BABTQFTIM - The Quest for her Heart [DISCONTINUED]

[EDITED] Chapter One - Dim Street Lights

I walked down the empty, naked streets back to the lovely apartment I called home, where I would hopefully be able to get some rest for the tiring day. I took a glance at my watch; 1:28 AM.

I work as the top chef and manager of the most famous and popular restaurant in the city, 'Sashimi Kitchen'. It's been voted top restaurant in the city every year, business never seems to drop and only increases as the word spreads. 

It was very satisfactory to own such a successful business, but working for ten hours straight as a chef can be tiring.

I couldn't even focus on health issues, such as that unexpected illness that spread across the globe like wildfire. To be more specific, the ink illness. A virus named after the black liquid that would erupt from your body, which closely resembled the colour of ink. 

Somehow, the long forgotten, deadly, incurable illness returned a mere few months ago. Everyone's being affected, suffering under the tight grasps of the deadly sickness. 

It wasn't irregular that a customer would have the horrible experience of the dreaded ink attack in the restaurant, even. That included me.

My attention would dart everywhere, bouncing off the walls at the speed of light. First, it's the food. Then, it's a customer. Later, it's pain. Black, ink-coloured putrid grotesque pain.

I would let my fellow chefs handle the food as I would spew up ink somewhere far, far away. I did this to prevent anything unwanted splotching into the customer's food.

Despite their feelings of disgust towards my illness, they continued to work. No disrespect was to be thrown my way unless they wanted to be fired on the spot. If they wanted to work at the best restaurant in the city, they would have to learn to respect me.

Drowned in my thoughts once again, I blinked and reverted my tired attention back to reality, spotting some black silhouettes walking in my direction. As the dim street lights slowly illuminated their features, it became clear to me that they seemed tired. The bags under their eyes were deep.

I couldn't help but overhear on their conversation as they neared me. 

"Bendy, I'm starving! I swear if I don't get food soon I will starve to death!"  a tall wolf said to a small, demon-like figure. "Boris, I told you we didn't have enough stuff to make our own dinner, and we arrived in this city and every restaurant is closed. The restaurant Mr. Felix recommended just closed as well, and there aren't any hotels nearby." the figure responded.

I assumed the small short demon-like creature was named Bendy and the wolf was named Boris. 

"We're all starving but we'll just have to deal with it. There's nothing we can do, anyway." a cup-headed figure spoke. It seemed the small group didn't even notice my existence until a black cat noticed me. 

The light was above us was just about bright enough for me to make out their features. He seemed to internally scan my features as the light bounced off my face.

"Hey, I know you! You're one of the chefs from that famous restaurant!" He said, eyes sparkling with excitement. He had a British accent, which sounded quite charming to say the least.

 "Actually, I'm the chef and the manager of that restaurant. I'm surprised you actually know me." I said, feeling proud. Perhaps I had gained a little fame while cooking due to glass windows which allowed customers to watch as their food was professionally cooked.

The chefs there all perform tricks to entertain the customers, such as rushing around the kitchen at alarming speeds and sometimes flipping the food in the air only for it to land perfectly back onto the pan as it continued to sizzle.

He must have seen one of my 'performances'. 

"Wow, I didn't know that! But hey, you look very tired. Are you feeling ok?" He said with kindness and worry laced in his words. He must have noticed the dark bags under my eyes. "I'm fine, really. Long day at work, is all." I replied.

"Mr Felix, who's that?" Bendy, I think, curiously asked. "Oh, her? She's the manager and chef of the most famous restaurant in this city known for its Japanese themed food. She and the other chefs even perform tricks while cooking for entertainment! It's the one I wanted for us to go to, but it just closed." Felix explained which made me feel pride overwhelm me. 

"Hey guys, I didn't mean to listen in on your conversation, but I'd be happy to cook a meal for you. You can even stay at my place if you'd like." I offered, I pitied the group. They'd have to wait for hours for a restaurant to open, and they seemed as if they could collapse any second.

"Really?! You would do that?!" One of the cup-headed men said in a childish tone. Unlike the other 'cup-head', he had a blue straw and the other was taller and had a red bendy-straw. 

"Yeah. I have some groceries to cook with, and I love having guests over. It gets lonely at times. I have two guest rooms with two beds," I turned to point to a far away building. "My apartment's close-by; in fact, it's right over there. I welcome guests with open arms if you're interested, of course."

The cat's eyes seemed to sparkle with delight and hope, as did everyone else's. Except for the cup-headed man with the red bendy-straw, instead, he seemed mildly annoyed. "You would do that for us, even if we just met! It would be such an honour, thank you! My name is Felix, by the way."

I only chuckled in response. "My name is (Y/N), it's nice to meet you all." I said, suddenly losing the strength to stand. I tightly grasped at my head as I balanced myself back on my feed, this headache was causing nausea and weakness. Perhaps some simple pills would fix that situation when I got back home. 

"Come on, it's right there. Follow me and I can promise a meal." I grunted as my headache only seemed to get worse by every passing word. All followed spite, though the grasp on my head would only tighten.

The little wolf seemed to notice. "Uh, Miss (Y/N)? You don't look too well." Boris, I assumed, said. "Oh, it's nothing; just jetlag." I said as I twisted the keys to my apartment around before the door finally opened. I could practically sense the wolf's thoughts of pure disbelief.

"Wait, (Y/N)? You own this entire apartment?" Bendy asked in confusion as he explored the neat, wooden home of mine. "Yeah, as someone that owns one of the most successful restaurants in town, it's hard not to spend all your money on your home." I said, smiling with pride and slight guilt.  

I probably looked even worse than these strangers.

"Well, I'll go prepare some food for you guys to eat, ok? I believe I have enough food for spaghetti, an omelette, some steamed chicken and a small variety of veggies and some rice for all of you." 

They all nodded in anticipation for the delight of food.

-

I performed some small easy tricks while cooking an omelette by flipping it up in the air like a pancake. "Impressive! It's like you're cooking a pancake, but you're not!" Mugs happily exclaimed. 

I had learned their names while they introduced themselves, though Mugs had to introduce his brother for him. His brother seemed so grumpy, I wonder why. I hurried to cut the omelette into 4 equal pieces and put them on the plates. Each plate had some spaghetti with some slices of steamed chicken. 

"Here, I'm done with the food. Would any of you guys like any drinks, perhaps?"

"I'd like some juice if you have any!" Mugs cheerfully requested. "I'd like that too, thanks!" Boris said in the same was as Mugs, but slightly more mature. I mentally noted their 'orders' in my mind, waiting for the others to decide.

"Right, uh, a can of Red Bull if you have any. . ." Cuphead awkwardly asked in a slightly pleading tone, although was quickly scolded by his younger brother for it being an 'unhealthy' drink. 

Bendy requested a simple can of cola as Felix wanted a simple cup of earl tea. "I'll get your drinks later, just eat up first, ok?" I said. Sure, it was awkward that I invited five hungry strangers to stay and eat at my house, but as a chef, it's my job to feed the hungry. 

Even if I barely know them.