Chapter 55

I was nervous, and despite all my attempts to calm down my heart just wouldn't quit pounding.

It's true that I had always wanted to be a chef but I didn't have any sort of expertise... goodness! What if they required someone with past expertise. I had only ever cooked for myself and before that the only person that had judged my meals had been my grandma. The anxiety was really starting to get to me, that was cooking, which meant that if I got one thing wrong then the entire meal would be a complete disaster and I would just end up making myself as well as Arden look stupid. 

" You okay?" Arden asked me and I nodded. But I was the furthest thing from okay that there was. I was hundreds of miles away from okay. 

Dahlia led us to this five star kitchen that almost made me forget my nervousness...almost. Actually, it made me a little more anxious after a while of contemplating. The only thing worse than messing up was messing up in a grand kitchen that cost a fortune.

" Oh she's here, " I heard someone say and I looked up to find Miguel, Dahlia's fiance approaching us. I had googled these people,they were crazy loaded and apparently Miguel wasn't only a lawyer, he knew a thing or two about cooking as well. 

He stopped once he got to us and said hi before he tucked his hands into his pristine suit pockets.

" Glad you could make it, " he said and I had to lie that I was as well. 

Perhaps there was still time to pretend I wasn't feeling well and quickly dash out, it wouldn't even be a lie. I was certain I was about to have a major heart attack. 

" Arden Gustov, isn't that right? " Miguel asked and Arden confirmed it.

" I read about your family's venture to redefine and expand agriculture through science, impressive, " 

Arden slowly nodded and smiled, then he shrugged and said. 

" Don't know a thing about that but I bet it is, " 

Miguel laughed while stepping aside to gesture to the counter, then he told me that he had ensured to get everything I would require. 

" Come on I'll show you where everything is, " I followed closely behind him as he pointed to some shelves and helped me to take out some pots...at a certain point he stopped and turned to the edge of the counter where Dahlia was standing and asked her to take a seat.

" I keep telling you not to tire yourself out amor, why don't you ever listen?" 

He wasn't mad, quite the opposite, there was so much affection in his voice I couldn't help but smile. He excused himself for a second and went ahead to lead his fiance to a chair I believe had been placed there exclusively for her, then he came back to me and clasped his hands together.

" Well, the stage is yours now I suppose, you may start, " he said and I looked at everything that had been set out and tried to not panic. I'd cooked uncountable times before, why was I suddenly on edge?

" No pressure sweetie, just take your time, " Dahlia told me as Miguel handed her a glass of water and then proceeded to stand beside her. I wondered why they had to stand there and watch me. I felt like a contestant on a cooking show, and it only served to pressure me more. 

I turned towards Arden who was studying me intently with his arms crossed, his muscles bulging under the black t-shirt he had on. I think it was either the fear or the silent cry for help that he saw on my face, but he put his finger up and asked Miguel for a few minutes first. Then he beckoned me to go over to him. 

I did not waste time, there was a chance he would help me leave. 

" Layla, what's wrong?" He asked. One of his hands on my upper arm and the other he wrapped around my nape. 

" Oh man, I think I'm way in over my head here, "

" What? That's not true!

" Yes it is. I've never even-"

" You've never what? Cooked before?" He arched a brown and I blew out a breath, turning to our two hosts and faking a smile before I turned back to Arden and scrunched my face in horror. 

" That's not it, "

" So you have cooked before?" He asked and I wondered what sort of question that was. 

" Yeah, of course I have but, "

" No buts. I've watched you cook, you clearly enjoy it. And you're without a doubt good at it, so just breathe and think of something to help you relax. "

The second he said that an image of his best friend raced to the forefront of my mind. I thought about that crazy human being and suddenly realized that he was the only one capable of actually calming me down, Arden hugged me and said something about deep breaths in and out but Gabriel was all I could see. 

And I couldn't believe it but I had to talk to him before I burnt that lovely couple's expensive kitchen. I looked around nervously, then I asked whether I could be excused for a while. I had to tell them I needed to use the washroom. Dahlia wanted to show me where they were but I insisted that I knew. 

" I'll be right back, just a sec, " I said before I walked out of there and went back to the main part of the restaurant where he was. 

I stood for a sec, and when his gaze landed on mine I inclined my head to the outside and walked out. Hoping he wouldn't take too long. There were a few young trees aligned on the side of the building. All were about my height, perhaps a little taller, I went and stood in-between two of them and waited. 

He didn't keep me waiting at all.

" Well hello there sweetheart, " he said as he made his way towards me. That same proud smile on his face. 

I paced back and forth in the very small space. Then I placed my hand on my forehead and turned to him. The smile immediately fell and he grew completely serious.

" What's wrong?" There was a new rough edge to his voice, something stern yet sexy. 

" We have to reschedule this Gabriel, or maybe you could help me call it off?" 

He frowned, walking to where I was and putting and end to my pacing by placing both his hands on my shoulders. Then he looked down at me and tilted his head to the side. 

" What happened? Are they making you prepare deep-fried sushi? " He seemed so serious I couldn't tell whether he was kidding. I wasn't a professional chef but I was sure there was no such thing. So I shook my head cautiously.

" Did they pull out an electric eel and ask you to chop it up?" He asked and again I shook my head, starting to realize what he was doing.

" And are the ingredients you found in there from Mars by any chance?" 

I bowed my head and whispered the word no. And then I felt him as he started to knead the tension from the muscles in my shoulders, slowly yet expertly. I felt it all as it began to fade away.

" Listen Layla, you can't go through life running from every little thing that scares you. I thought this was your dream, you told me so yourself. " 

" It is, "

" Then follow it, this is one of those once in a lifetime opportunities that people are always talking about. "

He finished it at that, and I naturally found myself wrapping my hands around his torso and breathing in his scent, it helped to soothe me. 

" There there, have you decided on what to make yet?" He asked and I shook my head. I had put my hair up in a ponytail and he used it to angle me up to look at him. At first I had thought they'd be the ones to tell me what to cook. This freedom of choice was really holding me captive.

" What do you intend on making, come on, think of something that has zero chances of violating health protocols but that you'll still enjoy cooking. " 

I smiled and so did he.

" There it is. With a smile like that what could possibly go wrong?" His tone was low, as if he were asking himself the question and not me. 

" I can try to make strip steak with lemon mashed potatoes, I think that could work, " I sounded slightly unsure and I looked to him for reassurance. He leaned down and kissed me, tender and sweet. I drew strength from that single kiss.

" You won't try sweetheart, go in there and actually do it. I want you to cook the bloody hell out of whatever you just said. "

I laughed and felt all my tension as it blew away. Nodding my head, I got set to head back into the restaurant before they started wondering what was taking so long and decided to search for me. But before I did so I pecked his cheek. 

When I walked back to the kitchen I felt much better and ready to begin. Arden had been busy on his phone but he tucked it into his pocket and smiled, then he walked over to the door and leaned against it. 

I still didn't like being the main center of attraction in the room, but all I had to do was think of Gabriel's words and his touch and his soft kisses to power me on. And before I knew it I was doing pretty great. Plus I didn't have a time limit which only made things much easier. 

Miguel even offered to help me if I needed it but I assured him I was okay. 

" You're doing great baby, " Arden cheered me on when I was almost done. And afterwards when all that was left was to wait for the food to get ready he walked over to me rubbed his hands together with overflowing enthusiasm.

" I don't even get why you were so scared. You killed it!" 

" You think so?"

" Trust me, " He said.