Chapter 3
The realization hit Leza like a physical blow. Her eyes widened as she gasped, "Oh no! My phone... my purse! I dropped them somewhere on the way. Everything was in there—my ID card, my life!"
Honsu, lean and composed, looked at her with a flicker of amusement. A short, dry laugh escaped his lips. "You are incredibly clumsy. Who on earth drops their phone and purse while walking?"
His laughter stung. Leza pouted, her voice rising in defensive frustration. "Because my fiancé had just shattered my world with a shock! I didn't even realize when they slipped from my hands."
A soft knock interrupted them. "Brother, can I come in?"
"Come in, Dohi," Honsu replied, his tone softening.
Dohi entered, her face lighting up when she saw Leza sitting up. "Oh, Leza! You're awake. That's a relief." She extended her hands, holding the missing items. "Here you go. I found these on the road while I was following you."
Leza's face beamed with gratitude. "Thank you! You people are truly kind."
Honsu cleared his throat, regaining his authoritative air. "It's late. Tonight's dinner will be prepared by Leza."
Dohi leaned toward her brother, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh? Earlier you rejected her, and now you're dying to taste her food? Is there some 'romance' brewing here, Brother?"
Honsu shot her a frigid look. "Stop dreaming. It's nothing like that." He turned back to Leza. "You are currently in a guest room of the five-star Wontey Restaurant. Get ready and meet me in the kitchen. You have exactly three hours to impress us. Cook whatever your heart desires."
Leza smirked. "Does your kitchen have large, fresh sea crabs?"
Honsu raised his chin with pure arrogance. "There is nothing that the Wontey kitchen does not possess. Crabs? Interesting choice. Tell me what you need, and I'll have the ingredients prepped while you get ready."
Leza quickly scribbled a list of ingredients. As Honsu scanned the paper, a hint of respect crossed his face. "Fine choice of ingredients. I'll have them ready."
Shortly after, Leza emerged, wearing a pristine apron and a chef's cap. She walked into the kitchen with a newfound confidence. "Now, watch what I can achieve with only nine fingers," she challenged.
"I'm watching," Honsu replied, taking a seat on a stool facing the workstation. Dohon and Dohi joined him, their eyes fixed on Leza.
Dohon, ever the prankster, grinned at her. "Miss Leza, may I provide a live commentary of your cooking performance?"
"Why not? Go ahead," Leza laughed.
"No need for such nonsense," Honsu grumbled, but Dohon was already in character.
"And here we go!" Dohon announced in a booming voice. "Ladies and gentlemen, the world-renowned Chef Leza is in her element! Step one: She has seized the crab claws with utter ruthlessness! Oh, the poor crabs never stood a chance! Look at that technique—she's a cold-blooded assassin in the kitchen!"
Leza shot him a weary, 'I-shouldn't-have-allowed-this' look. Dohon froze, feigning terror. "It seems Chef Leza is considering cooking me along with the crabs! Please, spare me!"
Honsu suppressed a smile. Keep it up, Dohon. You'll annoy her into a mistake, he thought.
Leza ignored the chatter and focused. She blanched the crabs in boiling water, then used a rolling pin to expertly extract the tender, succulent meat from the massive claws. Honsu's eyes tracked her every move. Her speed... her precision... how is she doing this with a missing finger?
In her mind, Leza recalled the recipe: Chop the pale pink meat into a fine mince. Mix in two farm-fresh eggs, a secret blend of home-ground spices, and bread soaked in milk for that perfect texture. Mash it until it's a consistent paste.
She formed the mixture into perfect golden spheres and dropped them into sizzling oil. For the presentation, she used the cleaned crab shells as bowls. She placed each golden crab ball inside a shell, garnished with a crisp leaf of cabbage for a pop of color, and paired it with a thick, tangy tamarind dipping sauce spiked with chili flakes.
When she placed the three plates before the siblings, Honsu spoke first. "Visually, it's stunning. But does the taste match the presentation?"
Leza bowed slightly, her hands tucked behind her back. "Taste and see for yourselves."
Dohon poked a crab ball with a grin. "I didn't expect to be eating golden 'laddus' tonight."
"You first, Brother," Dohi insisted, looking at Honsu.
"No," Honsu directed. "Dohon is the expert on spices. You taste it first."
Dohon dipped a golden ball into the tamarind sauce and brought it to his nose. "The aroma is... intoxicating." He closed his eyes and took a bite.
The kitchen went silent. Dohon stopped moving. For a moment, it felt as though he was no longer in the room, but riding a giant crab through the cool depths of the ocean. When he finally swallowed, he opened his eyes, staring at Leza in pure shock.
"What is this? I felt like I was underwater! The sweetness, the slight tang, the spice combo—it's magic! I give this a 9.5 out of 10. You are incredible!"
Dohi followed, her eyes lighting up. "I've never tasted a spice blend like this! It's a 10/10 for me!"
Finally, it was Honsu's turn. Leza watched him intently. "And you, Mr. Perfectionist? What is your review?"
Honsu didn't say a word. He took a bite. The flavor exploded. It was more than just food; it was an experience that washed away his fatigue like a cool tide. His eyes were shadowed as he stood up from his seat.
"It's... excellent. You pass," he said curtly before turning on his heel and walking away.
He locked himself in the restroom, staring at his reflection in the mirror, his heart racing. I was wrong. There is magic in those 'imperfect' hands. Is she... is she a better chef than me? No. That's impossible.