Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress (Natalie) novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77 Cooking

Chapter 77 Cooking

Natalie’s POV:

:

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In the semi-open kitchen, I was deftly dealing with the pre-prepared, clean vegetables and meat, which spared me a great deal of effort. It was as if I could feel Leonardo’s gaze on my back, steady and imposing, like an invisible force that made me focus even more intently on my task.

I inquired about his taste preferences. Leonardo simply replied, “Whatever you’re best at.” I’d previously noticed his aversion to sweet flavors. I then asked about his tolerance for spiciness. After a brief pause, he said, “A bit of spice is fine.” Taking note of his preferences, I decided to whip up some homey dishes with a balanced taste.

I tied on an apron, fired up the stove, and started cooking. The process was oddly soothing, allowing me to immerse myself fully. Steam carrying the enticing aroma of food and seasonings billowed from the pan, filling the air, creating a warm, homely scent that contrasted sharply with the cold, high-end pheromone smell often present in this luxurious estate.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Leonardo sitting at the nearby table. Leonardo wasn’t glued to his phone; instead, he just sat there quietly, his eyes seemingly fixed on me. This made me a bit jittery, yet there was also an inexplicable flutter in my heart.

Before long, three dishes and a soup were on the table: onion soup, beef stew, seafood chowder, and potato pancakes. Nothing fancy, but a well-balanced spread of meat and veggies, all steaming hot.

“Thanks for all this hard work,” Leonardo said, his voice softer than usual.

“Ah, it wasn’t much. The chefs had everything ready. I just did the cooking part,” I said while dishing up the food and handing it to him. “I used to cook way more when I had friends over…” I started babbling about the past, then suddenly realized I might have been rambling too much. I quickly shut up and passed him the cutlery. “Go ahead and give it a taste, Mr. Sanchez.”

He took the knife and fork, his eyes locking onto mine. “It seems like being your friend is a real blessing.”

“Of course. I always go all out for my true friends,” I said, relaxing and flashing a smile.

“If being your friend is this awesome, I wonder how amazing it’d be to be your mate?” he said casually, as if just making idle conversation.

My heart skipped a beat, and the food I was about to pop into my mouth stopped mid-air.

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Chapter 77 Cooking

What on earth did he mean by that? Was it a test or just a joke?

As if he didn’t notice my shock, Leonardo took a bite of the food and commented, “Tastes pretty good.”

I quickly pulled myself together and tried to play it cool. “Glad you like it, but it’s nothing compared to what a Michelin-starred chef can whip up.”

“Don’t put yourself down. It’s really tasty, seriously,” Leonardo said, taking a few more bites, clearly enjoying the meal.

As I watched him savor the food, a wave of contentment washed over me. It was a simple kind of joy that even outshone the feeling of completing a major project.

After the meal, he suddenly brought up, “Oh, by the way, your phone was with me that morning. A guy called, and I answered.”

I immediately thought of Landon’s accusatory questions. So that was how it happened.

“Mr. Sanchez…” I was about to explain about Landon.

He cut me off, his voice calm and understanding, “It’s your personal business. I won’t ask too many questions or meddle. Since we’re engaged, I’m sure you’ll sort out your past affairs.”

There were no inquisitive queries, no suspicions, just pure trust and respect. A pang of guilt hit me, and a warm current flowed through my heart. He was truly committed to this

engagement.

“I… I’ll fix it up soon. Trust me!” I vowed sincerely.

He gave a nod, but in that moment, I glimpsed a flicker of something like concern in his Did he care about my past? This thought made my heart flutter.

“Just holler if you need a hand,” he added in a deep voice.

“Sure thing,” I murmured. It felt like the atmosphere was shifting subtly.

Leonardo’s POV:

eyes.

I was not picky about food, especially not into overly spicy stuff. When Natalie offered to cook me dinner as a thank-you, a novel and strange feeling stirred within me.

With the semi-open kitchen layout, I had a full view of her bustling around.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Natalie. As I watched her work, I began to comprehend why

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