The CHEF from Burhan & Sons

Chapter 1 - Liam

I was busy chopping the vegetables and I could hear someone calling me but I was too focused and in my element that I chose to ignore them. I'm still not over Valerie even though she is married to my boss and they have finally welcomed their babies into the world. I know it's wrong but I can't help it.

The last time I had a moment with her was when she showed me the ultrasound photos and the adoption papers. She was so hurt by the fact that Zain went behind her back and I had to look past my feelings and advise her to forgive him.

Why me?

Since then, I have tried to focus on work more than necessary and every time Mia asked me to go to Joe's with her and Val, I came up with an excuse and bailed on them. How can one get over the one that got away?

"Liam, I've been calling you for hours", Claire said, finally standing beside me. "Oh, am so sorry, I was just too focused on the work at hand that I zoned out. What's up?", I said turning to give her undivided attention. "I came to tell you that Valerie has started maternity leave so you and Mia will be the only ones holding the fort until she gets back", she said excitedly. I'm not surprised, Zain and Claire are tight so she must be happy for the guy. "That's not a problem Your Majesty, we will do you proud as always", I told her adding a wink just in time for the rest of the cooks to walk into the kitchen.

"Are you ok? You've changed in the past few days, am worried about you", she said with questioning eyes no doubt scanning me with her motherly eyes. "I'll be fine once you give me a kiss right here", I said pointing at my cheek playfully. She kissed me and I pretended to be recharged making her laugh while walking out of the kitchen.

"I knew you loved that shirt but not this much", Mia said making me look at myself. I was wearing the T-shirt she gave me for my birthday written, 'best boss ever' it had a picture of us wearing our uniforms. It took me back to the day when they did a surprise birthday party for me. To them, it looked like something small and fun but to me, it was the best thing that anyone has ever done for me.

My parents never valued me because of the career I chose. I loved cooking all my life and it was because of my nanny. She is the one behind all that I am. She was more of a parent to me than my biological ones ever were and honestly, I didn't even mind. Being the last born in a family of four kids, three being successful and the last one being a failure in their eyes did not make me the favorite in the family.

I still made sure I never missed any of the family events despite all of them ending the same. My parents asked if I won any significant awards like the Best Chef Award while they didn't pay for my culinary education, they said it was a waste of investment. I didn't bother because I had saved for it without them knowing. By the time they cut my funds, I was already set for college.

I work at Burhan and Sons because I like it here, the adrenaline, the dedicated space, and the networking especially when it comes to the events that Claire connects me to. Most people like what I do and they book me for private events. I get good money but I would never tell my parents that because to them all that matters is being famous. I was not a well-known neural surgent like Mark one of the highest-paid motivational speakers like Rose or a famous athlete like Tate. I was just a cook. A person who chose to become a chef and yet after five years of being one I wasn't successful enough to get an award for my restaurant. I bet if my Mum comes to my workplace, she will look at me with disgust and ask why I wasn't working at a five-star restaurant.

"We are ready to serve Liam", Mia's voice brings me back to reality. I had work to do. I position myself at the cafeteria buffet along with my cooks and we start serving the minute Mia opens the cafeteria. I watch as workers make a line as usual all happy and excited to see what was on the menu as if we have changed it while they have the schedule. "Chef Liam, it's nice seeing you", the girls say as they pass by and all I do is smile. They always do that.

We were finishing up when Claire approached us with a group of people that I had never seen before. "Liam, come... I want to introduce you to our guests from ECC. They're here to conduct training for us and they will be joining the cafeteria for the next two weeks", she said but I zoned out when she was explaining because I was trapped by the most amazing grey eyes that I've ever seen. She was hiding behind everyone else no doubt she was nervous. Her short form and dark brown skin made me feel some type of way. She was staring at Mia or should I say the way she was holding five plates on each side. She looked amazed and I felt like showing off that I could carry more than Mia because I had more balance. I heard someone clear their throat making me return my eyes to Claire. She had a weird smile on her face that made me realise she saw how I was looking at the gem in the group. "Pleasure to have you. Claire will share the menu with you so that you can review it and let us know if you are allergic to any of the food we're serving. Please feel free as we're here to serve you", I said making sure I portrayed professionalism. I was adjusting my sleeves when I felt eyes on me and when I turned, I was met with grey eyes. A nervous smile appeared on her face making her look angelic but I was not going to fall for a pretty face again, not after what happened with Valerie.