Chapter 2 First Day

I couldn't sleep all night. I tossed and turned in my bed. Looking at the sealing then scrolling through my phone. Maybe it was my excitement or nervousness or a weird combination of both that didn't let my mind wander into dreamland. I have always been an overthinker and being up all night letting my thoughts consume me is never a good idea. But last night I had no choice but to watch in silence as my demons ran wild and screaming darkness filled all the voids. Last night all I wanted was to be home. Be my bed, next to my precious little baby, Salazar. It always helped having him around.

For the past two years he had been my confidant and my knight in the shinning armor. Till this day I remember how ended with this amazing, mushy, fluffy thing.

My entire life me and my elder sister wanted a dog but my mom being too afraid of the amazing creatures made it hard for us to bring one home. But my sister always assured me that when I would get settled and responsible enough I could have my own little baby. And two years back when I visited her, I remember walking down her office and two her car this beautiful ball of fluff comes running to me and starts sniffing and licking my feet. I picked him up and it was love at first sight. It was a white Siberian husky with beautiful sapphire blue eyes and a cute brown nose. At that moment I kept I wanted to keep him and love him for as long as I could. Getting him wasn't that hard of a process but the wait was. He was really really sick and those his owners had abandoned him. He was in the care pf a local dog shelter and they wanted to make sure I was eligible enough to provide for this little guy. But no matter how hard the wait was, holding him un my hands and bringing him home was the best feeling I ever felt. Since that day I never felt alone or lost. He would always sit by my side or snuggle up in my lap and magically make everything okay. And is the only reason I believe in magic or true love. But when I got the job here in NYC I knew very well I could take him with me so I had to make a tough choice of leaving him with my sister. I know she'll take good care of him but I need him, more than he needs me, I guess.

A soft knock on the door broke my trail of thought.

"Annica? Are you up?" Remy's soft voice asked.

"Yeah I'm up!" I called back.

"Great! Get ready we'll be leaving in an hour" she said and then I heard retreating footsteps.

I took a deep breath and pushed the blanket off myself. I got up brushed my teeth, took a quick bath and pulled out a pair of casual t-shirt, black jeans, socks and black oxford shoes. It wasn't a big deal what I wore to work as I had to change into a chef's coat anyways. I tied my hair in a neat, tight bun, took a deep breath, picked up my phone, purse and walked out to meet Remy sitting on the sofa eating her breakfast.

"Morning! Had a good sleep?" she asked, looking up.

"Yeah kind of" I replied as I sat down next to.

"Come on have something" she said.

"Not hungry" I said leaning on the couch.

"It's gonna be a long shift you should eat" she insisted.

"I'll take take coffee. Man I need some cigarettes before I become functional" I said as I rested my head on Remy's shoulder. She leaned in and kissed my forehead.

Shortly after breakfast we picked up our things and walked out.

Standing in front of the hotel gave me chills and made my stomach flutter. It read "The Chef's Kitchen Table" in bright gold. It felt as if I was in a movie, everything felt so big, so grand. Seeing the place made my jaw fall on the ground.

"Welcome to work" Remy whispered.

"This feels like a dream" I muttered.

"Come on we need to go in from the back" she said taking my hand in hers. As she took me around the back I just couldn't take my eyes off the entrance. Remy took me to a small passage on the side which lead to a small dor.

"This is for the employees" she told me, I nodded in response. She opened the door and I followed her in. She took me through the back room to the kitchen. I could see people looking at me. This is a type of attention I never appreciated so I kept my gaze fixated on the floor as I quietly walked behind Remy.

"This is you" she said turning towards me. I raised my head and looked around in awe. The kitchen was gigantic with huge spider burners, long working stations, ten huge deck ovens and a huge door on the right and according to my guess it would have been the walk-in refrigerator.

"Hey James!" Remy called out.

A tall, skinny guy with short blond hair and dark brown eyes walked up to us with a huge warm smile. He had an apron draped around his waist, he had a double breasted chef's coat on, a chef's hat and a hairnet.

"Hey Rem! Fancy seeing you here!" he said.

"Yea this is not my place" she smiled.

"But I came here to introduce you to someone" she added, turning towards me.

"Oh!" James exclaimed.

"This is Annica Mack, your new Sous Chef" she said.

"Hey! I am James and I'll be your junior Sous Chef" he smiled as he extended his hand towards me.

"Hi James! It's amazing to finally meet you. I have heard quite a bit about you" I said as I took his hand and gave it a firm shake.

