Delectable • cth

Chapter 1

Aliyah stepped over the threshold into her new job with a quiet breath. Where she was sure she'd be spending countless hours for the next however many years. The brunette just wasn't sure how that first introduction would go, being told in advance she was going to have to win over the head chef. He didn't even know she was coming.

The interview process was easy, flawlessly answering questions and asking the right ones when the time came. The man hired her on the spot, and not that she was surprised, but she expected a call later on the day. Not the offer on the table right then and there. But after a few minutes of healthy negotiation, she was walking out with the direction to show up that Thursday night ready to impress the head chef.

She went into that day acting as if she hadn't had the job yet. That once the chef approved, then she'd be working there. Almost instantly the manager was in front of her, welcoming and ushering the brunette towards the kitchen.

"He can be an asshole, but don't let him intimidate you." The manager that Aliyah knew as Brian smiled, pushing open a door and letting her walk in first. "And remember, he doesn't have the power to fire you. Only I do."

"Got it." She nodded, smiling at the man, glancing around until her eyes landed on who she assumed to be the head chef. "That one?"

Brian chuckled quietly, nodding back at her before lifting his arm and beckoning the man over. "Calum, c'mere for a minute."

The chef's head snapped in their direction before abandoning his spot and making his way over. Aliyah could already tell the two of them would butt heads, though she thought, or more so hoped, they would work through it. She loved this restaurant and had been waiting for a spot in the kitchen to open up for almost a year.

"What's up, boss? We close in five minutes."

"I wanted to introduce you to your new sous chef– Aliyah." He paused, glancing between the two of them as the girl held her hand out. "Didn't want it to be a surprise tomorrow morning."

He took one look at her, glanced at her hand, then back to the manager. "No."

"Cal–"

"I told you I didn't want a fucking sous chef." The dark haired man argued, barely even giving it a thought. "The kitchen is running fine."

"The kitchen needs another set of hands. You guys have been falling behind on orders– and not to mention you haven't revamped the menu in months." Brian shot back, rolling his eyes. "Reviews are coming in low, and we need to fix that."

"Bullshit." Calum rolled his eyes, turning around and walking back over to where he had been before. "Everyone go home, I'll take care of this tonight."

The rest of the staff did as he said while he continued cleaning up various items and making his way around the kitchen. Brian was quick to walk over to him, grabbing his arm and making the brunette look at him. "Give her a chance, she's an amazing chef."

"Get out of my fucking kitchen." He mumbled, ripping his arm away and glancing at the girl. "You. Ya think you're good enough to work alongside me?"

The girl looked at Brian as he walked by her to leave the kitchen, noticing the small nod he gave her. "Yeah– yes I do." She nodded at the chef across the room just as the door closed behind the manager. "I'm an amazing chef and I love to do it."

"Care to put that to the test? I haven't had dinner yet and I'm absolutely famished." The boy was cocky, leaning on the counter he had just finished clearing off moments earlier.

But Aliyah knew that was her chance, to prove that she deserved the job. "I can make anything. Just name your poison." She paused, smiling at him with her eyebrows raised. "But my specialty is ratatouille."