Last Night In Rome

Chapter 1

Her day started with the aroma of several recipes being prepared by her chefs. She walked down the aisle of busybodies to check on each and every dish in the making.

"Don't make it too salty, we don't want our guests to get more water than wine," she announced.

Once done checking on the others' set-up, she went to her place and started preparing the dish that only she can make, the turducken. It's in their everyday menu but people seem to have been attached to this dish that it's still in demand after introducing it 5 years ago.

"Yuri, you are needed-"

"Whatever be the emergency, I cannot be disturbed when I'm cooking," she said, putting pressure in every word she said. "Take care of it, or maybe put in on hold for about an hour, just until I'm finished."

She's just started the process by removing small bones, as if performing a surgery on the food. As she said, it took her almost an hour to do so, and another hour to prepare it for the oven.

"Check on it and take it out on time. I'll check the dining hall." She couldn't leave it alone, especially since she's cooking it in a stone oven.

She removed her apron and went to remove her uniform, changing back into her backless, spaghetti strap mini dress that hugged her perfectly fit body. She went into the dining hall with poise and walked around like the boss she is.

"Who needs me this early in the morning?" she asked, raising her brows when she saw her friends in one table.

"Yuriel! Gosh, why are you so busy? It's just nine in the morning!" Hannah went to kiss her on the cheek to greet her and walked her to their table. "So, what can you recommend for breakfast?"

"Girls, we're not even open yet."

"Oh, come on, Yuri, we just got here. Can't you open for us? Mary's already on her way..." asked the impatient Grace.

"No will do, girls. Let's go somewhere else."

She dragged them out of there and dragged them to the nearest restaurant.

"You cheapskate. We could have just eaten in your restaurant."

"Oh, come on, you like the food here," she said and proceeds to explain. "We can't be disturbed. We were reserved for the whole day; we can't take any risks!" she exclaimed. "Anyway, what are you people doing here? Grace, shouldn't you be on your honeymoon?"

"Oh, he's busy with all the surgery and hospital stuff. We'll go in a month."

"Yeah, that happened so why don't you be the good friend and hang out with us today?" asked Mary.

"Look here, you guys. I have a life. I can't just decide to come and hang out just because I want to! I'm working!" she said in disbelief. "And the three of you, if I may remind you, you have work and kids at home. Why don't you focus on those instead?"

"Ugh, enough with that, Yuriel. Even we can take a break like this at times. You're single, so shouldn't you be the one with the most freedom among us?" asked Grace. "You're not even dating. I'm worried you might end up dying alone!"

"Gosh, here we go with this conversation again."

"Or maybe just get laid for once, Yuriel! You're almost 30 and still a virgin!"

"Mary! Gosh, keep it down, you're embarrassing us!" Hannah exclaimed as she looked around with an apologetic look in her eyes. "Those grannies are glaring."

"Well, you can't blame her," said Grace, pertaining to Mary. "What she said is true. You're telling us to get a life but working your ass off for nothing isn't a life either."