The smell of chocolate filled the air of the kitchen. Vincent was making chocolate bars just to ease his mind. He kept on thinking about what happened at Lance’s car. His heart would still pound every time he would remember it.

“Hey! It’s already boiling!” Vincent heard Jovan shout. He was so deep in thought that he forgot about the chocolate. He turned the stove off in a hurry, he was still a little bit dazed. “What’s wrong with you? You are so out of it. You’ve been daydreaming ever since you got home. I bet you haven’t even heard anything that we said.”

Jovan pulled him out of the kitchen and made him sit on the sofa.

Melissa and Abby were talking in the living room and was surprised to see Jovan forcing Vincent to sit down.

Vincent was staying at Melissa’s place before he finds his own apartment. He wanted to find his own place as soon as he can, but Melissa says that she doesn’t mind at all.

“Now talk.” Jovan said as he sat down beside Abby.

“What’s wrong?” Abby asked.

“He almost ruined his chocolate.” Jovan said plainly.

For Vincent, in making chocolate, everything has its perfect timing. From the roasting of the cocoa beans to the mixing of ingredients, to the boiling of chocolates, everything must be coordinated. He is very particular in making chocolates; he is always so focused and concentrated. Making chocolates is like a ritual to him that needs to be observed and respected properly.

“Really? Something must have happened at work. Tell us, didn’t you come home early, did something happen, is that why? Were you fired?” Melissa asked very curiously.

Vincent sighed and told them everything that Lance told him, except that he didn’t mention that it was Lance that told him that. He didn’t want them to make a big fuss over it.

“What kind of a guy is he?” Melissa asked, clearly excited.

Vincent thought for a while. He wasn’t sure how to describe Lance properly. He thought of him and started talking. “He is a guy that wouldn’t think twice of helping someone in need.” He said, remembering when Lance helped him at the club. “It seems that everyone thinks highly of him. Everyone who knows him says that he is really nice. But to me, he is simply too honest, to the point that he makes himself look childish and petty. He is so honest that he doesn’t even realize that he is showing what he really feels thru his actions.” Vincent remembered Lance being angry after he went back for lunch; he realized that Lance might be jealous because he went out with Haley. “He is someone who could easily admit his wrongs, someone that is sincere in his every word, and you could really feel that in the way he speaks.” Vincent thought of how Lance confessed why he hasn’t read his resume and apologized for it.

“So, you like him.” Abigail said with a smile. Vincent became more confused after hearing that.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“I don’t date people like you.” Lance said as he drank scotch at his own bar. William was drinking with him at that time. “That’s what that person told me after I confessed.”

Lance never expected that kind of reply, he never even had someone told him that before. He was supposed to feel bad after hearing that, supposed to feel insulted, but the way Vince said it made an impression on him. Vincent didn’t look at him and avoided his eyes, and his voice was soft and almost sad.

William laughed. “What an interesting woman.”

“Huh?” Lance was dumbfounded. He had never said to William that he confessed to Vince, much more that he confessed to a guy. He wasn’t embarrassed or ashamed about it, he was just worried about Vincent; he didn’t want him to be uncomfortable in any way.

“Replying like that is very vague.” William continued. “It could mean many things; maybe she just really doesn’t like you, or maybe she’s just playing hard-to-get.”

“I don’t think that’s it.” Lance said seriously as he thought of Vince. “That person talks sharply but very honestly, stubborn but very sincere, that person isn’t someone like that. I don’t think that that person is trying to play hard to get.”

“Ohhh… You are defending her. You must really like her.” William teased. “What are you planning to do now? Are you going after her?”

Lance only smiled at William. He had thought of a plan to make Vince closer to him. His plan would also make sure that Haley wouldn’t get in the way anymore. It was very childish, he knew that, but he gets easily jealous and frustrated whenever someone gets close or intimate with Vince. That man was really making him do things he had never done before.

