PIPER

The next day I was feeling like baking and since it was Sunday, I dismissed Genevith and the rest of the kitchen staff because I also wanted to cook for the both of us. It was early so Donovan was still in his bedroom resting. The bread I made was already resting on the counter and with the help of the book Donovan gifted me I made Cream Cheese Danish and also some Ham and Cheese pastries that were cooking in the oven. I was humming a tune while preparing other things for our breakfast: Omelets, pancakes, and sausages were some of them. 

“You are in a good mood today.” I heard a voice say and I turned to find Donovan standing next to the kitchen door. His appearance shocked me as I had always seen him wearing suits or business casual clothing. He was wearing casual clothes a fitted black shirt,  some grey sweatpants and black Crocs. I blushed and turned back to the food not to look at him too much. 

‘And then you say I’m the pervert one. You know what sweatpants show when men wear them.’ Priya said mocking me, but I understood what he meant. ‘Shush, Priya.’

“Morning, Donovan. Did you sleep well?” I asked turning back to see him again but he was standing right behind me, startling me with how close we were.

“Yes, I slept well and I guess you did too.” He said with a smile and then looked over my shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“Oh. Ah, I wanted to make breakfast for us and also do some baking.” I explained to him with a smile on my face and a soft blush on my cheeks.

“I see, it smells good.” Donovan said sniffing the air. “Did you use the book?”

“Yes! It has so many recipes I don’t know.” I said excitedly and stood on my tiptoes to give him a soft kiss on the cheek that made him blush. “Thank you again.”

“D-Do you need help with anything?” Donovan asked putting some space between us. I held back a giggle because of how flustered he was. 

“Can you set the table?” I asked him turning to the stove again, turning everything off as it was all ready to be served.

“Sure.” He nodded, grabbed everything he needed, and walked out of the kitchen.

I served the food on plates and checked the time to see if the pastries were ready. Opening the oven to take them out the smell came to me and I smiled, I took them out carefully with the help of some oven mitts. And placed them on the counter to cool down for a bit, but also placed some of them on a plate for Donovan to taste. I did the same to the bread I made earlier slicing it first before serving it. I took some of the plates to the dining room and Donovan took the ones left in the kitchen. Once everything was ready we both sat down at the table, I was feeling anxious because it was my first time cooking a whole meal for someone other than myself. 

“I hope it’s to your liking,” I said with a soft smile and watched as Donovan started to eat what I made, taking a bite first of the omelet. He smiled.

“This is so good. You are an amazing cook, Piper.” 

“It’s not out of the ordinary. I’ve bet you’ve eaten better meals than this.”

“Mmmm…I still like yours more.” He said and kept eating what I prepared and I followed him, eating as well. 

After a while we finished eating, Donovan helped me with the dishes while I placed the remaining pastries on another plate and sliced the bread. I felt happy being like this with him, it felt like we were family. I blushed at the thought and Priya giggled. ‘Don’t you dare say anything, Priya.’ I warned my serpent. ‘I won't. I won't.’ He said giggling again. I knew what he was thinking. 

“The food was really good, Piper.” Donovan said looking at me when he was done with the dishes. “I would love to eat more of your cooking.”

“I could cook more for you, but I don’t want Genevith and the others to not have work.” I said joking.

“We can make it a Sunday thing.” Donovan proposed. “We dismiss them for the day and have time for ourselves. That way they can also have free time.”

“That sounds like a good plan,” I said smiling.

“And maybe, since we are both free for the rest of the day we could have a picnic,” Donovan suggested walking closer to me and grabbing my hand. 

“A picnic?” I asked and thought for a moment. It could be a good idea, we could spend time together and I could cook more for him. “Mmm, yeah. That could be fun. By the lake?”

“By the lake.” He said smiling and I smiled back.

“Okay. I’ll prepare the food.” I said excitedly, starting to think of some recipes. “And some sweets too. Do you like them?”

“I know I will if you make it.” He said in a flirty tone, making me blush.

“You are always flirting with me,” I said arching my eyebrow at him.

“Well, I’m courting you, aren't I?” He said with a smirk and I nodded. “Is it working?”

“Maybe.” 

~oOoOo~

I was glad I chose a great place for our picnic, the lake in the territory was beautiful. Some trees surrounded it and also flowers. It looked magical. We placed a sheet on the grass and sat down together. I prepared some sandwiches with the bread I made in the morning, some potato salad, peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cupcakes and I sneaked in a bottle of red wine—Donovan’s favorite. 

“Everything looks amazing. Thank you, Piper.” Donovan said excitedly looking at all the food.

“Thank you. I hope you like it.” I said with a smile, going for the sandwiches first while I poured some wine into our cups.

“I will,” Donovan said and then took a bite of the sandwich, he let out a hum of satisfaction. “You have a talent. I can barely cook.”

“I’m sure you have other talents.” I handed him the cup and took one of the sandwiches myself, taking a bite.

“Nothing comes to mind.” He said taking another bite after. 

“Mmm…I don’t believe you.” I said eating a bit more of my sandwich.

“You should. I have no special talent.” Donovan said now going for the potato salad.

“Yes, you do.” I said with a mischievous smile. “You are an amazing flirt.”

“Really? I never thought I was.” He answered a bit unsure while he ate some salad thinking. “Maybe it only comes out when I’m with you.”

