My Bodyguard

21

"You got everything?" I glanced at Aarav, nodding my head and I looked in my tote bag, rustling through my items.

I hope I have everything.

I have been practicing my desserts, giving samples to Joe, Sugar and Henry.

Aarav's enemy is sweets right now. I think he had a little too much for the past month but he still tries whenever I give him something.

"I'm nervous about the chocolate art. May hasn't replied my texts." I said glancing at Aarav that was putting my hair in a bun, slicking it back properly because he didn't want me to fail or get less mark because of my hair.

They take count on hygiene really seriously.

"Maybe she's on her way and you'll do great on the art. I know you would." He kisses my cheek, making me crack an appreciative smile.

He made me breakfast, bought me coffee from the cafe and Joe, Sugar and Henry wished me luck, giving me hugs.

I felt good today.

Aarav helped me with my things, bringing them to my table to set it up but May was not in reach. I kept calling her but she didn't pickup.

"May is not picking up."

"What happens if she doesn't show up?" I looked at him, feeling anxious because I didn't think of that. It didn't occur to my mind that she would be absent.

"I would be making the chocolate art alone- how am I going to do it alone?!" I am scared.

My mood just fluctuated from feeling good to terrible anxiousness.

"You can do it. I know you can. You're my strong, smart girl. You can do it, okay? Take a deep breath before starting anything. You'll do amazing." I hugged him tightly, nodding my head and he pecks my lips, looking at me.

"I'll stay-"

"No, no. You're going home. I will call you if anything. You don't have to wait for me. It's an 8 hour exam. You should go home and sleep."

"We'll see about that. Good luck, anything call me and remember the steps. The easiest ones first-"

"The hardest ones last so that I could give extra time if its needed." He smiles, nodding his head and I hugged him again, being afraid that I might have to do everything by myself.

"You got it. Do your best." He kisses my forehead longingly and I mumbled a thank you, pulling away, hearing the bell ringing.

I waved at him and he waved back at me, watching me go in.

I can do this.

Everyones partner showed up except mine. May really didn't show up and I was more worried than being angry that she didn't show up.

I kept calling her but she didn't pick up,

The chef said I could join others because I don't have a partner but I didn't want to. I chose to stay by myself, doing my own.

We started with the briefing and we were asked to do the individual exam, which is the 3 dishes.

We were given 3 hours for that and I immediately started like Aarav said- I started with the easiest.

I made the spicy tuna fillings, putting it away and went on to the pastry dough. I rolled out the pastry dough, checking the layers properly so that it would rise beautifully.

I let it rest, starting on my peach mango compote.

The whole time I was doing it, I kept thinking my practice with Aarav. I kept on repeating on what he would say, how he would encourage me on doing it correctly rather than perfectly.