Chapter 34

**Zara's POV**

While our conversation continued, one of their maids came here.

"Sorry for the inconvenience, ladies. Our chef won't be able to come on time today. There's no lunch to serve," the housekeeper told us.

The lady seemed to be thinking about what to do for our lunch today.

"If that's the case, might as well contact a buffet; I want five-star restaurant dishes... Or better yet, let's just eat outside," suggested mom. I thought of a way.

"Is it okay that I cook our lunch?" I will ask.

Artemis smiled. "Wow? You can cook. I am so jealous! I can't learn to cook, so only my husband knows how to cook for us. I am still dreaming that I can cook for them someday." Artemis said. while it still remains.

"I'll teach you sometime. Because our family really likes cooking. I also want my son to grow up with my own cooking. Because for me, it has a different effect." That's just my opinion, man. A family that eats together goes stronger.

"You don't have to, Ija." You shall not bother yourself, and you might just get tired. I don't want our newlywed family member to be indebted for a simple lunch," said the lady.

I smiled back. "It's fine with me. And I also want you to taste the dishes we cooked."

The stunned Blackwood came back with a smile. "If you really insist, just ask for help from our assistants there so that what you do is not too heavy."

"That's right, Lucas and I came from the province, and we brought fresh ingredients," I said, remembering the fruits and vegetables we brought in the van... The seafood in the cooler

"Really?! I miss going to the province. The fresh air is so underrated, but definitely something to always consider when visiting a province. I wish I could come, if I only knew. And I will help with cooking. Maybe you can give me a few tips so that I'm not just instant noodles," said Artemis.

First, I asked June to get the fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as the cooler inside, when we left the van in the parking lot.

We went to the kitchen. It seems that the assistants who helped us with peeling and cutting tools are okay.

I saw that there was meat in the fridge; there was even beef, high-quality beef.

"First, let's soak the meat in water to remove the freezing of the meat. I also tip you off that if you're going to fry hot dogs, longganisa, or tocino, Soak it in water first. Don't fry them frozen because what's being cooked will burn immediately, but it's still raw inside," I advised Artemis. We're just doing the basics right now.

She nodded in surprise, like she knew the trivia already. "I see! Now I know the reason why I always burn those damned and cursed hotdogs!"

I laughed at what Artemis said. I can't blame her for growing up with helpers to do simple tasks like cooking. That's their advantage; they are capable of hiring a helper for them. As for us who are in the middle class, we have the advantage of having the initiative to learn to be independent.

We are born to use a spatula to cook our own meals, use the washing machine to do laundry manually, and do all other housework manually. Because, as I said, the poor have no right to hang around. Peeling the bones is really necessary.

Let's go back to my cooking. I have boiled everything that can be boiled. All appliances are available here in the kitchen. All the cooking equipment is the latest, so it's delicious to cook.

Using the beef, cabbage, bananas, and, of course, potatoes, I will cook bulalo with sweet corn. Then I will cook crab soup with marinated pork.

"Don't immediately put what you're going to fry in the pan, right? First, check if your pan is dry. Your pan should be hot before you put in your oil so that you know if the oil is hot. Take an even spatula and soak it in oil. See these bubbles? This indicates that the oil is hot enough to start frying," I said to Artemis, who seemed to be memorising everything I was saying.

I'm mostly the mixer, and Artemis is patiently mixing what I cook. He is also the taster. I also had him try frying marinated meats. At first, it was fear. But the Blackwoods are really brave. He got the right fry. That's why he's so proud.

Using the ripe mangoes we brought, I made a mango graham cake that is my husband's favourite. To finish our lunch, there is a dessert prepared.

When the maids brought out the dishes I cooked one by one and placed them on the table, the Blackwood men arrived. They are all dressed up and looking presentable again.

"Wow! What a feast!" Crayon said while looking at the food on the table in amazement. "And they look mouth-watering! Yum..."

Artemis spoke proudly. "For the record, Zara and I cooked all those... So they are all delicious. No time to doubt, little brother," Artemis said, still grinning.

"Now I am starting to doubt the credibility of this food. I might as well prepare some water beside me. Last time I cooked, our tongues seemed to burn because of the saltiness of your roasted chicken. It is salty and burned," he said. Dion seemed to remember a nightmare.

"Excuse me, my little brother? Are you badmouthing me? Your sister, Zara, and I cooked there. So hold your spoon and eat," Artemis said flatly to the youngest twin brother.

Okay, enough with that; let us pray first," said dad. We bowed and listened to the prayer.

If other people see them as respected, dominant, and high-class families. Now I can somehow see what kind of people they are. It's simple: he's just rich, but he's still human if you mix with him. I am happy because somehow I will be a part of this happy family.

"Hmm, this soup is so good; you didn't make it, sister?" asked Crayon, who had been teasing Artemis for a while.