"I hope it's all good" he smiled.

"Come on let me show you to your locker" he said' gesturing for me follow me. I looked at Remy and she gave me a firm nod and smile then she turned on her heel and walked out. I looked at James and gestured for him to show me the way.

Sitting in the locker room, wearing my chef's coat I could feel adrenaline rushing through my veins. I was waiting for the briefing to start. I knew I should be out there getting to know my brigade but I was too, maybe afraid to go out.

"Crew gather around!" a deep voice called out. I knew it was my cue to go out. I took a deep breath, jumped to my feet and walked out. I could see people gathering around someone, it was too hard to tell who was in the center. There were at least twenty five people.

"So we were suppose have a new Sous Chef I don't know where she is" the person said and before I could respond a voice said, "She's here chef!" all eyes turned to the source of the voice and it was James standing at the end. Suddenly all eyes turn towards me. And it was then I saw him, Chef Edwards. His piercing blue eyes fixed in my direction. His arms crossed and pressed to his chest, his face curled into a serious look, His golden brown hair combed back neatly. His chef's coat perfectly tailored to reveal his broad shoulder blades, his perfectly toned biceps and in my wild imagination his perfectly toned abs too. His perfect frame looked nothing less of delicious.

"Come in front what you waiting for?" he commanded.

"Yes chef!" I replied as I marched forward and stood next to him. Standing next to him, I felt like such a tiny person. And it was a particularly weird feeling. I have always been a muscularly person. Blessed with broad shoulders, defined biceps and a toned back and legs myself.

"This is Annica Mack she'll be your new Sous Chef. Make her feel welcomed" he said and the entire crew started clapping but I couldn't care less. I was intoxicated by this man towering over me. My imagination was running wild and I could feel my blood rushing to my cheeks. I looked down, signed deeply and licked my lips. I slowly raised my eyes and saw Chef looking at me with a raised eyebrow. His eyes on me felt like burning on my skin. It seem as if he heard me, or more like heard my thoughts: but that wasn't possible and I knew that but it was a strange feeling like he knew. I don't know how, it just felt like he did.

"Get to work!" he commanded as the sound of people clapping died. Everyone around us dispersed but he didn't move, he kept his eyes on me and I couldn't dare meet his gaze. But I could very well feel them. Travelling over me and burning my skin, making my cheeks red and my thoughts running crazy wild. And then it was gone, as suddenly as it started, I looked up and saw him walk away.

"Hey are you okay?" James asked as he gently touched my shoulder. I just nodded and followed him to his station.

It took a few hours to understand the entire working of the kitchen and what exactly I was suppose to do. I took some time to go around talk to everyone and learn their names. To my surprise, everyone was very sweet and friendly even the once I least expected. I knew working here was going to be a fun and compared to where I worked earlier, an easy experience. The only think I wasn't were sure about was working in close proximity to chef Edwards.

"Chef do you mind doing the platting?" James asked as he handed me a big pan of Shepherd's pie.

"No problem-o!" I replied as I pulled out a plate while he placed the pan on the table and left.

I wiped the with a paper towel and set it down. I then took a spoon and made a zig zag design on the plate with some red sauce. I then neatly cut a square piece out and placed it in the center. I then started cutting some tomatoes in julienne, that's when I felt it. The burning sensation on my skin again. I looked over my shoulder and saw chef Edward look at me. I quickly turned my attention to my work and that's when I felt a tingle down my spine, I looked up and saw him right next to.

"So what's your action plan here?" he asked.

"I was cutting the tomatoes in julienne to decorate and then I'll cut some coriander in chiffonade and lay it around" I replied as I pressed both my lips together.

"You know julienne should be a little more thin. Here let me show you" he said as he took the knife from my hands. The moment his skin brushed against mine I could feel my breathing get faster. I took a few steps back and fixed my gaze on his hands. I knew he was telling me how to do it but I couldn't concentrate. All I could think was what I really wanted him to do with those fingers. "Why the fuck you had to be so hot?! I am fucking loosing it around you! How are you doing this to me?!" my soul screamed and I could do nothing but just press my lips together and not nod like everything was okay.

"And you..." he paused. His eyes suck on me as if searching for something. He kept the knife down, I raised my eyes. That same look covered his face. The look that screamed, "I heard you. Loud and clear." But he didn't say a word; he just left. I quickly finished my planning called out to James and tried my best to disappear in the ocean of white coates.