Chapter 8 : Chocolate Molten Lava Cake

                                    

                                          
Chop chop chop. The sound of knives was heard in the kitchen.
"Pass me that onion," Andrew said to Emma. Emma passed it to him. Then he continued to chop the onion and the rest of the ingredients.
But her gaze still stayed at him. She looked at his serious face, in every detail expression that he made. She always enjoyed seeing Andrew cooking. He put his heart into it. His eyes averted from side to side of the ingredient with his hands moving to chop or mixing ingredients. Sometimes he mumbled something incoherently about the measurement. And it was interesting sight to see for her. There was something warm growing inside her chest every time she saw him, especially when he was cooking. She knew the feeling was forbidden, but it was hard to resist for her.
"Why are you staring at me, Emma? Is there something on my face?" he said without looking at her.
She startled and tried to avert her gaze to other direction but it was too late for her. She didn't realize she stared at him longer than she used to be. Usually she only took several glances. Andrew lifted up her gaze meeting with her, smirking. And that didn't help with her heartbeat that kept beating faster.
"Nothing," she said calmly, " just..mm.. " she looked around trying to change the subject.
"you don't happen to have crush on me, do you?" he gave wicked smile
"wha..." she froze. What should she answer? Just say no and laugh Emma! Her brain screamed at her.
" Maybe a little bit," she smiled and played along with him. Yep little.. just a little.
Andrew laughed then shook his head. "And that would be problem if its true". He put the chopped vegetable to pan on the stove, then started to stir it, gave some salt, pepper, and pinch of sugar. "The plate, please". Emma gave him the plate for the serving. Andrew put the stir-fry vegetable on the plate then she carried the food to be served on the table.
After placing the plate on the table, Emma returned to stand beside Andrew. "Why would it be?" she asked playfully at him. Andrew was different from Alex. From her conversation with Alex couple nights ago, she assumed that Andrew was not 'dangerous'. So although she played with the 'crush' things, he would keep thing straight and would not cross the line.
"Are you seriously asking me that?" he questioned her.
She giggled. "I'm kidding." She grinned at him. He shook her head and a chuckle escaped from him then redirected his attention to clean up the mess in front of him. A smile was still plastered on her lips. She took several glances before helping Andrew. 
The beeping sound from oven alarm made them stop from cleaning activities. Andrew walked to the oven, opened it, then took several cups from inside the oven.
"It's ready" he said. Emma walked approaching him. Chocolate and other delicious smell came from the cup that he brought.
"What is it?" she was curious and tried to peek.
"Chocolate molten lava cake. I tried to make it before, but it burned. Today, I try to make it again. Let see," he carefully run the knife on the edge of each cake, put small plate above it then flip the cup and the plate. Slowly, he lifted the cup then the cake stood perfectly on the plate. "Perfect," he said proudly, satisfy with the result. 
"Can I taste it?" Emma asked. 
"Sure. But I cannot guarantee the taste will be good or not. The first time though," he said. Nervous tone was hinted in his voice.
"That's okay. It looks delicious and tasty," Emma almost drooled by the delicious smell of the cake.
"Haha.. thanks," he grinned widely while giving the plate with the cake on it to Emma.
She received it then took small spoon, cut the cake in the middle. The chocolate melted from its centre. "Yummy," she said, licking her lower lips. Then she took one scoop then ate it. She closed her eyes and moaned with delicious taste in her mouth. "Its sooo delicious Drew!!! You are a great chef. It soo YUM!"
Andrew smiled while watching her enjoying the cake. She scooped it again and again until nothing left in her plate. She used her finger to swipe the chocolate left on the plate then licked her finger.
"One is never enough," she said while licking her finger. Then she noticed that Andrew didn't said anything. She looked at him staring at her. "What?"
" You have something on the corner of your-," he said, pointed at her lips.
"Oh.. thank you," she tried to wipe her lips. "Is it still there?"
"Yep.. here let me..," he stepped closer to her then lean forward, and licked the corner of her lips. She froze. He pulled back then smirked. "It is delicious". She blushed furiously, then looked down. Her heart started beating rapidly. It felt like she was having a heart attack at the moment. The different was she didn't feel any pain on her chest, only pounded heartbeat that suddenly went faster. 
"What are you two doing?" Alex voice echoed from behind the kitchen island. Emma turned her head to his direction, while Andrew was staring at her. A wide grin plastered on Alex's face. 
"Food tasting. I made hot molten cake. Wanna try some?" Andrew turned his head and looked at Alex then waltz away, took another cake and offer it to him. Emma spun around facing the sink, trying to catch her breath. Her heart was still thundering on her chest.
What was that? Her heart still racing rapidly. She took deep breath tried to calm her breath. 
"Straight to the dessert, do you Drew?" she could hear Alex teasing Andrew. 
"Just try it," he said.
Emma just closed her eyes, reached for the counter, one hand propped up her body and the other covered her face. She wondered how long she could survive living in this house without having real heart attack.