Chef in the Apocalypse

As soon as his main party members arrived on the scene, Jayce told Lianna to go and mingle while he completed the next steps. He saw Tony in the back and gestured him over.

The man seemed a little lost, Jayce could clearly see that he was effected by Leah’s kidnapping more than anyone. Although Lianna was her twin sister, she trusted Jayce enough to not worry too much.

Tony on the other hand had only known Jayce for 6 months so it would make sense that he couldn’t blindly trust him.

The man had not shaved since the incident and was currently covered in stubble, an obvious sign of his frame of mind. After all, ever since he moved to Bastion he had taken good care of himself.

"Tony, come help me with these Baozi." Jayce said, flattening out some dough.

"Yes Chef." Tony replied with two words, lacking his usual enthusiasm.

Like that, the two stood in silence and worked for the next 20 minutes, rolling out the dough and placing the filling within. Soon enough there were hundreds of well-made buns waiting to be steamed in front of them.

Jayce had already put some water in a pot and stoked the fire underneath it. The pot was wide enough that he could steam close to 20 buns at a time.

"Do you trust me?" Jayce asked while transferring the buns to a rack above the boiling water.

"Ah." Tony was snapped out of his thoughts, snapping his gaze to Jayce who was busily working.

A few moments of silence passed by without an answer, but Jayce did not press him. He wanted an honest answer, after all he did value Tony as a friend and business partner.

Tony’s face seemed as if he was torn, but he responded after gritting his teeth. "I trust you Jayce. But are you sure that they won’t do anything to her? How can you know such things?"

At those words, Jayce stopped what he was doing and turned to face the man. He saw the pain and worry within Tony’s face and let out a small sigh.

He leaned closer and whispered, "Their true goal is me. Most likely they mistook Leah for Lianna and are holding her hostage so that I will come and retrieve her. They’ll probably lay a trap also."

Tony’s eyes widened at the revelation, yet there was still a hint of disbelief hidden beneath his gaze. "H-How can you be so sure?"

Jayce put his hand on the man’s shoulder, applying a little pressure. "That’s why I asked you if you trust me. I can’t tell you my reasons, but just know that I would never let anything bad happen to Lianna or her sister."

After a few moments, Tony finally seemed as if he had made his decision. His drooping eyes lit up a little and he finally wore a small smile. "I trust you Jayce, thank you for snapping me out of it."

"Great! Glad to have you back." In a rare show of affection, Jayce wrapped his arm around the man’s shoulders and gave him half a hug. Unfortunately for Tony, Jayce’s strength was far above his, so he was almost crushed.

"Cough cough." Tony spluttered, feeling the air forced from his lungs by the power of Jayce’s "Hug".

Colin saw the jostling from his position within the crowd and smiled widely before making his way over. "You two seem to be having fun."

Tony smiled wryly and nodded, deciding to check on the Baozi which were steaming over the pot of boiling water.

Jayce on the other hand took one look at Colin before turning in the other direction, ignoring his presence completely.

Colin blinked a few times, staring at Jayce’s back dumbfoundedly. ’He doesn’t still hold a grudge about yesterday right?’

He could only turn around to look at Jackie and Lianna with a questioning gaze.

The two women looked over at him and shrugged, as if it was none of their business. However inwardly they were snickering at the expression on his face.

"Ah, Leader. Did I perhaps do anything to offend you?" He asked in a cautious tone, turning back to look at Jayce.

"Offend me? Heaven’s no, what could I possibly be offended by? It’s not like you pummeled my face with your bare fists over 100 times." Jayce intoned, still refusing to look at Colin.

"Uhhh." Colin could do nothing but stare awkwardly at his leaders turned back and gave him the cold shoulder. Even he, being the thick-headed man that he was, could tell that Jayce was holding some type of grudge.

However, he didn’t know how to react. From his understanding, all the accounts should have settled after yesterdays situation.

In the next moment, Colin steeled himself before shouting.

"Leader! You can hit me as many times as you want, until you feel satisfied. I will do nothing but grit my teeth and bear it!"

Colin bowed, not daring to move until Jayce made up his mind.

At the mention of teeth, Jayce’s eyebrow twitched and his anger boiled to the surface.

’Teeth!? This f*cker really wants to talk about teeth in front of me?’

Jayce was instantly triggered, remembering the barely noticeable teeth that he had lost during the face pummeling yesterday. In fact, one of the reasons why he had decided to make Baozi this morning was for this very moment.

He pulled out a plate from his inventory and popped a few steamed buns that had finished cooking onto it, a mischievous smile creeping onto his face.

"There’s no need Colin. Ahem, now have some steamed buns." He said, quickly reverting to his poker face as he turned around.

"Huh?" Colin raised his head, only to see the outstretched plate in front of him with 3 appetizing morsels on top.

His gaze moved to Jayce’s face who was like a stone statue, not giving anything away. Immediately he felt that it was a trap, yet he could not refuse his Leaders hospitality.

’What’s the worse that could happen? It’s probably just really spicy.’ Colin shook his head and reached his hand out for the plate.