Page 13 of The Oath Operation
"Pot meet kettle," said Jules. "And we're still together."
Bunny and Jacqui looked at Fish, who blessedly remained mute.
Jules looked at her grandmother, who watched the scene play out with interest. They were supposed to try and keep this a secret, but secrets didn't keep in the Chou family. And there was no way she was getting them out of here now that they scented blood in the water.
"Fine. If you must know, Fish and I are entering into a marriage of convenience so I can get my inheritance. There's nothing in Yéye's will that says the marriage has to be for love. So it's going to be practical."
"You're right," said Nãinai. "There's nothing in your grandfather's will that says the marriage has to begin as a love match."
She was smiling when she said those words. Why was she smiling? And at Fish.
"This is great," said Bunny, going over and hugging Fish. "I always liked you."
Fish stood stiffly, receiving the affection. He looked down at Jules like his nickname; a fish that had come flopping out of water.
Jacqui was next. But she didn't hug Fish. She gave him an awkward pat on the shoulder.
Noah clapped him on the back, then offered him a rough handshake while sporting a wide grin. A wide, knowing grin.
Jules watched her family with complete disbelief. Had no one liked Amari, the man she'd dated for over two years and had agreed to marry? Not that he had officially asked. But they had an understanding.
And now their understanding was that she would marry Fish and keep it quiet. Jules realized she might keep that tidbit to herself so that when the time came for the annulment and real marriage, they wouldn't be too hard on Amari. Not that they had any love lost right now.
Birdy cleared her throat, drawing their attention back to the matter at hand. "All right, if you two are ready, let’s get started."
"Started on what?" asked Bunny.
Birdy held her tongue, finally displaying a bit of confidentiality.
"Jules and I have some things to discuss," said Fish. It was the first words he'd spoken. He marched forward and pulled out a chair for her. Then he turned to everyone else. "If you'll excuse us."
It took a second, but they all got the hint. Not only did theygetthe hint, they actuallytookthe hint. One by one, they filed out. But not before thumbs-up, huge grins, and more claps on Fish's back. The rest of the meeting with Birdy passed in a blur of legal jargon and signatures.
ChapterNine
Fish stood at his station in Chow Town. His hands moved with practiced precision, but his mind was elsewhere, focused on the bakery and the repairs happening over there. He wanted to rush through his prep for today's service, but he knew better. Jacqui had been especially meticulous since returning to the kitchen, and she would make him redo his work if it wasn’t perfect.
He could feel her eyes on him, watching his every move. Jacqui was still fuming over his decision to hand in his two weeks' notice. However, there wasn't much steam coming out of her ears since she knew that he planned to work full-time at the bakery. In fact, Fish thought he spied an upward tug at the corner of her lips.
It looked suspiciously like approval. There was a shadow of encouragement there, too. All that was missing were the pompoms to cheer him on.
Fish wondered if the eldest Chou was rooting him on? Or was Jacqui just relieved that Amari now had a formidable opponent? Fish thought it might be the latter, since there was a whole cheering section made up of Chou women.
Realizing that he had their support gave Fish a surge of confidence. If the Chou family was behind him, he had a fighting chance. This wasn't just about fixing the bakery or proving himself capable—this was about winning Jules' heart. He needed a strategy, a plan of attack, to break through the defenses she had built around herself after being with Amari for so long.
With the precision of a seasoned soldier preparing for battle, Fish began to formulate his plan. He would take it one step at a time, each gesture and action designed to show Jules that he was the one she could rely on, the one who truly understood and cherished her. This was a mission he couldn't afford to fail. Winning her love would be the ultimate victory, and Fish was ready to deploy every tactic he had to make it happen.
He adjusted his grip on the knife, making sure each slice was even and precise. The repetitive motion usually calmed him, but today it felt like an obstacle. Just as he was starting to find his rhythm, there was a clap on his back, startling him. The knife slipped, the cut going off course. Fish turned, glaring at his best friend, who was grinning like a fool.
Noah chuckled, unrepentant. "Sorry, buddy. Didn’t mean to mess you up. Just excited to hear about this upcoming marriage to Jules."
"It's supposed to be a secret."
Fish's gaze swept the kitchen. The room was filled with the sizzle of pans, the clatter of utensils, and the mouthwatering aromas of ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. Stainless steel surfaces gleamed under the bright overhead lights, reflecting the organized chaos. And all eyes were on him.
At the fry station, Nia flipped a wok of golden tempura, giving him a smirk. Beside her, the saucier Aarav whisked a fragrant soy glaze with one hand and gave him a thumbs up with the other. At the grill station, Elena held out her hands to the prep cook Liam. The two were always betting on something or other. This time, it looked like Liam had lost whatever bet was between them. The young man handed over a five-dollar bill and then glowered at Fish as though the loss was his fault.
So much for his stealth training. Apparently, not only was the secret of his impending nuptials out, but it looked like his feelings for Jules had been known by everyone for a while now. At least, everyone but Jules herself knew how he felt about her.
