FORBIDDEN TO FALL IN LOVE

23. Fires of the Fires

Daniel prepared the grilling utensils and all the fittings perfectly. In a matter of minutes, everything was arranged in the backyard of the Orphanage of the Rising Sun.

It wasn't Valeda who took a lot of roles in helping Daniel, it was the other orphanage children. Valeda didn't even know the difference between pepper and vetsin, how could he possibly be able to prepare materials for their bonfire event.

At first, Daniel who had thought that Valeda was not so good at cooking, invited Valeda to make a simple dinner.

Indeed, basically, Valeda wanted to show off intimacy in front of the camera, he chose an outdoor event so that the paparazzi could capture his activities with Daniel that afternoon, even though their images were taken secretly.

As a result, Valeda felt tired of himself. Not tired because here and there to prepare tools, he was mentally tired. She feels ashamed of five-year-old Vio, but can help Daniel peel corn.

"Sit down" Daniel opened a folding chair and placed it near the bonfire.

The small-sized campfire that they were going to use to bake it, was finished Daniel tata. He put the wood neatly even though it will burn out later. Not far from the campfire, there was a small table filled with groceries. The plates above are dominated by meat. The children of the orphanage looked enthusiastic from seeing the meat again. They helped Daniel with a burning spirit.

Valeda sat in the folding chair that Daniel had brought for him. He pulled his hair back and tied it like a ponytail. "I help with the roast!" valeda is full of determination.

Daniel's eyebrows are up. He was a bit surprised to hear Valeda's words. "I'll teach you." Daniel did not prevent it. He had no right to forbid Valeda from trying new things. After all, for Daniel it would be fun to see the awkward and clumsy Valeda in one thing. "I'll start the fire first. Miss wait a minute here."

"Daniel!" call Valeda when Daniel turns around.

"Yes?"

Valeda rubbed his arm. Not because of the cold, but he was a bit nervous to speak his mind. "From now on, don't call me 'miss' again. Just call me by my name."

Daniel did not answer. He looked at Valeda closely. Maybe consider that request.

"Don't get me wrong" added Valeda quickly. "I just want you to get used to calling my name. No other meaning."

Daniel smiled seeing Valeda shyly like that. "Yes, Val. I understand," he replied, then passed from before Valeda.

"His smile is dangerous" Kris spoke from behind Valeda.

"I think it's normal" Valeda lied. "Don't talk about it, Chris! Quickly tell me the basics in baking!"

"Daniel said he would teach Miss, right?" kris Timpal.

"I'm actually pretty embarrassed to know nothing about this" whispered Valeda.

"Miss, your closeness when baking later, will be a news headline in the newspaper tomorrow morning," Kris whispered back.

Valeda snorted with his face bent. He still could not believe that he was so bad at this. Once this day was over, he would ask the best chef to teach him cooking. It was enough for him to bear the shame he was now.

Daniel waves at Valeda to get close to him when he manages to light a bonfire. "We burn corn first" Daniel said as soon as Valeda stood next to him.

Valeda goes with what Daniel says. He saw all sorts of spices on the table that had been laid out in small bowls. "All this we're gonna use?" valeda did not understand.

"Every spice has a different taste" replied Daniel. "Do you like spicy food?"

Valeda. "Not really. My stomach is a little sensitive" he replied.

"Then, for the sweet." Daniel put four corns on the plate and laced them with chocolate-colored spices. "Roses and Vio don't like spicy either."

"Let me alone" Valeda extended her hand. He thought, if you just polish the seasoning like that, it would be easy for him.

"Yes." Yeah." Valeda began to continue what Daniel had done. "Easy. Like in a painting class."

"Slow down," Daniel clasped Valeda's hand. "Oles is slowly like this" he said as he moved Valeda's hand.

"Daniel?"

"Yes?"

"How many times have you dated?" ask Valeda.

"Hmmm, once." Daniel took off his hand. "Why?"

"Lied!" Valeda doesn't believe it. "You're good at making people misunderstand."

Daniel smiled in anguish. "I'm male. Things like this don't need me to learn."

"good. Keep going romantic like this. Tomorrow is your debut in my world." Valeda continues his work.

"I'll start grilling the meat. Keep preparing the corn." Daniel stroked Valeda's head.

Valeda held his breath when Daniel acted like that. This was the first time he was really close to a man. It is undeniable that Daniel was able to make his hair stand up.

Valeda glanced at Daniel who was still standing next to him. Daniel's hand was skillfully processing the meat they had bought at the supermarket.

"Here," Daniel grabs a plate full of finished corn Valeda lumuri with seasoning. "Come, we're near the campfire." Daniel turned around with two plates in his hand.

Valeda followed Daniel to the campfire. Some children who are old enough, keep the young children out of reach lick the red whiz.

When they saw Daniel start grilling corn and meat, happy cheers were heard filling the backyard. Valeda remembered Daniel's words, that meat is a luxury food in the orphanage. Daniel worked hard, but his efforts were not able to buy meat for daily meals.

Valeda thinks that Daniel became like that because he was not given a chance to get any better. Just like when he found Kris on the side of the road, and gave her a decent job, Daniel could do that, too.

However, Daniel's skills are different from Kris's. Kris likes to be on the road and drive. While Daniel, smart to talk and use his brain.

"And" call Valeda again.

Daniel handed over the ripe flesh to the Orangas to share with his younger brothers. "Yes, what's wrong?"

"If I ask you to go to school again, do you want to?" ask Valeda.

Daniel looked quickly at her. "meaning? Continuing your education in college?"

Valeda. "I'm thinking of helping you have a more decent job going forward. If our contract is done, you can't work in my office anymore. At least, you have provisions to make life in this orphanage better."

"You're kind, Val," praised Daniel.

"I'm just trying to help people I know" Valeda replied. "It's impossible to be like me forever. At least, if I ever need help, somebody's gonna help."

"In the future, if you need help, find me" Daniel replied.

***