“No matter what that person does or says, I won’t give up. I know I would regret it if I don’t give my everything.” Lance said seriously. “That person is very different from anyone I have ever met. Just looking at that person’s face makes my heart race, makes me smile, and makes me really happy.”

“Lance Wolfe, cold as ice, finally found his match. Of all the girls that went after you, what made this one special? What do you like about her?”

“Now that you mention it, I don’t really know.” Lance said and then smiled brightly.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Vincent went to work the next day, even though he was thinking twice about it; there was something that he needed to settle with Lance.

He regretted his decision the moment he stepped foot in the building. Everyone was staring at him like he was a wanted criminal. People would start whispering as soon as he passed by them. Vincent knew the reason behind it; everyone was talking about what happened yesterday. The news about him being pulled by Lance spread like wildfire. He wondered what kind of reason, as to why Lance pulled him, did the other employees thought of.

When Vincent entered his department, everyone was staring at him quite differently than they did the day before. Their stares were mixed; some very curious, some very judging. He went straight to his desk, ignoring everyone. “What the?” His desk was gone. Vincent stood there dumbfounded. Am I being bullied? Is this some kind of a lame prank?

“Oh, you’re here.” Lance walked out of his office. “I’ve been waiting for you, come inside.” He said casually. Like nothing was happening at all.

Vincent followed inside. “My desk… no…” He was surprised, even speechless as he saw his desk inside Lance’s office. It was directly across Lance’s own desk. He would literally be staring at Lance all day, with the position of his desk.

“I’ve read your resume last night, and I’m very impressed. It would be a waste to make you do trivial things all the time so I am assigning you to do some very important things.” On top of Vincent’s desk were a few folders. “Those are proposals for the food expo, I want you to review them and then make a report about it.”

Vincent smiled a bit. He was glad that Lance was finally treating him like a proper assistant. He couldn’t wait to start doing proper work. If only his desk was where it used to be then everything would be perfect.

Vincent tried his best to concentrate on his work, but he could feel Lance’s heavy stare the whole time. He did his best to avoid looking at Lance but he couldn’t help it. He peeked at Lance and Vincent saw him smiling. That smile; every time Lance would smile that way to him, he feels that he is going to melt.

“Could you explain this whole new set-up?” Vincent asked, not able to hold his patience in anymore. His tone was very curious and yet skeptical.

“What? I thought you wanted to do real work, so that’s why I gave you those proposals to review.” Lance answered with a smile.

“You know that’s not what I’m talking about.” Vincent’s tone was a bit impatient, but Lance only smiled at him.

“Why? Don’t you like your new space? It’s a lot more comfortable here; it’s private, it has a nice view and most of all you could have as much gourmet hot cocoa as you want.” Lance said walking towards his brand new hot cocoa maker. “You love chocolates right.” Lance made Vincent a cup of hot cocoa and brought it to his desk.

Vincent was seriously impressed by Lance’s effort. He stared at Lance for a good few seconds before snapping back to his senses. He was almost swept away by Lance. “What is this all about?!” Vincent found himself agitated, he stood up and his voice rose a bit.

“Why are you raising your voice?” Lance looked at him. “You said I was bullying you by calling you constantly, I realized that it was inconvenient for you to stand up to come here every ten minutes just because I wanted to see you, your ears might be hurting as well because I called you many times because I want to hear your voice, so I put your desk in my office…” Lance moved closer to Vincent. “This way I could see you and hear your voice all day long, without anyone getting in my way.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lance could see how flustered Vince was. Vince was blushing and quite speechless. He could also see him staring at his lips. He leaned forward and Vince fell on his chair. Lance leaned closer while his hands were pressed on the armrests of the chair. “Why are you blushing? Why are you staring at my lips? Do you want me to kiss you?” The expression on Vince’s face was simply priceless. He promised himself that he would stop teasing Vince, but he just couldn’t help it. Vince was simply so adorable that he loses control.

“If I say yes, would you do it?” Vince replied with a serious tone and expression.

