1. 28. A Man Who Can Cook

"Master, Master Zed is in the kitchen," Friday replied without additional context from Leah.

Leah raised an eyebrow and questioned, "Master Zed?"

"Master, isn't Master Zed your chosen fated mate?" Friday asked bashfully.

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"Of course, you will always be my one and only true Master. If you and Master Zed are drowning and I can only save one, I will pick you without hesitation," Friday replied, not missing an opportunity to ingratiate itself with Leah.

Hearing what her little Friday said, Leah frowned and then smiled. "You're very discerning, my little assistant. Keep this up, and you will be the best among your brothers and sisters," she praised.

Friday was not one hundred percent sure, but it had gathered enough evidence to conclude that its Master had more than one subordinate. The primary purpose of Friday's existence was to help the being named Leaf. It might not have emotions or a soul, but its creator added a "Self Preservation" feature at its core when created.

This feature motivates it to keep doing its best to serve its purpose. Otherwise, it will cease to exist.

"Host, please don't forget your mission world quests," Zero exerted his presence, trying to be politely insistent.

"Just because you added 'please' does not mean I will do as you say," Leah replied nonchalantly.

She then got up from the couch and went to the kitchen. Leah knew that someone behind the God System altered Zero's existence, as she had developed Friday. Zero's entire being was tied to the success of the God System, even though he was forcefully contracted as an enslaved person under the being called Leaf. His loyalty lay with the God System.

In the kitchen was Zed, busy cooking. He was so focused that he did not notice Leah entering. Like Leah, Zed subconsciously accepted her presence as something akin to a part of himself.

"What are you doing? Where are the chef and his assistants?" Leah asked Zed while still behind him, but she was ignored.

When she moved closer to his left side, she saw he was preoccupied with his earphones. On the table was a tablet, and on it was the chef's face. It looked like he was teaching Zed how to cook. 

Noticing Leah in his left peripheral vision, Zed covered the tablet camera, turned his head, smiled at her, and continued cooking. He remembered to remove one earpiece so that he could hear her. Leah let Zed be and sat nearby. She just enjoyed watching the man cook. 

Zed's jacket was left hanging on a chair. His sleeves were folded up, almost reaching his elbows. His shirt could not hide his robust upper body or tensing pectoral muscles. The white apron he wore looked small on him, and every movement of his arms revealed his bulging veins, which nurses would love to line up to poke.

"A man who cooks looks handsome," Leah said with a warm smile. She didn't care if Zed or the chef heard her.

After admiring the scene, Leah set up the dining table, noticing that Zed was almost done cooking.

"Two main dishes with three side dishes. Not bad," the chef said. "You followed the instructions perfectly on your first try, and they all look good. You just need to taste them."

"But I have not eaten this before to compare," Zed replied.

The chef nervously smiled. Zed had threatened him with a file detailing his only grandson's misdemeanors from his younger days, forcing the chef to sign an agreement that stated he would not come to Leah's villa unless called by Zed and to teach Zed how to cook. 

The chef wondered how a discharged soldier had gotten hold of those files, which had been erased from government records and online. He had spent a lot of money having those records removed.

"Then Miss Leah would be your judge," the chef replied. He wasn't afraid that Zed would harm the young Miss. Everyone could see how head over heels the big black bear was towards her. The chef didn't know how Leah felt about the situation until he heard her voice in the background, filled with admiration.

The chef was still in shock and even more stunned when he saw Zed's small smile form. He noticed Zed's ears and neck turn red. Working with Zed for the past six days had taught him that Zed had a frozen, stoic face, like a machine, no matter what was happening around him.

However, right now, he is showing human emotions. It looks like he is also one of those bees unable to resist the attractiveness of their young Miss, the chef thought proudly.

"Thank you for today. I will contact you later." Zed canceled the video call and helped Leah set up the dining table.

Sigh.

The chef sighed as he considered his current life. He was contracted solely for Leah, and now that he and his assistants had been forcefully given a vacation, he planned to help his grandson open his restaurant.

In Leah's villa, the dining room was uneventful.

Leah ate with her usual composed expression, and Zed introduced the food while filling her bowl. "Eat," Leah said after putting her utensils down. "I'll eat when you are done eating," Zed insisted.

Leah didn't move, her eyes narrowing to slits as she stared at him intently.

Sensing that Leah wouldn't eat until he did, Zed stopped serving Leah and filled his bowl instead.

Leah picked up her utensils and ate beside Zed, who ate silently. "How was the food?" Zed suddenly asked, looking at Leah with anticipation in his eyes.

Without looking at the man beside her, Leah replied, "Not bad." It tasted great, but Leah did not want to boost the man's ego.

"That's good to hear. Then can I continue cooking for both of us from now on?" Zed asked for permission, stopping eating while watching Leah's expression.

Silence.

Leah paused and looked him in the eyes with a confused expression. "Hmmm, you should have asked me that before cooking," Leah remarked.

"I did ask you early this morning, and you nodded," Zed defensively replied with a stunned expression.

"Friday," Leah asked in her mind. She didn't remember Zed asking questions about cooking or permitting him.

"Yes, Master, he did ask this morning. You suddenly opened your eyes like you were wide awake but were half asleep and stared at Master Zed. You nodded as soon as he asked you."

"Friday?" Leah asked again.

"Yes, Master. It looks like it is one of the body's habits," Friday proudly replied.

"I am removing the habit now," it quickly added.

"It must be my sleeping habits. I was half asleep when you asked me, but sure, you can cook for now. However, you cooking for us is not permanent." Leah was still thinking about the future foods she craved and doubted Zed could cook them for her.

"When you want something specific, tell me, and with the chef's help, I will make it for you. If you have visitors like today, I'll let the chef cook," Zed replied with a smile, continuing to eat. He was confident he could satisfy Leah's palate and wanted her to eat only what he cooked.

Everyone had praised his cooking throughout his entire history of mandatory cooking for others, even though he only put a little effort into it, relying on instinct.

"Why don't we make a bet?" Leah asked.