Bewitched His Soul

Travis was standing in front of her naked, well not fully naked. He was just in his grey shorts and wiping his wet hair with a soft blue towel. She knew he religiously worked out and she could make out his strong biceps and flat abs beneath his suit.  Now she was staring at his naked upper body and felt he could easily put all the Hollywood actors to shame. She admired Justin's body a lot, but truly if she had seen Travis before, then she could never have spared Justin a second glance.

His tanned skin, broad shoulders, and solid six-packs were making her unable to take off her eyes. The water droplets fell from his hair and slowly slid straightaway into the v line of his chest and then landed on his shorts.

Even though it was cold outside Aria's whole body felt warm and she gulped, unable to tolerate the hotness radiating from him.

"Is the food ready?" Travis asked.

"Huh..," Aria's eyes were still roaming on his abs.

"Did you warm the food?" Travis put the towel around his neck.

"No… there were so many dishes," Aria lifted her head to look into his eyes and answered, stammering. 

Travis' facial expression was normal, he did not feel awkward to stand in front of her in his shorts. Maybe she was the only one reacting like it's a big deal. They were childhood friends and he treated her as the same Aria whom he played  and had slumber parties with.

Then she was studious in her studies and now she always worked having no time or energy to date.  The only guy who came close to a boyfriend broke her heart only after a few weeks. But she had doubts whether the guys she will meet outside will have physiques as good as Tristan.

Aria followed Tristan to the kitchen, he opened the box's lid and was about to empty its contents into the pan when Aria went to stop him.

"Let me do it," Aria was still distracted and had her hand close to the flame.

"Aria, where is your mind? Can you be a little bit more careful?" Travis scolded and pulled her hand. Her elbow was pressed to his arm and he was examining her hand while the water droplets from his hair fell on her shoulder. 

You, I was thinking about you. It's your fault that I am distracted. Aria wanted to say but never dared to voice out her thoughts and scolded him in her mind.

"I am fine..," Aria withdrew her hand quickly, being close to him was very dangerous.

"Go keep your hand under the tap," Travis ordered.

"Look at my hand, I am perfectly alright," Aria argued.

Travis took a step forward to drag her to the tap, which Aria understood and ran to the tap yelling, "Stop, I am going. "

"Go outside, I will heat the remaining dishes," Travis turned towards the stove.

"Then what will I do?" Aria scowled.

"Set the table, or watch the TV. If I do this alone it will be quicker," Travis stated.

"I will set the table," Aria murmured and left. 

Aria took the new cutlery which she had kept for some special occasion and arranged everything in order. She knew Travis was very particular about table manners. Even when they were kids, if they were watching a movie and the kids did not want to miss it, they had their food while sitting on the sofa. Travis was the only one who went and sat at the dining table.

Aria peeked at Travis, his back facing towards her. That muscular smooth back made her want to run her fingers, oh god she has to stop letting her thoughts run wild. Such a handsome, hot guy in her kitchen and holding a spatula in his hand made her feel something she cannot exactly pinpoint. It felt like a boyfriend cooking a meal for her after  a long tiring day.

Travis started to bring the dishes while Aria filled water in the glasses.

"Why don't you wear a shirt," Aria suggested as she knew she cannot have dinner in peace with him sitting shirtless.

"Nah, I think I am fine," Travis  refused.

"You will catch a cold," Aria stated.

"Fine, if you are so worried," Travis came back wearing a white t-shirt. They had dinner and she did not wash the utensils as a maid will come tomorrow morning.

"The rain has stopped," Aria casually commented.

"I already sent my driver back," Travis immediately answered.

"Don't worry I am not kicking you out," Aria giggled.

They sat on the  sofa, Travis was answering his emails while Aria was playing with her phone and in the background a movie was playing  in low volume. 

There were many messages from Justin asking why she is not texting back. Is she busy, did she miss him and he wants to call her, but because of the time difference between the two countries he did not intend to disturb her.

Aria did not reply to any of his texts and directly blocked his number. Being with Travis since the  morning prevented her from thinking about Justin even once.

"What time do you sleep?" Aria asked.

"Usually 10, if there is some important work that I cannot finish, then around 12," Travis replied.

"Always disciplined in everything, you are just like that when we were in school," Aria stated.

"What to do, old habits die hard, dad was very strict in our upbringing. He knew mom is too soft and we may end up troubling her so he took upon himself to monitor us," Tristan said.

"Do you remember once you complained to Aunt Ava that all your friends' mothers cook lunch and you also want the same. Next day you came to school crying," Aria teased.

"Can I forget that day, I got a good scolding from  dad," Travis chuckled.

When Travis told his mother about his wish, Ava immediately googled some recipe  and went to the kitchen to cook. Since she did not even know about the basics of cooking she broke  some utensils, spilled the ingredients and made a big  mess. Ava touched the hot pan without the kitchen gloves and burnt her hand a little and even spilled the dish on her apron.

Tristan had returned home early that day, and as soon as Ava screamed he rushed to the kitchen. Seeing her like this made him lose his temper and immediately carried her in his arms to give her first aid. 

Tristan started to scold her, asking why she suddenly got this crazy idea of cooking after so many years. 

Ava with teary eyes accused him of saying,"Tristan I am in pain yet you are scolding me." Tristan has melted and his defenses crumbled. He took her in his lap, kissed her forehead and pacified her with sweet words.

After Ava went to her room Tristan looked suspiciously at his son Travis. Travis, not being able to handle the pressure, admitted the truth.

Tristan had gotten so angry and Travis had flinched by his harsh tone. Tristan has said that if his mother cannot cook then it does not mean she loves him any less. Each parent may be bad at  something and he should not force them..

If Travis wants to eat anything then he can ask the chefs. Hell if he wants a new chef then he can appoint one  to cook new cuisines. Tristan warned his son to never repeat this again and at any cost his mother's safety and wellbeing should not be compromised. 

Ava agreed to do it as she loved her son but what to do Tristan loved his little one more and could not bear to see even a scratch on her.

Travis promised and probably that was the last time he had ever seen his mother enter the kitchen.