NOVPUBAiden arched a bow at her as he walked in. "Culprit?" he asked, "Culprit of what?"
Arwen pursed her lips and looked at him. "You can't even tell that?" She then turned to glance at the few kitchen staff around her. "We were having such a good time —chatting and sharing stories —but then you came in and, well … scared them all. Do you have to carry that domineering presence everywhere you go?"
Aiden's gaze swept the room, scanning each person. "I scared them?" he asked, genuinely confused. "But I didn't do anything … did I?"
No one dared to speak. They stood frozen, their heads slightly bowed, not even making an eye contact.
Truthfully, Aiden hadn't done anything. But his natural aura —stoic, composed and powerful —was enough to make anyone nervous in his presence, especially staff who weren't used to his informal side.
Arwen narrowed her eyes at him. "Oh, what a talent —to scare everyone senseless and then ask why they are scared. Don't you already know?"
Aiden shook his head with a soft chuckle. "How could I possibly know? He said as she crossed the room, stopping right in front of her. "The only person I keep my eyes on never seemed scared of me."
A blush bloomed across Arwen's cheeks. "That's enough," she muttered, lightly pushing his arm. "Don't go talking sweet now that you have already ruined the mood. We were having so much fun, and then you appeared, and everyone clammed up. You will have to make amends."
Aiden tilted his head, pretending to think. "Hmm. Amends, huh? What can I do you make amends?"
Arwen folded her arms across her chest, thinking for a moment. "You will have to join us to finish the rest of the dinner while setting the same exact mood we were in before."
Everyone around was dumbfounded.
Aiden, joining them to prepare the dinner —they couldn't bring themselves to imagine.
But seemed like the difficulty was just there in their thoughts …
Because the moment the lady suggested it, Aiden agreed like it was nothing, leaving all of them bewildered.
"Fine," he said, already undoing the cuffs of his sleeves to fold them up his forearms. "Tell me what I have to do?"
Arwen smiled, before shrugging nonchalantly, "I told you already. Join us and rebuild the atmosphere you interrupted."
Aiden didn't know how to do that exactly. But since it was something she wanted, he wouldn't refuse.
Looking at everyone, he simply said. "Don't be uncomfortable around me. Let me know what I can do."
The chefs were taken aback. They didn't know what they could do, but anyway, one of them detailed the things that were still left to be done.
Aiden chose to do one, and Arwen watched everyone acting alien around each other. It was fun and she enjoyed it.
She knew Aiden didn't like to mix with the people. But having fun like this at times was good.
Since the task was also about restoring the same environment as before, Aiden also asked them to continue sharing the experiences that they were sharing before.
At first, they were all looking a little uncomfortable. But soon, they started getting better.
Mr. Jones stood at a distance and watched. In his hand, he held a tablet on which a video call was connected.
"Old Master, this is something I didn't think was possible," he said through the call.
But Morgan, on the other side, simply laughed, as if he wasn't very surprised. He turned to look at Williams on his side and said, "Did you now understand what I said earlier?"
William felt tongue-tied. He stared at the screen where Aiden was surrounded by so many people, not chatting a lot but listening to all. This was the same guy who carried one attitude towards everyone —indifference. Yet today, he stood in the kitchen, working with everyone as if he belonged there.
Of course, he understood it now.
"Jones, I have seen enough. You can turn the camera away now," Morgan said, and the butler turned away, walking to a distance, secluded.
"Master," he said, and the old man smiled at the screen.
"I called to inform you that in a week or two, I will be coming there. Help me arrange a room."
Mr. Jones nodded in understanding. "Should I inform Young Master about it?" he asked.
Morgan waved his hand. "No, that won't be required. I am not coming to leave again soon. So, it's fine even if they don't know about me coming. They will get enough time to take in my presence around."
With that said and informed, Morgan soon hung up the call.
Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, another story was done. While Arwen was laughing, Aiden also had a smile on his lips.
"If not for Jasmine, you sure would have ended up marrying that old granny, Parker. What would have happened then?" Arwen asked, laughing.
The staff named, Parker looked sort of embarrassed. Scratching the back of his ear, he simply said, "What could I have done other than adopting her kids who was thrice my age? It would have been better than losing my life there in the hands of those villagers."
Everyone burst into laughter and Arwen couldn't help but look at Aiden. Watching him enjoy was a delight. But it didn't felt enough —not yet.
Hence, she thought for a moment, before turning to him, waiting.
When flutters of laughter died away, she finally said, "Now, it's your turn, Mr. Winslow. Grace us with your story."
Aiden paused and turned to her. "My story?" he asked and she nodded, immediately.
"Yes, yours." She then moved her finger to gestured towards all. "We, everyone shared theirs, if you don't it would be unfair."
Aiden looked at the prepared dishes and replied. "But we are done. Let's save my story for another day."
Arwen shook her head. "That would still be unfair. It's fine. We still have time and until Parker plates everything. We can listen to yours."
"But my stories are usually related business. You all won't find it related or fun."
However, Arwen was persistent. Staring at him, she shook her head. "Not all is related to business," she said, "There is one that surely will be interesting for us."
"Which one?" he asked.
"Fettuccine Alfredo," she replied.
