CHAPTER FOUR
Alyana stared at the guy from the party who was so engrossed in the chocolate he was preparing, with loud music blaring in the air. She couldn't help but notice how good-looking he was in the apron he was wearing. She couldn't take her eyes off how perfect he looked until she almost fell and that's when she realized she'd been ogling him.
The guy from the party turned and noticed Alyana, he stopped the music and removed his apron, and moved close to Alyana.
"Uhmmm, I am looking for Nanay's kitchen, the one that makes chocolate." Alyana inquired.
"I am the one who makes the chocolate. I just use Nanay because it brings more customers by the way. My name is Oliver, Oliver Rodriguez."He said, bringing his hand forward for a handshake.
"Alyana Edmund."Alyana introduced herself.
"Have we met before?"Oliver asked Alyana.
"I don't think so." she lied, stuttering"I don't think we have," she continued to mutter.
"Ooo I remember where now, at the anniversary of, touch of love, the lady who kept on insisting I was paid to talk to her, was that you?".Oliver asked, laughing.
"Yes, that was me. I am so sorry I shouted at you. I thought you were one of the guys my Nanny Raquel paid to ask me to the dance. I wanted to apologize to you the other day but felt so embarrassed because I yelled at you, I am so pathetic".Alyana replied with her head down.
"And why will anyone be paid to talk to you?"Oliver asked curiously, which made Alyana look.
"I can't explain it to you, it's a very long story,'' Alyana replied, looking down again.
The sound of the door unlocking made both Alyana and Oliver turn around.
"Oliver, who are you talking to?" An old lady came out of the room inquiring.
"Nanay, I would like you to meet Alyana and Alyana meet my Nanay." Oliver introduced both ladies to one another.
"Well hello there ma'am, how are you doing? My name is Alyana Edmund and it's nice meeting you"Alyana introduced herself to Oliver's grandma, smiling.
"She isn't your girlfriend, is she?"Nanay asked Oliver.
"Nanay, no she's not my girlfriend, she is just here to purchase some chocolate from us, "Oliver replied, snickering.
"Ooo, she is not that Snoozy girl I met the other time, I didn't like her at all," Nanay replied, looking at Alyana.
"Nanay, I don't have a girlfriend, that was just some girl who wanted to buy some chocolate," Oliver mumbled,
"You know what, you have very beautiful eyes, they are expressive and you look kind, you have dignity and look sincere and true, but again, you are not exactly pretty, are you? But that doesn't matter because men don't fall for you and that's what makes you a perfect wife for my grandson," Nanay said, holding Alyana's face.
"Nanay, you and your continuous babbling," Oliver said.
"Ooo sorry I am babbling again, let me leave you two alone, alright," Nanay said before leaving.
"Okay ma'am, it was nice meeting you, "Alyana said, laughing.
"Sorry about my grandma, she is forgetful at times," Oliver said, looking at Alyana.
"Just forget about it. It's not a problem at all,"Alyana answered back.
"And for the record, my grandma is wrong, you're beautiful," Oliver said, looking at Alyana with scrutiny.
"So are you here to buy chocolate?"Oliver asked Alyana while putting a shirt on.
"No No, I am putting up a chocolate and pastry shop. So I have been looking for a chocolatier. My sister happened to taste the chocolate you made, so I decided to,"Alyana was cut short by Oliver.
"So you want to hire me," Oliver asked excitedly." I will be your chocolatier".
"Uhmm I was considering that option, but do you have a resume you can show me first, "Alyana questioned Oliver.
"I want to be honest with you, alright, I didn't graduate from college and never attended any culinary school. Everything I know about chocolate I learned from my mother. She was a culinary school graduate". Oliver replied.
"You see this ',Oliver said, bringing one of his baked chocolates in front of Alyana's face." This will serve as my resume," Oliver replied, looking into Alyana's eyes.
"I am sorry but I haven't eaten.." before Alyana could finish her sentence, Oliver started talking again.
"Once you taste this you will change your mind," Oliver said with a serious tone.
"Don't you just put it in your mouth, "Alyana replied, looking stunned. Oliver couldn't help but chuckle.
"Appreciating chocolate is like tasting wine, you need your senses, sight, smell, touch, and tastes. When you first touch it, its smoothness inflames your desire. Then you stare at it, how it shines. It's so beautiful, then you cut the chocolate in half and rub the two pieces together and then you smell it, "Oliver explained, intensely looking at Alyana.
He smelled the chocolate and brought it close to the perplexed Alyana to smell also.
"It smells so good like I can almost taste it, "Alyana whispered.
Oliver said, looking at her," when you eat chocolate you don't chew it, you let it melt fully in your mouth to enjoy the flavor."Putting the chocolate in Alyana's mouth.
Alyana, who was hypnotized by Oliver's charm, forgot she was allergic to chocolates. Choking on the chocolate brought Alyana back to reality.
"What is Alyana? Are you okay?"Oliver asked, looking concerned.
"My allergy, please pass me my bag. My medicine is in there. I am allergic to chocolate please, my medicine."Alyana replied, coughing non-stop.
"What! you're allergic to chocolate."Oliver said, passing her medicines from her bag and then giving her some water.
After Alyana took her medicine she was calm so she decided to apologize to Oliver because she knew she had given the guy a scare. But before she could say anything, Oliver beat her to it.
"I am sorry, Alyana. I had no idea you were allergic to chocolate." Oliver apologized.
"No Oliver, it's not your fault at all, I was the one who didn't inform you earlier.", Alyana replied, putting ice on her swollen neck.
"Then why did you eat the chocolate knowing you were allergic to it?"Oliver asked.
"You took my breath away, "Alyana said without realizing it."Uhmmm, I meant to say the chocolate did. It tasted so divine and also smelled good."Alyana replied shyly, which made Oliver laugh.
"Your neck is swollen red, let me help you there."Oliver offered, bringing his hands forward.
"No, you don't need to worry, I got this, it will heal soon, "Alyana replied, looking away.
"You know your neck is swollen red and it is shaped like a rose flower, it's beautiful just like you, "Oliver said to make Alyana look at him.
"Uhmm I have to go now, they might be looking for me at the office," Alyana said, getting up quickly before things got out of hand.
"At least wait for your neck to heal before leaving."Oliver offered, but Alyana knew better, so she declined.
"No Oliver, don't worry, my driver is outside and don't forget to send me your chocolate samples so that my father and the tasting panel can taste them, bye," Alyana said, leaving.
"Okay, I will send them to you as soon as possible, and thank you," Oliver said, smiling.
"Okay bye and thank you also," Alyana said, leaving.
As soon as Oliver went inside, Alyana could not help but scream out of embarrassment, but then again, why was her heart beating rapidly?
"I hope it's not what I think it is," she said before entering her car to leave.