⠀⠀(y/n) seemed to be reluctant. as much as she was a close friend of seigi, she wouldn’t dare believe he would put this much trust to her.

⠀⠀apparently, her raven-haired friend was catching up with the rapid orders the customers had reserved and his boss, richard de vulpian, was instructed to further stay back home as he just recovered from a nasty cold.

⠀⠀“you’ll be just giving him pudding,” seigi reassured her on the phone. by then, (y/n) was already inside the de vulpian household because she was a regular there, courtesy of her frequent visitations with seigi. furthermore, she’s the kitchen’s best friend. “besides, you already made it.”

⠀⠀“yes, but that was because you were around to share it with me. and mr-”

⠀⠀“richard. come on, (y/n). you’ve been acquainted with him already and he even permitted you to address him by his given name.”

⠀⠀she sighed, tapping her fingers on the cold, marble counter in the kitchen. seigi had a point, but still. why would a common person like her was allowed to address someone whose stature can be comparable to a god?

⠀⠀“i will drop by and give him pudding. but, please, as much as it bothers you, i would still address him formally.” (y/n) dropped the call. pocketing her phone, you carried the plate of pudding to the study room. where else the handsome jeweler might be?

⠀⠀(y/n) padded down the long, elegant hall. it was decorated with vases filled with exotic flowers and marvelous paintings hanging on the walls. she was too mesmerized to realize she has finally reach her destination. the only indication she was there was when richard opened the door.

⠀⠀(y/n) flinched and nearly drop the plate.

⠀⠀heavens!, she thought. a heart attack was almost sufficient! “mr de vulpian!” (y/n) stammered as she faced the dashing blond gentleman. he always have that effect on her - to remain stand still and breathless at the sight of him.

⠀⠀recognizing the female, the reserved man etched a smile on his lips. if he knew better, he could have been expecting a rolling gem. he greeted, “hello, (y/n). fancy seeing you here.”

⠀⠀(y/n)’s hands were quaking, too astonished to register what he said for a few moments.

⠀⠀it was like this for a few silent moments - a pair of striking azure eyes staring down at a gleaming pair of (e/c) orbs, unblinking; no words were uttered because of the uncertainty in the air; a pair of hands firmly dropped on the sides, another pair invisibly quaking under the harmless scrutiny of the man.

⠀⠀the piercing intensity of the gaze made (y/n) squeamish and squirmish internally that she decided to look at another piece of interest - the pudding on the china plate. richard followed her switched gaze.

⠀⠀“pudding?” he calmly inquired.

⠀⠀“pudding,” (y/n) replied, affirming his guess.

⠀⠀he opened the door wider and gestured for the (h/c) beauty to come inside. he beckoned, “bring it with you. i’ll have it while i study.”

⠀⠀(y/n) had always knows richard has a vigor to study foreign languages and this was for him to easily communicate with his customers from all across the globe. this made him an efficient businessman in his line of successful career.

⠀⠀(y/n) nodded and followed him swiftly. he sat down on the chair before a small, round table. it can fit two people who planned to dine on it. she took the other chair and placed the sweet treat before him.

⠀⠀“thank you,” the jeweler smiled. he took the fork and sliced a piece of it. raising the fork to his lips, he bit on the pudding and ate it.

⠀⠀(y/n) was anxious of what he thought about the pudding she made. of course, she’s a very decent chef and baker. she had to be since she’s opted to live independently from her parents back in the province. working in the city was hard, but taking care of herself alone was harder. (well, she had a support system of friends but she decided it’s best if she provide for herself.)

⠀⠀the lovely sweetness of pudding exploded in richard’s mouth and it caught him off-guard. he had never tasted such a heavenlier pudding! it was just the right amount of sugar and creaminess mashed together in one. when it traveled down his throat - delightful! he felt his eyes brightened up and gleam even brighter than the precious gems. his gentle smile turned child-like and mirthful as he finished the first bite.

