Khalil blinked his eyes several times before he followed Kate into the house. Did Anthony prank him by sending a woman who pretended to be a cook but refused to show her talents when he asked? He was the employer and the least she could do was obey his every word! But no, she just rolled her deep-set eyes at him as if he didn’t exist.

“Hold on,” he called out the woman who ignored him perfectly.

Sofia turned around and found Ali standing behind her. She stared at him without any emotions on her face. “Yes?” She waited for him to speak, and when he failed to open his mouth within the designated time she set inside her head, she shrugged off her shoulders before she continued walking.

“Hey!” Khalil yelled at the impossible woman who entered the house as if she owned it.

Sofia stopped walking and turned around to scowl at Ali. “What is it? You know what, if you will bring me to my room now, I will appreciate it. I need to take a nap, otherwise, I won’t be able to work efficiently in your kitchen.” She warned him.

Khalil chuckled at the woman’s ridiculousness. “I don’t think you’re in the position to be warning me, Kate.” He corrected her behavior because it wasn’t right to act high and mighty around him. No, he wouldn’t tolerate such an attitude from any of his women or employees.

“I’m sorry if I offended you, Ali, but I’m not in the mood to argue right now. If you don’t want me here, I can just leave.” She said and took a turn towards the front door.

Khalil closed his eyes to control his temper, but he couldn’t stop his nostrils from flaring when she threatened to leave. “Of course, you can rest for an hour or two.” He gave in to her demands and walked ahead to show her the bedroom she would be using. Last night, he instructed Alvin to prepare a guestroom for their cook, and it would be on the same floor as his.

Sofia grinned when she won against Ali and she felt good! It was the first time she won an argument, and she had no plans to change the man’s impression of her. “Thanks, Ali,” she was grateful at him for opening the door for her. “Let’s meet two hours later in the kitchen,” she ordered, and when he nodded, she wanted to scream in excitement! She didn’t expect that there would be someone on the planet she could boss around. If only she had an idea of how it felt to use her voice rather than being mum, she would have used it sooner!

She was amazed that someone as young as Ali could own something so luxurious such as The Highlands. Whoever his family was, they must be extra rich to build a castle on top of a mountain. It was true that she’s tired because Anthony kept her awake last night. Yes, his behavior didn’t let her sleep because she has been analyzing it through the night. When he suggested they should go somewhere private, she expected that something romantic would happen between them, but there was nothing! Not even a single kiss on her lips happened, and she was fuming with anger at being disappointed.

She didn’t bother to change her outfit and lay on the bed. In no time at all, she fell asleep, and completely forgot about her promise to meet Ali in the kitchen two hours later.

Sofia forgot to set the alarm clock, and she overslept! When she woke up, it was past lunchtime, and she panicked at the thought that her employer would cast her away. She tied her hair into a messy bun before she ran downstairs towards the kitchen. There, she found at least two pairs of eyes who anticipated her arrival. “Sorry, I overslept.” She smiled shyly towards Ali before she introduced herself to the other man. “Hmmm, I don’t see anyone on my way here. Where are the kitchen assistants?” She asked, and the man with bulk muscles burst out into laughter. She glanced at Ali for further explanation but her employer looked away.

“There’s no assistant,” Alvin informed her after he managed to control his laughter. The woman’s expression upon knowing she’d be working alone in the kitchen was so funny he felt the urge to laugh again, but Khalil kicked his legs under the table.

For a moment, she became speechless and just stared at both men. “So, it’s just me in the kitchen.” She concluded after a while.

“Yes. Will it be a problem?” Ali inquired because he’s worried she would quit before she was able to start working.

“Well, if I am just going to cook for the three of us, then it won’t be a problem at all.” She replied, and a line appeared on her forehead when she noticed both men staring at each other. “Do you have something to tell me?” She deduced they’re hiding something, and waited for their response. “Anyway, you said you’d like to see my work in the kitchen. What do you want to eat?”

Khalil and Alvin stared at each other before they informed her of the dishes they’ve been craving since they arrived in The Highlands. “Steak and potatoes!”

Sofia chuckled at their high-pitched voices because they sounded like baby boys! “Okay,” she replied before rummaging the pantry for the ingredients. She took out at least three pieces of rib-eye steaks from the freezer and thaw it. “Rare, medium, or well-done?” She would prefer to have a medium-rare steak because it’s mouth-watering.

“Medium rare,” both men answered.

“Okay, just give me thirty minutes to prepare everything.” She wasn’t bragging, but she could prepare their meals in thirty minutes. Ali’s kitchen has everything, and it was modern! She expected Ali to leave with Alvin, and he remained on his seat, and she frowned at him.

“For safety precautions, you know,” Khalil explained.

“Whoa, did you expect me to poison you?” She was offended by his reason for staying with her.

“It’s your first day, Kate.” He reminded her.

By all means, he was right, and she forgave him already. However, there was something in his eyes that unnerved her. She could just ignore it, but it was hard! His gazes made her uncomfortable and she had to remind herself that she needed a place to hide every time she caught him staring at her derriere. “I understand,” she said.

“Tell me, Kate. Did you sleep with Anthony?” Khalil asked, but when he saw the woman’s flushed cheeks, and seething eyes, he regretted asking her a question that’s below the belt.