251 Dinner for Three 1

Vince arrived home alone after shopping for groceries. Edward got a call from Nyelle after shopping. So Edward grabbed a taxi to the place where they are supposed to meet.

Vince went to their room to change his clothes swiftly. In the kitchen, he placed the cake he bought inside the refrigerator and cooked the rice. He washed the kitchen utensils and ingredients for cooking the pork adobo which is his mother's and wife's favorite dish.

'I just hope I can give justice to this dish and make the ladies happy.' Vince quoted in his mind as he cut the onions and garlic. He was in the middle of preparing the other ingredients when he heard a car approaching.

'Must be Mom, I guess.' He thought and just on cue he hears his mom calling him out.

"I'm in the kitchen, Mom!" Vince shouted loud enough for his mom to hear.

"Wow, that's new! I haven't seen you do some cooking in a while. Where's Yve?" Maddie said as she removed her coat and wore one of the aprons hanging on the wall.

"Need some help?"

"Gladly, Mom!" Vince smiled happily while looking at his savior.

"You actually did well in preparing the ingredients.  Now, let's start with cooking the pork in batches." Maddie instructed her son after making sure that the pan with vegetable oil is hot enough.

"Mom, when should I put the onions?"

"Once both sides of the pork cuts are brown enough. Don't forget to add the garlic and stir for a minute after." Maddie answered.

"Okay, mom. Thanks!"

"By the way, what's your drink and dessert?"

"I have your favorite cake but as for drink, I'm debating whether to go for a red wine or just a healthy juice." Vince answered.

"I would prefer the healthy juice for the night. We still have work tomorrow, so wine is a bit…." Maddie smiled as she opened the fridge to look for the possible fruits.

"Would you like some lemon yogurt juice?" Maddie asked.

"Lemon yogurt? Now that's something new… I would love to try that." Vince voiced out and his mother began preparing the lemons and bottles of yogurt needed.

On the other side, Vince added the soy sauce, vinegar, and black pepper to taste. Finally, he placed water necessary to cover the pork. He closed the lid and let the dish simmer until the mixture becomes saucy.

Maddie sliced the lemon and squeezed it. And added her own sugar water she made earlier.

"Son, will Yve arrive anytime soon?"

"I don't know. She hasn't sent me a message so maybe not. Why?"

"I'm thinking of whether I can add the yogurt to the mixture now or just later. But since you're not yet sure, I will just finalize it later." Maddie replied.

"What is the other dish you will prepare?"

"Well, just the fresh vegetable salad." Vince answered as he began slicing the vegetables.

"Almost of these vegetables are greens! This will not be called salad!" Maddie exclaimed as she looks over the vegetables.

"She likes green vegetables more and eats a handful of other vegetables." Vince explained.

"Okay, I understand."

As the salad is finished, Maddie starts to prepare the table. After placing the salad on the table, Vince looks at the adobo and adds the pineapple tidbits. He let it simmer and while waiting, he texted Yve.

"Mrs. Gray, dinner is almost ready and Mom is already here. Where are you?"

He instantly received a response from Yve.

"I'm inside the village already. I'll be there in about 5 minutes, I think."

"I can't wait to see you."

"I'll be there before you know it."

Vince informed Maddie and the latter pulled her lemon juice and added the yogurt for finishing touch. Vince also turned the heat off as the main dish is also finished. The mother and son tandem removed their aprons and waited for Yve to arrive.

They didn't need to wait that long because as they sat in the living room, they heard a car getting inside the gate. Knowing that it's Yve, Vince and Maddie went to the entrance to greet her.

"Mom!!!" Yve exclaimed and hugged her mother-in-law in happiness and relief.

This is actually the first time that the Yve saw Maddie after the incident. Maddie hugged her back in recall that just a few days ago, she thought she will not see the lady in front of her.

"I'm hurt! Both of you miss each other to the point of forgetting about me." Vince pouted and turned around as he walked away from the two ladies.

The ladies smiled at his reaction but Maddie mouthed her daughter-in-law to woo her husband. Yve understood what Maddie means so she followed Vince and encircled her arm around one of Vince's causing the latter to stop.

"What do you need?" Vince pouted at his wife.

"I miss you." Yve paired these three words with a kiss on the cheeks causing Vince to smile.

"But you miss my mother more." Vince said.

"Just for tonight. You know I haven't seen your mother in days. But for you, I'll miss you just after a minute." Yve hugged her husband this time.

"Please stop sulking." Yve whispered to her husband.

"I'll do anything."

"Anything?" Vince whispered back and as Yve pulled back she saw the smirk on her husband's face.

From that look she knows, the word 'anything' will put her in danger later. But she put the thoughts away for now. She decided to think of a way out when the time comes.

"I'll take your word for that." Vince smiled and pulled Yve to the dining table where the food is waiting.

"WOW!!! The food looks so delicious. Did you cook everything here?" Yve asked and looked at Vince.

"With a little help from Mom." Vince admitted to which Maddie smiled.

"Then I'll just go up and change. I'll be back in a short while." Yve said and ran towards their room.

With Yve out of site, Maddie asked her son a question that she has been meaning to ask ever since she was invited to dinner.

"Why the sudden dinner invite, my Son? This doesn't sound like you."

"Mom, I know what you're thinking but this is actually because of Yve. She wants to see you and since she only available at dinner, so…" Vince replied and Maddie understood.

"I hope this is not because of the psychological counseling or anything." Maddie reminded her son.

"I respected your decision and I told Yve about it. But I can't promise that Yve will not try to talk to you about it." Vince informed his mom which was received by a deep sigh from Maddie.

"What are you guys talking about? Both of you looks to serious?" Yve asked as she sat down in one of the chairs in the dining table.