The Chef's Critic

Chapter 6 - Grabbing the Opportunity

Richard had the best morning jog in his entire life. And he knows that it was because he saw Maine again and was able to touch and kissed her hand. He feels like he can do anything at the moment and achieve anything. He's on cloud nine. As he walks back to his apartment and passed by the doorman, he greeted him "Good Morning. Isn't it a wonderful day?" The doorman just tip his head while smiling and said "Good Morning Sir." He rode the elevator going to his apartment and went straight to the shower. Since it's a weekend, he doesn't need to go the office. While taking a shower, he formulated a plan on how he can see Maine again.

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Maine's completed her morning jog and she taught that the morning's accidental meet up will be the day's highlight. Little did she know that she's in for a surprise.

After taking a bath and getting dressed, Maine proceeded to the restaurant. She's in-charge for today's lunch and will be getting the night off. She hailed a cab and was surprised that she immediately able to hail one. Once, she arrived at the restaurant's kitchen, a round of applause was heard. Everyone was gathering around her and was congratulating her. She was puzzled as to why she was receiving such recognition, and her eyes sought her friend Patricia to ask what it is all about. But before Patricia could speak, her parents emerged from the back and his father was holding a bouquet of pink and white carnations and handed it to her.

"Congratulations Maine! I know you can do it." Teodoro Mendoza said. And he gave her a quick peck at her cheeks.

Her mother was smiling at her and approach her afterwards and gave her a big hug. "We are so proud of you."

She immediately teary eyed but tried to keep her emotions in check. "What's going on?" she asked.

His father then handed her a copy of that day's The Huffington Post and read out loud "L' Hexagone de Clover and its Ambrosia's Dessert". Upon hearing it, Maine's eyes got big and her smile got wider. She immediately took the newspaper and read the article. After reading it she looked up and met the eyes of her mother. Her mother then said "And I heard from a friend of mine from a known publishing house that the same blogger wrote another article about your creations and it will be featured on this month's issue."

"What magazine?" Maine quipped.

"The Four Magazine" Mary Anne Mendoza exclaimed.

Maine was speechless for more than a minute as she was trying to digest everything that she just learned. She was feeling elated that she was again on cloud nine. Her parents then hugged her again and everyone clapped. After the clapping subsided Maine said "Thank you very much. I couldn't have done without all of you."

"So, it think it's safe to say now, 'Back to work'. We need to back up that article with another great performance." His father said. With that, everyone else went back to their station except her parents and her best friend.

Patricia then approached her and hugged her. "Congratulations bestie! You rock!"

"Thank you for backing me up, especially yesterday. I couldn't have done it without you." Maine replied.

"Well, this calls for a celebration. Let's have an early lunch before this kitchen gets busy again." Teodoro said.

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After she had lunch with the 4 most important people in her life, Maine went back to the kitchen. She noticed as well that the people in the restaurant were thickening and soon she needed to start working. When she was about to prepare the first dish, the manager appeared in the kitchen with a bouquet of yellow peonies.

"Chef Maine, special delivery just for you." said the manager. "Here's a card as well."

Maine was clueless as to whom it came from; and so, she opened the card.

The message on the card was:

To Beautiful Maine,

Just because it's Saturday. Hope this will put a smile on your angelic face. This are a rare kind of flowers but you are rarer than these.

Richard

P.S. Can you indulge me with your company tonight for a dinner?

I will await your response.

Maine was blushing and cannot hide her smile. She feels like the universe is conniving to make her happy that day. When she glanced to her right, the manager was still looking at her and she realized that he was waiting for a response from her. She then took a piece of table napkin and wrote:

Thank you for the flowers. How can I refuse such an invitation?

I'll see you tonight. 

Maine

P.S. Nothing fancy please...

After handing out the note to the manager, she turned around towards the chef's office and smelled the bouquet once more. She was on high the whole afternoon.