Chapter 42
rrator announced, and my heart skipped a bit. I carried the cake
“Let’s look at what contestant number three made and let the judges taste. The narrator with care and placed it on the testing table.
I heard gasps as people tilted their heads to look at the cake. It wasn’t just any cake, it was a classic chocolate fountain cake. The cake was beautiful The judges struggled to keep their expressions neutral, like they had done with other chefs. But it was obvious that they were impressed
I watched each of them take a knife and eut a part of the cake. They are slowly, savoring the taste. I could tell they wanted to have more, but they rouldn’t as it would be unprofessional
“This dish is. The first judge started, keeping everyone and me in tension,
“Perfect” He completed, and people began herring
“This is impressive, You delivered exactly what was asked. A colil, frosty, bitter–sweet, classic dessert. Well done.” Another added.
The
other two just smiled at me
“Thank you chefs” I said, bowing slightly with a bright smile.
Freturned to the kitchen and waited with the other chefs for the results.
“You did a really good job, the cake made my mouth water to be honest.” A red haired girl said to me.
“Thank you” I said, flashing her a smile.
I could see the judges discussing among themselves.
Now it’s time to announce the results. The narrator boomed, collecting a paper from the judges
The top three are.” He paused, seemingly enjoying the tense look on everyone’s face.
“Alan Russo
“hy Rome”
“Anastasia Beverly”
He called out, and the crowd cheered.
I walked forward alongside the red haired girl and a geek looking boy
Three of us stood on the podium, waiting for the final results.
“And the master chef of this year i
year goes to…
to…” He paused again, grinning.
I could see the other two close their eyes with their hands clasped, I did the same too.
“Anastasia Beverly!!!” He shouted, and the crowd rose to cheer for me
I was beaming with happiness, the judges came and shook hands with me. They presented me with a check of twenty–five thousand dollars and the muster chel trophy, which I raised victoriously.
“Congrats” The red haired garl said.
“Thanks” I said, an unending smile on my face.
Tim by. And I know you’re Anastasia Beverly I’ll just call you Stania” She said.
She looked more and friendly, it wouldn’t hurt to make some friend.
Handed her my business card. And she promised to comTHE
to come over to my restaurant some day, as she wain’t from around here.
I walked through the crowd where those who had voted for me were Some rushed towards ine to take pictures. From the comer of my eye. I saw Quem and froze. What was he doing here? Who told him about this competition Only Terry and my workers karu. It must have been my workers,
He flashed mir a smile, which I rightly guard and pretended like I didn’t see him i attended to my fans, signing autographs and taking
Chapter 42
pictures. I even gave cards to some of them, to come to my restaurant if they really loved the dish that much
“Congratulations, Ana” a deep voice greeted from behind. The voice seemed familiar, thinking it was one of my fans I turned with a smile but saw Quinn instead.
I was right, it was familiar indeed
on walking
1 switched to a neutral expression and kept on w
“What? Aren’t you going to accept my greetings?” He asked –
I kept silent for a while before muttering. “Thank you?
Is it about the other day! I’m sorry” He continued, but I ignored him,
He opened his mouth to speak but 1 walked away, not ready to have any conversations with him. I could see the pain in his eyes, but I couldn’t do anything about it. He had almost cost me my friendship,
I drove home, exluusted but happy at the results of today’s event. I called Terry.
“Hello frend” I giggled
“Shhh, don’t bother saying anything I know you won. You brought the trophy home? He exclaimed and I laughed at this
“Oops, got to go. Shoot is about to start.” He said,
“Bye bye” I said, disconnecting the call.
When I reached home, I met granny and Moon waiting for me.
“Congrats muttmy” Moon gushed.
“Thanks haby” I said, kissing his forehead.
“Im so proud of you my child” Granny said, coming forward to hug me
Aher punting Moon and granny to bed, I went to freshen up, I kept the trophy on the shelf in my room. Today was good, except for a particular someone I slept pleasantly
The next day. I walked out to an already dressed Moon.
“Mummy, !” He gushed
“And how was your night baby? I asked, lifting him in my hands.
“Good mummy, my night was good.” He replied politely
you’re all dressed up” I said, facing him
“I want to come with you muminy, 171 like to see your restaurant and have some delicious treats. He requested, looking at me with his soulful blue eyes which I couldn’t say no to.
“Alright I consenter
“Yippee!” He squealed excitedly.
On the drive to the restaurant, Moon kept listing out desserts he wanted no try. When we got to the restaurant, I people who had shown up. I recognized some faces from the competition
I held Moon’s arms and walked to each table where I saw familiar faces. I thanked them for coming.
I was impressed by the number of
“Moon dear, go
go stay in the
tchen with Sills. Mama is quite busy.” I said to him
He nodded and went into the kitchen without creating a fuss.
