Chapter 248: Kitchen Surprise
<🎧 Song Recommendation: All Star by Smash Mouth>
...
A light spilled out across the floor, accompanied by the gentle sizzle of a pan and the soft sound of humming.
​Von slowed his steps, curious.
​He peeked around the archway into the kitchen.
​Emily was standing at the stove with her sleeves pushed up and her hair tied back with a rubber band.
She was cooking something that smelled ridiculously good.
It was a late-night batch of garlic butter steak bites and toasted sourdough bread, one of Von’s absolute favorite late-night meals.
​But what caught Von’s attention wasn’t just the food.
​Sitting right on the edge of the kitchen island, looking absurdly cultured, was Loki.
​The small black cat was sitting completely upright, her furry body was motionless except for her head, which followed Emily’s every move.
She looked less like a pet and more like a serious sous-chef assisting with a high-end service.
As he watched, Emily said, "Pass me that darling," without looking, and the cat put both front paws against a small glass jar and shoved it until it bumped Emily’s wrist.
"Thank you."
Loki gave a dignified nod.
Suddenly, a jar on the table that was just at the edge made its bid for freedom, and a black paw pinned it flat before it could reach the edge.
"Oh my God." Emily laughed in delight. "You saw that? You saw it going?"
Loki blinked slowly.​
Emily flipped a piece of steak, then reached into a small ceramic bowl on the counter, pulled out a flake of pan-seared salmon, and held it out. The cat didn’t even wait a second to devour everything in her hands.
"You’re so sweet and smart, Loki. I swear I’ve never never met a cat like you in my life. Ever. Von has no idea what he has."
​Emily said warmly, scratching the cat behind her ears while chatting away.
​Loki let out a soft, polite purr, leaning into the touch and blinking her big violet eyes with complete innocence.
​Von stood in the shadow of the doorway, holding back a laugh. It almost looked funny seeing how serious Loki was acting.
​He knew the truth. Loki wasn’t being an assistant. No. She was playing the long game.
The black furball was merely bidding her time, acting sweet so she could steal the entire meal all to herself when completed. She had pulled that exact same scam on Von three times last month.
​’Tsk, such a scammy cat,’ Von laughed to himself.
​Instead of announcing himself normally, Von decided against it. He slipped barefoot across the cool tile floor, keeping his footsteps silent as he followed the back of the kitchen and walked silently behind Emily.
​He leaned right over her shoulder, brought his lips close to her ear, and whispered:
​"Boo."
​"AHH!"
​Emily let out a loud scream, immediately clutching her chest in terror. ​Von caught her smoothly around the waist with one arm, pulling her back against him as a triumphant laugh escaped his chest.
​Emily frowned, making her look ridiculously cute as she turned around in his grip, her hands coming up to hit his chest.
​"Von! Why would you do that?!" she gasped. "I could have gotten a heart attack!"
​Von looked down at her, his hands resting comfortably on her waist with a smirk still gracing his lips.
​"No you won’t. Your heart can’t experience an attack when it belongs to me."
​A deep, undeniable blush spread across Emily’s cheeks all the way to the tips of her ears.
​She quickly looked away and frowned. "I’m not forgiving you that easily."
​Von chuckled softly, using one hand to pick up a piece of the freshly cooked steak bite with his fingers before popping it into his mouth.
​"Mmm," Von closed his eyes as he chewed. "This is incredible. Who are you cooking for anyway? Isn’t there food in the fridge?"
​Emily turned back toward the stove, using the tongs to stir the pan so he wouldn’t see the lingering blush on her face.
​"Well, there is," she said softly. "But I thought to make something fresh for you. Don’t you want that?"
​Von’s expression softened instantly. The arrogant smirk vanished, replaced by a warm, natural smile.
​"Aw, that’s really sweet of you, Em," Von said gently. "But you’ve had a really busy day, you’re even still wearing your work clothes, so I’ll assist you."
​Emily immediately turned back to him, placing a hand firmly against his chest to refuse him.
​"No, Von. Absolutely not," she said with total seriousness.
"Just go to your room and refresh. You’ve been hard at work all day in that studio."
​Von tried to refuse. "Em, come on, I can at least plate the bread—"
​"Go upstairs, Von," Emily insisted, giving him a firm look that left zero room for negotiation. "I’ll bring the food upstairs to you when I’m done."
​Von looked at her for a second and let out a low chuckle, a knowing smirk returning to his face.
Emily’s ears went red again.
"That’s not— I meant the food—"
"I didn’t say anything though."
"Hmph," Emily folded her hands and looked away from Von. "Just go upstairs."
"I’m going upstairs," Von said solemnly, raising both hands.
​"Don’t give me that look!" she scolded, her face warming up again. "You’ve been locked in that studio for hours. Don’t tell me you’re recording a new song already?"
​She turned back to the stove, seasoning the meat.
​"I don’t know if you’re aware, but a tour and twenty-six shows comes with a heavy workload," she continued, her tone shifting into full manager mode.
"You’ll need to rest every time you can. Even this night, cause you’re gonna need it tomorrow."
​Von leaned against the counter, popping a piece of garlic bread into his mouth.
​"Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Trust me."
​Then, Von paused, recollecting something as her words registered in his mind. He blinked, looking up at her.
​"Wait... what’s happening tomorrow?"
​Emily deliberately turned back to cooking so as not to meet his annoyed face directly.
​"I sent you an email earlier today," Emily said casually. "You have an interview tomorrow morning with the Evening Scoop, midday. They’ll be asking about the Miami kickoff, the leaked show, and what’s next. And right after that, there’s a meet-and-greet you’ve got to do with some esteemed guests and venue partners."
​Von’s jaw dropped.
​"Nooooo!" Von threw his head back, letting out a dramatic groan toward the ceiling. "Emily, why are you doing this to me?!"
​Emily couldn’t help but laugh softly at his misery, though she encouraged him gently.
​"I know you’re hard at work, Von, but it’s necessary," she said, giving him a warm smile over her shoulder. "You can handle it."
​Von took a long, deep breath, running a hand through his hair as he accepted his fate.
​"Alright then. I’ll look forward to it."
​He stepped toward the hallway, turning back right before he rounded the doorframe.
​"I’ll be waiting for you upstairs, babe," Von said before deciding to add.
"And be mindful of that black furball."
​Loki, still sitting on the island, slowly turned her head and rolled her eyes at him.
​Von didn’t take his own off her until he vanished down the corridor.