87 Dinner at Liz's House 1

"WHAT?! DEREK'S BULLYING PROBLEM IS SOLVED? AND IT WAS SOLVED BY YOUR BOSS? AND HE'S COMING FOR DINNER? LIZ! Y-YOU! YOU CAN'T SPRING THIS ON US SO SUDDENLY! WHY DID HE GET INVOLVED ANYWAY?"

"Whoa, whoa, calm down, Luke. He offered to help, and I just accepted out of courtesy. But the way he handled it was AMAZING! You should have been there! I'll tell you all about it later. Don't worry about cooking anything too complicated, even he knows its sudden. Just hand the phone over the mom, I'll tell her-"

"NO! HE CAN'T COME!"

"Why are you screaming? And what do you mean, he can't?"

"Err…I mean he can't come home to a small spread! Let me take over the cooking responsibility. I'll make all your favorites! Remember how long it's been since you've had my mixed-meat wellington?"

"Mmm-Wellington…."

"Uh, Liz? Is that OK?"

"Wh-what? Oh, the dinner. Ya, totally fine, take over. I'm already drooling! Thanks, Luke!"

"My pleasure."

"Why does it sound like you're grinding your teeth?"

"Must be some sort of disturbance. I'm hanging up now, gotta cook. See you tonight."

"Sure thing. I'll grab myself some lunch."

Hanging up the phone above the counter in the kitchen, Luke continued grinding his teeth and grumbling in frustration while starting to pace to and fro.

He still remembered the state he had found Liz in that night in the restaurant, and every time he thought about her boss, the only thing he felt was anger.

He had even seen the guy's smug, perfect face on that night in the diner when Liz had revealed the receptionist's despicable acts. The guy had to be the haughtiest person he had ever met! He couldn't even wait for 10 minutes!

And he had actually helped Derek with the bullying problem?

What did he do, use his personal power to threaten the kids permanently?!

Luke wasn't an idiot, and his full attention always was on Liz. Hence, he noticed the way she talked about him.

First, there had been apathy, which he liked as it was justified due to the man's actions.

However, now, there was a hint of admiration and also…something else.

He didn't know what this 'something' was, but all he needed to know was that it made him feel threatened.

What did the guy have that he didn't anyway?

Unlimited wealth, perfect upbringing and power to do anything he wanted in the world.

Oh.

Well, he definitely didn't have the ability to cook!

Patting himself on his shoulder to increase his confidence, Luke set about beginning to prepare all of his signature dishes.

He was going to go all out and use all the 18 years of experience he had accumulated in the kitchen to make food that would bowl Liz away so much that she wouldn't even have the time to talk.

He knew her love for food, so he was going to use it to make sure that there would be no conversation between them.

For some reason, he wanted there to be none.

Why was that?

Well, the answer didn't matter, but he really wanted it.

And he was going to make it happen.

"Mary, call the grocery! I'm going to need-"

Rattling off ingredients like a madman, Luke began the preparation for what would be the best dinner of Liz's life.

...

Meanwhile, at a popular florist shop on the street beside the office of Happle, Inc. in New York.

Will was wearing a hat so that he wouldn't be recognized by everyone on the street, and so far, it was working well.

Entering the shop, he looked around at the dizzying display of flowers.

He could have assigned this to someone, but he had wanted to do it himself.

Walking to each flower, he smelled them and put his razer-sharp business mind to full use.

To list their advantages and disadvantages.

One had a strong smell, but its color wasn't so vibrant.

One looked great, but its smell was too faint.

Analyzing each flower in this way, he finally shortlisted 3.

Walking to the cashier, he took out a card and said, "Deliver 200 bouquets each of these three flowers to this address. Make sure they arrive by tonight. The rate doesn't matter, the flowers must be fresh."

While the cashier gawked at the biggest instant order he had ever received, Will, who was looking down at the flowers, shook his head indecisively and asked, "Is that too much for a dinner?"

"Ye-yes, unless you wish to drown your partner in flowers."

Tapping his finger on the table for a moment, he said, "All right. Make it one each then."

The cashier heaved a sigh of relief, but he gawked again when he heard this man place a call in front of him and say, "I need a 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonna delivered to my office. Yes, the one that costs $11,000. Oh, and by the way, is it too much for a dinner?"