Gulf's POV

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I knew it was hard taking care of a child, but it was much harder, well I'm glad that he was accepted into the kindergarten, but I also had to learn how to cook breakfast and dinner for him, how to supervise him at home, teaching him, playing with him so he won't feel lonely and many other things.

From all of that, my greatest challenge was cooking, I did learn a few things from my mother before I started university since I live far from home and had to live alone but what I learned is not appropriate at all to a child, so on weekends I would either call my mother or follow some online recipes to cook a healthy meal for Kusa.

It helped me a lot that Kusa isn't a picky eater and enjoy everything I prepare, still it took me more than half a year to get much better at cooking, I failed a lot, burned a lot of food and sometimes I ended up taking him out for dinner but now I can say that I did a good job, I even surprised myself.

For my son, he was sad and kept his distance from everyone in his class at the beginning, his teacher told me that he even refused to talk to her and would come to my class and hide behind me however slowly he got pulled by the atmosphere the other kids created, especially the events that we organize helped him open up to his classmates and he started having fun like any normal kid.

Seeing him smile and running around made me delighted and glad, he was so obedient that I was worried, he never asked for anything, he stay still close to me being afraid that I may leave him and that won't ever happen, I assured him so many times that I will stay with him for a very long time, after a few months he relaxed and started to be himself.

Every day is hectic thanks to him, I get so tired, not only taking care of my boy but also cleaning the house and doing the laundry took the better of me but I won't give up, they say children grow up quickly and for now no matter how exhausting and hard things may get I'm going to enjoy every minute with him.

I'm thankful that my parents helps me too, at first Kusa refused to go with them and stayed stuck to me from the moment he wakes up until he goes to sleep but slowly he got used to them and he even calls them grandpa and grandma, on weekends when they are free they will take him so I can rest a little and do all chores at ease and it saved me a lot.

This year, he was assigned to my class and he was overjoyed, seeing him happily playing and talking normally with other kids makes me smile a lot, I don't know why I got attached to Kusa this much, he became a part of my life and I can't imagine living without him anymore..

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"we had so much fun on Saturday, I drank so much that I couldn't wake up the next day" P' Kiet came closer to me while watching the kids playing outside

"I told you to stop but you wouldn't listen"

"yeah I regret it, but with the beautiful girls surrounding us and pouring me glasses I couldn't reject them"

"I understand it's hard especially for you"

"I just want to hurry and find a girlfriend"

"love can't come in a hurry, just go with the flow until you find real love"

"that's rich coming for you who never dated before"

"I did! During high school"

"and how much did it last?"

"3 months" he laughed making me a little embarrassed, it's true I've never really dated, even that time during high school was basically going on a few dates or walking her home, I didn't love her but when she confessed I couldn't find a reason to reject her so I just went with the flow, she tried seducing me and inviting me to her room wearing light clothes but I never paid her any attention that's when I realized that loving someone is a special thing and won't happen with anyone.

"speaking of dating, there is a rumor that the teacher named Gan from xx class started dating a man, the one who told me apparently saw them holding hands and going into a love hotel a while ago" he whispered

"well as long as they are happy it's fine right?"

"yeah it's just a little weird that a preschool teacher will start dating someone from the same gender, personally as someone who loves kids and always surrounded by them I would love to have a kid of my own one day"

"that's the power of love, some people even gave up on their dreams just to be with the one they truly love"

"I think you're right, as a single man I have no right to judge, who knows maybe I too will end up loving a man" I giggled

"to be honest I can't imagine you with a man after seeing you surrounded by all the girls last time and flirting with, no wait even with girls is a bit..." he glared

"I can't see you dating anyone either, stupid" I laughed making him laugh too.

