125

125
Chapter 125
Boss? Is He A Weakling?!

Nikolas slowly opened his eyes, fixing his sharp gaze at him through the mirror. “Do you doubt me?”

Simeon quickly shook his head. “No, no… I’m just saying…”

“Good,” Nikolas said and closed his eyes again.

Dre smirked faintly, whispering, “well… if the kitchen explodes, at least we’ll know who to blame.”

Nikolas’s eyes opened again and Dre froze immediately. “Sorry, boss,” he muttered and faced forward.

When they finally got home, the car pulled up in front of the grand DeSantos mansion. 

The guards bowed as soon as they saw Nikolas step out.

“Welcome back, boss,” they greeted in unison.

Nikolas gave a small nod and walked inside. Simeon and Dre followed behind him.

The maids in the house immediately rushed forward to greet. “Good evening, sir.”

But Nikolas raised his hand. “All of you… leave. I don’t need anyone here right now.”

The maids looked confused but bowed quickly. “Yes, sir.” One by one, they disappeared out of the kitchen area, whispering among themselves.

Simeon leaned closer to Dre and whispered. “This is real… he’s actually going to cook.”

Dre shook his head in disbelief, whispering back, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Nikolas ignored them, his steps heading straight into the large modern kitchen. The place was sparkling, utensils neatly arranged.

Without hesitation, Nikolas pulled off his jacket, throwing it neatly on a chair. He rolled up his sleeves slowly, revealing his strong forearms.

Simeon’s eyes widened. “Oh my… he’s serious.”

Dre chuckled nervously. “We should probably call the fire department on standby.”

Nikolas turned and gave them both a cold look. “Do either of you want to stay here and lose your tongues?!!”

They both straightened at once. “No, boss!!” they said together.

“Good,” Nikolas said and turned back to the counter. He opened the fridge, pulling out fresh vegetables, eggs, and chicken.

Simeon moved closer, curiosity burning in his eyes. “Boss… so… what are you cooking?”

Nikolas glanced at him briefly, then back at the chopping board. “Something simple. But special enough for her.”

Dre leaned against the wall, arms folded. “You sure you know how to use that knife?”

Nikolas didn’t reply, he simply picked up the knife and began chopping the vegetables with precise, clean cuts. The sound of the blade hitting the board echoed.

Simeon’s jaw dropped. “Oh wow… he actually knows what he’s doing…”

Nikolas’s movements were calm, confident, almost too skilled for someone they thought had never stepped into a kitchen.

Dre muttered lowly, “maybe he’s been hiding this from us all along.”

Nikolas smirked faintly. “I don’t hide. I just don’t show unless I need to.”

The chicken sizzled in the pan as Nikolas added spices. The aroma quickly filled the kitchen. 

Simeon inhaled deeply. “That… smells amazing.”

Dre glanced at him. “Don’t say it too loud or he’ll make you cook next.”

Nikolas chuckled faintly. “Relax. I only cook for her. No one else.”

The way he said “her” carried so much weight that Simeon and Dre both kept quiet. They could see it clearly now—this wasn’t just about food. This was about love.

Simeon finally whispered, “Boss really loves her…”

Dre nodded. “Indeed…”

Nikolas tasted the soup, adjusted the seasoning, then lowered the flame. He wiped his hands with a towel, his face calm.

“She’ll like this,” he muttered to himself.

“Boss,” Simeon said carefully, “can I ask something?”

Nikolas raised a brow. “What?”

“Why… why go through all this trouble yourself? You got everything at your disposal… chefs, maids, even us. Why risk messing it up?”

Nikolas looked at him quietly, then said, “because it means more when it comes from me. She’s been through too much. She deserves something real, something personal.”

Simeon nodded slowly, understanding. Dre sighed, muttering, “wish someone would cook for me like that.”

Nikolas smirked. “Find yourself a woman first.”

Dre groaned, “ouch… that hurt, boss.”

Finally, after almost an hour, the food was ready. Nikolas plated it carefully, making sure everything looked perfect.

He turned to Simeon. “Bring the car. We’re taking this to her now.”

Simeon saluted playfully. “Yes, chef boss.”

Dre laughed under his breath, but quickly stopped when Nikolas glared at him.

Nikolas placed the covered dish in a bag, holding it himself. His expression was unreadable.

“This isn’t just food,” he muttered as they walked out. “This is my promise to her.”

