Raine moved around the kitchen with a natural grace, her hands busy preparing two plates of food. The smell of roasted vegetables filled the air, blending perfectly with the aroma of the fresh herbs she had just sprinkled over the dish. She wasn't sure why she'd decided to make more than enough for herself. It was simply something that felt right in the moment. Maybe it was her curiosity about Jeff—or maybe, just maybe, the fact that she had never really shared a meal with anyone in this house.
She glanced over at Jeff, who was sitting at the kitchen table, his posture relaxed but purposeful, as if he were waiting for something—someone. His attention seemed fixed on the window as if expecting the arrival of some mysterious delivery, perhaps the plants Tristan had ordered earlier in the week for his garden.
But Raine knew better. She could sense the lie in the air.
"You're still waiting for the plants, huh?" she said lightly, setting a plate of food in front of him.
Jeff didn't respond immediately. Instead, he gave a small nod, his gaze flicking back to the window. "Yeah, the order should've come by now," he said, his voice steady, but with a slight edge of uncertainty.
Raine smiled, raising an eyebrow. She wasn't sure what it was about Jeff that piqued her curiosity, but it was easy to see that there was more to him than met the eye. She set a second plate down beside his and sat across from him, her chair creaking softly as she settled into it.
It felt strangely comfortable. This was, after all, the first time in ages that she'd shared a meal with someone in this house. In fact, it had been over thirteen years since she'd eaten with anyone outside of her immediate family.
"Alright, Jeff," she began, breaking the silence, "You're telling me you're waiting for plants that were supposed to arrive hours ago?"
Jeff shifted in his seat, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He didn't seem to mind her playful jab, but he was careful not to reveal too much. "What can I say?" he responded with a grin, "Guess they've got me waiting. The plants can be a little... unpredictable."
Raine laughed, leaning back in her chair. The sound was easy, unforced. "I think you're more interested in waiting for me to leave so you can steal my food," she teased, giving him a sidelong glance.
Jeff chuckled softly, clearly amused by her comment. "Maybe," he replied, his voice tinged with humor. "Or maybe I'm just trying to distract you from the obvious."
Raine leaned forward, intrigued. "And what's the obvious, Jeff?"
He paused, eyes drifting to the window again, as if contemplating something just beyond the glass. Then, finally, he looked back at her with a more serious expression. "You're not just here to cook, are you?"
The question caught her off guard, though she quickly masked her reaction with a wry smile. She wasn't surprised he saw through the surface of things. She'd been wondering the same thing about herself for the last few days.
"Maybe," she said nonchalantly, her fingers tracing the edge of her plate. "Maybe I'm here for a little more than that. But then again, aren't we all?"
Jeff raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "What does that mean?"
Raine shrugged, biting her lip thoughtfully before replying, "Who knows? Maybe I'm just curious about Tristan's life. The stories people tell... the gossips... you know, the ones about how he's a ruthless, manipulative CEO. Can't say I believe it all, though. But who really knows him, right?"
Jeff's expression changed subtly, a flicker of something passing through his eyes—a momentary flash of caution, or perhaps something else. He didn't answer right away, taking a moment to consider her words.
"I wouldn't believe everything you hear," he said quietly. "People like to talk, and they'll twist things to make them sound worse than they really are. But I think you're right about one thing... not many people know the real Tristan. And that's just how he likes it."
Raine nodded, intrigued. She couldn't help but feel that there was more to the situation than just the rumors and gossip she had heard. Her eyes met Jeff's, searching for something unspoken.
"You know," she began slowly, "Some people think they know him, but I don't know… something about him seems different. He's always so quiet and brooding. I wonder what he'd be like if he ever let someone close."
Jeff leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. He seemed lost in thought for a moment before answering. "Tristan's the kind of guy who keeps everyone at arm's length. He's been through a lot, and he doesn't trust easily. I can't blame him for that. But every so often, he surprises me."
Raine glanced at the food in front of her, pushing her fork around on her plate absentmindedly. She didn't know what it was about Jeff's words, but they struck a chord in her. The idea that Tristan might be hiding something—or someone—beneath the surface intrigued her more than she cared to admit.
"Surprises?" she asked, lifting an eyebrow. "Like what?"
Jeff smirked, but there was a hint of sincerity in his expression. "Not my place to say. I'm just the guy who plants things and makes sure the house stays in one piece. Tristan's got his reasons for being the way he is."
There was an unspoken understanding between them now, a connection forged over casual conversation and half-finished meals. Raine couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity. She wanted to know more—about Tristan, about Jeff, about this strange dynamic that seemed to exist in this house, just out of reach.
As the conversation drifted to lighter topics, like the weather and upcoming plans, the tension between them loosened. For a brief moment, it felt like they were just two ordinary people sharing a meal, without the weight of their complex lives hanging over them.
But as they finished their food and the conversation waned, Raine couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted. The gesture of sharing a meal with Jeff—the simple act of offering food, of sitting together at the table, of acknowledging each other as equals—had broken through some of the barriers she had built around herself.
And maybe, just maybe, it had done the same for Jeff too.
As they finished, Raine leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms above her head. "Well, Jeff, I guess I'm done for the day. If you're still waiting for those plants, I'm sure they'll show up eventually."
Jeff's eyes softened for a moment as he stood, taking the empty plates. "Thanks for the food, Raine. It's not often I get a meal like this, especially not with someone who isn't looking for something in return."
She smiled lightly, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer than usual. "Anytime, Jeff."