''Mr. Hugh, can we eat that? we are hungry'' Ever said also licking her lips.
''You two gluttons. I made a mistake with the dish. I think something is missing from it'' the chief chef whose name was Mr. Hugh said.
''Then, how about you let Jade taste it for you? She has the nose of a wolf and fox combined'' Ever said and Jade nodded her head.
''Yes, trust me. I will be able to find out what's missing if I taste it'' Jade said enthusiastically.
''Okay'' Mr. Hugh fetch the rice into a plate for Jade to taste. She took a bit and closed her eyes. After a while, her eyes opened and she smiled.
''Mr. Hugh, it seems you… are being too hard on yourself. Everything is inside this dish and is so good'' Jade said and picked a pair of hand cotton gloves and picked the pan from the stove and placed it on the table ''Ever, get a plate, let's dig in''
Mr. Hugh looked at the two ladies with a baffled expression as they completely ignored him and served themselves.
A few minutes later, they finished the food in the pan and were quite satisfied.
''The cupcakes'' Ever said and ran to her section of the kitchen. She took the cotton gloves and opened the oven, the cookies were light brown, just the way Jade liked them. Ever brought them out and seeing them, Jade walked over excitedly.
''Mmmm, this smells so good. All these all mine?'' Jade asked.
''No, I have to leave some for my assistant and Ignatius, but, I will give you enough to last for a while''
''I love you, Ever'' Jade said and hugged Ever.
....
Jayden picked up his phone and called Ann and she answered ''Ann, why haven't you brought the recording to me yet?'' he asked.
''I am on my way, sir'' Ann said and hung up. she calmed herself down before opening the door to Jayden's office. She walked up to him and placed the small pen drive on the table saying, ''I looked through all of it but, there wasn't anything suspicious. I think Miss Ever might have made a mistake this time'' Ann said and looked at Jayden's face.
''Ever would never make such a mistake. I will look at it again myself, thanks for your hard work'' Jayden said.
''Sir, what would you have for lunch? You haven't eaten anything yet since morning''
''I'm waiting for Jade, she said she was bringing me something later on. You can go ahead and have your lunch'' Jayden said and inserted the drive into his desktop. Ann stood there for a while before turning to leave. The door opened and Jade walked in with a small snack bag belonging to the hotel.
''Hi, Miss Saint'' Ann said politely with a slight bow before going out. At the door, she turned and gazed at the snack bag in Jade's hand before finally leaving.
''Here, you go brother. And you are welcome'' Jade said after putting the bag on the table.
''Where did you get these from?'' Jayden opened and removed one of the cupcakes.
''Ever made those. She didn't know I was going to give them to you. I'm smart right?'' Jade said.
''She is still yet to change into the clothes you brought, right?'' Jayden asked as he ate the cookie in his hand.
''Yes, but, I have already diverse a plan to make her wear what I brought''
''If she doesn't change into those clothes, you will give me back the money I wired to you''
''That is so cheap, Jayden. I am your younger sister''
''We are twins''
''But, you are the older by default since you are the man''
''I will forgive you since you brought me these'' Jayden said and looked at the cup of coffee in her hands.
''Oh, right. This is also yours'' Jade placed the coffee on the table and smiled.
…..
After logging out of work, Ever returned to her office to change out of her uniform only to find Jade with her skirt soiled with coffee.
''Jade, what is this?'' Ever said as she closed the door.
''Everest, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. I got you a cup of coffee and wanted to bring it to you. Who knew my sleeve would get hogged to your hanger and the coffee spilled on your skirt by accident'' Jade said.
''Is alright. But, what will I wear home now?''
''You can wear the one I got from aunt Liyah's store for you. You were going to try it anyways, so it worked out well'' Jade said and threw the soiled skirt on the floor and took the bag.
''I guess I don't have much choice left. I will change into this then'' Ever said and took the bag from Jade. Jade gave a victorious smirk and mouthed, ''success''
When Jayden saw Ever in the set of clothes Jade brought, his mood livened and he smiled subtly as he watched them going out of the hotel from a distance. Ann who was with him saw this and clutched her fist.
....
Military barracks.
''This really suits you, Ever'' Amber said as she placed three cans of beer on the floor and sat beside Ever.
''I knew it was made for her the moment I saw it'' Jade added as they sat down to have a couple of drinks. Every once a while, they would always gather at Amber's house to hang out since her mother wasn't always around most of the time. Amber grew up being taken care of Leo's grandfather and the housekeepers since her mother was always busy. Weekends, she would spend with AI Alice.
''I like it. thank you'' Ever said to Jade.
''Today is Friday again, I can't believe the week just went by so fast'' Amber said as she leaned on Ever's shoulder.
''I thought the week took rather long for me'' Ever commented.
''Ever'' Jade called out softly.
''En?'' Ever responded.
''Is there really no hope for you and my brother?'' Jade asked drunkenly. ''You guys were like the perfect couple. I was so happy when you told me you were together with him. I always thought you would make a good sister in law. Do you know how sad I was when Amber told me about your breakup?''
''You are already drunk after one can?'' Ever muttered as the memories started coming to her.
''She is drunk already'' Amber said as she looked at Jade whose eyes were closed. ''I will go and get her a blanket'' Amber added and stood up to go to her room. Jade's phone buzzed from her bag and Ever removed it. Her hand shivered slightly as she looked at the caller ID. She stared at the call until it ended and as she was about to put the phone back, it rang again.
''Jade, your phone is ringing'' Ever said softly to Jade. She nudged her lightly and Jade opened her eyes and looked at her before closing them again. ''Jade, your brother is calling you, you should pick it up'' Ever said again and Jade looked up at her. She snatched the phone from Ever and swept her hand on the answer key before throwing it at Ever.
''Tell him I am not going home tonight'' Jade said and sprawled on the floor.
''Hello, Jade''
Ever heard Jayden's voice over the phone and hesitated before putting it on her ear saying.
''Jade is sleeping''
''Ever… is that you?'' Jayden asked as he looked at the phone before putting it on his ear again.
''Yes, we are at Amber's place. Jade is sleeping that's why I am answering her phone on her behalf'' Ever said awkwardly and immediately hung up the call.
Ever stared at the phone and Amber came out and saw her.
''What are you doing with Jade's phone?'' Amber asked.
''Oh, nothing. I'm going to the washroom first'' Jade said with a reddened face.
''Why is your face red? Are you also drunk?'' Amber asked.
''Nothing, I'm going to use the washroom'' Ever said and stood up.
.....
Next day
Early in the morning, the smell of freshly baked Irish bread took over the bakery section of the kitchen. Ever placed the baking sheet with the bread on the table and looked at it with satisfaction. The F and B manager had called her last night to make a request for Irish bread with sultanas to be served with the breakfast of the day, so she had arrived early to make it.
Emma entered and the smell swooped through her nose and she sauntered in hurriedly with a smile.
''Miss Ever, this smells so good'' she said as she looked at the bread.
''Want some?'' Ever asked knowing how much of a glutton her assistant was.
''You know me best'' Emma said licking her lips.
''I knew you would want some, so I made some for you. Go and get the serving basket, put these ones in. Send it to the restaurant and come for the ones that are still in the oven''
''Yes, Miss'' Emma pick the bread basket and placed the bread neatly inside, covered it and went away towards the restaurant.