“What would you like for dinner Nicholas?” Ann asks as she ties her hair up.

“Anything would be fine. Maybe I can help,” Nick says.

“You can cook?” Ben asks raising his eyebrows.

“I think so,” Nick says letting out a chuckle. “I mean maybe I was a chef or something, I won’t know till I try.” Though Ann and Ben know it was highly unlikely, Ann decides to let him help out in the kitchen. Ben joins them as they watch Nicholas cutting the vegetables in a normal manner. Expecting some sinister work with the knife Ben asks him if he is willing to cut the chicken.

“I don’t know,” Nicholas says.

“Come on, just give it a try,” Ben says seemingly friendly. The oblivious Nicholas takes the chicken as Ann turns her back preparing a salad.

“Ouch,” Nicholas says causing Ann to turn around to see his hand bleeding.

“What happened?” Ann asks.

“You were supposed to cut the chicken not your hand,” Ben says surprised at the amount of blood as Nicholas covers his wound with a towel.

“I’ll get the first aid kit,” Ann says running to the other room while Ben looks at Nicholas, who now seems to be in pain.

“Does it hurt?” Ben asks.

“A little,” Nicholas replies. “Not as bad as getting hit on the head.” Nicholas chuckles to himself while Ben seems to be looking for every opportunity to dig deeper. Ben and Nick go to the living room where Ann comes in and tends to Nicholas’s wound.

“I’m sorry,” Nicholas mutters.

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“What are you sorry about?” Ann replies attentively ensuring his wound is taken care of. “We all get hurt in the kitchen sometimes.”

“Right,” Nicholas says looking at Ann feeling nothing but grateful to have fainted at their door. It was thanks to the two of them that he is not only alive but is taken care of in such a lovely manner. Nicholas begins to stare at Ann as he feels appreciative, while Ben notices the slight grin on his face. Ben didn’t bring Nicholas here because of Ann, he had his own intentions, but looking at what’s unfolding now, Ben begins to regret his decision.

“All done,” Ann says as she stands up. “Now you stay here while I prepare dinner.”

“Alright,” Nick says as he begins to relax while Ben sits next to him silently. After about ten minutes and Nick noticed Ben’s uncomfortable stares, Ben then suggests he watch a movie while he helps Ann in the kitchen.

“Hey,” Ann says as Ben comes closer to her. “Is everything ok? You seem on edge.”

“Everything’s fine,” Ben lies as he watches Ann cooking. After a few moments, a grin appears on his face as he comes close and kisses her. “I swear you could become a professional chef?”

“Because my cooking is great?”

“Because your cooking is great and you look great cooking,” Ben replies as Ann blushes. Ann always felt her tired appearance would not be well received and was nervous when Ben first insisted that they cook together. But soon, Ben’s admiration when watching Ann cook made her feel really special. She now enjoys his company in the kitchen and isn’t worried about making a mess.

“What’s Nick doing?” Ann asks causing Ben’s grin to disappear.

“I told him to watch a movie.” Just then the two of them hear their doorbell ring.

“I’ll get it,” Nick says loudly wanting to help in any way possible.

“Thanks Nick,” Ann shouts from the kitchen. “Wonder who could that be?”

“No idea,” Ben replies and in a sudden moment, the two of them hear the sound of glass breaking. They both rush to the dining room to see Nick looking at the two of them confused, while a shocked Tom stands in the hallway. His eyes wide open and his jaw dropped, the shock of seeing the man leaves Tom speechless.

“Tom,” Ben says as he comes closer to Tom who can’t take his eyes off Nicholas.

“Is everything alright?” Nick asks unsure of what is happening. “Should we call a doctor?” Nick grows concerned with Tom’s stares, it was like being followed by the eyes of someone in a creepy portrait.

“He’s fine,” Ben replies as he holds Tom shaking him to his senses. “He just didn’t expect visitors, right?” Ben grips Tom’s arm nudging him to play along.

“Right,” Tom says softly as the shock. “Who did you say you are again?”

“Nicholas.”