⠀⠀“where have you gotten this pudding, (y/n)?” even your name sounded lovelier-sweeter when he addressed you! “this tastes like heaven itself.”

⠀⠀the praise made (y/n) flustered. why wouldn’t it? it came from the world most-renowned jeweler and it’s like having a king complimenting a common folk. well, at least to her, anyways.

⠀⠀“well,” the girl said. “i made it.” she didn’t say it so with much enthusiasm. instead, she hunched her shoulders and tore her eyes away from the pudding and the jeweler - a turning point of being flustered, indeed.

⠀⠀to richard, her reaction was a darling. he said, “i love it, (y/n). tell me, if i ate this all up, can i have more?”

⠀⠀the request sounded like a child asking for more candy! but, of course, how could (y/n) refuse? besides, he liked it- no, he loved it.

⠀⠀(y/n) answered, “of course, mr de vulpian. you can have the whole pan.” she joshed with the last line, seeing that the atmosphere lightened.

⠀⠀as reserved as he was, richard face turned even sweeter to look at - a gentle, beaming smile at (y/n) and a dreamy-euphoric look in his eyes. as if he was in love!

⠀⠀no, no, no. certainly not. you’re getting ahead of yourself, (y/n), she chided as she maintained the gaze with her own eyes. admittedly, those piercing blue eyes made it impossible for her look away, despite badly wanting to look at something else that won’t cause her heart to flip or her stomach to squirm.

⠀⠀“that’s what i like to hear,” he finally said. he finished the plate at once, which didn’t surprise (y/n) at all. instead, she fondly gazed at him. of course, she fully knew his attention would be onto the pudding. when he finished, (y/n) immediately grabbed ahold of the plate.

⠀⠀she said, “i’ll get you some more.” honestly, she wasn’t sure to give him a plate or the whole pan of pudding. but she decided to be respectful and hand him a plate or two.

⠀⠀he nodded. but as she stood, he added, “make it two, please.”

⠀⠀figuring it would be an extra plate for him to consume, (y/n) nodded and left promptly. once she’s out of the door, she breathed a sigh of relief.

⠀⠀little did she knew, the reserved jeweler can be cunning in his own rights. of course, it wasn’t his plan in the first place, but he decided it’s about time he ought to listen to seigi.

⠀⠀this little game has to be done and be over with.

⠀⠀he has one last gem to cut and its his and hers.

⪩ ☁︎．note: republished for archiving purposes; heavy wip; under semi-hiatus.

“Yes, but that was because you were around to share it with me. And Mr-”

“Richard. Come on, (Y/N). You’ve been acquainted with him already and he even permitted you to address him by his given name.”

She sighed, tapping her fingers on the cold, marble counter in the kitchen. Seigi had a point, but still. Why would a common person like her was allowed to address someone whose stature can be comparable to a god?

“I will drop by and give him pudding. But, please, as much as it bothers you, I would still address him formally.” (Y/N) dropped the call. Pocketing her phone, you carried the plate of pudding to the study room. Where else the handsome jeweler might be? 

(Y/N) padded down the long, elegant hall. It was decorated with vases filled with exotic flowers and marvelous paintings hanging on the walls. She was too mesmerized to realize she has finally reach her destination. The only indication she was there was when Richard opened the door. 

(Y/N) flinched and nearly drop the plate. 

Heavens!, she thought. A heart attack was almost sufficient!

“Mr de Vulpian!” (Y/N) stammered as she faced the dashing blond gentleman. He always have that effect on her - to remain stand still and breathless at the sight of him.

Recognizing the female, the reserved man etched a smile on his lips. If he knew better, he could have been expecting a rolling gem. He greeted, “Hello, (Y/N). Fancy seeing you here.” 

(Y/N)’s hands were quaking, too astonished to register what he said for a few moments. 

