Sweet Subterfuge

Wendy had seen photos of Kevan on Aster’s phone. Also, Aster had already informed her that Kevan would be coming to cook
for him today. So, she rushed back from work as soon as possible. Fortunately, she caught him just in time.
“Mr. Rogers, I’ve heard so much about you.”
She showed no sign of hesitation as she confidently approached him and extended her hand.
He stared at her hand. He hesitated for a moment before finally shaking it.
Of course, she didn’t miss this small detail. She had heard about how much of a clean freak Kevan was. That was why she took
the
initiative to shake hands with him, just to see how he would react
She had anticipated a refusal, but whatever happened only deepened her smile.
“I heard from Aster that you’re going to cook for him today? She glanced at the dining table, which was empty. She continued. “Is
the dinner not ready yet?”
Aster chimed in. “We’ve already eaten! Daddy’s cooking is super delicious! Even better than.. I mean, the food at restaurants!”
Originally, he wanted to say “better than what you make,” but he was afraid of hurting Wendy’s feelings. So, he changed his
sentence on the spot.
Aster’s admiration seemed genuine, and even though Wendy doubted whether someone as busy as Kevan had time to practice
cooking. she still expressed regret, saying, “Looks like I missed out”
“Well if you haven’t eaten. I don’t mind whipping up a few things with the leftover ingredients. It won’t take long.”
Kevan set the fruit platter down and started to move toward the kitchen,
“It’s alright no need!” Wendy hurriedly stopped him. I’m on a diet. I just steam a sweet potato later.”
As soon as sweet potatoes were mentioned, Aster smacked his lips and said, “Daddy’s candied sweet potatoes are so delicious!
They’re soft and coated with a layer of sweet sugar. Ah, I want them now!”
Wendy had long given up on such calorie–packed treats. But Aster’s description tempted her a bit.

Kevan noticed the change in her expression and suggested, “Why don’t we take a break from the diet today? I do the cooking,
and you
can have some fun with Aster.”
In the end, Wendy yielded to the temptation of candled sweet potatoes.
Kevan prepared another set of the same four dishes he made for Aster, but this time with smaller portions. When he brought
them to the dining table, Wendy’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“Just a sec! Let me post this on Facebook first.” She took out her phone and snapped several photos of the dishes from different
angles. However, instead of posting them on Facebook, she sent them to Larissa via WhatsApp.
Since getting her new phone. Larissa had been in touch with Wendy, who had also secretly visited her at the hospital several
times without telling Aster.
“These are the dishes Kevan made for me! Are you Jealous?”
At that moment, Larissa was also having dinner. She looked at her soup and bread and compared them to the photos of the
sumptuous least Wendy was enjoying. She was so frustrated that she felt like flipping the table.
Kevan was being so unreasonable! He traveled all the way to Aldowa, claiming to come to see her. Yet he couldn’t even cook a
meal for her! She sent him an angry emol, thinking of this.
When Kevan’s phone notified him of a message from Larissa, his heartbeat quickened. Joy crept up to his lace. But as soon as
he read the contents, all the joy vanished in an instant.
He replied with a puzzled expression.