"Lana!" Max shouted, running to the front door with Lily right beside him as their backpacks bounced behind them. Lana was waiting for them on the porch with a warm smile spread across her face.
"How were my little adventurers today?" she asked, pulling them into a hug.
"Good!" said Lily, chirping away. "I got a gold star for my painting, and Max got picked to lead the science project!"
"Really?" Lana exclaimed with sparkling eyes. "That's amazing! You two are unstoppable!"
Max just blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "It wasn't a big deal."
"It *is* a big deal," Lana said, mussing his hair. "Now, go upstairs and change. Lunch will be ready soon."
The kids ran into the house, still laughing, as they pounded up the stairs. Lana smiled after them before turning herself and heading into the house with them. She was on her way to the kitchen when Evelyn entered, the click of her heels on the tiled floor would always make her announcement.
"Well, well," Evelyn announced, looking around the room like the boss "Where's everybody?"
Lana gave a polite greeting, but Evelyn didn't answer. She excused herself while Evelyn went into the kitchen. Evelyn called to the maids, clapping her hands for attention.
"Listen, everybody," she said. "Today, I'll be taking over lunch. You're excused."
The maids stared at each other in surprise, but did as she said. Evelyn cooks rarely, and never without some sort of intentions and assistance. Smiling, she tied on an apron, as she began to take out ingredients.
Upstairs, Max and Lily had heard the announcement.
"This is our chance," Lily whispered, her eyes alight now with revenge.
Max grinned, already getting it. "To teach her a lesson, right?
"Exactly," said Lily, "We'll make this lunch one to remember!"
"Yeah, let's do that!"
Before they could devise a plan and relate it to Lana, Lana's phone buzzed. She frowned as she looked at the screen.
"It's the bank," she said, a trace of worry in her voice. "You know what? Max, Lily, just stay in your room for now, all right? I'll be back in a minute."
"Yes, Miss Lana," they chorused, their angelic smiles masking their true intentions.
As Lana stepped into the study to take the call, the children tiptoed downstairs, their mischievous plan unfolding. Peering into the kitchen, they saw Evelyn focused on stirring a pot, humming to herself. The coast was clear.
"Let's add the pepper," Max whispered, holding up a jar of ground chili.
"And more of this!" Lily choked, reaching for a container of hot spices.
Together, they sprinkled the hot ingredients into the bubbling sauce, holding their snickers. Satisfied with the deed, they turned silently and crept back upstairs. Coming out of the study, Lana met them in the hallway.
"Did you behave yourselves while I was gone?" she asked suspiciously.
"Yes," said Lily, all sweetness.
Max nodded, with exaggerated innocence. "We were perfect."
Lana arched an eyebrow but let it go. "Alright, let's go down for lunch."
When they reached the dining room, Evelyn was already there, setting the table with a triumphant smile. Nikolai entered moments later, his tie slightly loosened from a busy day at the office.
What's all this?" he asked, nodding toward the neatly set table.
"I decided to cook lunch myself," Evelyn declared, beaming.
Nikolai cocked an eyebrow but said nothing, taking his seat at the head of the table. Lana helped Max and Lily settle into their chairs, her gaze flickering curiously toward Evelyn's concoctions.
Evelyn served the dishes with a flourish, setting bowls of soup before each of them. "Enjoy," she said, setting herself down with a self-satisfied smirk.
Lana took a cautious sip and promptly widened her eyes as it set her tongue afire. Across the table, Nikolai wheezed and reached for his water.
"What *is* this?" he asked, voice hoarse.
Max and Lily buried their faces in their hands, holding in their laughter as they watched the adults squirm. Lana quickly covered her mouth with a napkin so as not to sputter.
"It's… spicy," she managed to say diplomatically.
"Spicy?" Nikolai exclaimed, his face flushed as he gulped down more water. "This is practically molten lava!"
Evelyn looked appalled. "I don't understand," she stammered, "I followed the recipe to the letter!"
"Did you taste it while it was cooking?" Nikolai asked, his voice sharp.
Evelyn faltered, looking nervously at the untouched spoon beside her. "I. I was going to, but I got distracted.
Max and Lily exchanged a victorious look, each trying their best to look neutrally expressionless. Lana, on the other hand, was doing all she could to suppress suspicion.
"Evelyn," Nikolai said, patience decidedly thin, "you cannot serve anything without first having tasted it. This could have been dangerous."
"I didn't mean for it to turn out this way!" Evelyn protested, her cheeks hot red with embarrassment.
Despite herself, Lana felt a twinge of guilt. She opened her mouth to intervene, but Max shot her a warning look, subtly shaking his head.
"Maybe next time," Nikolai went on, "you should leave the cooking to the professionals."
Evelyn looked like she would have argued if she could but instead nodded stiffly. "I'll… take care of this mess," she muttered, gathering the plates with her trembling hands.
The children contained their laughter until Evelyn had disappeared into the kitchen, after which they no longer could.
"Max, Lily," Lana said firmly, her suspicions now confirmed. "Did you two have anything to do with this?"
Max hesitated, but Lily quickly responded. "No, Miss Lana," she said, her wide eyes the picture of innocence.
Lana narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. "I'm watching you two," she warned, though her lips twitched into what looked like a smile.
As the chaotic meal drew to an end, Nikolai leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. "That was… unforgettable."
"Unforgettable indeed," Lana murmured, casting a suspicious gaze at the children.
Max and Lily kept a straight face, focusing on their veggies. Trying so hard not to make eye contact with Lana.