man asked, his lips twitched.
Jenna opened her mouth to reply, but said, "Let introduce you all, this is Hart. He is well known in this business even though he quit. A long ti ago friend-"
Hart moved his hand on Jenna’s shoulder, shaking her whole body. "Childhood friends! We both grew up bathing outside together!"
"Oh dear," Mabel gasped, trying to cover her face. Her reaction was similar to everyone’s except Rhane.
Jenna moved away and smiled, "Hart, these are my family. Mabel and Harriet. Then you already know Percy and that’s Bruno and Henri," she pointed.
"What about him?" Hart asked, pointing at the young tall man by the door who had neither smiled nor even bowed to him since his arrival.
Jenna’s eyes fell on Rhane and she looked away quickly, she had been avoiding his gaze.
"That’s Rhane...Rhane Hendrick. He is with for now." She replied, widening her eyes as if unsure.
Hart humd, "With you...as in? You both are-"
"What no!" Jenna huffed, turning back to check her soup. "He lost his mory so I’m trying to help until he rembers."
Hart touched his chest and sighed, "That’s a relief, I thought I had a competition." He muttered but enough for everyone to hear.
"After you left Cortez and got married, I’d thought you were finally happy but then news had it that it was hell for you and that you left." Hart paused for a mont and smiled,
"I guess heaven wanted to finally make a move, the people above endorse the love I have for you." He said shalessly to everyone’s hearing.
Jenna turned her head but without looking at him, "You’re still so straightforward Hart, I hate that for you." She muttered trying to bring the pot of soup down.
"Why? You still want every man you et to be like Cortez? Slow and sweet talker? n like that always lie to you...well except Cortez," Hart nodded to himself, going to stand beside Jenna to check what she was doing.
"What did you make? My favorite?" He asked, jumping from one side to another.
Jenna moved her shoulder trying to get rid of the young man,
"Move Hart, I didn’t even know you were coming." Jenna replied, walking carefully towards the table.
Hart pouted, "Jenna I was expecting a kiss rather than a hug, this isn’t how to welco an old old friend." He jumped to the other side and smiled playfully.
In an attempt to avoid the playful nature of the young man, Jenna missed a step that almost sent the pot flying and the contents pouring all over her face.
"My lady!" The servants shouted.
Jenna moved her face and closed her eyes to the side trying to brace for the impact but it never ca. When she opened her eyes, Rhane’s bare hands were on the side of the pot and he kept it carefully on the table.
"Jenna are you okay?" Hart asked, feeling bad for the ss he almost caused. He tried to touch Jenna’s face but his hand got stuck in the air,
"What do you think you’re doing?"
Rhane gazed at the young man’s hand he held in the air, then lazily at his face.
"Master said, Move. Hart."
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