Growing connections

The next few days turned into a whirlwind of collaboration and budding intimacy. With Mia's published article gaining acceptance and her followers asking for more if such and the kitchen beaming with activities, the two fell into a beautiful rhythmic routine. Conversations flowed easily between them on phone during Leo's break time, laughter brightened their evenings, and stolen glances lingered longer than necessary whenever Mia dropped by for lunch or dinner in the restaurant and they crossed paths.

One evening, after the dinner rush, Mia stayed back in the restaurant as was her recent usual practice. "So," she started, resting her back against the counter. "What's next plan of action? What's your ultimate goal?"

Leo felt a flutter in his stomach at her curiosity. "It has always been my dream to expand," he said. "Create a sort of culinary school. It's something my grandmother dreamed of. To teach others about food and culture and it's something I'd love to do too."

Mia's eyes lit up. "That's an amazing plan! You inspire so many people already. I'm sure a lot of them would be willing to learn from you."

And then, without thinking, Leo blurted out, "Wanna join me?"

Surprise flickered across her face. "Me? Join you? As what?"

"Why not?" he replied, his heart pounding. "You have the creativity, the ever active taste buds, the right words for criticism and passion, the page also—together, we could make something truly beautiful and special."

Mia's expression softened as she absorbed his words, but a hint of hesitation crossed her features. "What about our 'once-rival'?"

"Rivalry? It was never about that for me," he replied earnestly. "I respect you as a critic, a food lover and as a person. Let's combine our strengths instead of fighting against each other with them."

As she looked at him, she felt a spark of desire and admiration in the air, an undeniable pull that intrigued her, intrigued them both.

With the restaurant's substantial success and growth , both Leo and Mia faced an internal battle— a kind of war between ambition and the fragile emotions they had dancing around them.

One evening, they found themselves in the kitchen after Leo's dinner prep hours, cooking for fun. It had become a daily habit between them; Mia waiting behind after having dinner at the restaurant, then cleaning up and cooking with Leo.

As they chopped vegetables, Leo turned to Mia, his voice low. "Do you feel it?"

"Feel what?" She asked innocently.

"The chemistry between us?" he responded with a sly smile.

Mia paused, her breath hitching. "You mean the tension?"

"There is no tension," Leo asserted, stepping closer, "for me, it's something deeper."

The atmosphere became charged, the world outside becoming an unnoticeable distraction as she searched his eyes for answers, caught in the emotions darting between them.

"This might complicate a whole lot of things for both of us" she cautioned softly, her heartbeat racing.

He brushed her arm with his lightly, sending electric shocks coursing through them both. "Maybe it's meant to be. Nothing good is simple. It's always complicated."

She looked up into his eyes and with that, the barrier they had built started crumbling away softly, taken over by desire as they leaned towards one another, breathless anticipation filling the space between them.