"Hey, youngest, Zara has already taught me how to mix and cook. Watch and learn... Besides, you've been letting me down for a while now. Why don't you trust me with cooking?" Artemis said with a pout, pretending to be acting.

"Because last time you stepped from the kitchen, you actually burned half of your condominium." Lucas said, still grinning. I just noticed, right? They love to tease Artemis.

Artemis gasped at what she heard, and then she turned to me. "Your husband is lying, Zara! He is exaggerating. You're an unlucky girl with a husband; you have a feeling. Maybe I can show you some fine men to make you understand, girl," Artemis teased Lucas back.

My young husband was about to answer when the don scolded them. "Enough, maybe you two will work together. Let us eat... Ija, you have a talent for cooking. This tastes incredible," said Dad. I was embarrassed to thank you for his praise.

"Of course that is my wife cooking," my husband said with pride in his tone.

I'm happy to see my wife and son eating well.

And they even praised the quick mango-graham cake I made for our dessert. Because the fruit is fresh.

After that, we went back to the garden, and there were shades of trees there. Today is a happy day for me because I can already think that I am accepted on my husband's side of the family. I even thought that because of my social status, they would not accept me. But I was wrong; they are very kind, and they are all very welcoming.

They don't make me feel different from them. I don't even feel that they are very rich because their interactions with people are very simple.

Everyone would have been happy to have an unexpected guest. Something is creeping up on me. The woman is disappearing. She looks mad and terribly ferocious. He's like a storm that can't go away. My son is afraid to come to me.

Giselle is here now. It seemed to rage and march towards us and Lucas.

"What is the meaning of this? Ha!? Lucas, start explaining yourself!" he said while approaching my wife with shining eyes.

Lucas answered him calmly. "I have nothing to explain to you, Giselle. We are over; you better stop this scandalous act!"

The model stood up and looked at us, especially my son. "We are over? We just broke up for a month, and you already have a son who is about to become a teenager! Hey Lucas Son? Have you been cheating on me since then? How dare you come clean about what I did? It's something hidden! You fucking cheater! Everyone should know about this!" Giselle shouted as she seemed to be laughing madly.

I said first that maybe Artemis could take the child inside first. I don't want my son to be traumatised just because of the scandal here. There's always something associated with fun, right?

Artemis agreed and asked the boy to ask. Giselle still insists on his attitude towards us.

"Oh? Why did you take the child away from here? He shall hear who is involved! You woman! Are you the one who replaced me? God, Lucas, look at her! He didn't say anything to me! Did you lower your standards for all of these years?" said Giselle, and then approached me.

"Hey kid! What are you after, Lucas? Money! Tell me your price and leave us alone, bitch!" He said that and was about to slap me when Lucas pushed him away with glazed eyes.

I plucked up the courage before speaking. "If you are educated enough, Let us talk about it diplomatically. We are not being scandalised here," I said to him.

She rolled her eyes and sarcastically threw her smile at me. "Diplomatic what?! I hope you thought of that when you just scolded my wife! Now you are trying to act graceful and educated! You will also know this feeling of enrage if you are the one who was robbed! So I have all the guts in this world to be furious! You just took my man from me! DID YOU GET THAT?" Giselle continued.

"I am the legal one, Giselle. Lucas and I are married without your knowledge. So take it easy on calling me a hookup, and maybe I will feed you our marriage certificate," I said, as I couldn't hold it in anymore. I heard Artemis clapping on one side.

"Well said," he said.

"Y-Are you married? Then all of these years? GOSH! Lucas, you made me look like a fool! Uncle!" he said while looking at Dad. "I never thought that you would be this considerate with them. I have always been his fiancé, your son's fiance. Why are you letting some nameless bitch with your family!?"

Lucas approached him. "Take it easy on si

I said Giselle. My wife is the one you call a bitch. We have been together for a long time; we have something in common, Giselle. And while I still have respect for you, you can just leave," Lucas said.

Giselle grinned. "No Lucas. No! Especially not if you're not coming back to me. Do you want the press to know about this?" The woman is still a threat.

Lucas seems to have gone completely dark from what he heard. "Don't act stupid! Who here aborted my daughter for her dream? Do you think I'll come back to you? Start fucking dreaming on!" It seems like a secret that all that has been revealed Giselle kept her mouth shut just then.

You can see the shock on the faces of the Blackwoods. And then there is the anger.

Blackwood is approached by Mrs. Giselle. And we all breathed in the slap of the world against the scandalous woman.

"Get out of here, Giselle. The Blackwoods' household does not accept a dead Blackwood. Don't threaten us, Ija; be threatened with us! Guard! Let this woman out and never let her enter my household!" And Giselle was dragged away while losing her temper and screaming.

Lucas hugged me. I'm worried.