Michael's Attempt to Cook

Chapter 2

As Michael got to the kitchen, he took a deep breath with the hope of getting everything done thereby fulfilling his wife's wish.

He quickly dipped his hand into his pocket, bringing out his cheap Android phone which had several broken glasses and was half blind. The phone was so bad that he struggled to type, ‘step-by-step tutorials on how to prepare Black Pudding' on YouTube.

After several minutes of struggling, he was able to type it and multiple results came out and he selected one of them and began to watch.

“What a nonsense day for me. I can't even see anything on the screen. I'm not seeing a single thing.” Michael mumbled as he struggled to watch the video but couldn't see a single thing.

Not seeing anything that was on screen got him so annoyed that he angrily switched it off. And with an annoying sigh, he pocketed it and sat in the air.

“I can't even afford a good phone. How then am I going to make my darling Rose the meal she demanded?” He sighed and got up on his feet.

“I'm not going to let her go to work on an empty stomach. I will make her Ma Po Tofu instead. And I'll make it more delicious like never before. And I believe she'll love it."

Immediately, he began gathering ingredients, his hand moving as fast as possible like a flash as he set to prepare the meal.

As Michael was busy gathering and setting things in order, Maria walked into the kitchen and glared at him angrily.

She was Rose's mother and Michael's mother-in-law and she despised him to the core. She had warned her daughter, Rose, to get him divorced, however, Rose had retorted because Michael was hardworking and easily controllable.

Seeing Michael still living in the house with her always gets her annoyed.

“Good morning, mother-in-law.” Michael greeted her as soon as he took a glimpse at her.

However, Maria's expression remained grim as it was, but she shook her head angrily. “What's good about the morning when you have chosen to make my daughter's life miserable? Your mates are the breadwinners of their home and you…? What are you?

A man with no job, a man who can't provide for his family. Shame! Shame on you, Michael!” She scoffed and spat at the same time.

Michael was calm as he gently digested every one of his mother-in-law's words. His heart sank deeply.

“I will make sure Rose gets you divorced, and get married to a well-to-do man, who can take good care of her and give her whatever she asks for.” She continued, her voice evident of her seriousness.

Hearing his mother-in-law talk about divorce, a hint of panic made its way to Michael's heart. Although he was badly treated by Rose, he still loved her and wasn't ready to let her go.

“Mother-in-law, I know that I'm not capable of taking good care of your daughter, Rose, my wife too well as you all expected but I'm trying my best to see to it that I'll become the best husband to her, and best son-in-law to you too.” He pleaded and paused, then continued….

“And besides it's not my fault that I'm poor. Everything is….” Before he could complete his statement, he was cut short by Maria. “Yes, you're right. You're not to blame but rather your good-for-nothing parents who didn't brush you up well.”

Michael felt his heart ached in pain as he heard his parents being addressed that way. But he couldn't utter a word.

“Now, get back to what you were doing because soon Rose will be leaving off to the office to fetch money for your feeding since you're not independent. And be fast with it before she leaves.” She snapped and stormed out of the kitchen.

As Maria walked out, Michael let out a heavy sigh, his face twisted in frustration. “Why do they keep treating me like a nobody?” He murmured to himself. “It's because I'm not wealthy. But I promise to prove to myself that I'm capable of taking good care of their daughter. And I won't stop until it's proven.”

Without further talks, he faced what was at hand. “I need to be fast before she leaves so that she can eat something.” He hurried as he saw the time on his $2 wristwatch.

It was 5:30 am, thirty minutes to the exact time that Rose was to leave for work.

Since it wasn't his first time making Ma Po Tofu for the entire family, it didn't take him much time and he was done. He quickly and cautiously served it to each one's bowl and carried them then walked down the stairs to the dining hall.

As he entered, his eyes lingered on everyone. They were already seated waiting for him. His eyes lingered constantly on Isabella, her grandmother.

Isabella was in her early seventies. She was the mother of Adams Stephen, Rose's father. Michael had wished that everyone would have been like her because of how nicely she treated him. Unlike everyone including Joseph, Rose's younger brother, who insults him on regular occasions despite that he is two years older than him.

“What kept you so long in the kitchen?” Stephen asked, looking furious.

“Father-in-law….” Michael didn't finish his sentence when Stephen cut in again. His blood boiled. “Just shut up and don't dare call me that next time. In short, just bring the meals and get lost.”

“Stephen! Take it easy on him. You know he has been the only one doing everything. You don't expect him to be fast in everything.” Isabella defended.

Stephen let out a sigh. “He doesn't do anything useful in this house so I don't see any reason why he should spend the whole day in the kitchen.”

“Aren't we going to eat, huh?” Joseph snapped at Michael as he watched his in-laws argue.

Quickly, Michael began to serve them, positioning each bowl in front of each of the family members.

Michael was heading back to the kitchen when Grandma Isabella's calm voice caused him to halt in his steps. And he quickly turned around. “Aren't you going to dine with us?”

“What?” Everyone's eyes were bewildered. “No, Grandma, I respect you so much but that fool can't eat with us on the same table. Never!” Rose ranted.