“Is this how you address your employer?” Shane asked, keeping a firm face, his hands clasped together on the table.

“N..no, Sir.” Elvira stuttered, realizing what she had done last night. Her freckles once again disappeared under the redness of her cheeks. She was immensely ashamed of herself.

“Would you like to answer my question now?” He was definitely making a fool out of her. He was clearly heated byyesterday’s events, no doubt.

“I.. I put on my own spices, following the normal recipe,” Elvira hesitated before explaining.

“Do you use your own brain in all of your recipes?” He mocked her. Even if he didn’t intend to, it was clear that he did. This response from Shane hurt Elvira deeply. No one had ever been so rude to her about her cooking before. She had always put her mind and soul into whatever she made. How could he insult her like that?

“I think every chef uses their own brain to create something new and exclusive, Sir,” she replied fiercely, shutting Shane down. He was dazzled by her sudden defense. He really didn’t mean it in a negative way, but given his personality, he never used simple words to compliment anyone.

“I hope you teach other chefs your style too.” With that last comment, he left the table, leaving Elvira confused and stunned.

“Why did you say that?” Hazel loudly whispered as Elvira watched Shane walking away, disappointed by her answer.

Oh no! She messed up again.

“I.. I thought he was going to fire me.” Elvira was about to tear up, keeping her eyes on the handsome jerk walking away from her.

“Girl!! He has never complimented anyone like that before.” Hazel was in her own world of joy because she had helped Elvira make her masterpiece dish.

On the other hand, Elvira was still baffled by the ice-cold jerk, who unexpectedly was making his way toward the good side of her. Did I misunderstand him yesterday?

Probably. If he was used to talking like that, then he couldn’t have meant anything bad by the way he said it. She concluded that she should apologize for her behavior. But where could she find him now?

“Hazel, can I ask you something?” Elvira said to Hazel, who was waiting for her to prepare the order for the guests waiting outside.

“Of course,” she replied, tapping her heels.

“Does the CEO live nearby?” Elvira asked, keeping her eyes on the dough.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Hazel chuckled. “He lives in the penthouse of this hotel, just for six months a year. Then he leaves for another hotel in some mountain area. It’s usually in the summer that he comes here,” Hazel replied, tasting the soup Elvira had made earlier.

“Why’s that?” Elvira asked, flashing a quick glance at Hazel.

Before Hazel could reply, the Head Chef, Ned, detailed everyone on the upcoming events to be held in their hotel. Elvira completely forgot about the CEO, hearing about the upcoming events awaiting her.

She was going to get exhausted even after having a team of helpers under her. They were really slow and steady with their work, which sometimes annoyed Elvira.

Days passed without seeing the CEO. Elvira was relieved, but she had no idea what was ahead of her.

She was working non-stop the whole day. Even her back started to give up. She felt really old. Suddenly, a small thing bumped into her legs. She jumped slightly, startled by a kid.

She was stunned. What was a kid doing in the kitchen? And no one was even noticing. People here loved their jobs more than their lives. She knelt down to his level and looked at his pouting little face.

“Hey, kiddo. How did you come in here?” She softly took his hands in hers. He pointed at the door. She looked in that direction and chuckled.

“Of course, you came through the door. Where are your parents?” She asked, rubbing his arms. Suddenly, she felt uncomfortable. She examined his arms carefully.

The rashes were harsh and itchy, as it looked. Is he allergic to something?

“Dad said I could play around. He was too busy to play with me,” the kid replied, frowning even more. He barely looked five years old.

“What is your name?” Elvira asked, smiling at his frowning face.

“Abe,” he replied, without cracking a smile.

“Okay, Abe. We will find your dad. First, tell me, did you scratch your arms a lot?” she asked, concerned.

He nodded. “They are really itchy,” he told her, scratching more.

Elvira stood up and took the bottle of coconut oil and applied it on Abe’s rashes. She didn’t even know him. How could she secretly treat someone’s kid like that? Her sensitive self always made things worse. The curiosity was bubblingaround about what would happen this time.

Instantly, the little one’s stomach growled. He looked ashamed at Elvira. Elvira was amazed by how proud he was.

“Looks like someone is hungry. If he could tell me his favorite dish, I might make it for him,” Elvira pretended to talk to herself, making Abe hear her.

“I like French toast,” the little one jumped with felicity. Elvira chuckled, watching him become overly excited. She had always loved kids and wished to have one one day.

“Okay, go outside. Sit still at a table and I’ll come with your order, Sir.” She said, finishing applying the oil on his rashes. She pitied him for suffering from these worse allergies at such a young age.

The young master cheered up and agreed to her command. Elvira told her team to carry on with the rest of the orders at a quick pace, and she would make a special order for the kid. This made her image shine in her team’s eyes.

From far away, Ned was always watching her. He had surely grown deep feelings for her, which he couldn’t deny much longer. But the lack of communication due to work had always been a milestone in his way.

She prepared the food and placed it elegantly, just as Hazel always did. By copying her moves while watching her daily, she was learning bit by bit. She served the food in front of the little one, helping him wear the napkin so he wouldn’t stain his clothes.

“Thank you for the food,” Abe said in his tiny voice, making her whole day. But whose kid was he? Why weren’t his parents looking for him?