Scream 4

Chapter 26

Perfectionist. It was the one word that came to mind when Jed lead you into inside. There was no need for a tour to come to that conclusion. The dining room alone told you as much, if his whole persona hadn't tipped you off already. You were not at all surprised by how spotless everything was.

Every wall housed a set of shelves filled with framed pictures, trinkets, souvenirs and books among other things, and there was not a speck of dust anywhere. The house was, in one word, cozy, and everything you saw seemed to have a place.

Yours happened to be at the table.

While there was no cliché romantic candles, there really was no need for those with the lamp hanging above your head and casting shadows on the violet table cloth.

You'd expected something far less fancy than what you were looking at. The plate set before you was made of shiny porcelain, and the two wine glasses could very well have been crystal ones.

That didn't mean it made you feel out of place. Not in the slightest. You felt warmth at the thought that Jed had taken the effort to impress you. It also helped that you weren't the only one present in the room.

*Creeeak*

Your eyes trained on the opening from where the noise came-much too light for a human's steps but noticeable enough to cause the floor to creak. When you saw what caused it, your mouth twitched upwards in slight surprise and amusement.

A ginger-coloured creature poked its head around the corner, matching orange eyes scanning the room with acute intensity. Once spotting you, the feline took cautious steps into your direction until it disappeared under the table with a meow.

You almost gasped in surprise when a fluffy tail brushed past your left leg, then your right, before the animal graciously hopped onto the vacant seat next to you.

"Hey there little guy," you slowly reached out to pet it, pleased when it didn't shy away and purred in contentment as you stroked its stripy fur in long strokes.

While you didn't own a cat yourself, you were an animal lover through and through. They were by far the most innocent beings on earth, the purest of souls and offered the greatest comfort. Animals never hurt anyone unless they felt threatened, much unlike human beings who were capable of inflicting pain on others just because they felt like it. Out of their own selfish and sickening desires.

You ceased your stroking momentarily when you heard a thunk coming from the kitchen area. The sound of a knife dashing and slashing against wood made you turn your head into that direction and before long, you shoved your chair back, not at all minding the little stalker trailing behind you as you walked to where Jed was expertly preparing the food.

You tried to be discreet, not wanting to disturb him as you simply watched him focus. The air was rolling with savory aroma and two sets of pans sizzled with oil and all kinds of vegetables.

He made a single downward chop of an onion on the cutting board, then picked up the pace, chopping steadily and quickly with masterful precision.

It had to be said—Jed's knife skills were phenomenal. Your eyes could barely keep up with his movements, they were that fast. Efficient. Imoressive. You lost track of the amount of times you couldn't just simply order food and had to cook something yourself, cutting into your fingers in the process.

"It's almost finished if you can hold out another minute or two," he stated, without peeling his focus away from the task at hand.

You froze like a deer caught in headlights. "S-sorry!" Your heart stuttered, embarrassed that you had been caught in the act. "I.. I uh..." You babbled, your words working against you. "I was just curious."