Chapter 30: The Unspoken Recipe

The first call to morning prayer wove through Maya's consciousness, pulling her gently from sleep from the horid dream of the past. She lay still for a moment, wrapped in the lingering warmth of slumber, listening as the echoes of the prayer faded into the quiet hush of dawn.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt… at peace.

It was an unfamiliar sensation. Rest was a luxury she had long learned to live without, and yet, this morning, her body did not carry the usual weight of exhaustion. The relentless thoughts that often clung to her upon waking—memories of the past, the ever-growing demands of the present—were strangely muted.

She sat up, stretching slightly as the soft glow of morning light filtered through the sheer curtains. Outside, the estate remained silent, untouched by the chaos of the world beyond. It was a rare moment, a brief pause before the day's responsibilities set in.

Slipping out of bed, she dressed swiftly in her usual attire—dark, professional, and efficient. Her morning routine was muscle memory at this point, a ritual that kept her grounded. Order. Structure. These were the things that allowed her to move forward.

By the time she stepped into the dining hall, breakfast had already been served. The rich aroma of brewed coffee and fresh bread filled the air, the table meticulously arranged as always. Yet something was… wrong.

Noor's seat was empty.

Maya's fingers tightened around the edge of the chair she had been about to pull out.

Noor was never late. She was always here, always the first, always poised at the head of the table like an unshakable pillar of authority.

A ripple of unease ran through her.

"Where is she?" she asked, her voice controlled, but sharp.

The head steward, an older man who had served Noor for years, lowered his head respectfully. "The Lady has not yet arrived."

Maya glanced at the untouched plate set for Noor, the stillness of it unsettling. Noor was a creature of habit—an iron will that dictated the rhythm of everything around her. For her to deviate from that rhythm…

Something wasn't right.

Maya turned on her heel, her steps swift as she left the dining hall.

She knew better than to ask questions. If Noor had broken her routine, it was not without reason. But that didn't stop the tightness in Maya's chest as she made her way toward Noor's private chambers.

And then, just as she reached the corridor, something unexpected stopped her in her tracks.

A scent.

Faint, delicate—something warm and rich, curling through the air in soft tendrils. It was…

Cooking?

Maya frowned. That didn't make sense. Noor never cooked. The estate had world-class chefs, a kitchen staff that catered to every necessity. The idea of Noor standing over a stove was as strange as the idea of the sun refusing to rise.

Her steps slowed as she followed the scent, drawn by something deeper than curiosity.

And then she saw her.

Noor stood in the small private kitchen, her silk sleeves rolled just past her wrists, her hands deftly moving as she flipped something on a cast-iron skillet. The soft sizzle of batter meeting heat filled the quiet space, accompanied only by the faintest hum from Noor herself.

Maya froze in the doorway.

It wasn't just the act that startled her—it was the image.

Noor, who had the power to command nations with a single glance. Noor, whose presence alone could make the strongest men falter. Noor, who had always seemed untouchable, unmovable—

She was standing at a stove, making breakfast.

And for a reason she couldn't quite explain, it sent a ripple of unease through Maya's chest.

---

Here's Part 2, where Maya and Noor engage in a conversation filled with subtle power shifts, unspoken thoughts, and psychological depth.

---

Maya stood frozen in the doorway, watching Noor move with practiced ease, as if this was something she had done a thousand times before. Yet Maya knew—knew—that Noor hadn't touched a stove in years.

The soft glow of the kitchen lanterns cast long shadows across the room, their flickering light illuminating Noor's sharp features. She was quiet, methodical, precise in every movement.

Maya hesitated. "You're... cooking." It wasn't a question. It was an observation, tinged with disbelief.

Noor glanced up, meeting her gaze without surprise. If anything, she seemed mildly amused by Maya's reaction. "Good morning to you too, Maya."

Maya swallowed, stepping inside, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. A stack of neatly plated pancakes sat beside the stove, golden brown and perfect. The faint scent of honey and butter lingered in the air.

"Why?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.

Noor raised a brow, tilting her head slightly. "Why not?"

Maya didn't have an answer for that.

