Edmund was lying back in his leather chair with a wide-brimmed fedora resting over his face, his legs crossed over the polished oak desk in front of him. Edmund didn't have anything to do today and he was quite bored. He was hoping a patient would show up but none showed up. Edmund's office was spacious and the air in Edmund's office was still. His office was quiet. The tick of the wall clock was the only sound in the air. A gentle hum came from the desk fan rotating beside Edmund's bookshelf, stirring the air. He never bothered with air conditioning — the British weather rarely asked for it, and the fan did its job well enough.
Bookshelves framed the walls from corner to corner, filled with dense volumes on psychology, history, and etc. An antique globe rested beside a mahogany drinks cabinet, and a tall window allowed soft light to spill across the Persian rug on the floor. The scent of aged leather, ink, and faint cologne lingered like a signature. Books lined the shelves like silent judges.
Edmund then muttered to himself. "It seems no one will show up. I guess I'll just go back home." Saying so Edmund stood up, put down his hat on the desk, took keys for his car from a glass jar and left downstairs. Downstairs in the parking lot there was a Mercedes Benz 450SL, gleaming in white, a 1979 model that had aged like wine, very elegant and clean.Edmund also had a black 1989 560 SL parked at home and he was planning to buy a 1989 black 560 SEC.
Edmund liked Mercedes cars the most. To an average therapist this would be their dream, an impossible dream but Edmund did not lack cash as he was famous throughout Britain and renowned as one of the best therapists in Britain. He also had other ways of income such as various businesses. But Edmund didn't take the car but instead walked towards the Market.
Stepping outside, Edmund tucked his hands into his coat pockets. The London sky was overcast, and the streets glistened faintly from a recent drizzle. Streetlamps blinked as the day began its slow descent into dusk.
"Guess I'll buy some ingredients," he said to himself.
The market street wasn't far. The buildings around him were a charming mix of old brick and modern renovations. Flower stalls bloomed with color even under the gray sky, and the aroma of bread, spices, and rain-damp stone floated in the air. The neighborhood knew him—vendors waved and greeted him. Edmund smiled and offered quiet nods in return.
"Reputation is a double-edged sword," he thought. "If you don't use it carefully, it can harm you."
He soon arrived at a small grocery store tucked between a bakery and a watch repair shop. A chime rang as he opened the wooden door.
"Mr. Hale!" the shopkeeper called cheerfully.
Edmund offered a small smile. "Just picking up a few things."
He grabbed tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, bread, sauces, onion, carrots, corn, and bell pepper—simple ingredients for a simple dish. The bill came to just under ten pounds. Groceries in hand, Edmund made his way back to his office's parking lot, got into his 450SL, and drove home.
His house looked very beautiful. It was like a miniature mansion styled like an English manor, complete with ivy crawling up pale stone walls and wrought-iron gates. The front garden was trimmed and neat, with a small fountain quietly trickling near the entrance. He parked beside his black 560SEL. The two cars reflected moonlight like sleeping beasts. Inside, his home was as elegant as his office. Marble floors met wooden stairs; paintings—some abstract, others historical—lined the walls. His kitchen gleamed with chrome and black granite.
Edmund began cooking
He smeared Butter on the bread and toasted them until golden on one side and until firm on the other. He then chopped and sliced vegetables thinly while toasting the bread. He heated oil on a pan, sauted cumin till they crackled. Added garlic and fried it until a good smell came. He then added chopped tomatoes sprinkled salt and mixed it. He covered and cooked on medium heat until it turned completely soft and mushy. He added chilli powder and sauteed for a minute.
Afterwards he added the veggies sauteed them on medium - high flame until they were partially cooked. He then added a pinch of salt and made sure the veggies were at least partially cooked. Then he put the vegetables in the toasted slice and added cheese, then covered it with a little bit of chilli flakes, oregano, Tomato sauce and Mustard. Then close it with the other slice and toasted on low heat to let the cheese melt. And then the sandwich was complete.
This was a recipe Edmund created. This was not like the sandwich you get in cafes. Edmund liked spicy food so he tested here and there then created this unique and flavorful recipe.
After taking a bite of the sandwich he said to himself. "This sandwich is so good, indeed food is better made by yourself." For the past few days Edmund had been eating from outside and he didn't refill his vegetables so only a few things like oil, salt, garlic, etc were left. Now that he bought vegetables and all and cooked himself he understood the taste of cooking by one's own self.
After finishing the sandwich Edmund cleaned the plate. He looked outside the window and saw that the Sun had set. He then took a bath. His bathroom was extremely luxurious and vast. Inside the bathroom there was a Clawfoot Bathtub, cream-colored sink and other amenities like Bar soap, shaving brush, a glass bottle of cologne, Metal laundry hamper. The bathroom had Tiled floor, patterned shower curtain, and a fogged mirror.
After taking a bath Edmund changed into his usual nightwear — a soft, full-sleeved cotton pajama set in dark navy blue, neatly pressed, with a buttoned top and a pocket near his chest. It suited Edmund's clean, composed persona. He folded his day clothes and placed them over the chair beside his bed with precise care. Edmund then thought to himself. "I'll clean and dry the clothes Tomorrow."
He made himself a cup of tea and read a book.Then after around 7:30 Edmund watched some television until 9:20. After that he went to his bedroom. His bedroom was a large single bed with dark wood headboard, soft floral bedsheets. A ceiling fan. A Wardrobe with 3-piece suits, vests, sleepwear (flannel pyjamas, robe). Small record player on a nightstand. A Framed black-and-white photo of his family from the early 70s.
He slipped into bed and went to sleep.