Love at First Lie

New Beginnings

John watched Katie make her way out of the restaurant wondering if he was doing the right thing by asking her to be his daughter's step-in mother. He had many racing thoughts that ran through his head such as: Was I insane to ask a stranger I don't know to be my daughter's mother figure? Why did I listen to my brother? Is he right? Will this work out?

His train of thoughts were interrupted by the night manager, Jim when he asked. "Mr. Scott are you alright? I think there is an emergency in the kitchen because I hear Chef Sebatian yelling. I'm afraid to go in there because it sounds like there are things being thrown around."

John came out of his head quickly noticing that Jim's body was convulsing as he was trying to keep steady on his feet. John didn't realize how bad things here at night had become. He quickly got up from the table running to the kitchen to find out what the commotion was all about. As John entered the kitchen he saw his kitchen staff hiding behind counters avoiding the flying objects of Chef Sebatian and his sous-chef Chef Antonio.

Chef Antonio was red in the face as he yelled back at Chef Sebatian. John entered the kitchen slamming a large cast iron pan on the counter to get their attention. Chef Sebatian jumped in the air as Chef Antonio grabbed at his chest making John worry if he needed the paramedics here. When the room was quiet John rushed over to Chef Antonio quickly making sure he was okay first. He didn't want him to hit the hard black marble floor if he fell so he looked at one of the wait staff and asked, "Can someone bring me a chair instead of putting your noses where it doesn't belong?"

Tommy was the one who left the crowd to grab a chair returning back quickly. He helped John get Chef Antonio settled before he returned to the rest of the group. Jim finally made his way into the kitchen after he apologized to the guest on John's behalf. John looked at the waitstaff first as he carefully warned, "I just have one question for all of my waitstaff that was in here watching this argument. How come Jim was the only one who came and got me when this all started? When I came in you all just stood there watching from the door. You all will get a write up. Tommy, thank you for helping me. I know you are new here and we will have a conversation because this is your first day."

Tammy was about to object, but shrank back in the crowd when she saw the way John had looked at them. She knew that this strike was maybe her last. She will have to wait until she is pulled into his office to talk to him. John turned to Antonio as he knelt by his chair as he asked. "Chef Antonio, do you need medical assistance? Are you hurt?"

Chef Antonio now had his breath back and looked at John when he smiled, "No, I'm good as my grandfather used to tell me what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, but I can no longer work with stubbornness over there. He thinks the world revolves around him. I don't have any input."

Chef Sebation was going to protest as his lip shivered, but the blazing fire in John's emerald-eyes told him not to open his mouth any more. John knew he wanted to say something so he edged him when he said, "What if you can make comments behind my back and cause a scene, but you cannot tell me to my face? You threw things around my kitchen making my kitchen staff afraid of doing their jobs and you have nothing to say? You do know you are expendable, that you may be the best, but you are not needed here."

Chef Sebatian was taunted enough when he looked at John when he said in a sly voice. "You think your restaurant would be anything without me. Let's just see about that. I quit! I guarantee you will be begging me to come back here in less than a month."

John had had enough of Chef Sebetian's egotistical behavior when he answered with a smirk, "No, Sebatian, You're fired I already did the paperwork before tonight. I just haven't given you your notice. Consider this your notice. I have found a new sous chef. Chef Antonio is now our Chef here at The Oak and Ember. Good luck finding another job."

Chef Antonio was in tears when he looked up at John when he asked, "You really mean it? I'm now the head chef. Mr. Scott you won't regret, I promise. I won't ever treat my sous chef the way I was. Thank you. Thank you."

Chef Sebatian stormed out of the restaurant vowing to destroy this place. John went out to his guest explaining what had just happened with an apology as he exclaimed, "I'm sorry for the commotion. All of you tonight will be getting a discount and a free dessert for you all tonight. Please enjoy the rest of your night."

John was glad when the restaurant had closed their doors that night. He felt good about relieving Chef Sebatian from his duties and promoting Chef Antonio, but deep down he didn't know why this frightened him too.

The next few days flew by as routine as normal without any problems. Tammy and Tommy were able to keep their jobs because it wasn't really their fault for Chef Sebatian's action, but today he was really nervous. Today was the day Katie was returning to The Oak and Ember to sign a contract to be a mother figure to his daughter. He didn't know why but this frightened him more. She did something to his insides that he hasn't felt in years. It's like his frozen heart is melting allowing him to feel again. He was in his normal booth when Tommy escorted Katie back to his table. When he saw her his heart skipped a beat as he stood up to greet her. "Hello, Ms. Crimson, thank you for coming back. I really didn't expect you to come.

Katie beamed as she fixed her cobalt business suit as she did often when she was nervous as she replied, "If you want my honest answer. I almost didn't come back. I had to talk myself into taking your offer. I do hope I'm doing the right thing."

John was so glad she came back because for some reason the world seemed right where it needed to be with her closer. He just won't admit that to anyone else. He pulled out her chair for her and sat down across from her as he said. "I'm so glad you did. I know that this is the right thing for everyone. Are you ready to go over the contract together that way if you have any questions we can change, clarify or add where it is needed?"

Katie nodded her head as her greyish-blue eyes sparkled unlike the last time they met. "I'm ready. Well as ready as I will ever be. The only question is will this be on call or will I get to be involved too?"

John was glad she had asked because he wondered the same thing. He graciously replied, "That will be up to what you want. My daughter does need a mother figure. I will pay you weekly if you want to do something weekly."

Katie didn't expect that answer as she looked over the contract carefully. She found no flaws and the amount she would get was more than enough to survive. She agreed to the terms and signed as she asked. "So, when do I start?"

John was impressed at how smoothly this went when he answered, "How about this Saturday we can meet here so you can meet Jenny. Then we can do the Mother's Day Brunch and go from there. You can always find me here and the terms of the contract can be changed if need be."

Katie left the table with ease as she thought for a few minutes, making John nervous. When she finally answered he let out the breath he didn't know he held when she said. "That sounds perfect. I will be here around noon."

All John could do was nod as once again he watched that mysterious woman walk out of the restaurant. He knew today that he did make the right choice.