It was like this for a few silent moments - a pair of striking azure eyes staring down at a gleaming pair of (E/C) orbs, unblinking; no words were uttered because of the uncertainty in the air; a pair of hands firmly dropped on the sides, another pair invisibly quaking under the harmless scrutiny of the man. 

The piercing intensity of the gaze made  (Y/N) squeamish and squirmish internally that she decided to look at another piece of interest - the pudding on the china plate. 

Richard followed her switched gaze.

“Pudding?” he calmly inquired.

“Pudding,” (Y/N) replied, affirming his guess. 

He opened the door wider and gestured for the (H/C) beauty to come inside. He beckoned, “Bring it with you. I’ll have it while I study.”

(Y/N) had always knows Richard has a vigor to study foreign languages and this was for him to easily communicate with his customers from all across the globe. This made him an efficient businessman in his line of successful career.  

(Y/N) nodded and followed him swiftly. He sat down on the chair before a small, round table. It can fit two people who planned to dine on it. She took the other chair and placed the sweet treat before him. 

“Thank you,” the jeweler smiled. He took the fork and sliced a piece of it. Raising the fork to his lips, he bit on the pudding and ate it. 

(Y/N) was anxious of what he thought about the pudding she made. Of course, she’s a very decent chef and baker. She had to be since she’s opted to live independently from her parents back in the province. Working in the city was hard, but taking care of herself alone was harder. (Well, she had a support system of friends but she decided it’s best if she provide for herself.)

The lovely sweetness of pudding exploded in Richard’s mouth and it caught him off-guard. He had never tasted such a heavenlier pudding! It was just the right amount of sugar and creaminess mashed together in one. When it traveled down his throat - delightful! He felt his eyes brightened up and gleam even brighter than the precious gems. His gentle smile turned child-like and mirthful as he finished the first bite. 

“Where have you gotten this pudding, (Y/N)?” Even your name sounded lovelier-sweeter when he addressed you! “This tastes like heaven itself.”

The praise made (Y/N) flustered. Why wouldn’t it? It came from the world most-renowned jeweler and it’s like having a king complimenting a common folk. Well, at least to her, anyways. 

“Well,” the girl said. “I made it.” She didn’t say it so with much enthusiasm. Instead, she hunched her shoulders and tore her eyes away from the pudding and the jeweler - a turning point of being flustered, indeed. 

To Richard, her reaction was a darling. He said, “I love it, (Y/N). Tell me, if I ate this all up, can I have more?”

The request sounded like a child asking for more candy! But, of course, how could (Y/N) refuse? Besides, he liked it- no, he loved it. 

(Y/N) answered, “Of course, Mr de Vulpian. You can have the whole pan.” She joshed with the last line, seeing that the atmosphere lightened. 

As reserved as he was, Richard face turned even sweeter to look at - a gentle, beaming smile at (Y/N) and a dreamy-euphoric look in his eyes. As if he was in love!

No, no, no. Certainly not. You’re getting ahead of yourself, (Y/N), she chided as she maintained the gaze with her own eyes. Admittedly, those piercing blue eyes made it impossible for her look away, despite badly wanting to look at something else that won’t cause her heart to flip or her stomach to squirm. 

“That’s what I like to hear,” he finally said. He finished the plate at once, which didn’t surprise (Y/N) at all. Instead, she fondly gazed at him. Of course, she fully knew his attention would be onto the pudding. When he finished, (Y/N) immediately grabbed ahold of the plate. 

She said, “I’ll get you some more.” Honestly, she wasn’t sure to give him a plate or the whole pan of pudding. But she decided to be respectful and hand him a plate or two. 

He nodded. But as she stood, he added, “Make it two, please.”

Figuring it would be an extra plate for him to consume, (Y/N) nodded and left promptly. Once she’s out of the door, she breathed a sigh of relief. 

Little did she knew, the reserved jeweler can be cunning in his own rights. Of course, it wasn’t his plan in the first place, but he decided it’s about time he ought to listen to Seigi. 

This little game has to be done and be over with.