Chapter 5 Wickedly Fun

Lilibeth

"Vivienne, you don't just quit doing something because you're tired, " I said to my p.a while going through the half-done review list from our clients on the latest dish we added to our menu last month and she has only gone less than halfway to completion.

"I...I was going to fini-"

"But you didn't." I spat, "You make so many excuses for not just yourself but your colleagues as well like that Man at the hall and that annoys me." I shouted and she flinched while adjusting her glasses.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am." She apologized.

"You're not sorry, I've come to learn that you only apologize to escape punishment but that would have to end. Understood?" I asked in a firm voice and she nodded, "Good! I didn't build this company from scratch using apologies, procrastination and negligence. It's high time you begin to take responsibility for your actions and so does everyone." I said to her and she gulped.

I sighed, "Who was that man?" I demanded and she raised her eyes to meet mine.

"Oh, Pablo you mean?" She asked with a smile on her face and I almost regretted asking that question.

"You shouldn't have called your boyfriend to work," I said, obviously displeased.

"No, no, he's not. He's the new Chief chef. He just resumed." She informed me and I lightly face palmed myself for forgetting something that important.

I could have easily made one of my chef's the Chief chef but that would cause unnecessary competition among them and most of the proud ones would become humble and productive until they've gotten the job.

"I remember," I lied, "Get me a copy of his CV and letter as well. Do it immediately so I can arrange it in the employees' folder." I ordered, although in a more polite tone and she immediately left the chair on which she was sitting opposite me to get what I requested of her.

"One more thing," I said before she shut the door and she waited to hear what I had to say, "ensure that you get the review ready before the end of today, will you?" I asked but she didn't have a choice but to do so.

"Of course." She whispered before shutting the door.

After she had left my office, I began to search for a particular email that I had printed out a few weeks ago which contains details for an event my company was expected to plan and also provide catering services outside the country. It is also one of the reasons why I had to employ someone with a better experience.

While searching, I came across a folder which was closed on my desk and just opened it to see what it was. Probably a staff has placed it there for me to inspect or sign, maybe both. But upon scanning my eyes through it, I discovered that it was a curriculum vitae.

The qualifications and experience were very eye catchy and nice so I rushed to see whose it is. Pablo Valiente, my mind read what my eyes saw and I prayed deep down that it isn't who I am thinking it is.

He can't just show up now after six long years of disappearance.

I took the office phone and dialled Vivienne's office. The moment she took the call, I demanded that she sent Pablo to my office as soon as possible.

What a small world! He has a lot of nerve coming to my firm and he's doing this on purpose. He must have known that I needed a chef and it was a matter of urgency so her grabbed it.

I couldn't blame Vivienne much for this because everything in his credentials drips of qualification and she was only doing her job however, he isn't befitting for this job character-wise and that I can attest to.

_

Shaking out of my frozen state as I was dumbstruck seeing him after so many years, I took in a deep breath, "What are you doing here?" I asked Pablo who had arrived at my office thirty minutes after I had sent for him.

He hasn't changed much from the last time we saw each other and how neatly dressed he was told me that he has also been doing good for himself. He was doing great. His blue orbs were just as they used to be although they looked tired and his black hair, shone even more.

"As I said before, Vivienne requested that I report to your office, Ma'am." He replied in a professionally polite voice and the last word he said so easily told me that he had no idea in whose firm he was in.

"Pablo Valiente, am I right?" I asked, looking at him from under my eyes and he nodded, "My P.A tells me that you're married," I asked, raising a brow.

"Divorced," he corrected, "I'm a divorcee." He stated with a bit of sadness in his eyes but I knew better than to believe they were of true sadness not after everything he did to us.

"Oh, must be hard." I said in a sarcastic voice, "Any kids?" I asked. I knew they were personal questions but I just have to ask.

"Yeah, I'm a father of two kids. A boy and a girl." He said and I wanted to be mad at him for feigning ignorance. "But I don't live with them."

Why is he acting like he doesn't know who I am? What sort of pretence is this?

I was internally fed up with his attitude and I leaned back in my chair while maintaining an emotionless face, "Do you have any idea whose company you're in?" I asked because from what I see and his reaction, I could tell he did little or no research before applying for this job.

"I know it's a female-owned busi-"

"You don't need to know just that, you should know more about a place you're about to work in, that's quite unprofessional." I hissed, sizing him up with my eyes.

"I was goi-"

"That's enough!" I yelled, cutting him halfway and he gulped, "You need to get proper research done and you would go home from here right now and get it done."I said, gritting my teeth.

"...but I just resumed today, you can't tell me to just go home." He protested, furrowing his brows.

"Really?" I asked but didn't expect his reply as I began to search for the email I had printed days before and luckily, I found it and a side of my lips curved up in a wicked smile, "Well, since you insist," I began and grabbed the paper with my hand. "this is an email on a wedding which we are expected to plan. We've been made in charge of both the catering and bridal services." I told him while sliding the paper across the table towards him.

"Now, we haven't been given the contract yet, as you can see but they want a presentation of the budget for everything. Something pocket friendly and also the presentation of the meals must be unique." I explained further. "I am leaving you to the task of preparing this before Thursday." I paused and gave him a pointed look all the while, his eyes were on the paper in front of him.

"What is the budget?" He asked, sounding quite confident and I smirked.

"Two hundred thousand." I replied "and a crowd of over 500 guests," I added.

"You must also be at work every day till the day of the presentation. You will be expected to prepare some cuisines chosen by me and you would be timed as well." My smirk widened, "you're on probation until the presentation is done." I explained.

I feel like I was going to have so much fun by putting him at the centre of a wall and mountain. That is exactly where he kept me.

"Failure to get this done, you might as well say goodbye to your job," I said in a firm voice and he sighed, holding the paper in his hand.

"And a little tip, Mr Valiente, this company is reputable and has zero tolerance for irresponsibility and negligence." I breathed, "Lies are the worse of them all." I warned him, "I just hope everything you told my P. A about you is true and by everything," I whispered, staring directly into his blue eyes, " I mean every word."

What do you think about Lilibeth?