LORD OF THE KITCHEN

ACT Four: The revelation / Forgiveness

Scene one

Two weeks later at the restaurant, Rosetta and the other chefs prepare meals in the kitchen as the Assistant manager walks in with Duke following him behind, every one in the kitchen stopped what ever they were doing as they greeted duke in chorus "Good day sir", Rosetta then forced a smile.

Duke: (frowned) why is everywhere so messy.

Rosetta: (looks around in confusion) messy? How?

Duke: (Chuckled) how would you know, when all you know how to do is mess things up. I was only gone for two weeks and you turned the whole place into a circus.

Rosetta: (frowns) what is your problem with me?

Duke: (walks closer to her with a devilish look on his face) you wanna know my problem with you? (whispers only to her hearing) my problem with you, is that you want to ruin everything in my life and I hate you for that. you even had the audacity to take advantage of my drunkenness, how desperate can you get? you disgust me.

Rosetta: (now fed up she speaks out) you have so much pride, don't you?! for your Information we didn't do anything that night.

Duke wink's repeatedly, giving her sign to keep quiet.

Rosetta: you were a total jerk you know!

(she begins to narrate)

Flash back to the night before the day duke was rushed to the hospital.

In Rosetta's room, Duke immediately pulls Rosetta and Lock's her to the bed as he kisses her instantly, she opens her eyes in shock, but soon she gives in and closes her eyes as her heart melts.

Duke: (moves his face to her neck as he smells it) you smell like bean soup, I'm gonna eat you up. (giggles awkwardly)

Rosetta: (frowns and thinks inwardly) I smell like bean soup!? (hits him hard on the head as he passed out instantly) asshole, no one calls me food and goes scot-free. (hisses)

present day

Rosetta was done narrating what occurred that night as she glared at duke.

Rosetta: so stop putting ideas in your head that we did something that night. (turns to leave as duke grabs her arm)

Duke: (frowns) don't you dare walks out me.

Rosetta: (stares at him) why do you always do that?

Duke: Do what?

Rosetta: This, grabbing me by the arm when ever I'm about to leave. I don't like it, it's pathetic.

Rosetta glares at him as she releases her arm from his grip, she walks away, passing through the exit door as Duke attempts to go after her Helena sights him from the hallway of the restaurant as she calls out his name and runs straight to him, giving him a tight hug.

Helena: (stares at him with a smile while her arms are around his waist) my love. I went over to the mansion and I was told that you came to work.

Duke: I was bored at home, so I decided to come to work and read some newspapers in my office.

Helena: (raised and eye brow) it doesn't seem like you were in your office reading newspapers.

Duke: I just came out now to see my staffs.

Helena: babe, (puts on a concerned look) you know your health status, you aren't meant to inhale smoke or dust or....

Duke instantly placed his index finger on her lip, making her shut up.

Duke: (places his palms on her shoulders) I'm fine, okey. (smirks) let's go to the office.

They both held hands while heading to dukes office.

.... lights out ....

Scene two

In duke's office, Duke is seated on the office couch reading a newspaper while Helena sits next to him. minutes passed as Helena began to mumble.

Duke: (puts down the newspaper and stares at Helena) what the problem?

Helena: (pouts) babe don't you think you should get some time off work, so we can plan our wedding.

Duke: but babe we just got engaged two months ago!

Helena: babe two months is a long time, we are meant to be married by now.

Duke: (smirks and places his palm on her cheek as their eyes met) babe, when the time is right we will surely get married, okey.

Helena: (pouts sadly, bringing down Duke's hand) when would the right time come? when? (places her palms on his cheeks) I want you, I want you all to my self, I want to wake up in the morning with you by my side. every single day I crave for your kisses, your hugs, your touch and every single night, I crave for you.

Duke: I crave for you too babe.

Helena: (smiles) then let's get married.

Duke: Helena, not everything is about marriage.

Helena frowns and stands up angrily, folding her arms together as duke stands up behind her and places his palms on her arms as he kisses her softly on the neck.

Duke: (whispers into her ear) you know i love you, right?

Helena: (pouts, still folding her arms) I don't think so.

Duke: I do. (turns her around, to face him as he exhales) I, Roderigo Duke, I love you Anderson Helena.

Helena: (smiles) I love you too.

They both hug tightly.

...... Lights out ......

Scene Three

At sunset Helena walks out of the restaurant with a disappointed look as she makes a phone call to Belinda, her best friend.

Helena: (speaks on the phone with a low tone) hello (exhales) it didn't work, duke is such a hard head, I thought telling the doctor to lie about his health would work, but it seems duke doesn't care.

Belinda: then we should poison him with something that would make him crippled.

Helena: (whispers in shock) poison! I don't want him to die!

Belinda: No one is dieing, it will just make him crippled temporarily. being crippled will make him think no one will be willing to be with him that's when he will realize that you are the only one that truly love's him and in no time you both will get married then he will get back to normal in no time.

Helena: (smirks) that seems like a great plan, I'm in. (frowns) if I don't get duke, no one else will. (smiles) but how did you come up with this great plan so quickly, it just feels like you were waiting for my call. (giggles)

Belinda: (chuckles) For a plan to be successful, there must be a plan B, don't you agree with me?

Helena: You are right on that (smiles)

mean while Rosetta hid at a corner and overheard Helena's conversation, though she could only hear Helena's voice, but she understood everything, the poisoning part stuck in her memory like gum.

Rosetta: (thinks in dismal) what kind of a fiancee is she? I know duke is an annoying asshole and he deserves everything bad but not death. I need to warn him!

Rosetta quietly dashed back into the restaurant through the back door of the kitchen, in search of duke as she heads for the elevator.

Approaching Duke's office, Rosetta is obstructed by two hefty men, which were obviously dukes bodyguards.