Silence stretched between them, filled only by the soft sizzle of batter meeting heat. Maya suddenly felt out of place, uncertain of how to navigate this moment. Noor, standing there like this, felt human in a way that unsettled her.

Noor must have sensed it. "Sit," she said simply, gesturing to the small table near the counter.

Maya hesitated for only a second before obeying. She wasn't sure why she felt compelled to listen. Maybe it was the way Noor said it—not a request, not an order, but something in between. A quiet authority that made refusal feel… impossible.

Noor slid a plate in front of her, then took the seat opposite, her movements unhurried. "Try it," she said, watching her with those unreadable eyes.

Maya picked up her fork and took a careful bite.

The moment the soft, warm pancake melted on her tongue, she stilled.

It was… familiar. Nostalgic. As if she had tasted this exact dish before, in a time long past, though she couldn't quite place when. The simplicity of it—the warmth, the softness—it reminded her of something… safe.

She looked up, and Noor was watching her intently.

"Good?" Noor asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Maya nodded slowly, swallowing. "Yes. It's… delicious."

Noor exhaled softly, leaning back in her chair. "Good. I was afraid I'd lost the skill."

Maya studied her for a moment, the unease settling deeper in her chest.

"You used to cook?" she asked carefully.

Noor was silent for a long moment before she spoke. "When life was simpler."She smiled.

Maya almost frowned. When life was simpler? Noor never spoke of her past. It was a locked vault, a history erased from the world's records.

"Why now?" Maya found herself asking.

Noor's lips curved slightly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Sometimes, we do things just to remind ourselves that we can."

Maya didn't know what to say to that.

Another silence stretched between them. This one was different—heavy, filled with something unspoken. Noor, for all her effortless grace, looked… tired.

Maya felt a sudden pang in her chest, an urge to say something, to ask something—

But before she could, Noor shifted, her expression sharpening back into its usual composed mask. "Are you having nightmares again?" she asked abruptly.

Maya blinked.

"You look like you haven't slept at all," Noor continued, sipping her tea. "Take the day off if you need to."

Maya shook her head quickly. "No, I'm fine. Actually… I slept well last night. For the first time in a while."

Noor raised a brow. "Is that so?"

Maya nodded, then hesitated before speaking again. "It reminded me of back then. When you… saved us."

Noor was silent.

Maya lowered her gaze slightly, staring at her plate. "I still remember that day so clearly. The war had destroyed everything. I thought we'd die in that place, all of us. And then… you came."

Noor didn't respond immediately. When she finally spoke, her voice was quieter, but steady. "Because someone called me,Maya."

Maya lifted her eyes. "Was it?"

Noor tilted her head slightly, as if considering her. "If not me, then who else would have come?"

The words sent a strange chill down Maya's spine.

Noor exhaled, setting her cup down. "Perhaps it was God's will. After all, how else would I have found such an excellent secretary like my Maya?"

Maya's heart clenched at the warmth in Noor's tone.

She had always known Noor saw her as valuable. But this… was different. It was rare to hear affection slip into Noor's voice.

She swallowed, looking away. "I only serve because you gave me a reason to."

"And you serve well." Noor's voice was unreadable again, the moment of warmth vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.

A silence fell over them once more.

Maya wanted to say something—wanted to ask something—but the words refused to come.

And then, Noor pushed her plate aside and stood. "Enough sentimentality for one morning."

Maya nodded, quickly regaining her composure. "Right. We should discuss the schedule for today."

Noor glanced at her, a faint smirk on her lips. "Always diligent, aren't you?"

Maya straightened. "It's my job."

"Indeed."

But as Noor turned away, something flickered across her expression—something unreadable, something hidden behind the steel of her usual demeanor.

And Maya couldn't shake the feeling that beneath the surface, something was shifting.

Something she wasn't sure she understood.

---

Here's Part 3, where Maya and Noor transition back into their usual roles, but with a mix of humor, sarcasm, and subtle psychological tension.

---

Maya pulled out her tablet, forcing herself to focus on work. Noor had already shifted back into her usual unreadable state, her momentary warmth buried beneath layers of quiet authority. But Maya still felt that something lingering in the air.