Lance was taken aback, he expected Vince to retort or even shout back at him. He was momentarily confused until he realized that Vince was playing with him. He leaned closer, their noses almost touching. “Do you think I would back out after hearing that?”

“Not at all.” Vince did not budge at all. “Come on, Lance, kiss me.” Hearing Vince says his name in a very enticing voice really tested Lance’s self-control. Vince smiled and his arms were on Lance’s shoulder. “Do you want me to close my eyes?” That did it.

If that continued, Lance felt that he would lose his control completely, he felt that he might do something more than simply kissing Vince. Something he wouldn’t dare do. Not yet. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt or insult Vince.

He froze for a moment before moving away. “Go back to work.” Lance was still a bit uneasy, his mind was still in fuzz, and his heart was still racing.

He saw Vince grinning. That guy really knows how to push people’s buttons, he really knows how to get into your head. Lance wondered if Vince had ever lost in an argument. They both focused on work for a few hours, but it didn’t last long.

“Do you live with your parents?” Lance suddenly asked. He couldn’t bear the silence. He found it a waste not to be able to talk with Vince seriously. He really doesn’t know what to ask.

Vince was reading the papers and answered without looking at him. “I don’t have parents anymore.” Vince replied seriously. Lance felt instantly bad; he could hear the sadness in Vince’s voice. “My mom passed away when I was in high school, and I don’t have a father.”

Lance was quiet for a moment, not really knowing what to say. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.” He said apologetically.

“There’s nothing to apologize about.” Vince said.

“Your father…” Lance couldn’t continue his question, he was unsure if he should continue asking Vince about it.

“He left my mother after he found out that she was pregnant.” Vince answered nonchalantly. “Besides my friends, you’re the first one that I ever told that to. I don’t know, I just feel that I could trust you. I feel that I could tell you everything.” Vince looked at Lance.

“I’m happy to hear that. I feel that we are closer already.” Lance said with a smile. Having Vince confide in him made him really happy.

“About yesterday…”

“I’m not going to take back my words. I mean every single one of it.”

“How could you say you like me? You’ve just met me and spent less than a day with me. And most importantly, I’m a guy…”

“The time we spent together had nothing to do with it, some people take years before they found out they like someone, it just so happened that I figured it out instantly. So what if you are a guy? I like you and that’s that.”

Lance couldn’t understand the look on Vince’s face. There was something amiss. It was like Vince was lost in his own thoughts. The door opened and Mr. Jones stepped into the office, breaking the awkward silence.

He gave Lance a folder. “Cibo Per L’anima.” Lance read. “I’ve never heard of this restaurant.”

“It’s fairly new, but it’s garnering so much attention. It’s very famous to gourmets, and some even fly from other cities just to eat there. They submitted their company profile just today; they want to join the food expo. It’s not only the food that’s gathering attention, though but also the chef; Henry Amato, the grandson of, Cedric Amato, the Soul Chef.”

“Did you just say, Soul Chef?” Vince suddenly asked very curiously. Mr. Jones simply nodded at him. He went through his things and took out a little black notebook bound in leather. “It’s here.” Vince said with a smile.

“I’ll review this; you could go back to work.” Lance said to Mr. Jones while his eyes were on the smiling Vince. “Why do you look so happy?” Lance was curious. Vince ignored his question and continued on reading the notebook. “Vince!”

“What?” He looked really surprised. Then he smiled. “Could you take me to Cibo Per L’anima during lunch? I’ll do anything you want in exchange.” He asked.

“Vince…” Lance said. “Are you asking me to take you out on a date?”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“For the hundredth time, this is not a date.” Vincent complained as he sat on the passenger seat of Lance’s car. He shouldn’t have asked Lance, he kept on thinking that on the way, but still Lance would be a big help to him.

Lance suddenly stepped on the break and looked at Vincent seriously. “We could still turn back now.” He said with a naughty smile.

“What?”

“If you don’t agree that this is a date then I won’t bring you to Cibo Per L’anima.” Lance said with a grin. “Didn’t you say that you would do everything if I bring you there?”

