Chef

by Throsby, Lynda

  I'm in the shop just wasting a few minutes really, hoping Reid has gone on before I start back for the restaurant. I get some headache tablets, as I have no doubt I will need them before the day is over. I cautiously step out of the pharmacy doors, looking around to see if he has gone, and I let out the breath I’m holding when I don't see him anywhere. I put my pods back in and head to the restaurant, but as I head for the rear door, I stop dead again. He's there, leaning against the wall as he does across the street when watching me, with one foot up on the wall, smoking a cigarette. What the hell? Is he waiting for me, or is he just having a smoke? I choose the latter and head for the door.

  His hand flies out and grabs me by the elbow as I pass him. He grips me tightly. I try to yank him off me to get loose, but he grips harder. “What the hell is your problem? Get your fucking hand off me,” I snarl. He doesn't speak, but he drops my elbow. He takes a drag on his cigarette then drops it to the floor and makes a show of stamping on it and grinding it into the ground. Then he walks to the door, opens it, looks back at me with that horrible sneer before disappearing through it, leaving me standing here, dumbstruck. I don't move for a few minutes. In fact, it's only Louis coming around the corner that shakes me out of the trance I'm in. “Good morning, Macen. Hey, you okay? You look a bit pale.”

  I put a brave smile on my face and nod my head “Morning, Louis, yes, I'm good, thank you. Just daydreaming. Guess I'm still tired.”

  “Well come on, girl, let's get in and get our sauces prepped for a busy day ahead.”

  I head to the employee room with Louis to get my whites on. I know before I enter the room that Reid is in there, but I'm with Louis, so I feel safe. I open the door, and sure enough, he’s there, but not getting changed or anything, just leaning against the table opposite the door with his arms folded and one ankle over the other.

  His face takes on a look of frustration when he notices Louis right behind me.

  “Hey, Reid, how's it going?” Louis greets him. I don't say a word. I walk over to the lockers and start to get changed. I only have to take my coat and sweatshirt off because I have a white tank top on that I wear under my chef’s white jacket. I put on my jacket and start on my hair.

  “Hey, Louis. I'm good thanks, or at least I will be when Macen stops screwing me around like she is.”

  I freeze, but then slowly turn and face them. They are both looking at me. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  Reid shrugs, gets up off the table, then heads out of the door. Louis looks at me quizzically. “I have no idea what he’s talking about, Louis. I barely know the guy. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times he’s actually spoken to me.”

  “Hey, Macen, not my business, but I told you yesterday that Casp was pissed about it. A bit of friendly advice though between you and me. I don't trust that guy. He's a bit of an oddball. Doesn't really fit in. If I were you, I would steer clear. You know your contract also has a no fraternizing clause in it right?”

  “Believe me, Louis, I have every intention of staying away from him. He creeps me out — he's there at every turn. I don't even know the guy, but he seems to be making out we know each other. He terrifies me.” I turn back to my locker, put on my hair net and chef’s hat, and we head out to our station and start to prep.

  “Macen, this doesn't taste quite right.”

  I turn to look at Louis who is standing over my lemongrass sauce. “There's something missing. Here, have a taste.” He passes me a spoon, and I try the sauce. He's right. It's missing the kaffir lime leaves, which I'm sure I added. I look around my station, but there is no sign of them. Shit.

  “Macen, you need to get your head in the game or Casp will have your ass.”

  “I'm sorry, Louis. I know you’re right. I'm a little distracted because of Reid. He’s been watching me all morning. I can feel his eyes boring into me.” Louis turns to look in Reid's direction, and it just so happens he’s watching us.

  “Do you want me to have a word with him for you? If he's freaking you out, I don't mind. Hey, I'm leaving in a few weeks anyway, so no skin off my nose.”