She cleared her throat. "Alright, today's schedule. We have—"

Noor held up a hand, stopping her mid-sentence. "Maya."

Maya tensed instinctively. "Yes?"

"You have syrup on your face."

Maya blinked. "What?"

Noor sighed, reaching for a napkin before tossing it across the table. "Wipe it before you start looking like a lost child."

Maya scowled, snatching the napkin. "I am not a lost child."

"Debatable." Noor sipped her tea, her expression unreadable—but Maya swore she saw the faintest hint of amusement in her eyes.

Maya wiped her face, muttering, "I didn't realize having breakfast with you meant having my dignity shredded before noon."

Noor gave a soft hum. "Consider it a privilege. Not many get this kind of personal attention from me."

Maya narrowed her eyes. "Oh yes, what an honor to be publicly humiliated by the great Noor herself."

Noor arched a brow. "Publicly? There's no one here, Maya."

Maya huffed. "Still feels like a personal attack."

Noor smirked, finally rising from her seat. "Come, let's walk. I listen better when I'm moving."

Maya stood, grabbing her tablet, her mind still reeling from the oddness of the morning. They exited the kitchen, their footsteps echoing through the vast hallways.

"First on your schedule," Maya began, "a meeting with the advertising team about the upcoming campaign."

Noor nodded. "Remind me, which company did you hire?"

"Saito & Co."

Noor made a noncommittal sound. "If they waste my time with impractical ideas, I will make them regret it."

Maya smirked. "I'll bring extra tissues for when they inevitably start crying."

Noor shot her a side glance. "Good thinking."

They continued walking, passing through the gardens where the morning air was crisp and cool. The momentary silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't exactly peaceful either.

Maya hesitated before speaking. "Can I ask something?"

Noor didn't look at her. "You always do."

Maya rolled her eyes. "Why did you really cook this morning?"

Noor's steps didn't falter, but there was a noticeable pause before she answered. "I already told you."

Maya scoffed. "Right. 'To remind yourself that you can.' That's the official version. What's the real one?"

Noor finally turned her gaze toward her, studying her carefully. "Maya, do you ever do something simply because you don't want to forget who you were before everything changed?"

Maya opened her mouth, then closed it.

Because she did.

She remembered the nights she still slept with a dagger under her pillow, despite being in the safest place in the world. She remembered standing outside during storms because the sound of rain was the only thing that made her feel grounded.

She understood.

Noor must have seen the realization on her face because she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Good. Then you already have your answer."

Maya exhaled, shaking her head. "You know, for someone who acts like she doesn't have emotions, you sure like messing with my head."

Noor smirked. "It's a talent."

Maya shot her a look. "A very annoying one."

"Thank you."

Maya sighed dramatically. "That wasn't a compliment."

"It sounded like one."

Maya groaned. "I take it back."

Noor chuckled, a soft, rare sound, before glancing ahead. "Alright, what's next on my schedule?"

Maya glanced at her tablet. "After the ad team, you have a private investor meeting, then an orphanage visit, and—" She frowned. "And at precisely six, you have an appointment marked as 'important—do not reschedule.'"

Noor nodded. "Ah, that."

Maya narrowed her eyes. "That what?"

Noor didn't answer immediately. Then, with a faint smirk, she simply said, "You'll see."

Maya groaned. "I hate when you do that."

"I know."

And just like that, the morning with Noor continued—lighthearted on the surface, but underneath, shadows lingered. Because Maya knew Noor well enough to understand one thing:

When Noor did something unusual, it was never just about the act itself.

It was about something deeper.

Something that had yet to be said.

And Maya couldn't shake the feeling that whatever it was…

It wasn't going to be simple.

---

Maya and Noor had barely made it past the main corridor when an unmistakable voice rang out behind them.

"Finally! There you are!"

Zeyla, draped in an extravagant velvet coat (despite the perfectly mild weather), strode toward them with the confidence of someone who had far too much free time.