Vincent looked at Lance, a little bit ticked off. “I said I would do anything you want, not everything! Besides, I’ve never said that this is a date in the first place.” Vincent looked away.

“I’m serious, I’ll turn back now.” Lance threatened.

“Hey! Aren’t you being childish! You already agreed to bring me there!” Vincent turned to Lance.

“Why are you always shouting at me? I’m still your boss.”

Because you always make me lose my mind. Your stares, your smile, and your voice, everything about you makes me lose my mind. He thought, though there was no way he would ever let Lance know that.

Lance leaned closer to him. “So what is it, Vince?”

Vincent closed his eyes and sighed defeated. “Fine, you win.” He said stubbornly.

“Where are we going?” Lance prompted teasingly.

“Date. Date. We’re going out on a date. Are you happy now?” Vincent said childishly ticked-off.

Lance smiled widely then went back to driving. “Very happy.”

As Fredrick said; Cibo Per L’anima was a very famous restaurant. There was a long line of customers outside waiting to be seated. Vincent almost lost hope that he would be able to get in that day. “It seems impossible for us to get in now.” Vincent said hopelessly.

“Don’t sulk, who do you take me for?” Lance said confidently. “Come on, let’s get in.”

“Even if we fall in line right now, there’s no way we could get in before lunchtime is over.” Vincent sighed.

A parking attendant approached the car as he and Lance walked out. The attendant took the keys and drove off. “Just trust me.” Lance said with a smile.

They walked straight to the entrance without even falling in line. “Mr. Wolfe, we’ve been waiting for you.” A waitress on the entrance greeted them before escorting them to their table.

Their table was secluded by curtains from the other customers. The restaurant itself looked very expensive, and the diners inside looked very rich and sophisticated as well. Vincent understood how easily they got in. Lance was a Director of Frost Industries, the most respected company when it comes to food services. “I should have expected this from someone like you.” Vincent said honestly in awe.

“So, why do you want to go here? Does it have to do with the notebook you read at the office?” Lance asked curiously.

“You saw that…” Vincent chuckled. “Before my mother died, she left me that notebook. It’s a chocolate recipe notebook. In that notebook are recipes that she made for certain people. It was her dying wish that I make those people the recipes that she left behind. For years I’ve been doing exactly that, there are seven recipes left, but I can’t find the people they were for.” Vincent was still confused as to why he found it so easy to tell Lance everything, he felt that he could fully trust Lance no matter what.

“Why is that?” Lance asked, very interested.

“Because unlike the other recipes, the names of the people whom she made the recipes for were not written. Those seven recipes, instead of writing to whom it was dedicated for, she wrote code names. The ‘Soul Chef’ is one of those. I’m still wondering why, it’s not like the recipes are that difficult or special, some of the seven are very simple.” Vincent was smiling the entire time he talked about it.

“Hearing and seeing you talk happily about that is really amazing. I feel happy as well. I’m happy that you told me about that, I feel that I’m getting to know you more and more. For you to be able to tell me these things, I feel really special.” Lance’s stare was making Vincent’s heart race.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Vincent protested as Lance held his hand. He tried to pull away but Lance gripped his hand tightly. “Hey! Aren’t you letting go?”

“We’re on a date, aren’t we? It’s only natural to hold hands.” Lance said with a smile. Vincent was about to protest. “You agreed to do everything that I want, remember. Right now, I want to hold your hand.”

Vincent’s heart was pounding. He was worried that Lance might feel his swift pulse through his fingers. He didn’t want Lance to know about what he feels just yet. The truth was; he wanted to hold Lance’s hand back.

They were silent for a moment, looking at each other straight in the eyes. Vincent felt that if that continues he would lose control. His mind was blank, he couldn’t think of anything at all. Then Lance finally smiled at him. Vincent felt like he was shot straight through the heart. His heart skipped a beat, and he pulled his hand away in surprise.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lance had been observing Vince very carefully. He could see Vince blushing and he could feel Vince’s pulse as he held his hand. It was obvious to him that Vince was feeling nervously twitterpated. But why does Vince kept on acting like he wasn’t interested at him at all?

