A Chef's Kiss (ɢxɢ) ✔️

CHAPTER 23

"Thank you so much, Spencer. Ang galing mo talaga. What will I ever do without you?"

"You're welcome, Yen. Ikaw pa? Ang lakas mo sakin e."

Natutuwang pinag-masdan ko ang blue print ng kasalukuyang kinu-construct na restaurant sa BGC.

Pang anim na branch ko na ito, at si Spencer: ang dati kong manliligaw slash boy bestfriend ko na ngayon, ang siyang nangungunang architect engineer sa naturang proyekto. He's very clever and very efficient on his field. He's the person behind the amazing modern like designs of Yen's Garden.

"How about a free meal as an extra payment to your efficiency?" I asked. "I have this new recipe I'm working on and I want you to be the first person to taste it, what do you think?"

"Sounds great to me. Timing at gutom na rin ako. I deserve a big meal, madam." he joked while rubbing his tummy. Natawa ako at tinawag ang waiter para utusang magdala ng maraming pagkain. After that, we talk random stuff while waiting for the food to arrive.

"Sa tingin mo ba, kaya kong gawin yun?" tanong ko kay Spencer sa doubtful na tono. I was telling him about the acting project that Tommy has been blabbering me about.

"Honestly, I don't know. Kasi hindi pa kita nakikitang umaarte sa harapan ng camera. But who knows, baka dito na magsisimula yung acting career mo."

I snorted, before sipping a glass full of wine. "I feel like I would fail, hindi naman ako kasing galing ng mga sikat na artista dyan. I'm not Samantha De Rossi or Georgina Monseretti or the rest of the Elite Squad who's veteran when it comes to acting. Baka mapahiya lang ako kaya huwag na lang."

"Ano ba yan, hindi mo pa nga sinisimulan dina-down mo na yung sarili mo. Wala namang masama kung subokan mo lang e."

"I know, pero ayaw ko lang ma-criticize dahil sa pangit yung performance ko. At isa pa, my friends will probably laugh at me. Sila ang number one basher ko kapag nagkataon."

Spencer chuckled. "Let me guess, they will tease you right?"

Tumango ako habang mahinang natawa.

I already saw Gail, Maggie and Sue's reaction kapag tinanggap ko ang project. It will be an endless teasing and mocking for me dahil dakilang mapang-asar ang mga ito. Yung tipong sinu-suportahan ka nga pero grabe din yung feedback. Rivah might be the only one who will stand for me, pero may duda din akong tutudyuin ako nito dahil minsan umaandar ang pagiging loka-loka nito. What will I expect from a friend group full of annoying clowns?

"Here's the food, ma'am." sa wakas dumating na yung waiter bitbit ang tray na may lamang pagkain. Isa-isa nito yung inilapag sa mesa bago nag-paalam.

"Whoa, amoy pa lang nakakatakam na ah." komento ni Spencer habang nakatuon ang mata sa main course dish. "I can't wait to dig in." he grabs a spoon and scooped a large amount of food. "Hmmm." sambit niya after niya itong tikman.

"How is it?"

He swallowed first before answering. "It's 12 out of 10 for me."

"Bolero, umayos ka nga."

"Seryoso nga, masarap siya. Hindi mo ba tinitikman ang sarili mong gawa?"

"I haven't tried yet kasi si nanay ang taga tikim ng mga luto ko."

"Well, you have to try it now." kinuha niya ang kutsara ko saka nagsandok ng pagkain, siya mismo ang nagsubo 'non sakin na agad ko namang tinanggap.

"Hmm." sambit ko.

"Delicious isn't?"

"Yeah, it is." sagot ko habang ngumunguya.

"You should be proud of yourself. Idagdag mo 'to sa achievement unlocked mo."