Cooking for my Ex-Boss

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

A week has passed since the funeral, the catering business has started to receive more job offers after the statement of the lawsuit has been dropped and explained. Media publication has cleared the Bouquet Catering names. Audrey had been trying to keep herself busy by working and helping out in the catering as much as she can. She cleaned the kitchen station while her chefs felt guilt-ridden watching their boss cleaning up after their mess, scrubbing continuously although the stain on the skillet has been washed off. She was trying to refrain herself from having nothing to do which will eventually leading her to thinking too much about her loss and also her vague relationship with Ethan.

The conversation she overheard at his place had been constantly repeated in her mind which made her head thud profusely.

Who is Patricia? Did they go out on a date before? Are they still seeing each other? While he's seeing me? Is that what we are? Seeing each other? Am I just another random chick to him? What are we? God! This is not distracting at all!

She tossed the skillet to the basin which sent shock waves to the other chefs who were still in the kitchen. It seemed that the more she think, the harder she scrubbed. This was supposed to distract her, instead it made her think even more leading to an even longer list of unanswered questions. She picked up the skillet once more and cleaned up the rest of the utensils. She even helped out loading the things into the van. They finished their work and she went back home. Ava was already in the house, she knew that her friend has been trying to stay at home as much as she can to make sure that she won't be left alone. Wanting to be there so that her stubborn friend can grieve in a healthy way.

"Hey, you're home early today." Ava said sitting on the dining table working on her laptop.

"Yeah. Apparently my staffs are doing such a great job that I was left to do nothing but watch." She replied plainly.

"Come sit and tell me how are you doing today, Dree." She insisted that her friend needed to express how her day went each passing day which turned out to be more irritating than caring.

"The usual. It's fine. I'm fine, Ava. You don't have to keep on asking me each day. I am sad but I'm accepting it. So you can stop babysitting me now. Please stop with the babysitting, please..." She prayed in exasperation.

"I am not. I know that you'll get pass this. Now that you are in the right path of grieving. Tell me what's going on between you and Ethan. Why do I sense that you are avoiding him? What happened? Was it because I told Cale about your grandma?" She threw series of questions not waiting for any of her replies. She had been avoiding Ethan by saying that she was busy or had plans with Ava all week. He wanted to respect her space and just called her each night to talk on the phone but was always cut to a brief.

"Am I? Technically, we're not exactly together, you know... So, yeah..." She denied.

"I've known you for more than a decade now. You can try as hard as you can, but I know you like the back of my hand. Now, spill!" She looked her straight in the eyes as she fidgeted and tried to look away from the intense brown eyes staring straight at her.

"Fine, fine! Remember when I stayed over at his place that night. It was going well, he was not exactly enthusiastic but I felt that we're going somewhere. He even carried me to bed when I fell asleep on his shoulder. But the next day just shattered away that perfect picture. I overheard him talking to the receptionist stating that Patricia was downstairs, he told him to lie and say that he's not at home. Firstly, why does he need to lie? Secondly, this Patricia apparently has been to his place before. Anyway, before she left she asked him to give her a call and I quote 'will be waiting for their next date'. Obviously, they were romantically involved, or for all I know maybe they still are. It's just frustrating! I can't just ask him, I don't want to seem as the jealous freak. I mean I don't even know what we are. What should I do, Ava?" She rambled on sounding more irritated while Ava tried to process the extensive information she just heard. She sat quietly and was obvious that the clogs of wheels in her brain was turning.

"Well? Don't just stay quiet. Say something." Audrey stated impatiently.

"I think you should meet up and ask him. Do you want to work on whatever you have with Ethan or not? If you do, the next time he asked you out, do say yes, Audrey. You can't keep on avoiding him without telling him what's bothering your mind. Relationship is about being honest to each other and trust is the key really. I spoke from experience as you know it." Ava shared her wise advice.

"Damn, you're good. You're right. I'm being unreasonable. He has been nothing but wanting to be there for me all these week but I pushed him away. I'll give him a call."

"I know I'm good. I should charge you for every session! And call him now! I don't want to risk my advice falling onto deaf ear. Now." She said looking for her phone in her black tote bag and holding it out towards her which she reluctantly snatched. She looked for his name and pressed dial.

"Hi... I'm good. You? Yeah... I was wondering if you have any plan tomorrow night? Well, since I did owe you to cook a special meal, how about tomorrow? I can go to your place. Great. I'll be there at 7? No it's fine, I can drive ther- Alright, I'll be waiting for you. Okay. Bye!" She hung up the phone looking at her friend who had an annoying smug on her face.