Chapter 341: I learnt it for you!!
The date slowly reached the middle of the day.
Their car rolled to a gentle stop in front of Atelier.
The familiar stone walls, flower boxes beneath the windows, and warm wooden entrance instantly brought a wave of memories to Chloe. The last time she had stepped into this place, fate had reunited her with the man standing beside her.
She unconsciously smiled.
Miles noticed.
Without saying a word, he gently intertwined his fingers with hers.
Together, they walked inside.
Daniel was already waiting near the entrance with his usual welcoming smile.
"Welcome back. You two look wonderful today."
Chloe smiled politely before giving a gentle bow.
"Hello Uncle Daniel. Thank you for the compliment."
Daniel chuckled.
"Your private room is ready. Since Miles has decided to occupy my kitchen today, allow me to escort you."
Chloe glanced toward Miles before smiling.
"Then I will be in your care, Uncle Daniel."
Her eyes met Miles’.
"I cannot wait."
Miles smiled softly.
"I’ll be quick."
He gave her hand one last gentle squeeze before disappearing toward the kitchen.
Daniel led Chloe through a quiet hallway decorated with fresh flowers until they stopped before an elegant wooden door.
"This is your room."
"Thank you, Uncle Daniel."
"My pleasure."
Daniel quietly walked away
Chloe slowly opened the door.
The room instantly made her pause.
Golden sunlight streamed through the large windows overlooking a peaceful garden. The private dining room had been decorated with remarkable simplicity.
Fresh white roses rested inside crystal vases.
Small candles waited unlit on the dining table, prepared for the afternoon ambiance.
Soft piano music floated quietly through hidden speakers.
Everything felt peaceful.
Everything felt warm.
Near the window stood a beautiful wooden easel.
Beside it rested fresh canvases, graphite pencils, charcoal, watercolor brushes, palettes filled with vibrant colors, and every art supply an artist could wish for.
A folded note rested carefully against the blank canvas.
Curious, Chloe picked it up.
She slowly unfolded the paper.
"The chef requests a little patience while preparing his very first meal for the woman he loves."
"Until then, this room belongs entirely to you."
"Draw whatever your heart wishes."
"Also..."
"There is an apron Hope specially prepared for you."
"I was told I would be in trouble if I forgot to give it."
Chloe laughed softly.
Her eyes immediately found the neatly folded apron beside the easel.
She unfolded it.
The plain white apron had been decorated with colorful hand drawn doodles.
Tiny smiling flowers.
Little suns.
Stars.
A cartoon rabbit.
Two stick figures holding hands.
One corner proudly read in uneven handwriting,
"Big Sis Chloe."
Along with dozens of tiny hearts.
Chloe gently brushed her fingers over the drawings.
"She is such a cutie..."
A warm smile spread across her face.
She carefully put on the apron before standing before the blank canvas.
She picked up a pencil.
Minutes slowly became an hour.
Outside the window, leaves continued dancing with the breeze.
Inside, only the gentle sound of brushes touching canvas could be heard.
Eventually...
She lowered her brush.
Finished.
She quietly admired her painting with a smile that refused to leave her face.
"You dream about me like this?"
A familiar voice suddenly came from behind.
Chloe jumped slightly.
She turned around.
Miles was already standing there with both hands behind his back, smiling.
"You scared me."
He stepped beside her.
His eyes slowly landed on the painting.
It was a playful doodle.
Miles wore a flowing cape.
A sleek black mask covered his eyes.
He was carrying Chloe effortlessly through a star filled night sky while the moon smiled above them.
Tiny stars surrounded them like glowing fireflies.
The entire drawing looked like something from a fairy tale.
Miles smiled.
"I wish I could fly."
Chloe giggled.
"You already do."
"Hmm?"
"You always show up whenever I need you."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Miles slowly reached for her hand.
His fingers wrapped gently around hers before leading her toward the dining table.
He carefully pulled back a chair.
"My lady."
Chloe smiled.
"Let me wash my hands first, Mr. Chairman."
Miles blinked.
"Oh... right."
He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Please."
"I’ll be right back."
She disappeared into the washroom.
Miles slowly sat down by himself.