During pickup time I stood by the gate seeing children off and talking with parents about things they must know about their kids, Kusa was with me all the time talking with his classmates before they leave, suddenly I noticed some parents whispering and some females getting a little excited, I glanced to where they all were looking but didn't see anyone special

"omg, Gulf, that's the new famous chef" P' Kiet said coming closer

"chef?" I looked confused

"don't tell me you don't know him"

"I don't"

"read the news more idiot, his name is Mew Suppasit, he is only 28 years old but is a well recognized chef who won multiple contests, his dishes are the top and most appreciated nowadays, he owns a restaurant that is always full and you can go there after making a reservation, they say even the restaurant is beautifully decorated and that the decoration itself magically change every week matching the main dishes offered there, many famous executives and government officials became regulars there"

"wow! It's hard to be recognized as a top chef, he must be so skilled and worked hard to get to this point"

"absolutely, aside from the fact that he is a good-looking and skilled chef, he is the grandson of late famous pastry chef Kaanan Bunnag, the chef Mew also excelled in pastry and making desserts"

"amazing" I said glancing back to the young chef who was talking to another man, it looked like they were waiting for a kid

"can you guess his most famous sweet that is loved by everyone?"

"I don't know, cheesecake? Apple pie?"

"Brownies"

"Brownies?" I looked to P' Kiet who nodded

"yes, for some reason his brownies have some secret that make you melt instantly, it will make you start daydreaming from the first bite, I got the chance to taste it once, not only it's fresh but is costumed to what you like"

"how is that?"

"for example if you like caramel, he will make you a brownies filled with caramel inside, or with nuts or even marshmallows and all of them are perfect, I got to taste one with raspberry"

"I see, does his restaurant do deliveries or can I buy one without staying there?"

"no, nothing comes out of that restaurant, it's his rule, it seem that many would do anything to get their hands at his recipes that obviously should stay confidential that's why you can only taste it if you go there, I was lucky to be invited by my cousin who is a fan of him"

"too bad" I looked back to him again then concentrated with the next parent who came to pick his child.

I envy him for being able to make a delicious brownies, actually I discovered that this chocolate cake is Kusa's favorite and it seem his mother cooked it a lot for him, I tried following many recipes but none was successful, it was editable but not tasty, Kusa noticed how I get frustrated each time I fail cooking it so he never mentioned it again for months now but I know that he really want to eat one.

I searched about that chef and all information that I heard was true about him, honestly I don't care about his background or how talented they say, I just want Kusa to eat a delish brownies, I looked into the restaurant and the prices was high, so expensive for a preschool teacher, but I'm not giving up, I will take Kusa there and buy his favorite cake even if I have to use all my savings.

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"hello, I would like to make a reservation, an adult and a child" I called that place on the weekend after seeing Kusa off to my parents' house

"hello sir, we are actually full for the next two weeks"

"it's fine, please set me any free time you have even if it's next month but make sure it's Saturday or Sunday"

"thank you for your understanding sir, then you can come xx/xx by 4 pm, does that work for you sir?"

"yes, thank you"

"may I have your name and phone number sir?"

"Gulf Kanawut, my number is xxxxxxxxxx"

"a table for two, any preferred spot?"

"anywhere is fine"

"alright sir, thank you for reserving in our modest restaurant 'Delight Sweet Dreams' , we will contact in case of any changes"

"thank you" I had to wait for another month to take Kusa there, but it worked well for me, I will use my next paycheck for this restaurant of course I kept it a surprise from everyone. The D-day

"daddy, where are we going?" he asked while we were walking there

"to a place that you love a lot"

"I love all places you take me to daddy"

"my sweet boy, I will take you everywhere so you can always be happy"

"thank you" once we arrived, we were welcome by a nice looking waiter, she looked so professional leading us to our table

"what would you like to order sir?" not wanting to say it out loud I raised the menu pointing at the brownies

"I would like to order this to my son and for me a black coffee please" she smiled nodding then walked away. The place is super amazing, the decoration made me feel like I'm home, the was even a small garden with a fountain in the middle of it that make you imagine yourself in a beautiful garden, not just the multicolored flowers and cute & cool wallpapers but there was a sweet relaxing aroma around, even the lightning was perfect.

Glancing around there was families and couples and friends, some looked from a very rich families some looked normal which make it a place for everyone and all of them must have been saving up just to come here, personally I don't think I can come here a lot but once in a while looks good, maybe I will come again for Kusa's birthday

"excuse me sir" a familiar man came closer, oh, isn't he the chef? He stood closer to me with a small smile, he looked so professional but friendly at the same time, looking at him from this close made me realize how handsome he is, his was tall and well build and there was a sweet smell coming from him

"yes?" I asked hiding my surprise

"the waiter forgot to ask what do you want inside the dish?"

