My 419 Nightmare

40. Preparation of Leaving

It was just minutes after midnight. The House of Us is done for the day. Before our pregnant chef releases his crew, he gathers them all at the dining area.

"Hey guys, I have some news that I want to share with you."

"Oooh, bos. Is it about your boyfriend? Oh oh, are you getting married?"

Mew excitedly asks, while the rest of the crew starts hooting cheers. Kit just let out an amused smile, glancing at his manager, with a raised eyebrow, questioning her.

"Don't blame me, boss. Mew and the boys saw it too."

It took him some effort before our pregnant chef can control his crew, who by now was too excited knowing that their boss is not some sort of an ice block. They've never seen their boss with any girl or man before, so it was a delightful surprise when some of them saw their boss being kissed by a man.

They've been waiting for the right time to ask their boss, but for the rest of the day, their boss has been coop up inside his office. Only now they have a chance to tease their boss.

"Actually, no. I'm not gonna talk about that. But I admit, he is a special one in my heart." The pregnant chef replied truthfully.

The hooting and cheers erupt again.

"But... there's something else."

The crew finally subside, waiting eagerly for their boss to begin.

"I'm planning to leave for a holiday. And, it will take some time. So I'll be leaving this restaurant in your hand. As usually, Mew will take the helm."

"Ohh... honeymoon, boss?" Their cheers erupt again.

"Sure, just leave the restaurant to us. How long you'll be going boss? A few days? Just like before?"

Kit was silent for a while, before he begins.

"This time, I'm leaving for a year. Maybe more."

The crew were dumbfounded with their boss. They look at each other, worried about this. All they had in mind is who's going to handle the business if their boss is going for so long. Are they going to close up the restaurant?

"Hey, it's not that serious, na." Kit chuckle a bit, knowingly understand what his crew have been thinking.

"As I said, I will let Mew handle the restaurant and Rachel will help too. I'm neither abandoning you guys nor this restaurant. So don't worry."

"Where are you going, boss? Why does it take so long?" Rich, one of the junior chef ask.

"To be honest, I'm feeling a bit stale lately. I need some inspiration. I was thinking of traveling the world; maybe, meet up with some foreign chef, trying up some new food, just to get my mojo back."

The crew went silent listening to their boss. Most of them were sad, but as a chef themselves, they kind of understand, the need and feels to create new things, and improve oneself.

"I'll be leaving in two weeks. I think by now, Mew have already mastered half of my special recipe, right?"

"Yes, boss."

"You can use them when I'm gone. But try to create and improve your own recipe too."

"Boss, isn't it too fast? Two weeks?"

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Kit's POV

I went silent again when Rachel ask me this. It is too fast. I wasn't even planning to leave until the next two months. But... things happen.

"Well... I'm sorry for being so inconsiderate on you guys. But... he wants me to rest and go on a holiday with him."

Sorry Ming.

Seriously, Kitty. You are using his name as an excuse now?

"Aww... he must have known that you've been busy these past few weeks, right?"

"What a lovely boyfriend..."

"So jelly."

Another round of cheers breaks again. All I can do is rolled up my eyes, smiling at their antic. I'm going to miss this when I leave.

Kitty...

"Wait, wait. Now I remember! Boss, that guy is the VP of DCP, right? The company that have a merger with LGT?"

"Eh... the one that commissions us for their buffet last time?"

Shit. I forgot that Mew have met him. Now what do I say.

"Erm...."

"Gosh! He is, right? I met him twice. Now I know why he seems so familiar."

"Wow, boss. You hit a jackpot. No wonder he doesn't want you to work."

"He must feel bad for making our boss so busy."

"Will you quit working boss?"

These guys...

"Okay, stop it. Yes, he is what Mew has said. But no, I'm not quitting my restaurant. This has been my baby, my priority and my dream."

But now you have another baby coming up, Kitty.

Shut up!

"So, Mew, I'm leaving my baby in your hand and I want it to grow steadily when I leave. If you messed up, be ready to die when I get back."

I return the attention to Mew, who was by now is taking all the blame and warning from the rest of my crew. Haih... my crews are surely a bunch of nut job.

"Aww, boss. I will do my best, na."

"Okay now, it's getting late. Let's pack up and go home. Mew, from tomorrow you will be the one solely in charge of getting the fresh produce from the market. Okay?"

"Yes, boss!"

As soon as I dismissed them, the bell on the front door tingles lightly. I turn to look and I saw him.

Ming.

My devil.

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Ming's POV

I miss him.

I didn't go home after he asked me to leave.

I wait. I waited in my car, waiting for him.

I don't know how many hours have passed. All I can do is wait for my angel. I didn't even get to see him once the whole day after that. Usually, I can take a glimpse of him, greeting his customers out of his kitchen.

I was worried that he may have leaved the restaurant through the back door. But my men are watching over there and there is no news from them, so, my angel is still inside the restaurant.

Is he crying?

Is he blaming me for lying to him?

What is he doing?

Is he really going to leave me?

No! I wouldn't let you go. Please stay, my angel.

I look up when I saw the last customers being ushered out the door. The girl whom I met at the front door flip down the open sign, signalling the restaurant is now close. I watch the servers clean up the dining area. I wait for some time until I finally see my angel.

It looks like he's having a meeting with his staff. He looks so divine, with the soft light illuminating his whole being, sitting at the edge of one of the tables, addressing his staff.

I notice his laugh, his slight frown, his small lopsided smirk, everything that flashed on his face. God, I'm willing to sacrifice everything, just let me keep him by my side.

I drive my car to the front of the restaurant, before deciding to step inside. My angel's face is the first one that greets me. I mean he is all that I can see.

My angel is giving me a small smile. I can't see any contempt in his eyes. He is genuinely smiling at me.

I hope I can see those smile with every single breath I take, for the rest of my life.