“Maybe, yeah,” I said a bit unsure drinking some wine. “But I’m sure it was the same when you dated before.”

“Not really. They were mostly flings.” Donovan said and I felt a sting in my chest. Jealousy? Maybe.

“Mmm…” It is all I said taking a spoonful of salad in my mouth.

“Believe me. I’ve never had an interest in someone until I met you.” Donovan said with a soft smile. 

“Okay. I believe you.” I said.

“What about you?” He asked, his eyes full of curiosity.

“Mmm…I had no partners in school and when I came to Bramville I focused only on my shop.” I explained to him. “But Priya did say many clients flirt with me.”

“They do?” Donovan asked in a serious tone with furrowed brows.

“I guess, but I never paid attention to them,” I said with a soft smile. “No need to get jealous.”

“I’m not jealous.” He said with furrowed brows eating another spoonful of salad.

“Sure…” I giggled drinking some wine. 

“So you have never been intimate with someone?” Donovan asked changing the topic. I thought of an answer to give him because of course, I was a virgin and also never have been in a relationship.

“Nope, but I bet you have.” I said taking a bite of a cookie. “You are too handsome not to.”

“You think I am handsome?” Donovan asked with a flirty smile.

“I would be lying if I said I didn’t,” I said with a cheeky smile.

“So am I your type?” He asked again, taking a cookie and then eating the whole thing. I guess he loved the cookies.

“I don’t really have a type but…” I started saying and then I looked closely at Donovan, analyzing his appearance a bit. He was handsome, like really handsome. When we first met I felt like I could get lost while looking into his eyes. “Probably yeah. And you? What’s your type?”

“Since I met you, you are my type, Piper,” Donovan said with a smirk, making me blush.

“There you go with the flirting again,” I said looking away from him.

“It’s fun to see your reactions. I like seeing you blush like a tomato.” Donovan said laughing softly, making me blush even more. “A cute tomato.”

“I don’t know if I should feel offended by that or not.” I said pouting while Donovan laughed. “But anyways, let’s change the topic. I want you to tell me about your sister because I haven’t seen or met her.”

“Well…” He started saying but then went quiet making a thinking face and talked again after a few seconds. “She is a nice person, she doesn’t live with us because she has her own flock. She’s married but with no kids.”

“I see, so you have a good relationship with her.” I said with a smile, I was curious about his sister. He barely talked about her and it looked like she never visits him.

“I do yes, but…” He said, his eyebrows frowned for a moment but then shook his head looking into my eyes. “Never mind, we talk a lot and see each other at work because she is the CEO and I’m the COO.”

“And what does your company do again?” I asked curious.

“Entertainment mostly. Management of actors, singers, and all that.” Donovan explained.

“Sounds like a lot of fun.” I said biting a cookie.

“Sometimes unless there are any scandals.” Donovan said letting out a heavy sigh.

“Must be wild when that happens,” I commented because of his reaction.

“It is, but it’s always manageable,” Donovan said with a soft smile. “What else would you like to know?”

“Mmm, I don’t know. Do you have something you want to ask me?” I said smiling softly.

“Actually yes. Now that we are here outside in nature, I would love to see your reptile self.” Donovan said taking my hand in his and using his thumb to caress the back.

“Like now, now?” I asked shocked and a slight blush in my cheeks due to his touch.

“Yes, and I could show you my eagle.” He said smiling.

“I’m not sure…” I said taking away my hand and looking away. ‘Do it. I want you to show us to him.’ 

‘Why?’ 

‘Because it’s a great test to see if he would still like us which I think he will. He is our fated after all.’ Priya explained but his point didn’t make much sense to me.

“Okay. I’ll do it. But you have to be careful, okay?” I said with a sigh shifting my position in front of him and sitting straight up.

“Okay.” He said. 

“Close your eyes,” I said and he obediently did it.

Looking at him in front of me I hesitated for a moment but shifted right there. It had been a while since I had shifted into this form but I also felt free. I approached Donovan and with my tail touched his hand, giving him the sign to open his eyes. As he opened them he looked down at me and I saw no fear in his eyes, it was…fascination. 

“You…you are beautiful.” He said in a whisper not turning away from me, taking in all of my snake form. “Can I…touch you?” 

I hesitated but nodded, his hand approached me and he softly caressed my scales, his touches so careful as if I was something that could break. I slithered across his legs and placed myself on his lap. He saw my every movement with fascination and then I hunched over, my head level with his—I was a large snake so it allowed me to do that. 

“You are fascinating…” Donovan said looking into my eyes and I showed him my fangs. He tried to lift a hand to touch them but I slithered away and changed back to human form.

“Don’t. You can’t touch them.” I warned him biting my lips. I knew it was a bad idea to show him my serpent form. ‘No, it was not.’ Priya said but I ignored him.

“Oh, your venom. You are right. I’m sorry.” He said apologizing. 

“I want to go back home. I’m tired.” I said, still shaken by what happened. If I hadn’t noticed his hand I would have hurt him. 

“But I haven’t shown you mine.” Donovan looked at me, confusion in his face.

“Another day…” I said putting all the remaining food and wine we had back in the bag I brought with me. “You can show me another day.”

“Okay…” Donovan said and helped me pick everything up.

When we were done we walked back home, I didn’t say anything, and nor did he. As we arrived I went straight to my room and locked inside, throwing myself in the bed and hugged my pillow.

It was a great day, but I ruined it…