"ah, umm... what do recommend for a child?" he glanced to Kusa then back to me, he held out the menu pointing at the marshmallows

"many children ordered this so I recommend to add it sir"

"alright, then I will take that oh and please just call me Gulf, especially since I'm younger than you" he looked a bit surprised for a moment then smiled and nodded, after putting the menu away

" do I add the ingredient in the two pieces?" I was confused

"two pieces?"

"the plate contain two slices"

"really? I didn't know, then just add it to only one slice the other one is a normal piece please" he nodded

"your plate will be ready soon, Gulf"

"please take your time, I'm really enjoying being here since it's my first time, this place incredible, you must have worked hard to fulfill your dream of becoming a chef" he gazed to me with wide eyes, a soft grin formed on his face

"thank you, I'm happy that you like it here... thank you Gulf" he thanked me again making me confused.

"daddy, I saw that man on TV" when the young chef left Kusa said

"he is a very famous chef, he is very good at cooking"

"daddy's cooking is good too"

"I'm glad to know that" if I compare myself the Mew, I'm nothing but an amateurs who keep following online recipes, about 10 min later, the chef came back with the brownies and my coffee , the moment Kusa saw his plate his eyes went wide shining, he was dancing in his place

"please enjoy" he said as my son took the first bite, I kept watching him his reaction, he was silent for a while then looked up with tears in his eyes making the chef shocked and worried

"I'm sorry was the cake bad?" he asked

"it's so delicious, it's sweet like how mother used to make it"

"finally I found the perfect one for you Kusa"

"yes daddy, I love it so much" I glanced up to the chef who was still shocked

"don't worry chef, Kusa's favorite sweet is brownies, since I started taking care of him I tried to cook him many ones but failed, that's why I was searching for a place that serve a tasty cake that will make him happy and finally found it, thank you chef for making this little boy smile so purely" I explained

"I see, I was worried that he may not like it"

"I love it uncle thank you!" Kusa said but then he stopped eating

"why did you stop?"

"I want daddy eat it too, you always look sad when you make brownies so this one will make you happy" I smiled taking my first bite, wow, it melted in my mouth, the taste was out of this world, I never ate something so perfect like this before, the sweetness was ideal, the chocolate was... I have no words to describe it, I was so into it that I didn't notice that I kept touching my lips while slowly savouring it.

"Gulf?" I glanced to him

"I love you"

"huh?" he looked to me stunned that's when I noticed what I have said, I blushed looking to Kusa then back to him

"so-sorry I me-mean I love it, the brownies, it's 'it' "I could feel my cheeks getting warmer as I looked away, he suddenly started giggling making me glance up to him

"you are an unusual guest"

"I'm really sorry, I was so focused on the heavenly appetizing brownies that I didn't notice what I was saying... I'm so embarrassed right now"

"please don't apologize, it makes me so happy seeing how you enjoyed my creation, many think it's a simple cake with less ingredients than a big cake but it's a really delicate one"

"I totally understand, I tried cooking it over 20 times, the last 3 ones where editable but nothing compared to this, thank you for making such divine creation" we both smiled

"Kusa, you keep enjoying the rest"

"but daddy you eat more too"

"I'm already full so you eat it" he smiled and started eating it

"you have a very nice son"

"yes I do, he appeared suddenly in my life and I love him a lot" after enjoying our time there, we walked out, it was a bit expensive but this restaurant deserve it, I want to come back and eat his main dishes and other sweets too

"daddy, can we come back here again?" I looked surprised to him, my son never asked me this before or anything for that matter

"do you like this restaurant?"

"I love it a lot, and the chef uncle is nice and he makes very tasty brownies"

"I agree, we surely will come back"

🎂💋🎂💋🎂💋🎂💋🎂💋🎂💋🎂💋🎂💋

the two protagonists will meet again soon

and it will be an unexpected meeting ^^

please enjoy ^^