Oliver came running behind her, grinning from ear to ear. "Mommy... Daddy is cooking for me."
Evelyn gasped in surprise as she stared at Oliver, "He’s what?"
"He is cooking for me. I hear they’re making a sirloin steak," Oliver announced proudly, pointing at the raw meat on the kitchen island where Axel and Liam now stood nervously.
She turned her gaze back to Axel, who was looking far too serious with a seasoning in one hand, and Liam, who was clearly trying not to laugh.
Evelyn recalls the day Axel admitted he can’t cook at all, usually relying on the chef to prepare his meals.
But what is he doing now? Surprisingly, he’s attempting to cook a steak himself.
"Axel, are you cooking?"
Axel cleared his throat and straightened his posture as if he were at a press conference.
"Yes. I am cooking. For my son. Do you want to, Evelyn?"
Evelyn pressed her lips together, struggling not to laugh.
"No, thank you." She answered before moving closer and sitting on the kitchen island, trying to find the best position to watch the cooking show. And it was perfect because their stove was on the island. So Alex cooked while facing her.
"Mommy, me too..." Oliver raised his hands for Evelyn to carry him, eager to sit and watch his dad cook.
After settling Oliver beside her, Evelyn turned to see Axel again. He had already tried to marinate the sirloin.
"Axel, do you even know how to turn on the stove?" she asked, fearful that this guy would blow up their new house.
Liam stifled a laugh before muttering, "I’ll handle that part, Ma’am."
"No need to worry," Axel said smoothly. "I have assistance."
Oliver clapped his hands. "Yay, Daddy and Uncle Liam are chefs now."
Evelyn finally couldn’t contain herself, covering her mouth as a laugh burst out. "I have to see this... It must be more entertaining than the Iron Chef TV show."
Axel shot her a look, half daring her to tease him more. But Oliver distracted him, eyes shining with pure adoration. "Daddy, hurry, hurry... I’m hungry."
Seeing how adorable his son’s gaze was, Axel realized at that moment that failure was not an option.
In just a few minutes, the kitchen transformed into a battlefield.
Axel stood in front of the stove like a general about to lead troops into war, sleeves rolled up, jaw tight, while Liam hovered like an uncertain second-in-command waiting for his command.
Oliver’s eyes were mesmerized, his chin resting on his tiny fists, watching with curiosity.
Evelyn leaned casually against the island, enjoying the view more than she should have.
"Boss... First, salt and pepper," Liam instructed, holding up the shaker like it was a sacred relic.
"I know that," Axel muttered, taking it with unnecessary authority. He sprinkled the salt, but it wasn’t sprinkling. It was pouring. A white avalanche covered the meat.
"Daddy..." Oliver gasped. "You’re burying it with salt."
Evelyn smirked. "Are you guys changing the menu? Why does it look like salted beef jerky?"
Axel scowled and brushed off the excess with his hand, as if that would fix Everything. "It’s fine. Seasoning is flexible to the taste..."
Liam coughed, struggling not to laugh. "Maybe... less enthusiasm, boss."
"Quiet and pass me the pepper," Axel ordered.
He ground the pepper so forcefully that Oliver’s eyes widened. "Dad, are you fighting the pepper?"
Evelyn’s shoulders shook, trying not to laugh out loud. "Looks like it."
"Can you both stop commentary... This is not the cooking show," Axel snapped, but the corner of his mouth twitched.
He then asked Liam to turn the stove. The flame roared to life, startling him enough that he stepped back.
Liam then pointed him to a spot to start cooking, but whispered, "Careful, boss, it’s not a boardroom. Fire doesn’t negotiate."
Axel gave him a sharp glare enough to make Liam seal his mouth tightly. As he watched silently, his boss now placed a pan on the stove.
Finally, the meat hit the hot pan with a loud sizzle. The sound made Oliver’s eyes shine brighter.
"It’s singing!" he exclaimed.
"It’s sizzling," Evelyn corrected, still biting back laughter. "That’s what happens when you actually cook food."
Axel ignored them, concentrating on grilling the steak. He added butter and a few dry herbs that Liam offered him, ensuring the sirloin was cooked perfectly.
Evelyn covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. "I should’ve filmed this..."
Axel cleared his throat, pretending nothing happened.
"Everything is under control. No need to record it."
"This is such a precious moment... probably the first and last time I get to see you cook," she teased.
Axel agreed with her. But he didn’t say anything more; instead, he focused on his cooking.
It didn’t take long; finally, the sirloin began to brown, and for a brief moment, he almost looked like he knew what he was doing.
Oliver stood on his chair and leaned so far over the counter that Axel had to place a protective hand on his head.
"Not too close, buddy. This is serious business. You can get hurt if you stand too close."
Oliver giggled. "You look serious, Daddy. Like when you scold people."
Axel smiled at his son and checked the meat with unnecessary precision, even though he had no clue what "medium rare" actually looked like. He sliced into it slightly and frowned.
"Is this supposed to be red?" he asked, but it sounds like he’s trying to convince himself.
Liam peered over. "Boss, it depends on how cooked you want it."
"Medium," Axel said firmly, though he had no idea what medium meant.
Evelyn chuckled. "That poor steak is about to be either too raw or nearly burned to ashes."
Her comment was enough to make him panic. Hurriedly, he asked Liam to turn off the stove.
He cut the meat nicely, placing it on the plate and pouring the steak sauce that he had already heated before.
Then, he pushed it in front of Oliver like he had just delivered a masterpiece.
"My son, this is your sirloin steak," he calmly said. "Be careful, it’s still hot."
Oliver’s eyes lit up with excitement, gazing at the mouthwatering steak in front of him.