The Chef | A Michael Jackson Fanfiction

Chapter 4

August 1987 - Los Angeles

Maeve's POV

The last week before I started my new adventure went by very quick. Yesterday was my last day working as Sous-Chef and I'm not going to lie, I will miss this job, especially the team. I've been working with most of them for about 6 years now.

After every shift, when we finished cleaning, we would sit together, talking, eating and sometimes drinking some wine. Well the others drink beer but I prefer wine.

"Maeve, we will miss you so much. To good friends, new adventures and good food" Klaus said raising his glas.

We ended up staying at the restaurant longer than usual and drinking more than usual. After closing the restaurant and preparing for the next day, the servers joined us.

Whenever we sit like this, I feel like I'm part of a huge family. I hope the new team is as welcoming as this one.

"Maeve, what are you doing now?" one of the servants asked, holding a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

"Oh, I'm going on tour, so I make money by travelling the world" I answered smiling widely.

"So you're cooking for an artist or a band? That kind of tour?"

I took a sip of my Chardonnay, my favourite wine and nodded.

"Well whose tour is it?" she was a little impatient with me and I have to admit that I enjoyed it a little.

I still had the glas of wine infront of my face, covering my lips. I smiled, my cheeks turned a light pink shade and I said "Michael Jackson's".

I never thought that a jaw could drop so low, but as soon as I said his name, I swear her chin fell to the ground.

"You're kidding" she said with a weak but loud voice.

I shook my head, still smiling widely.

"No way, how? What?... uh" she needed a secound before she stared at me and said "you are soo lucky, I am so so soo jealous of you, he's such a fine man and that voice-"

"Stop drooling, I'm as good looking as him" Klaus interrupted her, pretending to go through his imaginary long hair.

We all started laughing at his goofiness and after everyone was catching their breaths again, they congratulated me for this huge opportunity.

We continued talking when suddenly the restaurant manager stormed inside the kitchen with a mischievous grin on his face and his hands behind his back. I instantly knew it was going to be a long night. He then pulled 2 bottles of champagne from behind him und presented them proudly making the whole team cheer and applaud him.

I don't remember when I left the restaurant, it must have been around 2 or 3 in the morning. However drinking the night before starting a new job wasn't one of my greatest ideas. I still managed to get up early today to get a shower since I smell and felt like garbage.

The shower helped me to get rid of the smell of alcohol and cigarettes. I don't really like smoking but occasionally I do, it reminds me of my sister, she used to smoke. A lot.

Anyway, I managed to get ready in time and left for my new work and the new chapter in my life.

Michael's POV

"No no no, please we have to get this right" I was frustrated. There was only about a month left until the very first show of my tour and we still had mayor problems with not only the instrumental part but also the back vocals.

"You guys have to become one. Your voices have to harmonize more, let's try again."

And they tried again, again and again until it was finally perfect to me.
"Yes that's it, do it exactly like this. This is great" I said, reliefed that there is some kind of progress.

We continued practising some songs when I spotted Frank pointing his finger at his watch, signalling for me that it's time to take a break.
I checked the time, it was already noon.

"Let's take a break, it's time for Lunch" I clapped my hands, so that I caught everybodys attention.

The others walked away slowly while I stayed behind and took a few sips of my water bottle, thinking about the choreography and how it can be improved.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice Frank coming my way.

"Michael" he called, getting my attention. "How about a short break? Eat something."

"I'm not hungry" I explained, not really convincing him. I might be hungry, yes, but I don't have time to take a break.

"Michael please. Eat something and then you can think better."

I finally gave in and joined Frank on the way to the cantine. During our walk he informed me that the new chef started today and that she is responsible for today's food.

Throughout this conversation I just nodded every once in while, still thinking about the choreography.

When we reached the cantine I scanned the room with my eyes. It was loud, like always. People were chatting and eating. They seemed to enjoy the food, so the new one made a good job.

My eyes reached the buffet, where an unfamilliar figure was standing, refilling the food.

I can only see her from behind, but what I can say is that she is not very tall. The working colthes she is wearing, are a little oversized, but that does fit her very well. Her blond hair was tied in a messy bun at the back of her head and she was also wearing a hat.

As I came closer, I saw part of her face. She was focused, not noticing my presence.

I looked at the buffet, not really sure what to take, when I saw the Lasagne.

"Oh man, I love Lasagne. I haven't had one i soo long" I said, taking a piece and putting it on my plate.

"Well I hope it tastes good then" the new one said with a small smile on her lips. She looked at me for a short second before refocusing on her work.

For a very short second our eyes were conecting and in that moment my mind went completely blank. It's like all the stress I've had while preparing for this tour was forgotten. For a moment I wasn't worried about vocals or choreography. My mind finally got it's well deserved break from all this stress.

All I can think of are her eyes. I've never seen eyes that beautiful, a light shade of blue with a very thin dark blue line on the outside.

I shook myself out of my daydream about her eyes and gathered my thoughts.

"Well it does look good, thats for sure" I told her.

"Thank you" she said, turning to me. "I'm Maeve, by the way."

"Michael" I replied, shaking her hand, that she held for me to take.

"It's nice to meet you, Michael" she said. Then she smiled at me one last time before returning to the kitching, leaving me behind, still mesmerized, not only by her eyes but also by her whole persona.