Forbidden Feast

Forbidden Feast

Author: Keith Matthews

Chapter 3: Kitchen Chaos

The host bounced in like he’d had three Red Bulls, announcing the first segment: everyone draws lots twice for ingredients, then teams up to cook. Winning team gets prizes and bragging rights. Simple, right?

I drew a green onion. Not bad. Then came the kicker—a box of blue cheese. The smell hit me like a punch.

“Seriously?” I groaned, staring at my fate. The universe had jokes today.

Brooklyn picked up a whole white tripe, holding it like it might explode. “Production team, are you for real?”

Meanwhile, Lucas had a whole chicken and ribs. Of course. The man had main character energy—even his luck was top tier.

I started to move toward him, but Sophia zipped in first, practically teleporting. “Lucas, let’s team up! I got sweet potatoes and kale—think we could do sweet potato chicken soup and kale rib soup?”

Lucas’s gaze lingered on me for a second—something flickered in those dark eyes—but then Jake bounced over. “And me! I got veggies and quail eggs!”

Sophia beamed. “Perfect, a team of three!” She looked like she’d just scored a touchdown.

So, Team Lucas: Lucas, Sophia, Jake. Team Us: Brooklyn and me, with the misfit ingredients.

For fairness, each dish from their team was worth 10 points, ours were worth 15. Every extra 10 points got you a task prop for tomorrow. The kitchen stations faced off like rival clans.

Lucas started prepping ribs and chicken, rolling up his sleeves and putting on black half-frame glasses. He looked so competent it was unfair. The man could’ve been modeling for a husband-of-the-year ad. Meanwhile, those ribs and chicken looked mouthwatering.

Brooklyn nudged me. “Stop drooling over the hot guy! Green onion, blue cheese, sauerkraut, tripe… What are we supposed to make?”

The livestream wasn’t rooting for us:

[Lucas’s team already won with those ingredients. Just call it!]

[Poor Brooklyn, stuck with Natalie’s dead weight.]

[Thank God Sophia’s with Lucas—if Natalie got there first, my Lucas would be doomed!]

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