"Madam Noor," she greeted, adjusting her sunglasses even though they were indoors. "I have been searching everywhere for you two. You won't believe what I just heard."

Maya sighed. "If this is about the latest celebrity scandal—"

"No, no, this is serious." Zeyla waved a hand dramatically before plopping onto a nearby bench, throwing her legs over the armrest as if she owned the place. "Rumor has it, our dearest Ladyship actually cooked this morning."

Maya froze.

Zeyla grinned, her sharp gaze flickering between them. "Ah, so it's true?"

Noor, who had been uncharacteristically silent, merely turned to Zeyla with a calm, unreadable expression. "I fail to see how this is newsworthy."

Zeyla scoffed. "Oh, Madam . You, cooking? That's like hearing a lion decided to take up gardening. It's unnatural."

Maya stifled a laugh. "She actually made pancakes."

Zeyla gasped. "Pancakes?! Not just any cooking, but comfort food? What's next? Will you start knitting by the fireplace while offering us life advice?"

Noor tilted her head slightly, her gaze distant. "Knitting requires patience and care. A single misstep ruins the entire piece."

Zeyla blinked. "…That was not a no."

Maya nudged Noor. "Are you going to tell her why you cooked or just let her keep spiraling into conspiracy theories?"

Noor exhaled softly, her expression still unreadable. "Why do people cook, Zeyla?"

Zeyla huffed. "To eat, obviously."

Noor's lips curved ever so slightly. "Wrong."

Zeyla raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

Noor's voice was quiet, almost distant. "Cooking is an act of control. You take raw elements, shape them, manipulate them, until they become something nourishing. Something safe. It is one of the few acts in life where you can dictate the outcome with certainty."

A beat of silence.

Zeyla blinked. Then turned to Maya. "Okay. Soooo, either our Lady is slowly descending into madness, or she's having an existential crisis over breakfast. Should we be concerned?"

Maya shook her head. "Welcome to my morning."

Zeyla turned back to Noor, studying her. "Are you sure you're okay? Because if this is the start of some mid-life philosopher arc, I need time to emotionally prepare."

Noor gave a soft hum, neither confirming nor denying anything. "Everyone should know how to cook, Zeyla. If you can't, you are forever at the mercy of someone else."

Zeyla narrowed her eyes. "That sounded… vaguely threatening."

"Did it?" Noor took a slow step forward, and for some reason, Zeyla immediately sat up straighter.

"Okay, I'm sensing the energy shift here," Zeyla muttered. "I was aiming for 'casual teasing' but now I feel like I'm about to be psychologically dissected."

Maya smirked. "She does that."

Zeyla groaned, throwing her hands up. "Fine. I'll stop questioning your newfound culinary awakening. But if I do catch you knitting, Madam, I will be taking a photo."

Noor gave her a knowing look. "Then I suppose I should make sure you never do."

Zeyla shuddered. "…That was the scariest way to say 'I don't knit' I've ever heard."

Maya laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, Zeyla, we actually have work to do. Are you just here for fun or did you need something?"

Zeyla sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. I came to ask if Lady Noor was planning to make an appearance at tonight's charity gala."

Maya turned to Noor, expectant.

Noor merely stared at Zeyla for a long moment before saying, "Do you believe that, in a room full of people, one can still feel completely alone?"

Zeyla blinked. "…I hate when you answer a yes-or-no question with something that sounds like it belongs in a tragedy."

Maya sighed. "That's a 'no,' Zeyla."

Zeyla threw her hands up. "You see? This is what I mean. "

Noor gave a faint, unreadable smile. "And yet, here you are."

Zeyla groaned, rubbing her temples. "I'm leaving before you give me an identity crisis."

Maya smirked. "Too late."

Zeyla shot them both a glare before dramatically flipping her coat and striding away. "Fine! But if you change your mind, don't let me find out through a newspaper article!"

As she disappeared down the hall, Maya turned to Noor with an amused look. "You do like messing with her, don't you?"

Noor merely sipped her tea. "It keeps her sharp."

Maya shook her head, smiling. "And you say she's dramatic."

Noor didn't deny it.