CHAPTER 28

That sounds like a tremendous plan. My heart leaped with ecstasy. The Christmas spirit was indeed bringing good tidings my way. "Okay, what do I do next?" I asked inquisitively after bringing out everything he instructed me to do.
       "3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, Juice of 1 lime, 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 lb cod, 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil, Kosher salt, Freshly ground black pepper, 8 corn tortillas, 1 avocado, diced,"
       "Geez. That's a lot of pedagogy. I should just give up right now. I'll try something else."
       "No." Nanny Mai stood in the way, her arms folded like a resisting child. "You give up a lot before trying and that's why Diana's ahead of you. Getting someone who abhors you to love you ain't easy. That's why you have to give it all you've got. I'm rooting for you."
       "Me too." Max winked.
       How reassuring. I scoffed. They say that as if their votes would make Liam enjoy my food. Nanny Mai's right. I inferred. I should try before giving up. How hard could it be? I already unseated the most onerous thing by saying 'I do,' this wasn't a big deal.
       "Here." Nanny Mai passed me a medium shallow bowl from the kitchen drawer.
        I poured together olive oil, lime juice, paprika, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne, and used the kitchen whisk to stir them. Max and Nanny Mai observed in silence. They knew better than to speak anything fatuous when I was in that dreadful state. "Is this the recipe used in New Generation Restaurant?" I stirred harder.
       Max shook his head in response. "Not really. I saw this method online. You want to make a good impression, then do something outside what he already knows."
       Geez. They keep reiterating this good impression thing that I'm starting to regret why I let them in on my plan in the first place.
       "Don't forget to add the Cod.
       "Sure." I added the Cod, "1/2 lb. cod, right?" tossing it until it was coated evenly then dropped the bowl on the kitchen table to marinate for 15 minutes.
       "She's doing good." Nanny Mai said. She knew exactly how to say the most comforting thing at the right time. "For the next part."
       "You want to do this one?" he asked.
       She glimmered then answered, "Let's see if I still remember."
       Wow. What a bond. Max's presence in the house lit up the place. Liam's house used to be like a necropolis. There was no sound of laughter or chatter. Every time his family gathered, it was to eat or talk about business. I finally figured out why Max didn't stay with his parents or Liam. He probably felt alone and bored. Is she saying something? I shook my thoughts out of my head and focused on Nanny Mai. "Again please."
       "Here." She passed me a large bowl and said, "Number one rule, don't think; cook."
       "Sure." I dropped the large bowl on the table and made the slaw then used the whisk to mix mayonnaise, lime juice, cilantro, and honey. "Stir in cabbage, corn, and jalapeño. Season with salt and pepper." My mouth echoed back and did as instructed by Nanny Mai. "You guys are geniuses. Is this your recipe, Nanny Mai?"
       "No. I learned it online as well."
       The last time I tried to cook from a video I watched online, my mum's kitchen was in jeopardy. Firefighters had been called to put off the fire erupting from the cooker. I vowed to myself that day that I wouldn't learn from the internet. But today these professionals are telling me they learned to cook from the internet. I guess everyone has different ways of learning. "What next?"
       "Heat your vegetable oil."
       Right. What's wrong with me? I don't even know a little thing about fish tacos. A food my stepdad and husband love so much. Placing the frying pan on the gas cooker, I lit up the fire. "And,"
       "Remove the cod and season both sides,"
       "Easy." I removed the cod from the marinade and seasoned both sides of each filet with salt and pepper. "Add fish flesh side-down." I balled my eyes and then did as told. Why are there so many rules for just cooking a meal Liam would eat in only two minutes?
       "Cook until opaque and cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes per side." Max breathed in relief.
       I'm more eager to get this done than you. I chuckled.
       "Once you're done, serve your fish over grilled tortillas with corn slaw and avocado. Don't forget to squeeze lime juice on top and garnish with sour cream." Nanny instructed. "Bye. All the best."
       I ran to the door and stood defensively, my right hand on my waist, and said, "You guys ain't leaving. What if I forget the last instruction?"
       "Then don't forget."
       Max. I'll deal with this later. "Please, guys. Fine. I'll let you have a plate each."
       "Deal." The looks on their faces had my eyes reverberating. How could they accept bribes from a family member? But wait. Did they try to run away because of my food? "I hope it tastes good. I once went to a restaurant to buy food because of the aroma. Turned out the food didn't taste as it smelled."
       "True. I've been there before." Max cracked up.
       We sat together around the table discussing nothing explicit aside making fun of each extended family member, their expressions, and their dressing. Just then it taunted me to ask Max why he had no interest in the family company. He shook his head in reply and made a humongous proud comment about how handsome and intelligible he was. The restaurant wasn't his interest.
       "And my examination results are out." I removed my hair bonnet and allowed my long brunette hair to drop on my shoulders and then carried the fish tacos in a tray and placed it on the kitchen table.
      "What if it isn't good?"
      "Be optimistic, Nanny. You always say the nicest things so why are you doing this to me today?"
       "I hate to tell lies." She dropped the plate of smoky barbecued corn by the tray and continued, "But I'm certain it would taste good. You put a lot of effort into this. Just know that if he doesn't appreciate it, Max and I do."
       "Yeah, but neither of you is my husband."
       "Don't forget this," Max ran back to the fridge and brought out a bottle of tequila then placed it in my tray. "He would love this."
       "I don't think so. I haven't seen him drink this before." I raised an eyebrow.
       "There are a lot of expensive wines in this house from all over the world. The only wine that isn't here is tequila."
       "Why?"
       "My dad had an issue with the producers and, it's a long story for another day. Just give him this. Liam has an obsession with new things."
