Song: Taeyeon Fine

How's everyone doing? We get to meet someone important finally. Was this a shock or expected

"I think they're just trying to make sure we're a sane, stable couple. I guess they've had some trouble in the past. Apparently, Padma Lakshmi and Salman Rushdie broke up during their stay, and it caused all kinds of drama." Dan Huphrey Gossip Girl 

***

I arrive in front of the building and stand with apprehension. 

A lady comes by and places her key against the key code. The door beeps and opens up. She looks at me and smile.

I follow after her and step into the building. Thee doorman greets the lady and walks over to me.

"Good day, please who are you here to see?" He asks.

"Nanchen," I say to which the lady stops walking and turns back to look at me.

The doorman turns to also loo at her.

"You're a friend of Chen's?" She asks.

Chen? I wonder, ah Nanchen.

"Yes, do you know him?" I ask to which she smiles and takes off her shade.

"Yes, I can take you up," She says.

"Oh, thank you," I reply and follow after her. She leads me to the elevator. The walls were filled mirrors with encouraging words on it.

As we get into the elevator I wonder if i should introduce myself. However, she gets a call and gets preoccupied. I quickly text Shangye. "I'm headed upstairs,"

He doesn't respond. Once the floor gets to 21st floor I step out and so does the lady. I wonder if she is also headed to Shang Ye's place however she turns to the other side and walks away.

I walk to the apartment and take deep breaths in haling and exhaling trying to calm myself down. 

I hear deep laughter followed by curses from familiar voices that cause me to break into a smile. 

Seems like a lot of people I knew where here. Good, I didn't feel as nervous anymore. Hence, I quickly ring the doorbell.

"Jasper some one is at the door,"

"Go get it,"

"Isn't this your house?"

"Aren't you also in it?"

"I'm a visitor,"

"If you're a visitor then I am a stranger,"  Jasper says as I hear his voice come closer followed by the sound of the door opening. 

"It's Hannah!" Jasper announces once he opens the door.

"Hannah?!" I hear as the sound of the rush of feet is heard as a group of familiar faces show up in front of me.

"Hey Hannah!"

"Welcome,"

"Why are you acting like it's your house?" Jasper asks Justin.

"Didn't you say I wasn't a stranger?"

"Didn't you claim you were a visitor?" Jasper responds to which I chuckle.

"Hey everyone," I reply smiling.

"Come on in, we don't bite," 

"Nanchen arrived a few minutes before you and he's in the kitchen,"Jasper says.

"Make yourself at home, Hannah,"Summerheat says as she passes me a pair of slippers. I notice everyone's shoes by the door and quickly take mine off.

After changing into a pair of slippers, I watch as everyone runs back to the living room where they were playing some sort of card game ignoring me as if I was an old friend and not a first timer in this home. 

I walk over to a chair and lean against it watching the game.

After a while I hear Nanchen call out to Jasper.

"Jasper, can you get me some plantains from the store room?"

"I'm busy," Jasper replies and pauses lookin at me.

"Hannah, can you please help him out?" He asks.

"I don't know where that is," I reply.

"It's the door down the hallway, it's wide open so you won't miss it," He says.

I nod and walk down the hallway feeling slightly nervous like i was intruding into their personal space. I sight the open door and walk in. The room was filled with all sorts of foodstuff and cooking equipments.

I sight the plantains and grab some. I then head into the kitchen.

"I wasn't sure how many you needed so I brought five," I say placing them on the counter.

Shang Ye's hands pause as he turns around, his eyes falling on me. 

My heart skips a beat. He was wearing a white professional shirt, with the top buttons unbuttoned and his sleeves rolled up above his elbows. He had a black apron around his waist.

I chuckle. "What's funny?" He asks smiling.

"I'm wondering why wear an apron if you're going to wear a white shrt and the apron on your pants," I reply to which he chuckles.

"I texted you that I was here, someone let me in," I mumble.

"That's okay, I'm glad you're here," He says grinning.

"Do you need help?" I ask.

He glances at me and thinks about it before shaking his head." It's okay, I think I'll be faster if I do it myself," He says.

"How about washing veggies? Or cutting them? I do know how to do that." I say not wanting to just stand awkwardly around. He sees to notice my discomfort and says, "I'm somewhat thirsty,"

"I'lll get you some water," i say and hurry to the fridge. I grab an apple drink and look around for a cup. He directs e to where it's at and I get him a glass pouring in the juice. 

From behind me I hear Jasper says "Hannah we are also thirsty," A huge riotous laughter erupts.

"Make your hands and feet useful then," Shang Ye replies and shuts the door of the kitchen in their faces leaving the two of us alone in the kitchen.

The kitchen was very large, all the equipment and appliances a chef could possibly need were there. The walls were all white and the scheme seemed to be white and black. I take a sip of the drink and stay quiet watching as he moved around the kitchen doing his thing. 

I move to hand him the glass and notice his hands are occupied. He'd have o wash them to drink. I bring the cup over to his face and he tilts it as if beckoning for me to feed hm the water. 

After hesitating  for a moment I lean closer and make the tip touch his lips. Very carefully, I raise the bottom and watch as it flows into is mouth.

I wasn't sure i was breathing.

I try to force myself to focus on the glass and nothing else, scared I'd drop it.  She was going to drop the glass soon.

He stopped drinking, and his lips left the glass.

"Thank you," He says.

"You're welcome," I reply and all but run to the sink to wash and rinse the cup greatly for the feel of the cold water against my skin. 

He started cutting the vegetables and did it with such precision I wondered if he might actually secretly be a chef. 

"What are you making?" I ask.

"Tilapia stew and veggies, it's Lilys favorite," He says.

"Lily?" I say filed with apprehension once more.

"She'll be here soon," He responds.

"Do you mind eating fish? I can make something else," He says.

"No, I love tilapia," I respond not show if I would still like it after today. Why did Lily have to like everything I liked?

"Are you and Lily close?"

"We've none each other forever, I guess you can say so," He replies.

"How did you meet?" I ask.

"HMM through my dad," He responds.

"Your dad?" I say now worried, if she was introduced by the dad then what chances do I even have?

"Is she close to your dad?"

"Quite close, he values her opinion the most,"

"More than you?" I ask o which he nods.

"For the most part, what Lily says is law and what I say doesn't matter. You can say my dad loves her more than me," He says.

Do you love her? I wanted to ask but knew it was the wrong one. He loved me, so maybe he loved her before but no he loved me. So maybe what I wanted to know was if he once dated her and how serous they were.

"Would you like to taste this?" He says bringing a spatula filled with sauce my way.

I open my mouth and take a taste. It was delicious. The right amount of sweet and savory.

"Lily!" I hear Jasper exclaim as the doorbell rings and the door is opened.

"Lyly I missed you,"

"I missed you too," A feminine voice replies. It was a sweet yet familiar voice.

"Lily did you hear I go the deal with the brand?" Summerheat asks.

"I told them if it wasn't you then they can forget about partnering with us,"

"I knew it! I knew it had to be you. It was just so easy!"

"Is that a complain?"

"Never!" 

"Where's the annoying one,"

"In the kitchen,"

"Why is the door shut?" Lily asks.

"He's not alone," Jasper replies.

I suddenly get nervous, we weren't doing anything wrong why was I nervous?

The door opens up revealing a tall, yet stunning lady with shades above her head pulling her hair back.

"It's you," The lady I met downstairs says standing in front of me with her shades off says.

"Lily," Shang Ye says. "Meet Hannah, my girlfriend,"

"Hannah, meet Lily my mother,"

***

hahah who saw that one coming? I was worried it became obvious too soon int his chapter lol