Chapter 7 — The 12th-Floor Kitchen Contract

Three weeks after the contract officially took effect, the lives of Diem Tram and Khang have gradually formed a common rhythm, although both are still careful to keep a certain distance in private moments. Diem Tram Bakery, thanks to the widespread reputation from cooperation with Cam Luong restaurant, began to receive a significant increase in customers, gradually escaping the previous financial crisis.

"Can you believe it, today we sold out two hours before closing time," Hoai Thu announced excitedly when Diem Tram stopped by the shop in the afternoon. "Many customers said they learned about our restaurant through an article in a culinary magazine about Cam Luong restaurant's new menu."

"What great news," Diem Tram replied, unable to hide her joy at this positive change. She looked around the bakery with an indescribable feeling of relief, realizing that her bold decision to sign the contract seemed to be bringing results far beyond her initial expectations.

***

That weekend evening, Khang asked Diem Tram to visit her mother at the hospital with him, with the official reason being to strengthen the image of a close-knit couple before Tram's family acquaintances. Although hesitant at first, Diem Tram finally agreed, even though she was worried about having to continue to maintain the lie to her mother.

"This is Viet Khang, the person you told me about," Diem Tram introduced as the two entered the hospital room, trying to keep her voice as natural as possible.

Mrs. Lam, although her health is still weak after recent treatment, could not hide her joy when she first met the person her daughter was about to marry. "Hello, uncle," Khang said, bowing politely, his hand holding a bouquet of fresh flowers and a box of carefully selected fruit.

"You're so handsome," Mrs. Lam commented, her eyes filled with satisfaction as she observed Khang. "Diem Tram is so lucky to have found a dedicated man like you."

***

During the visit, Khang showed a thoughtfulness and kindness that surprised even Diem Tram — from personally peeling fruit for Mrs. Lam, to patiently listening to long stories about Diem Tram's childhood that she told with a mother's pride.

"She has been very passionate about baking since she was little," Mrs. Lam said, her voice filled with affection as she recalled old memories. "Once he secretly used up his mother's entire month's savings to buy a new dough mixer, just because he wanted to test a complicated cake recipe he read in a book."

Diem Tram blushed at the unexpected story told by her mother, while Khang could not hide her amused smile. "That sounds exactly like her personality at work," he commented, glancing at Diem Tram with such affection that she couldn't help but feel confused.

When the visit was almost over, Mrs. Lam held Khang's hand, her eyes became serious and sincere. "I have only one request," she said. "Please take good care of your daughter. She has sacrificed so much for her family that she sometimes forgets to take care of herself."

Khang nodded, his voice becoming unusually serious. "I promise, uncle. I will always be by your side and take care of Diem Tram as much as possible." That promise, even though it was uttered in the context of a carefully choreographed play, carried such sincerity that Diem Tram herself could not distinguish where the line was between acting and real emotions.

***

On the way back, Diem Tram silently looked out the car window, her mind confused by what she had just witnessed. "Thank you, for today," she said finally, breaking the long silence. "My mother is really happy."

"Nothing," Khang replied, his voice softer than usual. "I'm also happy to meet your mother. She's a wonderful woman."

"Your promise just now..." Diem Tram hesitated, not sure if she should continue asking or not. "You just said that to make my mother feel secure, right?"

Khang was silent for a long time before answering, his eyes still focused on the road ahead but his voice became thoughtful. "I'm not sure," he replied honestly. "That might have been true at first. But the more time I spent with you, the harder it became to distinguish between what I said because of the contract, and what I actually felt."

That confession made Diem Tram's heart pound, but she also felt a vague fear creeping inside — fear that, if she let herself truly indulge in these feelings, she would have to face a much greater pain when the contract ended, when everything between them was forced to return to exactly what was originally stipulated on paper.

"I think we should focus on fulfilling our roles according to the contract," she said, trying to keep her voice steady even though she was conflicted. "It'll be safer for both of us if we don't let things get more complicated."

Khang was silent for a long time before responding, his eyes still not leaving the road ahead. "You're right," he finally agreed, though his tone was somewhat reluctant. "I'll try to keep things within a professional framework."

But both understand that promise is difficult to fully fulfill, when the emotions that have begun to develop cannot be easily extinguished with just a single rational decision.

***

A few days later, when Diem Tram was working late in the restaurant kitchen perfecting a new recipe, Kien happened to catch her looking through old photos on her phone — photos taken with Khang during a visit to her mother at the hospital.

"What are you watching?" Kien asked, curiously glancing over her shoulder.

Diem Tram quickly turned off the phone screen, a bit confused by the unexpected appearance. "It's nothing," she replied, trying to keep her voice calm.

Kien looked at her with questioning eyes, but did not ask further questions. "I've noticed that the chef seems happier lately," he commented, his voice filled with meaning. "There is no longer that cold, distant look like before. I think, you have brought a positive change to him."

"I don't think I have much merit," Diem Tram replied, trying to downplay the importance of that comment, although inside she couldn't help but feel a secret joy at the compliment.

"Don't be too modest," Kien said, smiling warmly. "I've worked with him long enough to know the difference. Regardless of how their relationship started, I think, it's doing something really good for both of them."

That sincere comment made Diem Tram think more about what was really going on between her and Khang, about whether the boundary between acting and real emotions still had any meaning, when even the people around her began to notice a change that she herself could not deny.

That evening, when Diem Tram returned to the apartment, she found Khang preparing a simple dinner in the kitchen, something he rarely did for himself after a long, stressful day of work at the restaurant. "Are you cooking for me?" she asked, a little surprised by the unexpected scene.

"I cook for both of us," Khang replied, not looking up from the pan where he was stir-frying the vegetables. "I thought, you haven't had dinner either, and maybe we both need a decent meal after a long day."

Diem Tram sat down at the dining table, watching Khang move expertly in the small kitchen of the apartment, a skill completely different from the seriousness he usually showed at the restaurant. "I didn't know you also liked to cook at home," she commented.

"This is one of the few moments when I truly feel relaxed," Khang replied, placing the dish on the plate with familiar meticulousness. "No pressure from customers, from critics' reviews, simply cooking for pleasure."

Dinner took place in a cozy, more natural atmosphere than what Diem Tram had experienced since moving to live with Khang. The two talked about all kinds of things that weren't related to work or contracts — favorite movies, dream trips, small but memorable memories of childhood. That was the first time, Diem Tram felt that perhaps she was not just playing a role, but was actually starting to build something genuine with the man sitting across from her, something that neither her contract nor her mind was ready to name.