Fire And Ice

Chapter 52 - Sentiments

Natalia's P. O. V

The timer beeped and I put my oven mitts on to retrieve the carrot cake. I placed it on the cooling rack then moved over to the stovetop.

"Are you sure you don't want any help?"

Kaesha laughed, shooing me away, "No, Ava. You don't even know the recipe."

"I can just be another set of hands..." I pouted.

She gave me a look, "I don't even need my own. Go set the table or something. The food's almost done."

"Alright, alright. I'm going." I sighed, leaving the kitchen as she levitated another piece of meat into the waiting pan of oil.

In the dining room, Hailey was already doing the job of setting the table.

She presented a folded swan napkin with a proud grin, "What do you think?"

"It's amazing. Where'd you learn to do that?"

"Youtube."

"Need any help?"

She shook her head, already laser focused on the crease she was folding into a new napkin, "This is the last one. Tim's close though, so you should probably open the door for him."

She was right. I went over to the front door to unlock it, just as he was about to knock. He thanked me and took his shoes off, making his way to the kitchen.

"Got the shit you asked for, plus drinks and ice cream." He told Kaesha, setting the bags down on the counter.

"Thanks. The salad's already done, you can add the salad cream and toss it for me."

"Sure." He complied, washing his hands to do as asked.

I managed to help put the drinks and ice cream in the fridge and freezer, but was left jobless again till Kaesha was done.

"Lunch is served!" She announced, walking into the dining room with the food floating in behind her.

I'd called for a meeting to discuss the land options for our pack. After we'd all agreed to meet over food, Kaesha had said she wanted us to try her cooking this time, asking for permission to commandeer my kitchen for the day.

After the floating spoons served us, she waited for us to try the food.

I took a bite of the rice and my mouth came alive with the flavours, followed by the delayed fire from pepper. Even as my nose ran, I wanted more, and I could see Hailey and Timothy reacting the same way.

Kaesha laughed when we all finally reached for water, "How do you like it?"

"It's so spicy but I love it. And I was wondering why you had big bananas earlier but they taste so good." Hailey said.

"They're called plantains and I fried them."

"And the rice?" I asked.

"Jollof rice."

Timothy fanned his tongue, "You don't taste the pepper in this? You haven't touched your water."

She laughed, "I guess I'm used to it. My neighbour used to make it for me back home whenever I visited her."

Hailey stared at her plate, "I can't believe Canadians eat food like this..."

"She wasn't Canadian. She and her family migrated from Nigeria. Since my mom was always away with work and the coven, I spent most of my childhood in their house."

"Looks like we're less of a pack and more of just a bunch of Supernaturals who all need therapy." Timothy quipped between bites.

"Speak for yourself." Kaesha laughed, a spoon flying towards him, which he caught and sent back to her before it floated back down to the table.