___

AT THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE 

The maids stood by the wall, peeping.

"Did boss really cook for that woman??!!" Mandy whispered, with disbelief as she clutched the wall.

The other maids huddled close, their heads stacked one over another at the kitchen door, peeping quietly.

"He must really love her..." Tee said softly, her lips curling into a dreamy smile.

"Shut up!!" Mandy shunned, turning sharply to glare at her.

But Tee only folded her arms and smirked. "What? It’s true. Tell me which man like boss, Nikolas DeSanto himself, will ever step foot in a kitchen to cook??! Only love can push a man to that point..."

The other maid, Sarah, pressed her hand over her mouth as she giggled. "Never knew he could cook. I wish I had someone like him…"

"You wish??!!" Mandy cut in again, rolling her eyes. "Don’t be stupid Sarah! Someone like him?? He’s a boss, he’s untouchable. He doesn’t even look at you maids. Stop dreaming!"

"But it’s not a crime to admire..." Sarah muttered, still grinning like a young girl in love.

They all bent their heads forward again. Inside, Nikolas was focused packing the food. 

Simeon leaned on the fridge, just watching in awe.

"You see that?" Tee whispered. "He didn’t even let the chefs touch the food. He chased everyone out. He’s doing it himself. That’s a man in love!"

Mandy hissed loudly. "All of you are fools. You think this is love? This is weakness! Men like boss aren’t supposed to bend for women…”

Sarah shook her head. "Mandy you’re just bitter because no man has ever done something nice for you."

Tee chuckled. "Exactly. Bitter heart. That’s why you’re angry."

Mandy’s eyes widened. "Shut your mouths both of you before I slap sense into your heads!!"

But Sarah and Tee only giggled harder, whispering again.

"You know, if Cassandra wasn’t in the picture, I’d say Nikolas is every woman’s dream husband. Handsome, rich, powerful… and now cooking?? Hah! What else could a woman ask for?" Tee said.

"You forgot protective," Sarah added, her voice dreamy. "Didn’t you hear how he almost killed Amelia for threatening Cassandra? That’s the kind of man who would burn the world down for the one he loves. I wish…"

"You wish too much Sarah!!" Mandy snapped again. "You think he’ll ever look at you?? You’re a maid. Stop dreaming above your level!"

Sarah didn’t care, she kept smiling to herself.

Suddenly the door creaked. Nikolas stepped out of the kitchen. 

His eyes swept around like a hawk’s. The maids gasped and scrambled away in different directions like startled chickens.

Nikolas narrowed his eyes. "Who are those?!!"

Dre stepped in from the hallway, looked around. "It could be the maids…" he replied carefully, his lips twitching like he was trying not to laugh.

Nikolas turned to him slowly. "They better not be peeping at me."

Dre raised his hands innocently. "Maybe they just admire you, boss."

Nikolas shot him a glare. "Admire?!! I don’t need their admiration. Next time, catch them and send them packing. I don’t need loose mouths in my house."

Dre bowed his head. "Yes boss."

Nikolas carried the tray and flask and marched out. Simeon followed right behind, trying his best not to laugh out loud.

As soon as they entered the car, Simeon’s lips couldn’t hold it anymore. "Boss… forgive me but, they were just curious. You cooking is like a miracle to them."

Nikolas shot him a side-eye. "Keep your mouth shut Simeon."

Simeon chuckled low, shaking his head. "Still… I never imagined this day. Nikolas DeSanto in the kitchen cooking with his own hands."

"Do you want me to cut your tongue off??" Nikolas asked coldly.

Simeon swallowed back his laughter immediately. "No boss… I’m just saying. Cassy is truly special."

Nikolas leaned back in the car seat, balancing the tray on his lap carefully. His eyes softened for a moment, the name "Cassy" echoing in his head. "She is… more than you know."

Dre glanced through the rear mirror. "Boss, no disrespect but… when was the last time you ever did something like this? Cooking? Caring like this?"

Nikolas kept silent for a while, staring out of the window. Then he finally spoke in a low tone. "Never."

Both Dre and Simeon turned slightly, shocked.

"Never?" Simeon repeated.

Nikolas nodded. "Never for anyone. She’s the first. And the last."

The silence in the car grew heavy after that. Dre cleared his throat, trying to ease it. "Then she’s lucky. Really lucky. Women spend their whole lives wishing for a man who’ll do half of what you’re doing for her."