The Talk.

Rufina’s POV

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"This looks amazing," I spoke out, genuinely taken aback by the beaut in the plate.

Xander shrugged, a modest smile playing on his lips. "One of the few things I enjoy doing in my spare time, it'll taste incredible." I smile at that.

We took our seats at the counter, the setting informal and warm. I took a bite of the salmon, my taste buds instantly delighted by the explosion of flavors. Tuna had been a lost cause after my mistake. The salmon was perfectly cooked, the skin crispy and the flesh tender and flavorful. The vegetables were just the right amount of tender, with a hint of caramelization.

"This is delicious," I admitted, meeting his eyes. "Seriously, where did you learn to cook like this?"

He chuckled softly. "Let's just say, when you live alone as much as I do, you either learn to cook or survive on takeout. I chose the former."

As we ate, the conversation flowed easily. Xander talked about his love for cooking, sharing a few stories about his culinary experiments gone wrong, which made me laugh. He was charming and surprisingly down-to-earth, a far cry from the aloof, powerful CEO I needed for my plans.

"I have to say, you really surprised me," I confessed after a while, putting my fork down. "I didn't expect someone like you to be so...alive? normal?."

"Normal?" He raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "I suppose I'll take that as a compliment."

"It is," I assured him, smiling. "You just...I don't know, you're different from what I expected."

Xander leaned back, studying me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. "And what did you expect?"

I hesitated, searching for the right words. "Someone...uncontrollable, I guess. But you're not. You're kind and funny, and apparently, a fantastic cook."

He laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "I'm glad I could change your mind, then. I’m not a drunkard"

We finished our meal, and I realized that for the first time in a long while, I felt completely at ease with someone around, not even with my family. Do I relax this much? As I looked at Xander, I couldn't help but wonder what other surprises he had in store. Today had given me a glimpse of a man who was once whole but perhaps now beneath his hurt yet aren’t we all are? Buried in hurt?

"Thank you for dinner," I said softly as we cleared the plates. "It was wonderful."

"You're welcome," he replied, his gaze lingering on me. "Maybe I can cook for you again sometime."

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me. "I'd like that but we gotta talk now."

“Yes ma’am” he replied playfully with a mock salute making me roll my eyes.

“The dishes” I say with a sigh as I notice him gathering the plate for the sink.

Xander turned to me sharply, “Your nails?─” he cut himself off with a frown.

“Xander, I do the dishes for myself,” I told him pointedly when he met my eyes. Does he think nails won't let me work?

“Of course,” he whispered agreeably before picking the apron.

After tying an apron around his waist, Xander nodded in satisfaction at how it looked on him, he's intending to help do the dishes.

"So, what did you want to ask me earlier?" he inquired as we began to wash the dishes.

He didn’t wanna know what I'd been intending to ask.

"You promised to tell me a story before shamelessly passing out," I retorted, playfully holding up a fork in a warning stance, his gaze fell to my fingers before he returned the piercing blue eyes to the dishes.

"Yeah, and I will, but I have a tiny request," he replied, raising the mug attentively before placing it on my waiting hands.

I glanced at him suspiciously before I nodded, "Okay,” after turning off the tap and drying my hands with a towel.

We leave the kitchen for the living room.

Silence ensued before he broke it, “Can I stay for the night?”

And oh! When did I put water in my mouth? I just poured half my mouth content on his chest.

He wants to sleep here?! All night?

Why?! What if he refuses to leave tomorrow? What if he dies overnight? What would I say to the police? What if he’s a serial killer and he kills me in my sleep? my eyes widened as I stylishly moved away from him.

“I know it’s a bit inconveniencing but you won’t even know I was here, it’s dangerous to go back to where I was”

Dangerous? How? But I don't ask.

I sigh, ‘kindness,’ Mama would preach if she was here, “Just for the night?” I ask him.

“That we can talk tomorrow,” he said.

“Xander” I warned, my lips pressed in a thin line. What does he mean we’d talk tomorrow? He's leaving at first light, there’s no talking..

“Also, I saw you’re looking for a roommate” he let out and it made me chuckle at the insinuation, had he been touching my stuff?

“Did you go through my stuff?” I suspected.

“Go through, no Rufina, it was spread plainly on your shelf” he defended smoothly so I nodded.

“Yes I'm looking for a roommate, but a relatable woman would be a good choice” I reply briskly, I wasn’t looking for a 6.5, blue-eyed blond. No.

He pinned me with a soft gaze, “I can be very relatable, trust me”

I believe that, because knowing how to cook alone makes him top the chart here, and they’re a lot of women that couldn’t. What about morals?

“I’d think about it, you’d stay for the night and that’s it for now” and that’s very kind of me, I know. Mama would be proud.

“Yes ma’am!” he wailed playfully, making me scoff.