From the kitchen, the sounds of people moving around and chatting filled the air, the noise of both men and women growing louder as time passed.
Caroline stayed focused on her task, her attention solely on the cooking, never glancing toward the door.
That was, until she heard a name she recognized.
“Blake, you finally made it! I thought you weren’t coming!”
At the mention of the name, Caroline couldn’t help but turn her attention toward the living room.
From where she stood, she could only see a figure from behind.
A tall, lean silhouette stood still, radiating an air of cool detachment that sharply contrasted with the lively conversation around him.
Though his face was hidden, Caroline knew immediately who it was. It was Blake.
Could this client be friends with him?
What a strange coincidence.
As the afternoon drew closer, Caroline pushed aside her thoughts and finished preparing the final dish.
After wiping her hands on a cloth, she started placing the dishes onto the dining table.
One unfamiliar man, seated on the couch, looked up and grinned. “Lonnie, when did you hire such a young and beautiful maid?”
The room, filled with around 20 guests, fell silent as all eyes shifted to Caroline.
Though her face was hidden behind a mask, her beauty couldn’t be concealed.
Lonnie Rodgers, the client, glanced at Caroline and smiled. “She’s not my maid. I hired her as a personal chef online.”
Another man joined the conversation. “I thought your family owned a hotel, and you had a famous chef there. Why hire someone for private service? She looks like she’s barely 20. Can she really cook well?”
Lonnie chuckled. “You can’t judge a book by its cover. She’s young, and she hasn’t taken many jobs, but her reputation is fantastic. Every client loves her cooking!”
The praise seemed to solidify Caroline’s skills.
That was exactly why Lonnie had chosen to host his birthday party at home, rather than a restaurant.
He was eager to iry her cooking personally.
Blake, seated with his legs crossed and a tea cup in hand, had been ignoring the talk about the young, attractive maid. It didn’t interest him.
But when Lonnie mentioned her cooking, Blake’s attention shifted to the table.
1/3
08:44 Sat, May 3
Chapter 53 Sir, You’re Drunk
1@50%
Finished
As his eyes landed on the food, his expression flickered with surprise and confusion.
The woman was bringing dish after dish from the kitchen.
Though her face was covered, Blake immediately recognized her. It was Caroline.
Why is she working as a personal chef?
Caroline could feel the whispers and the weight of their gazes.
She knew Blake was probably watching, maybe even recognizing her.
The thought made her uncomfortable.
Once all the dishes were set, Caroline quickly cleaned the counter. She nodded politely to Lonnie, preparing to leave.
Just as she turned to go, a man who had been drinking at the table suddenly called out to her. “Hey, míss, it’s Lonnie’s birthday. Why don’t you stay and eat with us?”
He turned to Lonnie and added, “Lonnie, this girl worked hard to prepare all this food. You don’t mind, do you?”
Lonnie hesitated before responding, “Of course, I don’t mind!”
He thought, the more, the merrier. I’m just worried she wouldn’t want to eat with us.
Caroline gave a polite smile. “Thank you, but I have other matters to attend to. I don’t want to intrude.”
She turned to leave, but before she could, a hand grabbed her arm, pulling her into an unwanted embrace. “What’s the rush? A young girl like you should be taken care of. You shouldn’t be working so hard–find yourself a man who’ll pamper you.”
His words were slurred, the strong smell of alcohol making Caroline recoil.
A fire of anger rose in her chest, but she forced herself to stay calm, reminding herself that he was probably just drunk. She said in a controlled tone, “Sir, you’re drunk.”
She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened. “I’m not drunk. I really enjoy your cooking, and I’m fond of you. How about this–how much do you charge for a meal? I’ll pay you double if you move in with me and cook for me every day.”
Nearby someone laughed, teasing, “I bet you want more than just her cooking–sounds like you want her in your bed too!”
The room erupted in laughter.
Caroline’s eyes scanned the table, but Blake was nowhere to be seen.
The bathroom door was closed, so she guessed he was inside.
It’s better this way–if Blake isn’t around, at least these are his friends, and I won’t have to make things awkward for him.
Caroline’s face darkened. “I suggest vou let go of me now. or I won’t be so polite.”
