Yulia

05

Yulia spent most of her week poring over the contract, reading and re-reading every clause until the words blurred together. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't fathom why they had chosen her to be their personal chef. She was just a small-town baker with big dreams, and the intricacies of dietary restrictions and high-end cuisine were far beyond her expertise. How could she possibly live up to their expectations when she barely knew where to start?

But the numbers on the contract were impossible to ignore. The salary was generous, almost too good to be true, and the offer to move in with them was equally enticing. It would allow her to save more money, maybe even enough to finally afford that top-tier culinary school she'd always dreamed of. The thought of opening her own bakery, or perhaps even a restaurant, danced tantalizingly at the edge of her mind, pushing aside her more modest plan of starting a catering business.

And then there was the name—Angeli Enterprises. Working for them would be a massive boost to her career, a golden opportunity that could open doors she never thought possible. She sighed heavily and threw herself onto her small bed, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. In two days, she would have to give them an answer, and she still had no idea what she was going to say.

I need to clear my head, she thought. Perhaps a little shopping will help. She decided to take a trip to the grocery store, picking up a few ingredients to test her skills in her tiny kitchen. If she could whip up something that met their high standards—or at least came close—it might give her the confidence she needed to take the plunge.

With that thought in mind, she grabbed her pink sunglasses and slipped on her white sneakers. The sun was shining brightly outside, and the warm air felt like a gentle embrace as she stepped out of her apartment. Possibly a bit of fresh air and a chance to experiment in the kitchen was exactly what she needed to make her decision.

As she walked down the street, her mind raced with ideas for dishes, her anxiety gradually giving way to determination.

Yulia quickly began to sweat as she walked, the warm sun now feeling more like a burden than a comfort. She regretted embarking on this quest almost immediately, but she knew she had to see it through. She needed to test herself, to see if she could truly rise to the challenge before diving head first into the unknown. Ignoring her doubts was not an option, especially after everything that had happened.

As she continued down the street, she forced herself to push aside the embarrassing memory of almost kissing Mr. Leonardo right in front of the others. And then there was the fact that she had clung to Mr. Alessandro's hand like a child holding onto a security blanket. The thought made her cringe for the gazillionth time that week, and she rolled her eyes at herself.

"Why can't I forget this one thing, like how I forget everything else?" she muttered under her breath, the frustration clear in her voice. A second later, she cringed again as she noticed a woman nearby giving her a strange look. "Great! Now she must think I'm insane—why am I still talking out loud to myself?" she groaned, rolling her eyes once more.

Shaking her head, she quickly ducked into the grocery store, eager to escape the heat and her own spiralling thoughts. Grabbing a small basket, she headed straight for the vegetable aisle, determined to focus on the task at hand. She needed to gather the best ingredients and start experimenting. If she was going to prove herself, it had to be with something fresh, something that would impress even the most discerning palate.

As she scanned the produce, her mind began to settle, the familiar act of selecting ingredients bringing a sense of calm. She was back in her element, where she could think clearly.

Yulia began by grabbing a bundle of fresh asparagus, some ripe tomatoes, crisp bell peppers, and a few potatoes. She had no clear idea of what dish she would create, but she knew you couldn't go wrong with the basics. As she moved down the aisle, she glanced at the fruits and remembered the passion fruit she still had at home. A passion fruit mousse for dessert, she thought, nodding to herself in satisfaction.

Entering the meat aisle, she pondered what kind of protein would pair best with her selection of vegetables. Just as she was about to reach for a pack of chicken, a voice interrupted her thoughts. "Judging by your ingredients, a steak would go really well with that."

Startled, Yulia quickly turned around to see Matteo and his brothers standing right behind her. Her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of them. They weren't in their usual sharp business attire but dressed casually, and she found herself momentarily stunned, unable to decide which look she preferred.

"Mr-Mr Matteo, Mr Leonardo, and Mr Alessandro, he-hello," she stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes darted between them, taking in the way their casual clothing highlighted their strong physiques. Her mind began to wander, imagining how they would look without any clothes at all, the thought sending a rush of heat to her cheeks.

Perhaps naked, her conscience suggested slyly, and she blushed furiously at the mental image of the three men surrounding her, completely exposed and breathtaking in their glory.

Leonardo's smirk deepened, as if he could sense her thoughts. "Too hot today, no?" Leonardo commented, his voice smooth as ever. Yulia could only nod in response, not trusting herself to speak. "Even you are all red," he noted with a teasing smile, which only deepened her blush. Could this get any more embarrassing? she wondered, wishing desperately for a hole to open up and swallow her whole.

Leonardo chuckled at her obvious discomfort, finding her reaction endearing. His gaze shifted to the contents of her basket. "What will you make, amore mio?"

"I'm not sure yet, sir," Yulia admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm mainly trying a few things out first while considering your offer."

At her honest confession, the brothers exchanged a look, their eyes gleaming with approval. The fact that she was seriously considering their offer and even stepping out of her comfort zone to experiment was a pleasant surprise.

"Hmm, steak goes good with verdure," Alessandro suggested, nodding towards her basket.

"Goes well, Aless, and it's vegetables," Matteo corrected him with a slight smirk, earning a playful eye roll from Alessandro.

"Lei capisce, no?" Alessandro said, looking at Yulia with a grin, and she giggled at their banter. The sound of her laughter seemed to warm the brothers, and they exchanged a glance of shared adoration, though Yulia remained oblivious to their affection.

She cleared her throat, trying to regain some composure, and quietly confessed, "I don't really know how to choose a good steak."

Matteo's expression softened as he stepped closer, his tone reassuring. "It's not as hard as you think. Look for one with good marbling—that's the white fat running through the meat. It adds flavor and keeps the steak juicy."

Leonardo leaned in as well, his voice low and inviting. "And don't worry, amore mio, we'll guide you through it. You'll be a pro in no time."

Alessandro nodded, adding, "We're happy to help you with anything you need, Yulia. Just say the word."

"Well," Matteo said, picking up a package of steak and handing it to her with a charming smile, "I'd suggest this. I think you'll find it's a good match."

Her fingers brushed his as she took the steak from him, and the simple touch sent a shiver down her spine. "Thank you, Mr. Matteo," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

The brothers exchanged amused glances, and Yulia felt a mix of embarrassment and thrill at their attention. She couldn't shake the feeling that this chance encounter was more than just a coincidence, but for now, she tried to focus on the task at hand: creating a dish that would impress them, and maybe even herself.