She's With Me

6

The next morning, I give Poppy a call to check in on her. My new phone is a Samsung, and I'm having a hard time with it. Apparently, my brain isn't compatible with androids. It will take sometime for me to grow fond of it, since I'm accustomed to the IOS software.

Going over menu items with Elijah isn't too difficult. I've travelled all over the world, so I have a decent idea of what would interest customers, while he advises me on what he's good at executing.

He's been to culinary school, and worked at Petit Amor for five years. That's until the restaurant closed down. And ever since, he'd been looking for a job. He's the main reason why I'd decided to buy this restaurant. I could've invested in something right in New York, where Poppy would have been more comfortable. She loves the big apple with all of her heart, and it's the only place where we've lived that she's really called home. We have a beautiful house there, customized to our every desire. Hell, even I miss New York. The Manhattan streets are just something that I look forward to exploring everyday, even though I've walked those streets a thousand times.

I've invested in hundreds of businesses over the years, and with my wife's guidance, I've finally decided to stop working too hard. We want to start a family, regardless of biology, and have enough money to live a lavish life even if I stopped working at this very moment.

But work is like therapy for me. It's something for me to focus on and allows me to feel accomplished everyday. I plan to hand the restaurant over to someone capable to run it within a year. I'll stick around in the meantime to make sure everything runs smoothly. Usually, I'd sell it and make a big profit. But it's different this time, because Elijah is involved. I want him to have something permanent, and this might be it. I just need to assess if he's capable of handling it.

When lunch comes around, Elijah propositions to prepare me anything of my choice. And because of Poppy's teasing the night before, I choose lasagna.

He said that it'll take almost two hours for him to prepare it. And mid afternoon kicks around. My stomach is rumbling and the wine isn't holding my hunger off. I head into the kitchen, and notice that he's talking to some of the kitchen staff while the lasagna is still in the oven.

"It's almost done, Miss Tape," his arms are crossed over his chest. And the girl who likes to text a lot is actually not on her phone. She's smiling and flipping her hair over her shoulder instead, while looking at him. Typical.

"I'm craving dairy again. Do we have any whole milk?" I search the fridge and find a jug. Why am I in need of milk? I don't know. I can't be pregnant, because god knows I haven't slept with a guy since high school.

The brunette texter then says, "my momma said that usually means there's something baking in the oven, and I'm not talking about the lasagna," I almost choke and place my hand over my mouth, as milk begins to spill through my lips.

Elijah laughs and rests his hand against his stomach, "don't petrify the boss, Rochelle," oh, so he knows her name too. Interesting.

"I'm definitely not pregnant," it's not public that I'm a lesbian. I've never found the need to broadcast my relationship to the world. Don't get me wrong, I don't hide it either. Poppy and I just don't practice public displays of affection, and we're not celebrities either. The spotlight has never been an interest to us.

We love our privacy, and dwell on the peace as much as we can. No one gives a damn about a business woman like me, since I'm never going to be willing to speak about personal details of my life. I'm filthy rich, but not recognized for it like some people.

"If you say so, boss," Rochelle cocks her head to the side and smiles deviously at me. What's that about?

"I know so," I wipe my lips with the back of my palm and place the jug of milk back into the fridge. My glass is still half full, but I've lost my intense craving for it.

"Lasagna's done," Elijah claps his hands and heads over to the oven to retrieve it. Fuck, that's definitely not going on the menu. It takes too long to prepare.

"Once it's cooled off a bit, everyone can have a slice."