One More Time

A Glimpse of Sublimity

*TET.. TET.. TET..* I woke up, and straight away check my alarm clock. Got up from the bed and went straight to the shower. Today is my first day as a sous chef. The excitement to be back in the kitchen is definitely unreal. I step outside my apartment with the feeling that this is a new beginning. A new chapter in my life. I am like a young football player that is given another chance with a new team, to show the world what he is capable of. Yes cruel world, you kicked me down really hard. But now I'm back standing as straight as ever. Yes heartless world, I don't give up too easily. Nothing can take my place in the culinary world. Yes cold-hearted world! I, Maximilian James Walker is back!!

I skate my way to work, it felt good. Felt like my first day here in Paris. "Bonjour monsieur! Bonne journee!" I greeted everyone that I bumped into. Every man, woman, children. I just feel good. It was as if "Le Festin" by Camille was playing in my mind. Even in the kitchen, when sharpening the knives, I was doing it happily. There wasn't even a slight feeling of regret or resistant going through my mind. All that I could feel was the feeling of being home. It felt like I am where I belong. The sound of the crisp of the baguette. Sound of the pigeons chirping. I know now this is where I belong, behind stations, in the kitchen. Receiving orders for food. Cooking them. "ONE SOLE MEUNIERE, ONE STEAK TARTARE, AND TWO MOULES MARINIERES!"

I finally can sleep peacefully. Knowing that I am back on track. Back on the journey to my goal.

A few weeks have passed. I was too focused on my new job that I forget of my attraction towards Juliette. But then, when I was too busy sharpening my knives, the waiter came in. "Guys, he's here. Anton Bissette is here". Anton Bissette is a well known food critic. "Wait what?! Dimitry is taking a day off to check on his mother! Who's gonna prepare the dish for Anton?!" shouted Maria, one of the staffs. "I will, we can't give any excuses to Anton, can we?" I said. Everyone smiled and nodded "Yes chef!". I knew I had no choice but to prepare the best dish I can for him. "What did he ordered?" I asked the panicked waiter. "He said he wants the best dish that you can prepare, oh and prepare two of it please, he is here with a friend". "Alright" I nodded and walked straight to my station, thinking what should I do. Then suddenly I felt inspired. Inspired to prepare a Blanquette de Veau, serve it with a red Bordeaux wine. I remembered that this dish is one of the most quintessential French dish. If it is prepared perfectly, it is very good. So that's what I did. I used whatever skills I know to pull off this dish as perfect as I could. The others were astonished on how serious I was on preparing it. When it's done, I sat back took a glass of water and due to my exhaustion, I could feel the warm liquid going down my throat. The waiter, took the two plates of Blanquette de Veau and went straight through the door. A few minutes later the waiter came back, "Mr. Walker, Anton wishes to speak to you". That is when I suddenly snapped out from another world. In my mind I was like "Holy shit, I prepared a dish for Anton Bissette, without even having any doubts, f*ck I'm so dead, may God have mercy on my soul". It was the longest walk I ever had. I could feel my sweat slowly going down my cheeks, my fingers couldn't stay put, my jaw shivering as I am so frightened to be in this situation. Why else would he want to see me if my food isn't good. He's going to kill me. I'm probably going to get fired after this. No restaurant would want to take me after this. This is probably the end of the road I guess. As I walk towards his table, I saw a very familiar face. I know that pale skin, red cheeks, wonderful eyes, sweet giggle anywhere. It was here, sitting on the same table with death itself. "Ah, you must be the man responsible for the Blanquette de Veau. I have to say, I haven't taste something this spectacular in ages". POOF! Straight away, all the negative thoughts flew away from my mind. "Bonjour Mr. Walker!" that voice. The voice of a thousand sweet angels. I was trembling. Speechless. Not because of what Anton said, but because she remembered me. My chest felt warm. It felt good, like I am very pleased to be in this situation. If this was a movie, everything will be in slow motion and as she raised her hands to push her hair away from her eyes, the song "True" by Spandau Ballet  is playing in the background. Then the voice of a ugly dwarf came to ruin my mood "So I believe you have met my niece, Juliette". "Yeah, we have bumped into each other before". "I see, well I better get going, you have a bright future Mr. Walker".

After the restaurant closes, I step outside in my duffel coat, and she was there, waiting for me. "You didn't tell me you're a chef!". "Well, when we met, I wasn't a chef, I was fired". "Ah that sucks". I smiled at her and in my mind straight away locked that she is the one that I want. In my mind the song "How deep is your love" by Bee Gees was playing, as if this is a memorable moment in a movie. "Max, could you walk me home?". "Heck yeah! I mean, sure, why not?"

We talked a lot. I told her on my story, how I got here, how my life in Paris has been. And she told me her story, where she grew up, her parents, everything. I was never happier to share something with someone. I know now more than ever, that this woman has stole my heart. She is my reason to stay in Paris. She is the one I've fallen in love with. I know now that we will be seeing each other more than anyone could ever imagine. She completes me.