Khalil loved The Highlands, especially the women, but he wanted to have a proper meal. His father refused to lend one of their cooks when the old man knew he couldn’t just hire anyone! Khalil didn’t want his harem to become public knowledge and that’s the reason why he had to be extra careful with his employees.

He was about to go crazy after eating fried fish for lunch when his phone rang. Khalil grabbed it and motioned Alvin to leave him alone! “What is it?” It was Anthony who called, and he expected his friend to give his usual report about Sofia Arellano.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to send her pictures?” Anthony asked.

It wasn’t the first time Anthony wanted to send him pictures of the woman, but he wasn’t interested. “Yes,” he replied. “So, do you have a piece of good news now?” For several weeks, he waited for Anthony to succeed in his mission – that is to bed the woman!

“Give me more time, Khalil. She’s not easy,” Anthony replied.

“Fine, but I need you to do it in one month,” Khalil warned Anthony to be serious on his mission before he would be infuriated!

“Then, one month it is.” Anthony agreed before he ended the call.

After his conversation with Anthony, Khalil read the email about Sofia. He didn’t finish reading the report because it was boring. For goodness sake, she was an heiress, and yet, she didn’t have any special skills that would help her father’s business! No wonder Don Armando Arellano did his best to align himself with his family.

Khalil was on his way to the women’s quarter when Anthony called again. He scowled at the phone before he pressed the green button to accept his call. “Yes?” He answered in a bored voice.

“Are you still looking for a cook?” Anthony inquired.

For the first time, Khalil’s blood became alive, and his sense of hearing focused on Anthony’s voice. “Yeah, why?”

“I got a friend and she badly needed a place to hide. She’s great in the kitchen,” Anthony said.

“Is she trustworthy?” Khalil had to be sure about the woman’s background, but when Anthony vouched for her, he was convinced. “Just bring her here,” he ordered.

Anthony informed him that the new cook would arrive tomorrow morning, so that night, Khalil got excited. For the first time, he didn’t summon anyone from the harem and went to sleep early. He wanted to greet his savior personally when she would arrive in the morning!

Khalil woke up early, and even if he had no appetite for the food which Alvin prepared for breakfast, he forced himself to eat. Just like him, the women groaned at the fried fish on their plate. He already gave them the option to leave The Highlands, but they opted to stay. Khalil thought to warn about the new cook but he deemed it necessary to withhold the information until the woman showed up.

After breakfast, he asked Alvin to ensure the women wouldn’t leave the harem. Although he had no plans to keep it as a secret from her, it would be shocking on her first day to learn about his harem. He watered the plants near the gate because he wanted to be the first to see her when she arrived. It was around nine in the morning when Anthony’s car honked outside the gate. Khalil immediately let him in and waited for Anthony to present the woman he recommended.

Anthony got out first, and then he serviced the woman by opening the door for her. Khalil questioned his friend’s action and raised his eyebrows as he waited for the woman to disembark from the vehicle. She had flawless legs, he could see that, but he didn’t care about it at all! However, when he saw her face for the first time, he was mesmerized by her unique beauty. The woman’s eyes spoke volumes, and the way she walked towards him rhymed with confidence! “Welcome to The Highlands! My name is Ali,” he introduced himself using his nickname.

“I heard you’re looking for a cook, Ali.” Sofia didn’t mind dropping the formalities and used his first name. She heard Anthony groaned at the background, but she didn’t give a damn! She was still disappointed at his action, especially last night when nothing happened between them! “I’m Kate, a widow, and no family.” She introduced herself as Kate, her middle name.

Khalil was impressed at the woman’s bluntness, and he smiled at Anthony for bringing the right person for the job. “Impressive,” he replied to Kate before he thanked Anthony for bringing the woman over.

The woman who introduced herself as Kate didn’t match the description given to him by Anthony, but he let it slide. Ever since he knew his friend, Anthony wouldn’t know how to appreciate a true form of beauty, and in Khalil’s eyes, Kate was perfect even if she’s a widow and no family. He admired her exquisite beauty and flawless skin. If she wasn’t skilled in the kitchen, perhaps, he would make her one of his women!

Sofia secretly glared at her boyfriend for being a coward, and she hated every word coming out from his mouth while he entrusted her to Ali. When Anthony left without sparing her a glance or a simple kiss, it was her last straw. She was furious but she had to hide it in front of her employer.

“Are you in love with him?” He asked.

She worried that she has been transparent about her emotions, but she couldn’t admit to his assumption no matter if he was right. “Of course not!” She replied strongly.

Khalil nodded but he suspected that something’s going on between Kate and Anthony. Could it be? No, Kate couldn’t be the reason why Anthony kept on delaying with his mission! “Why don’t you show me how good you are in the kitchen?” He challenged the woman to cook something delicious such as steak and mashed potatoes.

Sofia checked her wristwatch and she had more than two hours to prepare for lunch. “You’ll know it later, Ali. Now, why don’t you show me to my room? I’m tired, and I want to take a nap.” She ordered.

Khalil’s eyes widen upon hearing her orders. Wait, did she just ordered him to show her the bedroom she would be using? “E-excuse me?” He asked, but instead of answering him, the woman rolled her eyes and walked towards the house.