       While striding out of the kitchen, I turned back snappily, "Hey, if there ain't no tequila in this house, how did this come out from that fridge?"
       Max and Nanny Mai darted away simultaneously. Neither of them was willing to give me an answer.
       I smiled then shook my head and footed out.
       "The food. Oh my God!" Nanny Mai exclaimed.
       That was the loudest and the only thing my ears heard before running back to the kitchen. "What's wrong with the food?"
       "Have fun." The expression on their respective faces didn't look anything like someone who wished well for a friend. If anything, it did look like when a mum was saying her last goodbyes to her son who was about to be executed.
       I can't throw it away. I'll just serve it to him. If he despises it then I don't care. Actually, I do care. Let him not hate it. I could visualize the scolding already as I ascended the stairs.
       "She's Liam's wife. They say the beautiful ones are the most conniving."
       "I couldn't agree less. She obviously married him for his money."
       "How shoddy. She isn't even close to his ex-girlfriend."
       Going up the stairs, not giving two cents about what his relatives thought of me, I fixed my eyes on our bedroom door. Why gossip loudly? The only intention of doing that was to hurt the victim. The words of people who didn't know a thing about me didn't matter. The door was already opened when I reached. "Already in. I cooked the food, I walked past his detestable relatives with the food now it remains only one thing. To eat the food. I hope this works out." After placing the food on the table, while trying to step out, my phone rang. "Who could be calling? They should have just waited."
      "Sup gal." Rachel hollered as soon as I answered the phone. "How're you catching up?"
      "Any news on Lisa? I asked.
      "Yes. Andrea checked on it and he discovered Lisa's home address. According to her neighbors, Lisa comes in at night but they don't see her leave the house during the day."
      "That's it?" I already knew she was leaving in Diana's home.
      "No. There appears to be someone else living in that same house with her. Her name is Ana. From the news I gathered, Ana leaves the house every morning and doesn't return."
      Ana? I know all of Lisa's friends but I haven't heard of any Ana before. Could it be Diana? But she barely left the Smith's house. I paced around the room with the phone on my ear. "Did you happen to find out what her friend looks like?"
      "Not really. If I find out anything, I would let you know."
      "Sure. Oh, and don't forget to send me a picture of her friend if you do find out."
      "Sure." I threw the phone on the bed and relaxed my head on the wall. "The problem keeps getting larger and larger." Who precisely was the Ana she was referring to? Diana never left the house unless she was going to the office with Liam. "I wonder if Mum knows about it,"
      "Know about what?" Liam sauntered into the room with some file documents in his hands. He took a glimpse at me before taking off his suit jacket and tossing it on the bed. "What's going on? I'm really worried about you these days. You've been acting strangely and making numerous phone calls, is everything alright? The other day you returned late with Max and you were bleeding. I asked but thinking about your reply that day, I'm certain you lied."
       "Why do you care?" That was my frailty. I unintentionally picked a fight with him even when I wanted him so badly.
       "It's my responsibility." He replied immediately.
       "How long are you going to keep seeing me as a responsibility?"
       "Are we back to this again?"
       "We never left it."
       "Too bad I'm not in a good spirit to listen to you today. Hey, have you seen my green suit jacket?" He asked while looking through his wardrobe. "My house is starting to look like a carnival. I didn't realize when my family got this big."
       "You're sure you didn't leave it in Diana's room last night? I remember you going to her room with it."
       "Oh, thanks. Could you....."
       "Fine." I giggled before leaving the room. I've been looking for a perfect opportunity to search her room and the chance came just at the right time. "Don't leave until I get back. I made something for you." I pointed at the food. "You can start eating. But please don't leave yet. I can't spend the rest of the day wondering what or how my food was."
        "How could I conceivably leave when you're going to get what I need to wear to go out?" As I stepped out slowly, I heard the sound of the tray being adjusted.
       True. When I got to her room, I looked around before entering in and locking the door. "Where do I start?"
       "Start with what?"
       I shuddered away. "Oh jeez!" Clutching my chest with both hands, I asked in a breathless voice, "When did you get here? I saw you downstairs a while ago."
       "Liam's family hates you."
       "Figured."
       "They had a lot of nasty things to say and I couldn't take it anymore so I came here. Now why are you in my room? You've never come here before."
       Moving from one spot to another, my index finger pointed, "For this. I came to get his jacket."
       "Don't think anything cynical. He was here last night for business only." She defended.
       I wasn't even curious and she was defending herself. My mum had taught me that when someone did that, it implied they were fibbing. Neither of that made a difference to me at that moment except for getting Liam's review. "I'll get going. We'll talk later."
       "Sure."
       She observed me like a CIA agent till I was out of the room. Mrs. Smith stood on the staircase, her elbows resting on the rail and her hand holding up her chin. Nobody needed to tell me she wasn't ecstatic to see her family. "Morning, aunt."
       "You have a trophy for being the most loathed person. And I thought my son was."
       Yeah. That couldn't be more true. "I noticed."
       "Just be cautious around them. Behind those smiles you see downstairs are dirty and devious minds. I don't like you but I also don't want you to die foolishly. There's a lot about my family you don't know and I'm not interested in telling you either." With that said, she cleared her throat, plastered a fake smile on her face, and descended the stairs elegantly.
       Liam. I winked at the little child sitting on her mum's lap before walking toward our bedroom.
       "Hannah!"
       An earthquake? Tsunami, Volcano! Whatever that was made my heart skip a million beats. It felt as though the ground was sinking and I was trying to climb out. I drew my lower lip between my teeth and stood like a mannequin, wondering if I should go inside or go back to my parent's home. No one forced me to cook. That was the only thing I regretted at that moment. I haven't paid my parents a visit in a long while.