Chapter 71
a sigh.
When we got back into the car, we just sat for a moment. As I started the car, Jason let out a si
“1 could ask john and the boys to rough him up a bit if that would make you feel better,” lason said. I looked at my friend and laughed.
“It wouldn’t, but I appreciate the offer.” I told him.
“Fine. I’m guessing you will turn down my offer to go get stupki drunk as well?”
“Still on antibiotics.” I said
“Yeah, sure, that’s the reason. It has nothing to do with that woman that is living in your apartment,” he needed me and laughed.
“Well that too.” I admitted.
“I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I think it’s a good thing, and I’m happy for you. She even got you out of that whiny state without killing you or sending you to work. That is impressive,” he told me.
“She gave me art supplies,” I told him. There was a long period of silence.
“She got you to draw again?” he asked. All the amusement was gone from his voice.
“Yeah,” was all I could say. He whistled.
“Impressive. I didn’t think anyone could do that,” he confessed.
“Neither did I
The rest of the trip back to the centre of the city was silent. I dropped fason off outside his apartment and we grunted our usual goodbye. I wanted to drive straight back home. I needed a new dose of Hana to shake off the feeling of hopelessness that my meeting with Simon had left in me. But I had a stop I needed to do before going home. I picked up my phone.
“I’m
‘m not working on a Sunday. I made enough food to last the greedy bastards until Monday,” Chef answered the phone, bring his cheery self.
“I’m not
not asking you to work. I just need you to answer two things for me,” I told him,
“Well, well, well. Never thought I would live to see the day when the big buss needed my help. Let me hear the questions,” Chef said with a laugh.
“What do you need if you were to buy things to bake, like for the kitchen? I know you need one of those things that go round and round, but what else?” I asked.
“Round and round? Are you talking about a stand mixer?” Chef asked.
“How should I know? I have seen them in your kitchen. They are this big thing with a bowl and a thing going down that makes a sound and goes round and round,” I tried my best to explain. Chef started to laugh at the other end and I felt a need to punch him in the face.
“So that would be a stand user,”
he confirmed
“Okay, and what he do you need?”
“Well, that is a complex question. For a beginner, maybe some cupcake tins, some spatulas, a good bowl, a scale, some measuring cups and a piping bag with a couple of powie.” he said.
“And for the more advanced baker” Lasked
“Then it’s an unlimited world, my friend Different moulds, tools for working with chocolate, fryer, air painter, I mean there is no limit to it, really,”
“Okay” Maybe Hat old them today?” Lasked:
The happy with the beginner’s stuff as a start and we could go shopping for more together? “Where would I buy these things if I wanted
“It’s Simday,” Chel pointed out.
“I know that it is,” I said.
Chapter 71
“Is this for Hana?
“Yes, of course
e it is,” I sighed.
“I know a guy that runs a commercial store for these things. He owes me some favours. I’ll meet you there,” Chef said.
“Meet me?” I asked.
“I don’t trust you to pick out the right things. And bring the big wallet. This ain’t going to be cheap,” he told me and hung up. Before I had time to get over my surprise, he sent a text with an ackdress:
Three hours later, I was walking into the apartment feeling like a wrung rag.
“Hunter?” Hana called from somewhere upstairs.
“Yes, it’s me
- me. Could you stay up there for a moment?” I called back.
“Sure. Why?”
“You’ll see soon,” I told her and signed for the doorman to wheel the cart with the things I had bought into the kitchen. He helped me load everything onto the kitchen island and then left. I took a blanket off the couch and covered the pile. “Come on down, sweetness,” I said. Hana came walking from my room and smiled at me as she walked down. I met her at the foot of the stairs and hugged her to me and kissed her. It was like coming up for air after being submerged under water for too long. “Hi,” I said.
“Hi. I have missed you. It took you quite a while. Does that mean it went well?” she asked.
“Not really. I learnt some new things, but I can’t seem to get through to him. Or understand him.” I told her.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“Thank you. It only took an hour 1 But then Chef dragged me on one of the longest shopping sprees 1
ever
on I confessed. Hanna laughed.
H
“You have been shopping with Chef? I can’t really see that,” she said.
“Me neither. But it worked out great. Come, I have a surprise for you,” I told her, took her hand and towed her over to the kitchen island.
“What is this?” she asked with big eyes.
“It’s your surprise. I couldn’t wrap it, so you will just have to make do with a blanket.” She just stood and looked at it. “Aren’t you going to look?” I asked in amusement. She shifted her focus to me.
“I don’t know if I dare,” she said,
“I promise I haven’t put anything that will explode under there. I think,” I told her.
“But it’s so much ”
“Well, we may have got a bit carried away. But I don’t regret it. Go on, open it,” I urged her. She took a hold of the edge of the blanket and tugged. It easily fell off and down to the floor. Hana just stared at the pile of boxes on the counter.
“Hunter, this is…” Her voice trailed off.
“Chef said it’s everything you need, and some things that aren‘
aren’t necessity. but are fun,” I said.
“It’s too much,” she objected,
“Not at all. You will be stuck here with me for a while and I want you to do things you love to do. And as much as I enjoy being your human stand mixer, I learnt that’s what they are called today. I think you would like not to be reliant on me and my muscles,” I said. Hana threw herself around my neck and peppered my face with kisses and topped it off with giving me a fiery kiss on the lips. I enjoyed every moment.
“Thank you. Thank you so, so much. I love it,” she told me as she let herself enjoy her gift. “Can we unpack it now?” she asked.
“I think that’s the only logical thing to do. We can’t leave it all over the kitchen island,” I said. I let Hans open the boxes and only helped if something looked heavy or looked like it needed two persons to get it out of the box. It was a joy watching Hana’s excitement as she looked at everything and cooed over things. She told me what she would make with the different things and then she rearranged my cabinets to make room for all the new things.
Chapter 71
“I’m sorry, I have changed your entire kitchen,” she said when we were midway done.
“Sweetness, you have spent more time in this kitchen since you came here than I have done since I moved in. I don’t mind. Do as you please,” I told her as 1 was helping her put the fryer in the place she wanted it.
“You are the best boyhiend a girl could ask for,” she said and kissed my cheek.
“I’m being very selfish with my gift. I’m expecting masterpieces for me to snack on,” I told her. I wrapped my arms around her from behind and kissed her neck. She giggled and hatted me way. She was too focused on her new toys to pay any real attention to me. I didn’t mind. Watching her was more than enough. I wanted her to feel relaxed in my apartment. I knew that when Simon got arrested, the danger toward her would be less. But I guessed the media would be hard to get away from. She needed a safe space. And I was going to provide it. It was too soon to ask her to move in with me permanently. I could feel it. She still needed her independence. Even if it was an illusion, I didn’t mind. I wouldn’t mind even if she started sleeping some nights in her apartment. I could just as well sleep there as I could in my apartment, Which reminded me I needed to talk to her about the security at her place. But she looked so happy, I decided it could wait for a day or
