n. Steam curled from the wok, teasing my nostrils with the enticing aroma of si

d me. "Dema? What on

o his lips. "We have a chef, remember? You

cook tonight. I

d in sweat. You should be investing your time in more productive pursuits. Learning a

Was it beneath me, a woman of leisure? I felt

e firm. "It's a way for me to express

epticism in his eyes. "Beautiful? De

f, I've always done chores and I simply can't just lay down all day and have people serve me, which reminds me that

oy yourself, just make sure to cl

him, apparently I ma

at them and study them from afar. I wanted to grow up and be like them. I studied so hard and did my best to get a scholar

ch was a gift from one of my professors. She found out that I had no place to stay after graduation, so she offered me to stay at her house. I couldn't stay long at her place because I was embarrassed, so I insisted on l

In the interview, they said that they had heard great things about me and that I w

e he was working. He did not say thank you or praise my cooking. He ate silently. I

nted to have a nice, fun dinner with everyone. They loved the idea! One of the maids prepared a

laugh genuinely. I didn't need to pretend or put on a mask to please anyone. It wa

latest chocolate trend?"

eah, the Dubai choco

thinking maybe we can prepare it toge

id, "What do you think, Mada

to chocolate," I

nts for the Dubai chocolate trend we wanted to try. As I walked into the kitchen, I saw him wor

ished, the chef would try them and announce the winner. To spice things up, I told them that I would give the

ove, spilled milk over another's bowl of chocolate. The apology sounded unconvincing. The other maid, in turn, retaliated by spilling oil into her rival's

ter fifteen minutes, I inspected my creation. It was flawless. The chef,

in the kitchen," he sa

ed him. "I appreci

something special for Rami a

about my cooking dinner flashe

red me, "Cooking dessert for a loved one

plunge. I spent the next few hours meticulo

the chocolate to Rami, accompani

king on the phone. I guessed it was one of his fina

and finally noticed my presence. He looked p

because I had gotten used to it. I picked up the chocolate p

k to his paperwork. I felt a little heartache, but before I could say anythin

s. I remember reading a novel when I was around 14 years old, and the main character fed her crush with his eyes closed.

liked romance stories, I've always been a prac

ng wave, so sudden and unexpected

l.' They were simple, almost understated,

cerity in his voice mirrored the truth in his eyes. And there it wa

nderstanding. We were two imperfect souls, trying our best to navigate the complexities of love and life. And