Apéritif [ Carmy Berzatto || THE BEAR FF ]

Chapter 3 - To Stay or To Go?

The clinks of the pans and the sizzling of the ingredients fueled the kitchen. It was around 10 in the morning and the restaurant was experiencing an extreme rush. The good press brought such a crowd to The Bear, that people lined up just for reservations.

"Julienne those peppers, Tina! We need them for the lunch special!" Carmen commanded, his voice echoed through the kitchen walls.

Tina, her face flushed, shot back, "I'm not a magician, Jeff! It takes time!"

"You've done it before chef, you can do it again!" The silence that followed hung heavy in the air. "Tina?"

"Yes cheeff!" Elongating the last few letters.

"Sydney! Can you fire 3 beef steaks please?!"

"Yes chef!"

The orders were nonstop and Carmy was starting to find himself breaking a sweat. He was no stranger to stress in the kitchen but the rapid growth of The Bear caught him by surprise. His pace that was usually so organized started to become frenzied. His hands darting from pan to pan, plate to plate. His brows furrowed, deepening the lines on his forehead.

"COUSINN!" Richie barged through the swinging doors.

"Table 5 is a pain in the fucking ass! They're acting like we served them a plate of rocks."

"What?"

"A bunch of fucking out of state losers who don't even know what real food is and I-"

"NO- Cousin, what's wrong with the dish ?!"

"They said they wanted medium rare." Richie huffed as he adjusted his collar.

"This is medi-" Carmy stopped himself.

"Carmy?" Sydney called out. "Take a deep breath. Just fire up a new steak."

Clearing his throat he replied, "Yes chef!"
———

Adina had picked you up from the office in order to have lunch at The Bear. Together you guys rounded the corner and was met with a modern but nostalgic looking building. Next to the front door was a bear plaque and under it read the name of the restaurant.

"Hi ladies, I'm Richie. Just a table for two?"

"Yes please."

"Ok follow me over here." You followed him around the corners of the tables, carefully avoiding bumping into couples and friends who laughed cheerfully over their meals.

"I apologize for the space, this is our only table available at the moment hopefully it's not much of an issue."

"No it's totally fine! Thank you!"

You guys were seated closest to the swinging kitchen doors, not enough for it to be bothersome but close enough to hear the ruckus going on from the inside.

"It smells so good in here oh my gosh." Adina grinned.

"I knoww! I can't believe this used to be a sandwhich shop." You laughed.

"I almost forgot about that!" Adina looked around amazed. "They really outdid themselves." You nodded in agreement.

You looked down to find an impeccably set table – polished silverware, pristine glasses, napkins folded perfectly on the left side of your plates. And a menu that hinted at an array of culinary delights.

As you and Adina continued your banter, a man came around to your table with waters in hand. The tattoos that adorned his hands, peeked out of his sleeves as he reached over to fill your glasses. His mustache as charismatic as his smile as he greeted the both of you.

"Important to stay hydrated." He quickly blurted out. It would've seemed like that remark was for the both of you guys but his eyes were on Adina the whole time. Adina on the other hand was nose deep into the menu, probably thinking if she could replace the salad greens in the main course with arugula.

Adina turned to the waiter, "Hey- Um what's your name?"

"Fak!" His grin spread widely from ear to ear.

"Fak, do you know who used to own this place?"

"Oh yeah um, Michael Berzatto. He actually was the brother of our current chef."

"Oh! Yes Cameron!-"

"It's Carmen"
A slight pause lingered in the air.

"Great so where's Michael? I've seen him before but never got the chance to really talk to him."

You noticed Fak take a slight breather before responding to Adina's question.

"He doesn't work here anymore. Passed it down to the lil bro." He said with a forced smile.

"Aww was hoping to see him. But gotta love a family business!"

"Yeah Italians am I right?!" Fak raised his hands as an awkward beat lingered in the air. "Haha... ha"

"I think we're ready to order." You interrupted.

Fak clasped his hands together and brought them to his lips "Oh yea almost forgot."
———

"Hey Syd, I'm going out for a smoke."

"'Kay chef!"

"Don't burn the place down please."

"If I wanted to I would!" Sydney yelled back.

The doors swung open behind you and Carmen made his way through the dining area.

He flashed a few shy smiles towards customers that recognized him. A few 'thank you's' here and there before his eyes landed on yours for what felt like an eternity.

You felt a blush creep up your neck.

"Hi." He said shyly with his lips pursed.

"Hi."

You couldn't help but think how the pictures didn't do him justice. He had this sort of aura to him that was almost addicting to you. His toned arms decorated with patchwork tattoos. His ocean-blue eyes that stood out in a comforting way. His hair, slightly curly, perfectly framed his face.

I love the way he looks. Is what you repeated over and over in your mind.

"Cameron Berzatto!" Adina pointed straight towards his direction.

"Carmen, Carmen Berzatto."

"I'm sorry! Mr. Berzatto. My friend here struggles with names... a lot." He let out a soft airy chuckle.

"It's fine. You can call me Carmen."

"Oh well Carmen, the food was amazing! It's really a different vibe from before."

"Oh you've been here before?" He inquired as he pushed his dirty blonde hair away from his face.

"Yeah only briefly though, when it was still the The Original Beef." His smile grew as you mentioned the restaurant's previous name.

Sydney came out of the kitchen and stood behind Carmy.

"Hey chef we need you back there."

"Got it, I'm coming." He departed with a friendly smile as he spun on his heels before returning back to the kitchen. Completely forgetting his cig break.

"Well then..." Adina propped her chin onto her hand.

Now her eyebrows were raised as you tried to deflect from the obvious teasing that was yet to come.

"So what do you want to try the next we come here?"