When you realise

26. Plans

I walked into the hotel carrying the pastry box, I went straight for the kitchens, I really wanted Antonio to try something.

"Antonio, Antonio, Antonio" I rushed over to him, he was preparing for the lunch rush.

"yes Miss Hastings, what has you so excited today" he asked me

"I need you to try something from this box" I said as I opened the box to show him the pastries and cakes. He looked between the goodies and his food prep, I could tell he was busy and didn't want to stop but he also didn't want to let me down.

"Please just a quick little break" I asked while fluttering my eye lashes at him dramatically, he just smiled at me.

"Well, you are the boss Miss Hastings if you are telling me to have a break to try one of those delicious smelling treats who am I to say no" he said while walking over to wash his hands, he dried them on a paper towel on his way back to me "Which one" he questioned.

"Pick one" I said "No matter which one you pick, I bet it taste fantastic" I exclaimed.

I watched as he picked what I am guessing is some kind of apple pie, it was delicately shaped into a flower and as he brought it up out of the box past my face, I could smell cinnamon and apple as well as a sweet pastry crust. He put it in his mouth and his eyes closed, I almost wonder if I looked exactly like he did the first time I took a bite of the profiterole.

"This is amazing Miss Hastings, where did you get it from and I hope you offered the pastry chef a job, I would kill to have something this incredible on the dessert menu" he exclaimed.

"I'm so glad you had that reaction; I spoke to her and she is currently trying to sell her bakery to put her niece through college. I want to put through a few ideas to her so that we can have these on the menu, if she agrees, would you be willing to share the kitchen" I asked him, its only fair that I get his input because he has been the head chef since before, I came along.

He smiled at me "As it is now Miss Hastings, I delegate the deserts over in that section" I looked around to see the other side of the kitchen where he was pointing and it was a large section of the kitchen, "I love to cook, Miss Hastings and I love to create new and exciting meals that people love, but I have never been a great fan of pastry cooking, it is too fiddley, I don't mind trying and perfecting a desert recipe but once I do that other chefs to cook them. If there is someone that can cook something that incredible, she deserves a head pastry position in this kitchen, together we could really make this hotel the place to stay in this city" he finished with a smile

"Thank you for your input Antonio I really appreciate it, ill take my leave and let you get back to work, I know you are a busy man" I replied smiling back at him

"Good day to you Miss Hastings, if you would like some lunch bought up to the office just let me know and I will have something sent up" he said as he walked back over to wash his hands again.

"Thank you, Antonio, I will certainly call in a bit later, bye". I picked up my boxes again an made my way to the office.

Mel was on the phone at her desk, so I walked past her and put the boxes on my desk, I placed my handbag under my desk and heard Mel wrapping up the phone call, so I picked up the cupcake box again and took it out to her, she was just about to stand up, probably to brief me on the morning, but she sat back down and I placed the cupcake on her desk Infront of her.

She just looked at it for a moment before looking up at me, I wanted to explain to her first before she asked questions.

"I'm really sorry about yesterday Mel, I never should have spoken to you the way I did, I hope you can forgive me" I said offering presenting her with a smile