Love on the Fast Track (Derek and Norah)

Chapter 138:

At the gate of Sean's villa, Norah and Susanna had barely stepped inside when the rich scent of cooking

enveloped them. Susanna couldn’t contain her excitement. “Just as | thought, steak and so many other dishes! It

smells and looks incredibly good!”

Sean, holding a plate, emerged wearing a deep blue apron. His friendly demeanor caught Norah's attention,

making her glance his way without meaning to.

Sean set the plate down and glanced at Norah. “Go wash your hands, we're all set to eat.”

Sitting at the dining table, Norah was touched. The idea of Sean, the head of the Scott household, cooking just

for her left her at a loss for words. The man moving around the kitchen brought a cozy vibe, making him feel

more approachable than ever. Gone was the image of him as someone out of reach. Now, he felt close enough to

touch.

Norah shook off these strange thoughts, deciding to go with the flow.

Sean broke the silence at the table. “Try the fish slices. I've taken out all the bones.”

He pushed the plate toward Norah. “Susanna, remember, no chili peppers for you.”

“I know, | know. Norah, give it a taste!” Susanna urged eagerly.

Norah lifted a forkful of fish, topped with coriander leaves, and tasted it. “The fish is soft, and the flavor is spot

on.”

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“Really tasty,” Norah complimented.

Noticing the coriander, Norah recalled that Sean hadn't touched coriander when they were at dinner together.

Why did this dish have coriander? Norah realized she was the only one eating the fish. And not just the fish—

several other dishes also contained coriander. Could they have been specially made for her? She chose to keep

this thought to herself.

Susanna didn’t hold back her curiosity. “Sean, | thought you didn’t like coriander. What's with all the coriander in

these dishes? Both you and | can’t stand it.”

Sean looked straight at Norah. “Norah likes it.”

“So, it’s for Norah,” Susanna connected the dots. “No wonder we've never had coriander before, but now it's

here! | get it.”

Turning to Norah with a smile, Susanna said, “Sean made these dishes just for you, Norah. Enjoy your meal. I'll

find something else to eat.”

Norah, feeling a bit awkward, played with the noodles on her plate. “These dishes are meant for everyone. Sean,

you don’t have to include coriander if you don’t like it.”

The strong scent of coriander made it clear why Sean avoided those dishes. He must really dislike it. But why

bother to make so many dishes with coriander that neither Sean nor Susanna would eat, all for her?

Susanna raised an eyebrow. Was Norah truly oblivious, or was she just pretending? Sean had prepared these

dishes for Norah's sake. Regardless, she felt the need to point it out. “Norah, Sean may not like coriander, but

he’s happy as long as you enjoy the meal,” Susanna said, placing more dishes on Norah's plate.

She offered a faint smile. “Okay, Susanna. You don’t need to fuss over me.”

Yet Susanna insisted, filling Norah's plate. “I just want to make sure you're comfortable. | want to look after you.”

Sean sat across from Norah, his chin propped up by one hand. He had removed his apron, but his posture still

radiated the demeanor of a refined gentleman. He carried himself with an air of ingrained manners, and Norah

found it hard to overlook his presence. His subtle gaze held a depth she couldn’t ignore.

Suddenly, Norah looked up, her eyes meeting his dark ones with an intensity that left her momentarily still. Her

face was expressionless, yet seemed to glow. Her skin looked soft, her lips tinged from the spicy food, and her

calm gaze betrayed something more.

Sean offered Norah a polite smile before she returned her attention to her meal. He asked himself, Do | really

know her?

Sean prided himself on handling everything perfectly, but when it cto matters of the heart, he faced a

barrier. He had even experienced rejection.

Without Susanna’s interference, their interactions might have been minimal.

After the meal, Susanna excused herself. “Sean, I'll head upstairs to fetch something. Please look after Norah for

me. I'll be back soon. Norah, wait here for me.” Susanna bounded upstairs without waiting for a reply, her

happiness evident.

Once again, Norah and Sean found themselves alone, just as they had been the day before. Norah realized that

each encounter seemed to reduce the awkwardness between them. For example, she could now meet his gaze

without discomfort.

With Susanna gone, they had a moment to themselves. Taking the chance, Norah spoke up. “Sean, | know you

have so much on your plate. | can’t help but feel that letting you cook every day is a waste of your time. You

don’t need to have Susanna pickup from the hospital anymore. | won't be coming over tomorrow.”

Her intention was to stop Sean from continuing to go out of his way for their meetings.

Sean raised an eyebrow, a small smile breaking through his usual seriousness. “How is cooking for someone like

a waste of time? Perhaps you don’t see yourself clearly, Norah.”

Norah's heart raced at his words. Surprise and happiness welled up inside her, and a blush crept into her cheeks.

The memory of his previous words echoed in her mind.

Pretending to be indifferent felt futile. She inhaled deeply. “It’s an honor that you like me, Sean,” she responded,

maintaining her composure. “But the person | like has to meet high expectations.”

Sean chuckled, teasing, “As high as those for Kason?”

Norah noticed Sean pretending not to overhear her words about him and Kason the other day.

After sthought, she chose to be honest. “I'll be frank with you, Sean. Kason is in the friend zone. | just used

him as an excuse to avoid you.”

Norah continued, “I'm not looking to start a new relationship right now, so | apologize.”

Sean persisted, “If you don’t mind waiting, when you‘re ready, I'll be here. My feelings for you will remain the

same.”

Sean's declaration was steadfast, reminding Norah of the night he had first expressed his feelings.