DELPHINE

“Uhm… Dad, she just got into the city today and she is a bit stressed… why don’t we do this some other time?”

I sat quietly, watching Alfred try to defend me. His voice was calm but firm as he told his father that I had just gotten into the city and only wanted to meet him and his mum.

Mrs. Gonzalo supported him, saying I needed rest and shouldn’t be stressed with too many questions. But Mr. Gonzalo didn’t back down easily. He narrowed his eyes and said, “These questions are important. I need to know who my son plans to marry.” Then, after a moment of silence, he sighed and said, “Fine. Not tonight. But I’m not done.”

I let out a quiet breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. At least not tonight.

***

The next morning, a knock on the door woke me up. My eyes were barely open when I heard Mr. Gonzalo’s voice. “Good morning sir,” I said, opening the door and adjusting my sleep robe quickly.

He didn’t return the greeting. Instead, he went straight into questions. ”Don’t tell me you’re just getting off the bed, Past 7:am?”

“Sir… I”

“And why are you sleeping here and not in the same room with your partner? You both had a fight?”

I stammered a bit. “No… Not really sir... I’m not married to Alfred yet.. I’m just trying to respect boundaries.”

He raised a brow, then gave me a long, unreadable look. “Hmm,” he muttered, before speaking, “Come make me breakfast. Scrambled eggs and baked beans. Thick coffee. No salt—I’m hypersensitive. And don’t let the coffee burn. I want it hot, not bitter.”

I blinked at him, overwhelmed by the list of instructions.

Was he being serious?

“But sir… I could ask the maid to make the dish, I…”

He cut me off sharply. His face turned stern. “If I wanted a maid to do it, don’t I know where to find them? If you weren’t trained well in your home, you’re not fit to be part of the Gonzalo family.”

I swallowed hard. “I was well trained, sir.”

“Good,” he said, turning to leave. “Then prove it. Go make my breakfast. It’s already past my usual time.”

Mr. Gonzalo walked ahead of me into the kitchen while I followed quietly behind, my fingers nervously fidgeting. As soon as he stepped in, he saw a maid gathering ingredients.

“What are you doing here?” he asked her sharply.

“I... I was going to make your breakfast, sir,” the maid replied quickly, bowing her head.

“Leave,” he said coldly. “She”—he pointed at me—“is going to prepare it.”

The maid nodded and left in silence. Mr. Gonzalo looked at his wrist like he had a watch and flicked it toward me. “Make it snappy,” he said.

I stood frozen for a moment. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead. How on earth was I going to do this?

How was I supposed to tell him I didn’t remember anything from my past… not even how to cook? I looked at the ingredients on the counter—eggs, beans, spices—but they meant nothing to me. My hands trembled slightly as I touched a bowl. I didn’t even know where to begin, but I had to try.

An idea came up immediately. I could watch some videos that would help on the internet and that, I did.

I placed my cellphone somewhere close to where I stood, and fixed my gaze on it until I was done.

Later, at the dining table, Alfred stood next to me. I could feel his eyes on me, silently trying to reassure me. My heart beat faster as Mr. Gonzalo began uncovering the dishes I had just prepared.

“Let me dish it for you, sir,” I offered politely.

He gave me a quick hand gesture. “I can serve myself.”

I stepped back quietly.

Please, like it. Please.

This contract relationship meant everything to Alfred, and I didn’t want to ruin it by messing up something as simple—but serious—as breakfast. Mr. Gonzalo picked up his spoon, sipped the coffee first. His eyes met mine.

He nodded slowly.

Was that a good sign? A bad one? My stomach flipped.

He tasted the baked beans… then the eggs. Slowly. Quietly. The room felt so tense. I couldn’t even hear Alfred breathe.

Then he looked at me again, then at Alfred.

He didn’t say a word.

My mind screamed, ”Say something already!”

I had tried my best alone in that kitchen. I didn’t even know how I pulled it off. My hands were still slightly shaky. But now, all I could do was wait.