He took a deep breath before quietly looking toward the ceiling.
"Am I losing it..."
A few moments later, Chloe returned.
She took her seat opposite him.
Almost on cue, the doors gently opened.
Several servers entered carrying elegant porcelain plates.
The first course was carefully placed before them.
A rich French onion soup rested inside white bowls.
The deep golden broth shimmered beneath a perfectly toasted slice of baguette covered with bubbling Gruyère cheese that had been baked until beautifully golden.
The sweet aroma of slowly caramelized onions filled the room.
Fresh warm baguette and herb butter accompanied the soup.
Soon after, the main course arrived.
Perfectly seared duck breast rested neatly across creamy pommes purée.
A glossy orange reduction reflected the afternoon sunlight while butter glazed asparagus and roasted baby carrots completed the plate with vibrant colors.
Everything looked refined without feeling extravagant.
It looked like a meal made with patience
And care.
Chloe stared at the table before looking back at Miles.
"French food..."
"You can cook French food?"
"Really?"
"How?"
Miles simply continued looking at her.
His calm eyes carried a faint smile.
She laughed.
"Hey."
"Please tell me."
"Even I cannot cook these dishes."
"If I said I spent a few months working undercover as a chef in a restaurant..."
"Would you believe me?"
Her eyes widened.
"Really?"
Miles shook his head.
"No."
"I learned it for you."
The room became quiet.
Chloe simply looked at him.
There was no teasing.
No joking.
He was completely serious.
Her heart softened.
"You really did..."
Miles only smiled.
"I wanted the first meal I cooked for you to remind you of home."
She lowered her eyes.
For a moment, she forgot about the food.
She forgot about everything else.
She simply looked at the man sitting across from her.
Finally she picked up her spoon.
She carefully tasted the soup.
Her movements stopped.
She looked back at Miles
"This..."
She took another spoonful.
"It tastes exactly like home."
Miles quietly let out the breath he had been holding.
"I practiced more times than I want to admit."
She laughed.
"I believe you."
As they continued eating, Miles naturally reached for the bread basket whenever her plate emptied.
He poured more water before she even realized her glass was nearly empty.
When she struggled cutting the duck while talking excitedly, he simply smiled, sliced it into smaller pieces, and gently placed the plate back before her.
"There."
She looked at him with amused eyes.
"You treat me like I’ll forget to eat."
"You do."
"I..."
She paused.
"I actually do."
They both laughed.
Chloe tasted the duck next.
The tender meat melted effortlessly while the orange sauce added a gentle sweetness that perfectly balanced every bite
She slowly closed her eyes.
"This is unfair."
Miles tilted his head.
"Why?"
"If you keep cooking like this..."
"I’ll never want to eat anywhere else."
His smile grew warmer.
"That was actually the plan."
She laughed so hard that she nearly dropped her fork.
The elegant dining room echoed with nothing more than quiet conversation, soft laughter, and two people slowly discovering how comfortable love could truly feel.
Chloe gently leaned back in her chair and let out a satisfied breath.
"I am full."
Miles smiled across the table.
"There is still dessert left."
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"There is dessert too?"
"How much can you cook in just an hour?"
Before Miles could answer, another familiar voice reached them.
"He has been preparing that since last night."
Both of them turned.
Elena entered the private dining room carrying a beautifully plated dessert with a warm smile on her face.
"He even woke up late this morning because of it. He kept asking me if it looked right and whether he was doing it correctly."
Chloe’s face brightened.
"Aunt Elena."
Elena carefully placed the elegant white dessert plates before them.
The silky vanilla crème brûlée rested inside porcelain ramekins. Their caramelized sugar tops shimmered beneath the afternoon sunlight like polished amber. Fresh raspberries, blueberries, and a small mint leaf completed the presentation.
She looked proudly toward Miles.
"Here is your Vanilla Crème Brûlée made by my son."
Chloe slowly looked back at Miles.
"So... you were making dessert last night?"
Miles scratched his cheek.
"I just followed Mom’s instructions."
Elena laughed softly.
"You make it sound easy."
She looked toward Chloe.
"You are such a lucky girl."
