Sweet Surprise

Chapter 5

Lawrie Richmond, was not happy, at the "Breaking news" of the engagement, and the grainy footage corroborating the "cute engagement proposal" at the ice cream parlor. As the kitchen door swung open to reveal Dia, he was relieved , but his temper raised two notches, when his sharp eyes located the diamond ring. He turned around and saw his staff had started prepping for dinner, they could not afford to serve dishes late, so motioned Dia to the office.

Once inside the small closed space, Lawrie ignored his claustrophobia and said, "Explain, Dia. Ma is extremely disappointed. He is still Karen's fiancé."

" Dad, I had no idea that he would propose, I thought he had wanted help to search Karen. But he proposed, because he doesn't want Chris to take over. Apparently Mr. Carson insisted on that.", Karen replied truthfully. She was really not concerned about the marriage, but the medical reports, and when she saw her father, she said, "Dad how are you feeling these days in the kitchen ? "

Lawrence was startled at her question, he felt his chest tighten a bit, surely Dia did not detect something, so he looked at her and said, " As usual the best. Why ?"

She just shrugged her shoulders and said, " I feel you look a bit pale," and kept an impassive face, because she saw through his discomfort, and finally said, " Well let's go and start working."

"Chicken Roulade, walking", Dia turned to see sous chef Will with the delicious glazed chicken, her taste buds could feel the mouth-watering aroma that had wafted, she smiled and said, " Smells delicious, keep up the good job." and started plating the dish, and informed the server ," Martha, Table 17 Chicken Roulade, Pan seared Salmon". The clock in the kitchen chimed nine, and she was relieved that service would close in the next fifteen minutes.

"Table 3, 1 Greek salad, 2 Salmon, 1 Roulade, and they look prissy," Jhonny announced, and it provided the right comic relief, everyone in the kitchen chuckled, including her father. Dia prepared the dressing, and started assembling the plates for the "Prissy table", and said "2 salmons, 1 Roulade in 3 mins right?"

"Yes chef", answered the kitchen. Soon the "salmon walked in" and the Roulade, she tossed the dressing on the salad, and told Jhonny " Table 3 Your Prissiness".

When the staff had finally managed to serve the last entre, desserts started flying out, Dia had insisted on the light caramel custard pudding and the fresh strawberry parfait. She had not anticipated the demand for the strawberry parfait, but as Jhonny and Martha started pouring orders, she was getting tensed, and said, "Dad please start working on the strawberry parfait." Lawrence said, "Don't worry I had them before service time, and I have another twenty lined up." She sighed in relief, and then asked her dad, "How did you know in advance we would run out ?" Lawrence just beamed a mysterious smile, " Well intuition."

"Table 3, 2 caramel 2 parfait. And wants to meet the chef," Jhonny announced proudly.

"Ok, Dad, Will , please proceed to Table 3 with the desserts. ", with a final glimpse on the desserts, she handed them, when Will suggested, " You made the desserts chef, so you as well." Her dad dragged her as well.

The occupants of table 3 were sophisticated, and exuded charm and elegance, the guests around the other table could not help but glance at them from time to time. They looked like royalty, and Dia's suspicions were confirmed when she recognized the familiar brown head. She paced quickly towards their table and said , " Fresh strawberry parfait, just for you Harry!"

"I always knew you were the kitchen goddess", Harry beamed at her happily and hugged her tight. Dia felt a piece of her heart had returned to its rightful place. The hug was comforting, and felt like floating in the clouds.

A voice cleared and a snobby voice ended her reverie, "Of course Harry, well each to his own forte, and Dia's definitely in the kitchen, unlike others we may know of," implied Elizabeth Anderson,Harry's mother. She was quite relieved, when she found her son distancing himself from the embrace, turned around and said, " Well I must compliment you Lawrence, Dia inherited your skills in the kitchen. Steven please do not forget to add a generous tip. "

"That would not be necessary ", Lawrence interjected, he was already becoming wary about their presence at Rizzo's and he sincerely hoped that the day passed without them being embroiled in another newspaper headline.

" I insist, Lawrie , I loved the Roulade, and had both the desserts, simply delicious.", Steven boomed, and surely the attention of the other guests was once again on table 3.

Will gathered his senses and said, " Thank you so much for your patronage. You would be happy to know that your tip would go a long way into aiding our charity kitchen for the homeless. We appreciate your kind gesture."

"I'm impressed Lawrie, you have such wonderful staff, impeccable manners", Grandma Anderson's feeble but firm voice ensured that Elizabeth Anderson's intention of humiliating the Richmond family would not be tolerated. She saw a rather uncomfortable looking Dia, fiddling with the diamond ring, and said kindly, " Congratulations Dia. Adam is a fine young man. I wish both of you happiness."

Dia's eyes moistened, when she saw Harry beaming at her happily. She hugged Grandma Anderson and rushed to the kitchen.

It was wrong, she could feel her heart shatter into pieces, when someone squeezed her shoulder gently, she asked, " When did you return Harry ? "

"Two months back Dia, I was honorably discharged, but I suffered broken ribs.", Harry gave her that one sided hug, and said, " I met someone, she makes me happy, and I really want you to be happy in your life." She did not have the courage to face him, and started fiddling with the corners of the apron, and felt her chin being raised gently and found herself being entranced with his honey brown eyes, she could not speak, but she felt herself in his warm embrace. And just like that it was gone.

She whispered softly, " I wish you the best Harry, she must be lovely..."

"Dia I want you to remember, that you're a beautiful person, and right now its alright to be nervous, you were never a fan of limelight. Don't forget to reach out, if you need me.", Harry added emphatically, he had other commitments, so he said, "I'll see you on Saturday. "

Dia's grip on the counter was tight, and for some reason , she hated the plain engagement ring.

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Looking forward for your encouragement my dear Readers.

Based on your feedback, I'll consider updating this cliche story.