  Oh no, I can't have Louis getting into trouble for me or have Reid do anything to Louis. I could never live with myself. “No, thanks, Louis, I don't want any trouble, and I certainly don't want you in the middle of it. I spoke to my grandma about it last night, and we both decided that I need to speak to Caspian about it today.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure, Macen. You need to do a new batch of sauce though. Doors open soon, so you don't have much time. We can't send this one out. If Casp or anyone else tries it, we will both be in for it.”

  I redo the sauce just in time for the doors opening. Louis has saved me from a potential disaster today, and I'm grateful for that. I need to keep my head on my work and ignore Reid as much as I can. I haven't seen Caspian yet this morning. He must be on the late shift. He always comes and checks on the kitchen when he's in. I’ll have a word with Francoise and see when he’s due.

  The time flies as it always does. I still haven't seen Caspian. He would have been in by now, even if he were on the late shift. “Louis, do you mind if I take a break while there is a slight lull. I need to find Francoise?” “Sure, you go and find him, we have enough sauce prepped.” I head out to the offices to find Francoise. He isn't around, so I head for a quick drink of water in the employee room. Big mistake. There are a couple of other chefs taking a break, and just as I close the fridge after grabbing my water, he's there, leaning against the worktop with his arms folded. He wasn't in here when I came in, so he must have followed me. He doesn't speak but moves to stand right next to me, with his arm touching me like he did this morning. I step back away from him, and he scowls down at me, but I scowl back at him. Anyone watching us would think we knew each other— it actually seems like that’s the image he's trying to portray. Neither of us speaks, so I move away from him and head out of the door.

  I stand in the hallway for a few seconds, trying to calm down. I let out my breath, then I realize he's followed me out of the room. I don't look back at him or acknowledge he's here, but head for the office hoping Caspian or Francoise is in there. I knock on the door, hearing, “Come in.” I open the door and rush in, shutting it firmly behind me, without a second glance. I don't know if Reid is still there watching me or if he's gone back to the kitchen.

  I let out another breath and relax slightly, looking up to see the puzzled look on Francois's face. “Are you okay, Macen? You look a bit flustered.”

  I must look like a complete idiot, and I feel embarrassed. I didn't plan this out properly. What do I tell him? “Yes, sorry, Francoise. I, erm, I have a little bit of a problem.”

  He puts the pen down he has hold of and motions for me to sit in the chair opposite him. “What's the problem, Macen? Are you not enjoying working at Casper's?”

  “Oh, Francoise,” I say rushing to sit in the chair. “No, I love working here. I'm enjoying the job so much, and everyone's really friendly and helpful. Everyone, that is, except one person.” I look down at my hands in my lap. What do I say, that I'm paranoid? That I think Reid is stalking me or has got a vendetta against me?

  “Macen, if you’re having a problem with someone, then please let me know so we can find the best way to handle this.”

  I look up at him. He’s sincere and not angry with me, which is a good sign. Maybe telling Francoise is better than telling Caspian. Caspian intimidates me, and I'm not sure what he would say or do. “Macen, do you want to tell me, or do you want to wait and tell Caspian?”

  “I feel kind of stupid now. Maybe this was a bad idea. I just got a bit spooked. Maybe it's me — maybe I'm imagining it, maybe he's okay, maybe…”

  “Macen, you’re babbling. Do you want to tell me who you are talking about and what has happened?”

  I look back at him. “It's Reid, Francoise.”

  He smiles at me as if he knows. “Ah, yes, Caspian did tell me about the fraternizing he walked in on yesterda
y. I have to say, Macen, we are both surprised and disappointed that you never mentioned being in a relationship with one of our chefs when Caspian offered you the job. The contract states no fraternizing between employees, which I'm sure you read when you signed it. Then he walks in on you both in a compromising position, and it's only your first week. Caspian wanted to speak with you about it today, but he's away on business for a few days and was going to speak with you on his return.”

