Unbreak My Heart

21. Wild Cats

I haven't seen Chef Jake for the past week, not for lack of trying, but the man seemed to be MIA. Every time I had a free period, I went where Basic Cuisine classes were held trying to see if I could bump into him, but haven't had such luck. 

After almost getting caught sneaking in their classes, I decided  I would ask Beth tomorrow if she knew if Chef Jacob was still teaching at LCB. I’d have to be smart about it, so she doesn't get suspicious as to why I'm asking about my boss. 

Intermediate Cuisine has been challenging me, not in a bad way per se , but just as one of the Chef instructors said: this will separate professional chefs from cooks.  This week alone, I have been pushed so hard and achieved far more than I thought capable.

The only downside of this course was how time consuming it was. I’ve been seriously considering  resigning from my job at the restaurant, as with each passing day it was getting busier. I do, however, need to talk to Chef Jake before making a final decision, if only he weren't playing hide and seek with me.

If only I had the guts  to call him. Each time I  picked up my phone, I chickened out before  dialing his number. I wasn't sure if he would pick up my call and a part of me was scared of that rejection. Even now I opened his contact details, hesitating to phone him.

"Why don't you text him?" A voice said behind me.

Startled, I looked to see who was sneaking up on me. It was the woman who had caught Jake and I after we shared our first kiss. She was a beautiful and classy woman, I was still not sure what her role at the school was, but hoped I didn't have to worry about whatever she saw that day.

"Excuse me?" 

"You have been looking at your phone for the past, what? Ten minutes?" she said, sitting down on the vacant chair at my table.

Sophie had a lunch date with her sister off campus, so I was sitting alone.. She sat down slowly, too slowly if you asked me. As I observed her, I could see why she would fit in with Jake's world. She was posh and looked like all those classy women I served at the restaurant.

"Why him? It could be her?" I asked, getting an uneasy feeling and wondered what she was playing at. 

"Yeah...but you look like–" 

"I'm sorry, but can I help you with something?" I interrupted before she could finish whatever she was about to say.

I mentally berated myself for snapping, if she saw us kissing she could mean trouble for Jake and I. That's if he was still a Chef instructor here…

She smiled. "Where are my manners? I'm Emily and you are Amara, right?"

"Yeah."

"I have been watching you for a while now and I could tell that your mind is elsewhere. And each time I have seen you, you have this look in your eyes–-"

"What look?" I interrupted yet again, but keeping my tone light.

Emily analyzed me  and I did the same, making sure to be subtle about it. I wasn't intimidated by her, but I was wary of her and her reasons for sitting with me. 

Like two cats, we stared at one another, calculating and assessing each other. With our claws still hidden we continued our conversation. It was clear she thought I would break first and shy away, but unfortunately for her, I was from the streets and I knew how to play the long game.

Taking a sip of the iced coffee in her hand she said, "Lost. Unlike most students here, you always look lost, like you don't belong..." she said sweetly, yet there was underlying bitterness in her voice.