Villains also get Second chance

The bite I had taken struck in my throat. I was neither able to swallow it or disgorge it under his expectant eyes. I took a piece of mango, and nibbled it and with a deep breath i swallowed all.,

He tilted his head and ate a bite himself and in the next second he coughed and spit it out. I laughed looking at his face.

"How much salt do you put in it anyway?" I asked finally, passing him the fruits.

"Well, not much.. Just two spoons since I made two omelet" he told me but even though I had no idea how much was in it, I was sure he had added much more than needed.

"And so is chili , right?" I asked and he nodded.

"Well, I have only cooked once before but that time spices were added by Stella." he told me and I could only nod.

I looked out of the window. There were still stars shining in the sky. It was still early.

"If you want, I can make cookies or a cake." I offered and he shook his head.

"You were already tired. We can manage with fruits for now. I apologise for the omelet" he said as he took a piece of strawberry.

I wanted to tell him that it  was not a big deal. I could make cookies very fast. And I had found a lot of ingredients already when he was struggling with eggs, but I stayed silent. We slowly ate fruits in silence, as if both wanted to drag this period a bit further, hoping the other would finally say something but it did not happen. 

The fruit platter finished yet the silence ensued. 

"We shall go and take a rest for a while. There is a long day ahead." he said and I nodded. We took the plates and put them in the sink as we walked out.

"Are you sure you did not want me to make a cake for you?" I did not know why, but I did not like the look on his face. So if food could make him feel better, why not give it a try!

He turned to look at me surprised and tilted his head, "especially for me?" he asked uncertainty.. Could he see ghosts here who were demanding baking from me?

I wanted to tsk… at his foolish question, yet I nodded silently and as if the switch button was pressed his whole gloomy look changed.

"Well, if you say so. I would love to have a cake baked by you. But I will help too." he added and I nodded.

"As long as you don't touch the spices, everything is fine '' I added and he turned silent, his face turned brooding.

But in the next scene he started laughing and so do i.

"But Marianne, how would you bake the cake with just one hand? Cutting tomatoes and fruits was already a big feat for you." I know that the fruits I cut were not perfect at all. They were cut in odd shapes, but my left hand worked only this much.

"Then we can do it together, as you said you can help me." I offered and he nodded hesitantly.

I moved to take the bowl when he stopped me. 

"You will just instruct, I will do all the work" he said and I raised a brow.. The great Cassius De Luca whose pride could touch the sky would take instructions from a lady for baking. Could anyone have ever imagined this bizarre situation.

He took flour, eggs, sugar and a big bowl and ten looked at me.

"So, what shall i do now?" he asked and I was spoiled.

"Break 3 eggs and add 2 cups sugar in it then take the strawberry and puree them and add the puree in it too and mix well. No, more.. Yes that's right...….`` I continued to instruct him and he took it very seriously, moving his hands.

"Good, now take the cake out of the oven" I said with a smile as the cake was done. He turned towards me  and my mouth dropped seeing Cassius bent over the table, wearing a red apron and seriously piping glaze on top of a cake!

There was some flour and the batter on his cheek, and forehead, and for a moment I could not speak. I just wanted to capture this scene in my memory forever. I didn't even want to see this as a portrait as I wanted this only for my eyes to see.

He was seriously making something over the cake but my eyes were on his face. 

"Cassius? What is that?" I asked. I finally looked back at the cake and noticed that he was trying to make something very serious. He was busy making something Could not recognize.

He was so serious he didn't even speak more than ten words since we started baking. He was like an obedient student who just kept nodding and doing what he was asked to do.

He was acting a little strange but I thought that maybe Cassius was like this when he worked?

Once Cassius was done, a proud smile formed on his lips. He seemed satisfied with what he had made and he seemed to have enjoyed the baking process. It was fun and I felt so relaxed and enjoying myself after a long time. This was a new experience I would never forget.

"Is it done, Cassius?" I asked and he nodded, so I moved closer to see what he had made and my eyes turned wide.

The cake had a small girl holding a sword in her hand. It.. it was resembling me!? I stood there silently when he asked.

"So, how is it?"

"I.. I think we did quite well!" I replied , controlling my emotions. A sweet pink strawberry cake with chocolates on top. And in the corner was my portrait.

"There's icing on your face, Cassius," I told him but the man just raised a brow. "Let me wipe it off for you."

I moved my hand again but he still didn't let me.