I called a waiter, and directed him to a customer who was just coming m. I could feel someone’s gaze on me. I looked in the direction of the gaze.
was looking at me intensely, I glanced at him and looked away, I called a waitress to attend to him. The waitress came back to me, saying that
ner had ordered a special dish. I grined my teeth, was he trying to draw attention!
Í made special dalies myself, as they were my creations and wanted them to be executed properly. I actually taught Sills and co, but I always did
10:59
Chapter 42
them myself.
I turned to look at him for a few seconds before looking away. He was supposed to be at work, so I wondered what he was doing here. I went into the kitchen to make the dish he had ordered as the last ser had been exhausted.
Filet Mignon with seared foie gras and fig balsamie glaze, that was the dish I served him the day he helped with the bullies, and that was what he ondered inday:
My mand
went to whi
had b
happened that day, I wondered if 1 was ton harsh with words. Thoughts of apologizing seeped in, but I shrugged them off. If I hadn’t sorted things out. Terry and I might no longer be friends, and he was the case of it
I was letting my emotions get in the way, but not again. Even Terry had observed that I still had feelings for him. But now, I’ll make sure to keep them in check. All I had to do was to remember how he had treated me all these years, and it would do the trick
As I was cooking, lost in thought, the steak almost got Inumit. I regained myself and finished preparing the dish and added some finishing touches. I plated it beautifully, it was appealing to the eyes. I smiled, proud of my work.
“Ma’am” Sills called, and I turned to face lum
“We’re running out of
ming out of stocks. There are quite a lot of people today” He said.
*11 send you some money. Make sure you get the stocks from the fresh market. And served this to Mr Winfrey” I said.
Ma’any, the thing is “He hestated.
“What is it! Go on speak.” I said.
“I wonder if you could go with one of the workers to the market. My hands are quite full now.” He said,
“Oh I see, it’s alright. Just make sure to handle things well” I said, parting his shoulder
got into my restaurant’s van with one of the chefs in my restaurant, Jane. I drove to the fresh market in New York.
This was where most restaurants love to get stocks from, as t
as things here were fresh and affordable. Even five stars hotels come here too
I parked at a corner and came down, with Jane following suit. The place was hustling and bustling. She was holding a list of things to be bought. We went first to a tomato stall, we haggled the price until the trader reluctantly brought it down. We made the purchase and took it to the boot of the
as it would be tiresome to carry them about.
I never thought that the calm New York would have a place life this. We went to the steak stall next. The steaks looked large and juicy, perfect for steak dishes.
As expected, he wanted to sell them as an exorbitant rate. But Jane and I was having none of it. We haggled the price down, till it got down and we purchased them.
1 was grinning from ear to ear, as we walked towards the van to place the steak in them. I didn’t know I had such good haggling skills, I had never been to the fresh market before
We walked back to the market. We needed to get some onions, spices, and d white chocolate then we would be done. We got the spices and the white chocolate, and was left with onions
We walked around the market, exhausted before we saw a stall for onions,
Ten dollars for a medium bag” He said.
“Ten dollars? It’s too much kind sir, don’t you think so Jane?”
“Yes, it’s too much. We’ll pay darer dollar” She replied. And the man looked at us alarmingly as if we had grown horns
“We’ll pay live dollars for it.”
“No, Eight alollars” He countered.
“Sax dollars. We’re pay nothing more, nothing less than six thousand.” I said firmly.
first, but he grunted in agreement and gave us the bag. With a huge smile of our faces, we landed the bag of onions and left the
3/1
estaurant, prople were still pretty much and the workers were baisy. The stocks were taken to the kitchens immediately.
10:59 AM c
Chapter 12
As I walked into the kitchen, I felt like I was forgetting something.
“Moon!” It struck me. I had forgotten that I came to the restaurant with him, I looked around and panicked when I couldn’t see him.
“Sills, do you know where Moon is?” I asked.
“He is with Mr Winfrey.” He answered.
one of them said. It warmed me,
He was with Quinn. I looked out at Quinn’s table, and saw them chatting so carefree and laughing at something one and yet I felt bad.
I was happy that my son was always happy when he was chatting with his father, but felt bad keeping the truth from both of them.
The resemblance was there, and I was sure that he must have suspected. The blue eyes, dark hair. Then it suddenly crossed my mind, what if Quinn was getting close to him to take a strand of his hair or something from him to do a DNA!
No. I couldn’t allow that to happen. I walked our of the kitchen, to the place where they were sitting.
“Mom“” He exclaimed
“Where have you been? Meet this Mister, you should know him. He played with me at our party.” He said, beaming
“Uh, sorry to interrupt. But you have to come with me, you left your assignments undone. I lied through my teeth.
“Assignment?” He asked, confusion clouded his little face.
“Yes baby. Come with me and do your assignment” I cooed
He was still confused, but got up to follow me. He was my son, he would listen to me.
