Oops! My Escort Is A Mafia Don - Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Since there was too much food to handle all at once, Joe took half into the kitchen to cook, while slicing up the rest and handing it over for Julian and Olivia to grill by themselves.
Julian set up a barbecue grill in the courtyard and started laying the ingredients on the hot grill.
Watching him work with ease, Olivia asked, "You look like you actually know what you're doing. Did you learn how to make this?"
Julian replied without looking up, "My mom loved Gravellian cuisine but hated cooking. I was barely steady on my feet when she started making me learn. I mostly just looked up tutorials online. I never had formal lessons."
"I figured it was part of the job," Olivia said. "Being good at everything probably helps win the hearts of rich women."
Julian gave her a sidelong glance, his eyebrows arching. "And did it work? Did I win your heart?"
Olivia swallowed a mouthful of saliva and replied, "You definitely won my stomach."
Julian let out a slight laugh. "You haven't even tasted anything yet. You mean you're so easy to win over, huh?"
Olivia replied, "I can tell just by the smell. They are gonna be amazing."
Julian picked up a skewer of rabbit meat, gave it a quick blow to cool it, and held it out to her lips. "Why don't you try it and see for yourself? Let's find out if the taste matches my confidence."
Olivia leaned forward and took a bite. The meat was grilled to perfection—tender and juicy, without even a hint of gaminess.
It didn't taste like how rabbits were cooked in Gravellia, where the meat took on whatever flavor the seasoning dictated. This was different. The spices were fragrant, but the flavor of the meat still shone through.
Olivia couldn't help raising a thumbs-up. "That's way above my expectations."
Julian grinned at the compliment. He kept grilling and feeding her. Barbecued meat was always best fresh off the fire. Even an extra minute on the grill could ruin the texture. So he worked quickly, handing her piece after sizzling piece.
Olivia felt a little bad just sitting there getting fed, so she started feeding Julian in return. Mimicking his actions, she also lightly blew to cool the meat before offering it to his lips.
Joe came out just in time to see the two of them sitting close and feeding each other food. It was like the air around them was filled with pink bubbles of affection.
He couldn't help but chuckle to himself. 'What a sweet couple. Even the air in my backyard smells like young love.'
Joe started bringing out dish after dish and setting them on the table. He turned to Olivia and said, "Girl, don't just eat grilled stuff. Try some of these stir-fries and stews too."
Olivia nodded politely. "Thanks, Mr. Hudson. You can just call me Olivia."
Joe beamed. "All right, Olivia. Come and try what Chef Joe whipped up."
Julian finally stopped grilling and took Olivia's hand to guide her to the table. He sat her down and began placing a bit of everything onto her plate. "Give these a try. Grandpa's cooking should be right up your alley."
Olivia took a bite, and her eyes lit up. "This is amazing."
She even made a point of telling Joe how great it was in fluent Auralian and warmly invited him to sit down and eat with them.
Joe plopped down across from them with a grin. "If you like it, come here any day while you're on the island. I'd like to cook for you every day."
But Julian cut in, "That won't work. She's not here forever. I want to take her around and let her try other local food too."
Joe scoffed, "You think anywhere on this island has better food than mine?"
Julian shrugged. "Even if it's crap, it's fresh to her. Gotta let her taste something unfamiliar."
Olivia rolled her eyes internally. 'Okay, no need to get that literal. I'm not lining up to taste fresh crap.'
After dinner, Julian asked Joe to talk privately in the backyard.