Ideal | ni-ki

Chapter 61 • Savior

Chapter SIXTY-ONE

It's been 3 weeks since I last seen Ni-ki. I have started taking my culinary class as well after asking Julian to take over the bakery for now. I wanted to focus in other courses of meal that's why I decided taking a class. Today, we're serving dishes for an event.

"Team." Headchef Emilio suddenly appeared so we all stopped what we were doing and paid attention, "...Restaurant CEO would like to meet you all. He is also the host of this exclusive event so remeber to look presentable and polite."

"Yes chef." We all answered in unison.

Footsteps drifted softly down the hall, barely more than a whisper against the floor. The faint scrape of shoes slowed as they reached the kitchen doorway.

"Team, let us welcome, the CEO ; Mr. Park Jong Seong."

My eyes widened in horror as soon as I see Jay appear right infront of me. No...he couldn't be...he's the CEO of this restaurant?

"Good morning to all of you." Jay greeted with a faint smile on his face.

"Good morning sir." We all greeted and bowed down.

"Maison de Lumière is one of the top  across the world and it is one of the restaurants Mr. Park owns. Let's all be pleasured that Mr. Park was able to fit in some time to meet you all." Chef Emilio added.

I quickly looked down before even our eyes meet. I am not looking at him right now, I couldn't.

"We have Ryota and uh...what's your name again?"

I wasn't fully paying attention so when someone tapped my shoulder, I didn't have a choice but to look up. Our eyes finally met and I can see the subtle reaction on his face when he saw me. As if thousand questions are running in his mind right now.

"Um...H-Helena." I lied.

"Okay. Ryota and Helena as our 2 best chefs right now. But their journey are still long way to go."

"Alright, good luck chefs. I'm looking for the food tonight, I'm hoping our guests will be satisfied." Jay said and then looked at me again.

I blinked my gaze away while the head chef talks. Jay then nodded and left the kitchen. I let out a sigh of relief when we started working again.

Just a few minutes later, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the head chef.

"Yes chef?" I asked, wiping my hands on the dry cloth.

"Someone wants to talk to you outside."

I took off my apron while others watch me follow the head chef. I followed him outside and he immediately left when I already saw Jay standing infront of me.

"Um...may I help y--"

"I know it's you."

My heart dropped but I still showed him that I was confused, "I don't unders--"

"I'm not dumb, Serena. I know it's you."

I felt like a lump was stuck in my throat, words unable to come out from my mouth. Silence wrapped around like a shadow, heavy and impossible to break at that moment. Why does this always happen to me?! Am I meeting the boys one by one?!

"Then...what do you want?" I asked, looking down.

"I've seen you at the bakery but I didn't call you out. Maybe you had your reasons, after all, you cut us off after that incident and I understand why."

"H-How have you been?" was all I could ask, hiding the nervousness in my voice.

"I'm fine. How about you? We wanted to know how you've been doing and I'm glad to see you look okay."