MY BIG FAT ROMANCE

MBFR : 32

CHAPTER 32: A LEAP START

After eight years

"What the fuck!" the scream is audible from where I am. I am frying the tempura now in the kitchen. I tried not to be distracted but the complaints are getting into my nerve again. I untied the apron that incircles my body. Elena, one of the staffs is now heads down and her knee is on the floor; enduring the sharp mouthed costumer, "How can you be so careless! Look! There are flies on my food! Oh my god! I'm disappointed, this is what you called a decent restaurant?!" she kept on bursting her bubbles. I slowly massage my forehead as I stride nearer to the center of attention. I pulled Elena up and face the costumer instead, "Ma'am, would you mind if we talk privately?" I said in a calm voice; calm as I can.

Instead of controlling her anger, she just raised her tattoed eyebrows on me, "Ang mahal-mahal ng pagkain dito tapos may mga langaw? Refund me now or else I will cause a stir on here!" she yelled like a wild hepopotamus, her face is so red at it's obvious that she's using too much kojic and rejuvenating sets on her face.

"Who is the owner of this restaurant?! Let me talk to her, I want her to fire this staff because she doesn't know how to treat a customer well!" she dogged. I titled my head, I already had enough.

I face her with my chinned up and breast out, "I am the owner, Ma'am. I really do believe that the customer is always right but I think you're abusing your role. As you can see from here, our kitchen is very clean and we always do our very best for our customer," I feel Elena's hand on my wrist, trying to stop me. Why cause a stir when she's already doing it?

The customer's attention is on us now and I don't care because this is my premises. As long as she's on my premises, I have the right to complain when it's too much, "Chine-check din ho namin ang bawat pagkain bago ito e-serve. As long as I can recall, wala pong langaw sa pagkain ninyo. Baka ho ikaw ang nagdala?" her eyes widen and I can see her eyeballs are going to roll down on the floor in a minute. She bit her lower lip and glares at me with disbeliefs.

"You can simply ask for food without degrading anybody here. You can simply talk to me without humiliating my staff because I think I have the most power here to correct their wrongs. We can educate them without yelling, that money will not buy humanity," I uttered in a low tone voice, even though she's embarrassing my staff I don't like to put her on the same.

She grabs the table tissue and wipes her mouth. Without saying anything, she left my restaurant. "Ma'am Lauryn, sorry po. Nagkamali na naman po ako," Elena said while bowing her head. The surrounding and the people came back to normal. I am relieved that the situation did not affect the sale. Something throbs on my chest, I can see the old me in her. I face Elena fiercely trying to conceal my real emotion, "Follow me to the office," I said. Right after that, I walk to the setting.

Parang kailan lang noong nagsimula akong magtayo ng sariling restaurant. Mahirap, lalo na't kaka-umpisa ko pa lamang pero hindi ako nagsising hindi ako sumuko. Totoo nga talaga ang kasabihang 'kapag may tiyaga, may nilaga'.

I own a five-star restaurant and I'm now constructing another two branches of the Backyard Bowls. Because this is my main branch, I decided to build my office here so I could relax anytime I want. The restaurant is also has a delectable view where you can enjoy your food while watching the sunset.

I pushed a sliding door and stride to the spacious visitor's space. It has Jean Royere Polar Bear sofa on the side. I started collecting some green plants to make it look aesthetic and lively. I also put a chandelier on the white grayish ceiling. I took a deep breath before opening the door of my office room.

Kumuha muna ako ng apple juice sa refrigerator bago umupo sa aking swivel chair. I turn on the laptop while playing a glass on my other hand. Maya-maya ay pumasok na din si Elena na nakayuko. She's a working and culinary student, katulad ko rin noon na nangangarap.