The Italian

chapter 13 part 2

Recap: Maya is going insane because a world-famous critic is coming to the restaurant. Tony and Maya have a weird relationship, I don't think one can call it a relationship just yet. Towards the end of the chapter, Nora says that Alec, the critic, has arrived and Maya gets a panic attack and Tony gives her a kiss to calm her down.

Part 2:

I clear my mind from thoughts about that kiss. I need to focus. It's the only way to get the dish right. I look myself over at one of the mirrors at the restaurant, pulling the loose hairs that escaped my pony behind my ear. I take in a deep breath and leave to face the beast.  

I walk towards the table Nora told me he sat on. To my surprise, the man was very good looking. He looked very clean and very unimpressed.  As I reached his table, I took in a  sharp breath. This is it.

"Good afternoon sir. I am Chef Keen. I will be the Chef cooking for you today. What would you like to have Mr. Ford?" I questioned the critic without missing a beat with full professionalism. He raised his eyebrow at me, looking me up and down. 

"Aren't you a little young to run your own kitchen Keen?" He asked me more like spat out. The man was very rude. What's up with this God giving all the assholes in the world handsome features?

"Mr. Ford, with all due respect, I prefer to be a called Chef Keen and to answer your question, no, absolutely not. I went to a French Culinary Insitute and have a Masters degree from Standford. Now would you like to hear the rest of my resume or shall I cook for you?" I asked with a stern tone. I hated how people judged me because of my age. I worked my ass off to get to where I am now and I didn't appreciate people questioning my ability to do something that I worked so hard on. I looked Ford dead in the eyes and saw a small smile break onto his handsome face.

"Feisty I like that. Now, Chef  Keen, I would like for you to cook me a Caccioucco," he told me with a smirk. 

"Very well, your dish will be out shortly," I said taking a very small bow and rushing towards my kitchen. A Caccioucco, a freaking Caccioucco. I only made that once in Culinary school, once. Oh, God. A Caccioucco is a fish stew. I need to start the dish right now to have time to cook it right on time and not too late for Ford.

As I enter the kitchen, everybody stops working. 

"He wants a Caccioucco, Nora sauté some onions, I need a sou chef who isn't busy to lend me a hand back here. Everybody else get back to work, we have other clients in the restaurant that need our attention equally as much as Ford," I tell my coworkers, my eyes wander around the kitchen and I find Tony's who is giving me a proud smile, still looking gorgeous in pajama pants.

Nora approaches me and we start to work on the sauce for the dish. The time is wearing down and my anxiety is growing higher. 

Andres on of the sou chefs rushes towards me with a spoon in his hand. I quickly taste the potato puree and shake my head.

"Andres there isn't any salt in that plus there is something wrong with your potatoes," I tell him and he rushes to finish his dish. About forty-five minutes have passed and I'm about to lose my mind. 

I feel Tony stand behind me while I'm stirring the stew, I dip a spoon into it and take a taste of the stew. Something is missing, it feels to blank I shove the spoon into Tony's mouth.

"Tony, what's wrong with it?" I ask quickly.

"For one thing it's too hot, shit that burnt my tongue. I think it needs some chilies to compliment the fish," he tells me making a large smile to break out on my face. 

"Yes. That's what I needed!" I tell him and rush towards the chilies. 

"Nora, how is the fish?" I ask.

"Coming along Chef almost done," Nora informs me as I add some spice to the stew and take another spoon full. God that was amazing. 

Nora brings the fish and we start platting. I add some mint leaves to give it a look. We changed the traditional Caccioucco and added a modern twist to it, making it spicy yet pleasing. Ok, this is the moment of truth.

I grab the plat and take it to Ford by myself.

I place the plate in front of him and he looks closely at the plate spins it around and makes a hum sound as if he's not pleased. He grabs a spoon and takes a sip again making a hum sound. I patiently wait for his response. He eats the stew very slowly and doesn't say a word. I see him finish the stew and stand up.

"Thank you, Chef Keen, but I will be heading out," he tells me giving me a small nod and leaving without saying a single word. 

He didn't say anything. This man will lead me to my death. 

Deep breaths. I walk back to the kitchen and everyone watches me moves. 

"He didn't say a single word. That man is so infuriating, uh I'm so frustrated," I almost scream. 

"Guys I'm sorry I need to leave, I feel a migraine coming," my coworkers laugh and reassure me that everything will be taken care of. 

I grab the Audi keys and go back to the mansion. Heading straight for the bedroom. I need to sleep.

***

The best sleep in the world is when you wake up not knowing what time it is in the world and just confused. After washing my face. Memories of last night rush into my mind and I basically launch myself into an Audi and drive towards the nearest the newspaper stand. I practically launch myself at one of the papers dropping a five dollars to the lady. I open to the culinary section. My heart starts to drop.

New Chef giving up Italian Traditions

Chef Keen, as she prefers to be called, was asked to prepare a simple Caccioucco. A traditional one. One may ask did she deliver? She blew up my taste buds. Her dish was as feisty as her...I have never tasted a better Italian dish in my life. The spices she used gave a modern twist making old Italian Traditions long forgotten. Hats off to Chef Keen and her team. Perfect ratings.  

As I read the last sentence I dropped the paper and started jumping up and down in the middle of the street. 

I rushed towards the restaurant and ran towards the kitchen. Coming face to face with the owner himself. I basically launched myself towards him grabbing his face and pulling him in for a kiss of a lifetime.

He kisses back without a second thought. Pulling away from the heated kiss I scream in delight.

" I DID IT TONY!" I scream happily, making a giant smile break out on his face. 

"I knew you could do it, Dea, I never doubted you," he tells me pulling me into his embrace.

Our sweet moment is long forgotten when Nora enters the kitchen with the rest of the staff behind her.

"We have so many reservations booked for tonight. So many people called, but we don't have room," Nora informs me.

"Alright let's get to work then," I say as Tony's phone goes off. He answers it with great urgency. 

"I'm coming, wait up," he says and leaves without a single word, not even a goodbye. 

****

I KNOW IT'S SHORT BUT BEAR WITH ME, I HAVE BEEN SO BUSY LATELY AND GOT REALLY SICK AND INJURED. I HAD NO TIME TO WRITE. I PROMISE, I SWEAR I will PUT UP ANOTHER UPDATE VERY SOOON. I LOVE YOU GUYS, FOR STICKING BY MAYA AND TONY FOR SO LONG. THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT. 

PLEASE 

VOTE 

COMMENT 

SHARE

I LOVE Y'ALL

-mariam