The Chef's Critic

Chapter 4 - Scattered Thoughts

Richard cannot take her mind off the lady he saved earlier that morning. He can't help it but he feels like he knows the lady from before. He can't pinpoint as to when or where did he met her. All he knows is that he needs to see her again and her beautiful smile.

As always, Richard's day is full of meetings. But during the afternoon session as he find it hard to concentrate. His mind was back to the scene that took place before he was supposed to get some coffee. Usually he asked his secretary to get him some coffee during midday. What he doesn't understand was, he suddenly had the urge to go down to the nearest Starbucks and buy his own coffee. On his way to the Starbucks store, she saw this beautiful lady about to cross the street and didn't noticed that a motorcycle was speeding towards her. This event spun Richard into action and was his instinct taking over. He ran towards the lady and snatched her right on time as the motorcycle pass by the spot she was standing just a few seconds ago. He tried to run the events that happened earlier and was left smiling to himself.

"Sir? Mr. Faulkerson, Sir?" one of the department heads said. This caught his attention and brought him back to the meeting at hand. He then realized that everyone was staring at him and was in complete confusion as this is the first time they all see him lost in his own thoughts and was indeed smiling.

Sam then noticed this as well, and spoke up even before the others can say anything else.

"I think that proposal still needs some fine tuning. The proposal to merge with the Mendoza Group is a highly sensitive case. We need all the information before we can propose this merger with the President of both Mendoza Group and Faulkerson Group of Companies." Sam said. "I believe this meeting is now adjourned." He added.

Upon hearing this, all of the 10 people seated on the conference room stood up and stared to gather their papers and filed out to the door, everyone except Sam. When everyone left, and seeing the door closed, Sam spoke to Richard.

"RJ, are you alright? Your mind is elsewhere. Are you sick?" Sam then look expectantly at his friend.

Richard then let out a loud sigh and smiled. His mind still somehow hovering to the angelic face he encountered earlier that he can't keep his smile to himself. He is rarely seen showing emotions in front of many people. He has this personality of keeping a high wall between himself and the people he work with. But with Sam, whom he considered his best friend, he is comfortable to show emotions.

"She's so beautiful. Like an angel have come down from heaven." This was what Richard uttered after sometime.

"Who? Did you went on a date last night that I didn't know of? Did you got laid?" Sam then asked.

"No! Hell no!" Richard vehemently denied. And then he looked at Sam for the first time.

"So who's this angel that have occupied your mind that you cannot concentrate since after your coffee break?"

Richard then frowned. This is the first time he realized that he didn't even learned the name of the angel that caught her attention. He tried to recall what she was wearing and that was when he realized that the angel was a chef. He then smiled after that realization, but that smile was immediately replaced by another frown.

He was then again lost in his own thoughts that he forgot that Sam is still waiting for his answer.

"Huy, Earth to RJ! Earth to RJ!" Sam then rattled Richard.

Richard then looked at Sam and gave in and started talking. Richard then told Sam what transpired earlier before he dragged him back to the office. After telling Sam the event, his brow was again knotted as he was again faced with the dilemma he had earlier.