The kitchen of dreams

Rien followed Kae through the winding corridors of Bistro Inferno, his mind reeling with questions. What was the secret ingredient in "Le Coeur de la Bête"? And what was the source of the malevolent presence he had sensed in the special ingredient room?As they walked, the air grew thick with the scent of roasting meats and freshly baked bread. Rien's stomach growled in response, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He had always loved cooking, and the prospect of working in a kitchen like this was a dream come true.They finally arrived at the kitchen, a sprawling space filled with rows of stainless-steel countertops and industrial-sized appliances. The kitchen staff was already busy prepping for the evening's service, their movements swift and efficient as they chopped, sautéed, and seasoned their way through the menu.Kae led Rien to a central island, where a tall, imposing figure stood, surveying the kitchen with a critical eye."Ah, Chef Elise," Kae said, his voice dripping with respect. "I'd like you to meet our new chef, Aurélien Thompson."Chef Elise turned, her eyes narrowing as she took in Rien's appearance. She was a tall, imposing woman with a stern expression and a wild shock of curly hair."Ah, bonjour," she said, her voice firm but not unkind. "Welcome to Bistro Inferno, Aurélien. I trust you're ready to work hard and learn quickly."Rien nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. Chef Elise seemed like a force to be reckoned with, and he wasn't sure if he was ready for the challenge.But Kae just smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm sure Aurélien will fit right in.Chef Elise raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "We'll see about that," she said. "Aurélien, why don't you start by prepping the vegetables for tonight's service? We'll see how you do."Rien nodded, feeling a sense of relief. At least he had a clear task to focus on, and he could start to prove himself in the kitchen.As he began to work, Rien couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. The kitchen was a whirlwind of activity, with pots clanging, pans sizzling, and the aroma of exotic spices wafting through the air.It was exhilarating, and Rien felt his senses come alive as he worked. He was in his element, and he knew that he was exactly where he was meant to be.But as the evening wore on, Rien began to notice strange occurrences in the kitchen. Pots would move on their own, and utensils would go missing. The kitchen staff seemed to be working in a trance-like state, their movements swift and efficient but somehow... unnatural.Rien's unease grew as he worked, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. But whenever he tried to ask questions, the kitchen staff just seemed to smile and nod, their eyes glinting with a knowing light. It was as if they were all in on some sort of secret, and Rien was the only one who didn't know what was going on.As the evening drew to a close, Rien felt exhausted but exhilarated. He had survived his first day in the kitchen, and he was eager to see what the future held.But as he was leaving the kitchen, he caught a glimpse of something that made his blood run cold. A figure, tall and imposing, standing in the shadows and watching him with an unblinking gaze.Rien spun around, but the figure was gone. He was left standing alone in the darkness, his heart pounding in his chest.What had he just seen?As Rien made his way back to his apartment, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. He kept looking over his shoulder, expecting to see the figure from the kitchen lurking in the shadows.But there was never anyone there.It wasn't until he was safely inside his apartment, the door locked and bolted behind him, that Rien finally felt able to breathe a sigh of relief.He had survived his first day at Bistro Inferno, but he knew that he still had a lot to learn. AndLittle did Rien know; his worst fears were only just beginning to come true.