Love, Chef. - A Chen Qing Ling/Modaozushi Fanfic

Chapter 10

Jiang Cheng:

As Xichen and I entered the wine cellar I heard him gasp. While one of the biggest wine cellars was in the Jin's mansion, we came a close second.

"My parents were quite the drinkers, they had taste for some of the most fancy and expensive wines around the world." I said as I fished out a bottle of róse and two champagne flutes.

"I am not surprised by that. You had a good alcohol tolerance and taste for it." Xichen said with his hands in his pockets.

"Well, you don't. Hence, we're sticking with pinot noir." I said.

"Ouch." He said and sat on the counter seat next to me.

I lit up one of the cigars from my dad's collection, I took a long puff and let it out. It has been so long since I had a cigar from my dad's collection, he had some of the finest cigar collection though which even the Jin's cannot compete. I looked at Xichen and saw him looking at me, expectantly.

"You want to have a smoke?" I asked, trying not to be sarcastic.

"Y...yeah" he said, meekly.

I passed the cigar and he smoked a good chunk out of it. I didn't mind that, we sat there quietly, looking out of the window and over the whole crowd that was present in the house.

Being so close to Xichen made me want to look at him but I didn't know whether he'll be comfortable or not, so I decided to steal a quick glance. I turned towards Xichen and found him already staring at me, I couldn't break out from his gaze and felt my throat going dry under his scrutiny. His gaze made me feel all kinds of heat and gulp down a lump in my throat I didn't even know I was holding in, I started feeling hot and not being able to take anymore I broke out from his gaze.

I heard him trying to say something before we were interrupted by his phone.

"Hey, what happened?"

"Oh. It's time? Okay I will be there in a minute."

His tone and the way he spoke made it clear who called him. That didn't sit well with me, not a single bit of that relationship sit well with me. But, I couldn't do anything because there was more at stake here and my parents were not spared as well. They had to pay the price, as well.

"I guess, it's time to go." I said, breaking the awkward silence.

I finished my drink in one smooth motion and started to walk towards the door when I suddenly felt my hand being held by Xichen.

"A few more minutes" he said and pulled me towards himself.

I was enveloped in his arms, we were almost the same height but his built was on the broad side. He could easily envelope me in his arms, even back then. I didn't resist. I let my arms go around him and let myself be immersed in his musky fragrance, my head rested near his collarbone and I could feel his heartbeat slowing down. As if he was relieved and my heart followed his heartbeat. I haven't felt this comfortable in a long while.

I don't know how long we were there like that but soon I felt his embrace loosening around me and he started to move away from me. Without saying another word, I let him go. He walked out of the room and I just stood there, trying to talk myself out of this mess.