The penthouse is still dimmed when I enter the mansion.

A whiff of iris and aldehydic scent greets my nose as soon as I walk in. The foyer is immediately lits up at my presence. Well… I can say that my family is quite sheltered to begin with; but even I know Milardi’s residence is on a whole another level.

So, apparently Antares hasn’t reached home yet. I rushed to Grand Lucky after texting my regular handler things I needed to pick up, so when I arrived everything’s already prepared. One thing that I learned after being a full-time chef: you need to have connections in every good supermarket or suppliers. It makes life thousand times easier. Trust me.

I put my phone on don’t disturb mode, and then immediately head to the kitchen to prepare. Oh—I love, looove the kitchen appliances in this mansion. Good thing that I went here with Emma this morning, and I’m already familiarized myself with the kitchen’s layout and where everything is stored.

I wear my apron before I start, along with simple calming prayer I recite quietly inside my head. It’s just a simple dinner, I try to calm myself down.

First, I prepare the lamb racks; I rub them with my secret mixed herbs, and immediately seared them in a hot pan. As I wait for the meat to get properly caramelized, I prep the fennel salads. I also prep the ingredients for crêpes suzette—I will start on it as soon as the main food is served.

“Wow. Smells good. Finally this kitchen serves its purpose.”

Out of nowhere Antares appears in front of me, still wearing his airport outfits: long black coat, white shirt and black tie. His sudden presence catches me off-guard that I almost drop the iron pan I’m holding with a seared-hot lamb of racks on it. “O-oh my god I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you coming.”

Antares smiles slightly. This is the first time I ever see his face in person and he looks… godly. I don’t know any other words to describe him. His face looks tired after such a long flight, but he still looks somewhat radiant. He takes off his coat and easily undoes his tie in one motion—and his action leaves me speechless. Feels like I’m just watching Christian Grey live in action.

“Hi, Oceanna. Nice to meet you. I’m sorry I didn’t greet you properly when I visited your pop-up dinner.”

I turn off the stove as I move the meat to a stainless cooling rack to let it rest, then I wipe my hand and I reach for his. “Hi, Antares. It’s okay, I understand; I’ve been told that you were coming with your father.”

“Yes, for some business stuff… And yet, I was mindblown; not by the meeting, but by the dinner. Everything you cooked that night—I still remember how they tasted. Couldn’t get it off of my mind ever since.”

I smile, slightly flabbergasted at his sudden compliments. “Is that the reason why you personally requested me after 12 private chefs failed you?”

He chuckles. “Yes… kinda.” He comes closer to the kitchen counter. “So, what’s for dinner tonight?” As he’s standing in front of me, I can mildly catch the scent of labdanum and tuberose on him. A hint of iris, as well.

“Some lamb chops with fennel salads, and crêpes suzette for dessert. I hope you don’t have too many of it while staying in Paris.”

His face lits up a bit upon hearing the menu. “Did Emma tell you my favorite dessert?”

“No…?”

Antares smirks. Upon my puzzled look he chooses to walk away, and before I can gather my thoughts, I hear Antares. “Then I have a feeling that you won’t fail me like the previous twelves. You got my favorite things right from the start, already.”

Okay. This is getting realllyyy interesting.