  I'm horrified. First that they are disappointed in me already, second, that they think I’m actually in a relationship with Reid and third that Caspian is away and won't be around for a few days. It's the latter that really gets me more than anything, and it shouldn't be. “Francoise, I'm sorry you are both disappointed in me, but there is nothing between Reid and me. I'd never even met him until my first day on Monday.”

  He looks puzzled again. “That's not what it looked like to Caspian and Reid seemed to back up his suspicions when he spoke to him yesterday. He seemed to imply you two were together and have been on and off for a while?”

  I gasp, shocked that he would say something like that. Now they’re going to think I'm lying to them. They will surely believe him. They've known him longer than me.

  “No, no, Francoise, I have never seen him before working here. To be honest, he’s scaring me. It feels like he's watching me all the time. He’s there at every turn, and when I get a cab on 5th after my shifts, he’s been across the street leaning against the wall, staring at me. This morning, he suddenly appeared at my side while I was walking to work. He always comes into the employee room when I'm in there. He came in just now as I went to grab some water, and he stood right next to me, touching my arm. To others, it must look like we are together.”

  “What did Caspian walk in on yesterday?”

  “Reid came into the employee room, as I was eating my lunch, and he made me uncomfortable by standing and staring at me. I got up to leave, but he blocked my exit, that's when Caspian came into the room. He knocked Reid with the door, and as he jerked forward into me, he grabbed my shoulders. I jumped back out of his reach to stop him touching me, and then I left. I know what it must have looked like to Caspian, but it couldn't be further from the truth.”

  He steeples his fingers and rests his chin on them. He's thinking about what I just told him.

  “I'm so sorry, Francoise. I feel like I'm telling tales on someone, and I've only been here a few days.”

  “No, Macen. Don't be sorry. If this is true, then we can't have you feeling uncomfortable in work by another member of the team. Have you spoken to Reid or him to you at all?”

  I think about what Reid said to me, and the venom with which he said it. Do I tell him that or leave it? Am I making too much of this? Surely if I speak to Reid myself, we could sort out what his problem is with me.

  “Macen?”

  He's waiting for me to answer. I decide to go with the truth. “He’s only spoken to me a couple of times since being here, the last time was asking if I recognized him, and he said it with so much venom and hate in his voice that it froze me on the spot. That's when Caspian walked in.”

  He looks at me again for a few seconds. “So do you know him from somewhere else?”

  I shake my head, no. “I've been trying to remember if I know him from anywhere like school or previous jobs, but I have nothing. I don't recognize him at all. I wondered if maybe he had me confused with someone else. I have no idea, Francoise, and I'm scared because he's making me feel like I should know him.” I put my head down again and pick at my fingernails. “I need to get back to my station, Francoise, it will be getting busy again, and I need to prep some more sauces. I just felt I needed to tell Caspian or yourself. I needed you to know there is nothing going on, and that I love my job, but I know I'm the new girl, and Reid has been here longer…”

  I don't finish, and I feel a tear slide down my cheek.

  I feel terrible. Terrible for being in this situation in the first place, but also the fact I've only been here a few days, and I've caused trouble. “If you want me to leave, then I understand, Francoise. I know Caspian it set on having a happy team in the kitchen, and I've caused trouble already. I truly am sorry.” I get up to leave.

  “Wait, Macen. I believe you. I’ll discuss this with Caspian and see how he wants to proceed. I don't want you to leave. I think the best thing to do right now is to see if we can re-organize your shifts, so you and Louis are on opposite shifts to Reid. That way there won't be as much contact between you until we sort out what to do. How does that sound?”

  I wipe at my face, and I nod my head, “Oh, thank you so much, Francoise. That would be amazing if that can be done. Thank you. I will get back to my station now.” He nods at me. I turn and leave.

  I head to the bathroom first to make sure everything is in place with my hair and to clean my face before heading back. I feel so relieved that he believes me. But then, it's Caspian that matters and what he believes and what he wants to do. He may think differently after walking in on us in the employee room and thinking he saw something going on.

