Woman of Intelligence (Book 2 in the series)

Chapter 3

Riya parked inside the empty garage. The house had three big garages, two for the cars and one that Liang converted into a dance studio. Riya took her CHANEL bag from the passenger seat then came out of the car. It was boiling hot even in the evenings. It did not make a difference to her because it was in the mornings, days and nights. There was a door by the corner of the door that allowed Riya and Liang to enter the house. She entered the room while taking off her black high heels. She had to change back into her normal clothes after she was done for the day. She had to use her formal clothes at the station. When she was out finding the crooks, she had to change into the police fighting uniform. If she was riding on a motorbike, she had to use tight skinny black jeans, police T-shirt and leather jacket. Not matter how hot it was, she still had to wear the leather jacket.

Riya looked around for Liang. There was no sign of him. The house was massive so it was understandable that he could not hear her. Riya threw her set of house keys in the mirror bowl. She had her back facing the pathway. 

"How was the naughty case?", someone whispered in her ear. 

Riya made a sigh of shock while turning around. The floors were slightly slippery. Her right leg slipped and was about to hit her head against the table. A giant hand was wrapped around her lower back then she was bought closed to that person. Riya was looking at her handsome housemate, Liang, who was glaring at her with an indifferent expression. His medium long hair was dripping with cold water. He probably had a cold bath because it was boiling hot in Singapore. Liang had a long dark orange in his right hand. He started laughing in a low tone with his mouth close. 

"I got you again. But this time...", he pulled her closer to him. "I'm holding you.", he whispered. 

Riya looked at him with an annoyed expression. "I really should have given you that speedy ticket.", she was being series.

"Then I bribe my housemate by giving me a kiss.", he literally blew a kiss. 

"Don't get any ideas.", she removed his hands from her back. "I need to do some research.", she started walking to the big kitchen. 

"What research?", he followed her, throwing his wet towel on the chair.

"Mr Angry Eyes told me that Samantha and I are going to Los Angeles for some investigation. I honestly have no idea what is the case all about. As always, he won't tell us in advance. After supper, I need to see on my list if I have anything relating to Los Angeles."

"You should know him by now. He will tell you something with so little information."

They entered the main kitchen. Their entire house was decorated with modern furniture and other decorations like artificial flowers, pictures, etc. Riya stood in front of the three big fridges, looking lost. Liang looked at her with his arm crossed.

"Why are you looking lost?", he asked.

"I don't know what to make for supper.", she was looking at the fridges.

Liang was thinking of ideas. "Why don't we make something spicy? You have been to spicy food lately.", he suggested. 

"True.", she was looking at the fridge, still looking lost. 

"Let's make something Mexican.", he opened the first fridge. He started taking out some vegetables.

"Okay.", she started looking for spices. 

Liang went to the other fridge and took out some mutton mince. Then he took out some wraps and closed the fridge. He moved to the other where he bumped into Riya. She had a medium jar of chili powder. She held the jar tightly on her chest. Riya and Liang were standing too close together. They moved to the same side then they tried again. They were still going to the same direction. Liang slightly butt-headed Riya then laughed. Lucky, he did not wet her hair with his wet hair.

"Why does this always happen to us?", he asked. 

"Why do you always butt-head me when we are like this?", she was meaning about being right into him. 

"Because I love to do that to you."

"Well, I mustn't get too close to you because of Justine.", she placed the jar on the counter.

"Eish, I'm not interested in her because I'm not interested in dating as yet. I want to help you to open your business first then I will think about dating. Dating is the last thing on my bucket list. By the way, you must start making your recipes to create your products. Now that we found a location for your business. Remember, you must start small, a small café.", Liang was pre-heating a medium size pan.

"Like my cakes and cupcakes."

"Yes. Do your basics first. If your business does well, you can add more into the menu and product more equipment."

Riya started chopping the vegetables. "Well, I hope it will goes well. I get really nervous for something like this.", she was being honest. 

"You will face some frustrations. If you work hard then you will do well. I was like that when I first started.", he added some mince in the pan.

Riya noticed he was not eating a lot of meat these days. "Why are you not eating the food you like?"

"I can feel my body getting better after I started eating more vegetables, fruits, nuts and diary. I hardly eat meat nowadays.", he was stirring the mince. 

"I can't eat red meat that much because it makes my stomach bloated."

Liang looked at her. "Being bloated is not a good feeling especially when it's your time of the month. The twins will complain how uncomfortable they would be feeling during their times of the months."

"That's the worse.", she finished chopping the tomatoes and onions for the salsa. 

Her eyes were burning up. She grabbed a facial tissue and wiped the tears. Liang was adding all the spices while he laughing at her. He was not going to make it too spicy for Riya because he did not want her to suffer from bloating and heartburn. Then he added some water to allow the mince to cook a bit longer. Riya was adding lemon juice and salt in the salsa. Her eyes were still burning but she could bear it.