"My husband never cooked anything like this for me."
Chloe covered her smile before looking at Elena.
"I guess Miles gets that from you."
Elena’s eyes softened.
She reached over and gently brushed a loose strand of hair behind Chloe’s ear.
"You look very beautiful today, dear."
"May God protect you from every evil thing."
Miles smiled.
"Mom."
"I am here to protect her from evil things."
Elena looked at him with motherly affection.
"I know."
She gently patted his shoulder.
"Enjoy your dessert, you two."
Chloe smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Aunt Elena."
"You are always welcome."
Elena quietly left the room, closing the door behind her.
Silence returned once again.
Chloe picked up her spoon.
She gently tapped the caramelized sugar.
Crack.
The crisp golden layer broke beautifully beneath the spoon.
Her eyes sparkled.
"So satisfying."
She scooped a little of the creamy custard beneath it and tasted it.
Almost instantly, her shoulders relaxed.
"It’s yummy."
Miles smiled.
"Thanks to Mom, I guess."
Chloe shook her head.
"No."
"Thanks to both of you."
She looked at him quietly for several moments before smiling again.
"I will never forget this date."
Miles held her gaze.
"I’ll make sure you never do."
The warmth in his voice made her heart skip once more.
After finishing the last spoonful of dessert, Chloe gently placed her spoon down.
"You were talking about taking me somewhere."
Miles nodded.
"There are people who have been wanting to meet you."
"I promised them I would bring you."
"They’ve been waiting."
Her curiosity immediately returned.
"Now I really want to know."
Miles stood and offered his hand.
"Then let’s go."
She happily placed her hand in his.
Together they walked out of the private dining room.
Daniel was waiting behind the reception counter.
He smiled the moment he saw them.
"So?"
"Did you enjoy the lunch?"
Chloe nodded enthusiastically.
"I enjoyed it a lot, Uncle."
"Thank you."
Daniel smiled with satisfaction.
"I am glad to hear that."
"Oh."
"Right."
"We packed everything you asked for."
"They’re already in your car."
Miles nodded.
"Thanks, Father."
Daniel leaned a little closer before whispering into his ear.
"Good luck."
Miles smiled knowingly.
"Thank you."
Chloe waved politely.
"See you later, Uncle Daniel."
"Take care, dear."
The two of them stepped outside.
Chloe looked back toward Miles.
"What things was Uncle Daniel talking about?"
Miles opened the passenger door for her.
"Mom prepared some homemade snacks."
"We’re taking them to the people we’re going to meet."
Chloe sat inside while smiling.
"Now I really cannot wait."
"Please tell me."
Miles closed the door gently before walking around to the driver’s seat.
"You’ll see soon enough."
The engine started.
Soft music began playing through the speakers as they slowly left Atelier behind.
Soon the buildings became fewer.
The roads widened.
The city gradually disappeared behind them.
For several minutes, they simply enjoyed the quiet drive together.
Then Chloe turned toward him.
"Miles."
"Hmm?"
"I don’t want today to pass."
He smiled without taking his eyes off the road.
"Why?"
"Because tomorrow..."
"I have to go back to work."
Miles chuckled softly.
"Getting lazy already?"
"Don’t you love your work?"
"I do."
She looked out the window before smiling to herself.
"But I love this too."
Miles glanced at her briefly.
"Don’t worry."
"It’s your day off tomorrow too."
"Alice is taking care of all your pending work."
Chloe blinked.
"She is?"
"I owe Lissy so much."
Miles laughed quietly.
"I think I owe her even more."
"If she hadn’t reached out looking for investment..."
"I might never have met you."
A gentle smile appeared on Chloe’s lips.
"Mmm..."
The peaceful rhythm of the drive slowly settled around them.
Miles looked toward her again.
She had closed her eyes.
The excitement of the morning, the shopping, the painting, and the lunch had finally caught up with her.
He smiled to himself.
"Did I tire you out already?"
Without making a sound, he lowered the volume of the music until only a soft melody remained.
"Get some rest."
"The drive is long."
Chloe didn’t answer.
A faint smile still rested on her lips as she peacefully drifted into a light sleep beside him.