  Walking into the kitchen, I feel Reid’s eyes on me. I feel them follow me to my station, but I refuse to look at him or give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he un-nerves me. Louis looks at me, and I smile. He looks to where Reid is and glares at him, letting him know he's onto him. I slightly squeeze his arm, thanking him for being on my side. I prep the sauces ready for the rush.

  Caspian

  I THROW MY phone across the hotel room. What is going on? Is she pulling the wool over my eyes to cover her ass, or is he bullshitting me? I hardly know her, but oddly, I do trust her. Him, well, he's an ass. I don't trust him at all. Fuck. Francoise said she was really upset and uncomfortable at work because she loves her job, but Reid is making it difficult for her. I never want any of my team to feel like that. We should be like a family. Francoise’s idea of making sure they are not on the same shifts is a good one until I can get to the bottom of this. I feel so protective of her already, and I need to curb my feelings. My restaurants are my priority. I need to get back there to speak with her and sort this shit out.

  I've had a productive day, and I have to say, being here and seeing where my restaurant would be is thrilling. This is what I thrive on. The current restaurant occupying the space will be closing in less than a month. They grew too quickly and are now facing financial ruin. The hotel said if I want it, then it's mine, once we go through all the finer details, of course. I have to say though, I want it, but I have LA opening up in a few months — can do this as well? Am I running before I can walk? Am I doing what the current restaurant owners have done, opening up too many in a short space of time? Can I even afford to do this with the others in the pipeline? I need to think about it all and consider my options. I could put Canada on hold and open up here instead. There's no doubt Vegas is a hot spot, with millions visiting each year from all over the world. I just have a gut feeling about it.

  I head back to the restaurant to have something to eat and to speak with the manager. He knows I'm interested in buying the space and has offered up any info I need. I can pick his brain and see where he’s gone wrong, then scope out the area and see what else there is around — what the competition is like. There are a few celebrity restaurants popping up in the big hotels: Gordon Ramsey, Bobby Flay, and Wolfgang Puck to name a few.

  I'm sitting here waiting for my meal to arrive when a woman heads my way. Why is it, wherever I go, I attract attention? She looks quite a bit older than me — a bit mutton dressed as lamb — and she's staggering on her feet as though she's off her head on something. “Hey, handshome, do you fancy shome comp’ny?”

  Here we go with this shit. I plaster my fake smile on to be nice. "Sorry, no, I'm actually meeting someone."

  She either doesn’t believe me or doesn’t care, and she sits on the chair opposite me. “I'm shure I would be much better company. How about it? You could buy me a meal and a drink, and I could repay you
later.” She winks at me, batting her fake lashes that are so long and thick that I don't know how she keeps her eyes open.

  Time to get stern. “No, look, I'm waiting for someone. I'm about to have a meal and a meeting, so if you wouldn't mind leaving my table, I would appreciate that.”

  She looks at me indignantly — like, how dare I turn her down? What is it with some of these women?

  Just then, Tirone, the manager comes over. “Hey, Caspian, sorry I got delayed.”

  I look at the woman. “If you don't mind, please leave my table now.”

  Tirone looks at her, realizing she’s not with me and saves my ass.

  “Excuse me, ma'am, do you have a reservation?” She looks at him like he’s crazy. As if she doesn't need one. “No, why? Do I need one?” “Yes ma'am, you need a reservation to be in the restaurant. I must ask you to leave unless you are a guest of another diner.”

  She huffs and puffs as she gets up. “I didn't fucking want to eat here with you anyway, you ass,” she aims at me, as she storms off. Thank fuck for that.

  I sit talking with Tirone for a while, finding out the details of the restaurant. I still think I want it. I'm going to head back home tomorrow, so I’ll see where I am financially and speak to my lawyer about it. I need to sort out this business with Macen and Reid, which is the real reason I want to head back sooner rather than later.