Seducing The Chef (18+) (Billionaire Series #2)

13. Arancini

I was having a terrible headache and regretting my last night's actions.

I don't remember anything. Usually when I get drunk I get brutally honest and that gets me into trouble. Last time I got drunk at the palace I called my grandpa a bossy pain in the ass in front of the royal staff. He made me write a fifteen page report on Eswana's economy.

I was somehow able to get out of the room wearing my work clothes to grab some food. Instantly I was hit by the smell of bacon which made me nauseous.

"Eleanora, are you okay?" He asked looking concerned.

"I hate the smell of bacon and you are too loud for me, not to mention everything hurts."

He let out an airy laugh," I made you a drink," he said handing me this ugly green concoction in a glass. "It will hell you get rid of your hangover."

"What is this?" I asked giving it a wistful look.

"Don't ask. Just drink it." I gulped down the concoction in one go. It was nasty but anything to get rid of this horrible feeling.

"That was appalling. If it doesn't help I may hit you in the face," I said with a straight face. I wasn't in my best mood either.

He chuckled. Why was his laugh even hot?  "Trust me it will," he said in a reassuring tone.

I drank it up in one go, it tasted like shit but I would do anything to get rid of this shitty hangover. "Good girl," he said as I put my empty glass down.

"It better work," I said.

"Trust me it will after a few minutes. So Eleanora-," he drawled. "Do you uh- do you remember anything from la-last night?" He asked scratching his head looking down. Was he blushing?

"No. Why?" I asked a little too curiously. Did I do anything wrong last night?

"Yeah. You just tried to seduce me last night," he said nonchalantly.

The whole world around me came to a pause. Did I hear that right? I didn't want to jeopardize what we have. This arrangement is my only hope and I couldn't let that get ruined by my little crush on him. "I - what?- I am sorry it was a big mis-".

Right then he started laughing- a slap in the knee kind of laughter. "I was just kidding baby," he said. I think I heaved out a sigh of relief. But I did notice a slight change in behaviour though. He is always so quiet but today he was joking around with me. It just seemed a little strange to me. But I did appreciate this change in behaviour. "But you did tell me a secret which you told me to not tell Vincent, " he winked at me.

Oh my god I am such an embarrassment. I promised myself right then never to get drunk ever  again. "I am sorry. I am so- wait, what secret?"

"I am sorry I can't tell you that," he laughed.  If I tell you, Vincent might hear and that would be breaking a promise to drunk Eleanora. "

"You must be kidding, right?" I asked. What happened to old Vincent? I want him back. This was like a new fun, weird version of Vincent.

"Nope. I am sorry I need to protect the secret. Its strictly between us," he smirked.

....

"So did you guys 'canoodle' after you guys dropped me home?" Lisa asked with much curiosity.

"Nope," I replied while calculating yesterday's receipts.

"Oh come on why?" She whined. "I thought you planned to seduce a certain someone last night," she said sounding disappointed.

I stopped calculating the receipts," Wait, what?"

"Yeah. You told me you liked this guy and you couldn't wait to make your move on him. You were tired of the sexual tension between you guys."

I cringed. I am never getting drunk ever again. I will swear an oath if I have to. "Did I actually say that?"

"Yeah. I clearly remember you saying that to me when we were both drunk. I thought you were talking about Elijah."

I mentally face palmed myself. Wait a minute. What if I said something like this to Vincent and now he thinks I may want us to be together. That's why he was acting all weird. "Oh god I screwed up," I cried out in dismay.

"You what? You screwed him? Good job then," she patted me on the shoulder.

"Do you think about anything except for sex?" I asked rolling my eyes.

"Heyyy I am doing this for your good. It's been years since you got laid. You deserve some phenomenal sex."

"Can you just-."

"Hey I am gonna go now. Elijah is coming towards you," with that she left before I could chide her. I looked up to see him smiling at me.

"Hello beautiful," Elijah said winking at me.

"Uh hi," I replied lamely.

"You look extra beautiful. Hangovers look good on you," he replied smirking at me. Seriously what's with men today. Can't they talk without smiling or winking?

"No it doesn't. You need glasses my friend," I retorted.

He ignored what I said,"I enjoyed last night. Do you wanna get together this weekend?"

I really didn't want to go out with Elijah anymore. But I needed to go out one last time just to prove Vincent wrong if he thinks I am a slightest bit interested him. Also it was rude of me to get drunk instead of talking to him. I needed to see where things go one last time. Then maybe I could politely turn him down and explain my problem to him. "Yeah sure."

"Great. I will text you. We can go to this pub near my place."

"Talking during work is strictly prohibited. And specially when its opening time," Vincent said in a stern voice from behind me. Wait, was he listening to our conversation the whole time?

"Vince I was asking Eleanor for the budget sheet that the-."

"I heard exactly what you were asking Eleanora about. Stop making stupid excuses!" He barked seething with anger. Right then everyone in the restaurant stopped talking and was staring at us.

"I am sorry-."

"I don't care about your apologies. You will be staying over and cleaning up the storage room. That ought to teach you a lesson on lying to your boss and slacking during work!"

"But-." Elijah was about to protest but he refrained himself.

I was quite exasperated by the whole situation. Everyone talks at the restaurant and Vince has never said anything about it. Yes we did have a rule against it but Vincent didn't care about it. Looking at everyone's shocked faces I am assuming this is the first time he scolded someone.

"I am sorry but I talked to him too. If he gets punished for it I should be too. I will help him clean up too."

"Oh great. Since you are more than willing to stay back- why don't you clean up the walk-in freezer?"

"But Vince the freezer needs to be defrosted before cleaning up and it may take a day or two," one of the waiters named Bryan protested.

"No need to do that. I am sure Miss Montcroix can clean it without defrosting it."

"But it gets really cold inside," Bryan pointed out.

"I am sure she can handle a little cold," he said. 

...

I hope you guys are liking the story so far! I have a favour to ask. Can you write down what language(s) you know in the comments? I will be knocking some people to help me translate some dialogues. I need it for a future chapter.