Chapter 198
After the kidnapping incident, Aidan made a trip from Odionland to take Isla back home. Isla had originally stayed for Bowen, but unexpectedly, she’d barely spent time with him and instead got hooked on video games. That day when Bowen came to rescue Aubree, Isla finally realized that there was no place for her in Bowen’s heart. With her pride, she decided not to keep chasing what was impossible. So, Isla made a clean break and returned to Odionland with Aidan.
Before leaving, Isla reminded Aubree, “Don’t forget to keep teaching me how to play games on the phone when you’re free!”
Aubree spent two days in the hospital before being cleared to leave. While her body had recovered, the events of that day stayed with her. For quite some time, Aubree was in low spirits, barely able to muster any energy. Noticing this, Bowen helped her get in touch with a therapist.
At Es Heights, Hugh and Carol, along with the other staff members, stood anxiously outside the kitchen, watching Bowen’s busy figure inside with bated breath.
Hugh thought to himself, “Surely Bowen can manage not to blow up the kitchen, right?”
None of them knew what had gotten into Bowen today. He suddenly decided to learn how to cook, stubbornly refused all help, and shooed everyone out of the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Bowen fumbled around for ages before finally locating the rolled oats. His phone, on speaker for a group video call, sat on the kitchen counter.
“Well, well, well, isn’t this a rare sight! Our very own Mr. Turner actually getting his hands dirty in the kitchen!” Ollie’s playful, slightly mocking voice was the first to chime in.
Then came Mark’s deadpan question. “We won’t die from eating this, right?”
“Is there anything I’m not capable of?” Armed with online tips, Bowen put the rolled oats into the pot.
“Besides,” Bowen thought to himself, “it’s just oatmeal. How hard could it possibly be?”
“Still, since it’s my first time making this, I’d better get someone to try it first, just in case it turns out terrible. Hugh and Carol are getting on in years, and it’s inappropriate to put them through that. The other staff are still busy with work, so I’d better not interrupt them either.” After mulling it over, Bowen decided that Mark and Ollie were the most idle, free, and healthy of the bunch. When it came to using his friends as guinea pigs, he never held back.
“That’s true,” he mused. “Bowen’s reliability speaks for itself. Everything he does is flawless.”
Trusting his friend completely, Ollie didn’t hesitate for a second before choosing to believe Bowen.
Mark, being in the know, thought to himself, “Wait, is Bowen just using us as guinea pigs before cooking for Aubree?”
With Ollie’s approval, Bowen smirked as he poured the rolled oats into the pot. “So, care to come to Ellis Heights and be my taste testers?”
Mark was still racking his brain for an excuse to get out of it when Ollie had already agreed without a second thought.
“Getting to eat a home-cooked meal from Bowen? That’s prime bragging material for our next night out,” Ollie thought. He couldn’t wait to jump at the chance, and he made sure to drag Mark along. “Come on, Mark, you’ve got to come too. When Bowen cooks himself, it’d be rude to say no!”
Mark gritted his teeth. “Fine, I’ll go.”
The oatmeal was almost ready. Bowen figured plain oatmeal was too bland, so he grabbed some seasonal veggies to whip up a quick salad. Just as the salad was ready, Ollie and Mark showed up.
Ollie’s eyes lit up when he saw the salad. “Damn, Bowen, you’ve got some serious skills!”
Bowen served the oatmeal and salad. The oatmeal was simple to make but looked decent, and the vegetable salad turned out presentable with a nice plating. Ollie’s guard dropped completely.
Mark eyed the vegetables suspiciously. “Is this even salad material?”
Bowen waved them over. “Care for a taste?”