The food tastes great. Lance understood why the restaurant was very famous. Watching Vince eat the food happily made Lance feel even fuller. He hasn’t got the chance to eat much at all, because most of the time he was watching Vince with a smile.

“Lance, could you hear that?” Vince asked curiously. Vince stood up and moved his ear closer to the curtain, separating their private space from another.

“Vince, what are you doing? Come back here…” Lance said worriedly.

“Shhh…” Vince hissed with his finger on his lips.

It was then that Lance stood up and tried to pull Vince back to his seat. “I know that face. You don’t have to say anything. As I expected, you still couldn’t acknowledge my cooking at all.” The voice came from the other side, it sounded very hurt and crossed.

“My food? Oh... That must be Henry Amato talking.” Vincent sounded very interested.

“What do you think you’re doing? Why are you eavesdropping?” Lance tried to pull Vince again, but Vince wouldn’t budge.

“You’re wrong.” It was the voice of an old man. “Your food tastes good, but it’s missing something. Because of that, I could not enjoy your cooking. If this is the kind of food that you would serve, this restaurant wouldn’t last long. A much newer one would be built, and a much younger and talented chef would take your place. If you continue to cook this way, your food would soon be forgotten, and your customers would grow tired of it. Until you learn how to cook properly, I would never acknowledge you as a chef.”

They heard the sound of a chair moving and Lance hurriedly pulled Vince to his seat. Lance saw the figure of the old man walked past them.

“Grandfather, I would prove you wrong.” They heard Henry Amato said then left back to the kitchen.

Vince’s eyes widened. “That was Cedric Amato!” He said and stood up. He was smiling. “I’m going after him…” He didn’t even let Lance speak. He walked out of the restaurant in a hurry. The only thing that Lance could do was smile. He found it very adorable that Vince was so dedicated to doing his mom’s last wish.

Vince came back very disappointed; he wasn’t able to catch up to Cedric. Lance tried everything to cheer him up, but Vince was still very sulky. He didn’t even touch his dessert.

They were back in Lance’s car, and Vince sighed as he sat down. “That was such a wasted opportunity, Cedric was so close, but he still got away. His grandson wasn’t in the mood to talk either.” Vince sighed again.

Looking at Vince sulk, Lance felt bad. He reached for Vince’s hand and touched it. To his surprise, Vince did not protest. “You’ll have more opportunity in the future, at least now you know who the ‘Soul Chef’ is.”

“You’re right.” Vince said. “Ahh… that’s right.” Vince moved his hand away from Lance and took his phone out.

Seeing Lance use the phone he bought for him made Lance happy.

“Wow! He’s amazing! Plus, he’s really good looking.” Hearing Vince says that made Lance immediately step on the break. “What do you think you’re doing?” Vince said, looking very surprised.

“Hey! What are you doing? Who are you talking about?” Lance asked, he sounded very impatient.

Vince took a peek at his phone. “It’s nothing.” He answered guiltily.

“Show me that.” Lance tried to take the phone from Vince, but Vince moved his hand away. “Give me that.” They struggled and fought for the phone for a few seconds until Lance successfully took it from Vince.

On the screen of the phone was a picture of a handsome chef, the photo was labeled ‘Henry Amato, the generation’s youngest superstar chef!’ Lance became really irritated. Not because of the picture, but because Vince just praised Henry and even said that the man was good looking.

He threw the phone back to Vince and drove again. He was in a pretty bad mood after that. He didn’t want to act that childish, but he just couldn’t help it. He just likes Vince so much, to the point that he gets jealous of anyone so easily.

It just irritates him so much that Vince was praising another man. It would be fine, if Vince just praised Henry’s achievements, but saying that Henry looks good was just too much for Lance to handle.