"It make sense" he grinned then started cutting the onions.

"I keep wondering where you learned to cook from" she asked when he gave her the onions and washed his hands on the sink.

"My mum, she taught me to cook when I was just a little boy," he said and she nods her head then put some seasoning in the pot before stirring.

"You know, my mum was a really busy woman before our dad died so when he passed, she had lots of work to do and at the same time wanted to be present for us always, thank GOD I was almost twelve at that time so she taught me how to cook for myself and my little sister, in case she wasn't around we don't need to wait for her to eat something" he shrugged and she smiled at it.

"I am pretty much impressed Patrick, your girl would be so luck eh" she laughed and he chuckled "Honestly, I am impressed... I thank your mum for doing that" she told him and he laughed.

She turned to look at him and noticed that he seems to be lost in thoughts before he shook his head and looked at her with a small smile on his face.

"Are you okay?" she asked and he nods then went to check the chicken in the oven.

She didn't believe him but from his looks, he didn't want to say anything and she wouldn't force anything he didn't want to share from him.

Ife was done with the stew and she switched off the stove then waited for Patrick to bring the tray with the baked chicken on the counter.

She served them some on each plates and he put the chicken on the side for them and passed her a fork to eat.

"I want to pray before I eat" he said and she smiled.

This was one of the many things that made her enjoy staying around him. Patrick isn't the 'too spiritual' kind of guy but he has a very strong belief in GOD and she admires that about him.

"You really don't need to ask, I am already used to it" he grinned and held her both hands as he began praying.

"GOD provide for those who needs food just as you provided for us, we want you to join us and as you do let this food bring norishment to our bodies and give us strength to continue to help seek your face always, amen"

"Amen" she said after he was done and they started eating.

She watched him take the first spoon and chew to gauge his reaction to eating the food.

Patrick chewed for a while then swallowed before take some more into his mouth and eating the chicken.

"I take it that you like it" she comments and began eating.

"I'm sorry, I was supposed to let you know what I thought of it?" he asked with his eyes slightly widened.

She shrugged and drank some water before placing the cup on the counter.

"You know how I am with my cooking or anything I do, you know, I really expect comments or feedback on how it taste, looks and all that" she told him and he smiles before holding her hand in his.

"The food's too delicious that I forgot about it" he said to her and she grinned.

"Don't forget next time" she said and he chuckled.

"I have told you several times Ife, you don't have to keep overthinking about how you did whenever you cook or do anything. You're a great person with many talents to be unveiled, you know I would tell you if there's anything?" she nods her head "Please stop overthinking this, everything you do is perfect okay?"

'Except your choice in boyfriend' he wanted to add but he knew what surrounded her choice.

"Thank you," she thanked and the ate in silence.

She looked up from her food to look at Patrick but she caught him staring at her and he smiled when she saw him, she returned the smile and look down at her food again.

"My dad tells me all the time that I am a great lady with lots of potentials but when a lot of people keep saying the same thing to you over and over again, you tend to slowly believe them and get insecure about what you believe to be true about yourself" she shook her head and continued "Then slowly you'll adapt to their own definition of you as a person and no matter what the minority says, it wouldn't make a difference to you"

"It's your boyfriend, eh?" he asked and she shook her head then took her gaze off him and let out a short laugh as she blinked several times.

"He isnt the only one but I don't blame him" she looks back at him and let out a sigh "He too was made to believe that" she said sadly.

"Well, if he truly knows you, respect you and care so much about you then the words of other people wouldn't change his perspective about you because he knows you" he told her.

"Well, if those people are family, he would tend to believe them because it's your family that knows you better than anyone" she shook her head then laughed at it like it was a made joke and waved it off "Let's forget about this and enjoy this meal" she smiles and continue eating.

"You sure you're good?" he asked her and she nods with a grin.

He was really worried about her and how she's coping with the pressure she gets from her mum and sisters but there's a little he could do than provide her as much support as she need. He nods his head then continue eating but would stare at her at intervals which she caught him doing but he'll just smile before she looks away.

He does hope that she'll be good.