Rosetta: (thinks inwardly) why are these men stopping me from entering inside? (smiles) hey, please can I go in? I want to see mister duke.

Bodyguard 1: (speaks with a deep voice) The boss is taking a nap he doesn't want to see any one him.

Rosetta: (looks through the transparent wall as she sees Duke reading his cook book) he isn't actually taking a nap. (exhales) just tell him I have something really important to tell him.

Bodyguard : little lady just go away, we won't let you in, period.

Rosetta: (now upset as she holds her waist) little lady huh? I will show you what this little lady can do.

Rosetta moved backwards and glared at them for a second as she began to run quickly towards them, hoping to run past them and push the transparent door open, but to her dismal she was caught immediately by the second guard and carried like a doll.

Rosetta: (struggles to be released) let me down right now, I command you.

The two men giggle uncontrollably as they tossed Rosetta, one to another like a base ball.

Rosetta: (now accepts that she can not defeat them as she puts on a sad look) please let me go i won't try to go in again. (as the men let her go she adjusts her dress and frowns, giving them a cold glare) I wish the way you protected him from me today, would be the same way you will protect him when his fiancee strikes. I have tried my best, I would leave the rest to God. (exit's)

........lights out........

Scene Four

Duke is seated in his office doing some paper work as Helena walks in holding a bottle of champagne and two tumblers.

Helena: (pouts) hey handsome.

Duke: hey beautiful (puts down the documents he was going through earlier) how was your night?

Helena sits on Duke's lap, still holding the tumblers and bottle of champagne.

Helena: it was great. (she smiles) well, I was so bored at the spa, so I came to have a glass or more of this expensive champagne with you.

Duke: (smirks while staring at the champagne) It's really an expensive one. but I will pass on this one, I don't feel like drinking right now.

Helena: (pouts) babe please, I went through a lot, just to get this champagne. don't say no.

Duke: alright, what ever you say. let's move to the couch then.

Helena smiles happily, as they moved to the couch she immediately kept the champagne and tumblers on the table in front, then she opened the bottle and poured some champagne into duke tumbler and handed it over to him.

Helena: (joins her palms together and raised it slightly to her mouth as she stares at duke anxiously with a smile) drink up and tell me if it tastes good.

Duke lifts the glass of champagne up to his mouth and closes his eyes as Helena stares at him nervously. He then attempted to drink it but later kept it back on the table.

Helena: (stares at him with concern) what happened.

Duke: (smiles) babe, I think you should take the first sip then tell me if it tastes good.

Helena: (fidgets and begins to stutter) but.. but.. I... I bought it for you.

Duke: (smiles) I know, but i want you to taste it for me. ladies first.

Helena: (gulps down her saliva and picks up the drink) babe. (hesitates while staring at duke)

Duke: (stares at her with cold eyes) Drink it.

Helena unwillingly closed her eyes and raised the glass up to her mouth as she attempts to drink it, but immediately puts it back on the table.

Helena: (fidgets) duke I can't drink it .

Duke: why? (frowns) cause you poisoned it right?

Helena goes down on her knees and holds Duke's leg.

Helena: Duke it isn't poison, I swear, it was just gonna make you crippled temporarily, so you can marry me sooner, that's all. I swear I won't hurt you intentionally, believe me. please forgive me.

Duke: (furiously stands up) so she was right.

Helena: (confused) who?

Duke: (smiles slightly as he whispered) Rosetta.

Flash back to the previous day

As Rosetta left the sight of Duke's bodyguards, she didn't have peace of mind, all she could think of was Duke.

Rosetta: (thinks) I can't Just give up on Duke so easily, i have to get in there some how. (instantly she came up with an Idea)

some hours later Rosetta stands outside the restaurant holding a ladder, she needed something to climb on and luckily for her there was a construction sight very close, which was where she got the ladder.

Rosetta: (thinks inwardly) Duke you should be forever grateful to me for what am about to do now.

she then placed the ladder to the wall as she began to climb on it. after much climbing she soon reached Duke's office window, as she pulled it open and jumped in, the office was quite dark and dismayingly to her surprise, she didn't see Duke.

Rosetta: (exhales in disappointment) all that stress for nothing.

As she turns to leave, the office light was instantly switched on, then she heard a familiar masculine voice from behind her, she turned around and saw duke.

Duke: what are you doing here, why did you jump in, through the window.

Rosetta: I will go straight to the point. your girlfriend is planning on poisoning you.

Duke: (glares at her in disbelief as he speaks with an angry tone) how can you say such a thing about my fiancee, don't you have any respect?

Rosetta: Listen to me Duke, I am telling you the truth, Believe me. earlier today I overhead her discussing on the phone and she said something about poisoning you. she also mentioned that she told a doctor to lie about your illness. I don't know exactly what she meant by that, but just be careful.

Duke: (frowns) I won't stand here and watch you blab nonsense about my fiancee, just because you hate me. get out of here with your lies.

Rosetta: (sad) I'm trying to save your life and you say I'm blabbing, why do you always see me as the villain, when all I'm trying to do is protect you.

Duke: keep your protection to your, you need it more.

Rosetta: (exhales) alright then, do what ever you want, I'm out (turns to leave)

Duke: yeah, get lost!

Present day

Duke is at a standstill, lost in thoughts.

Duke: (whispers) she has been looking out for me all this while and all I did was hurt her, I'm such a d**k. (looks at Helena) tell me, you bribed that doctor to say I am asthmatic, right?

Helena: (in shock) how did...( hesitates) who told you that?

Duke: (frowns) you don't deserve to know. (chuckles) so all this while I have been dieing, thinking I was sick and wondering how it was possible, not knowing that all this was just to make me get married to you. (exhales) you disgust me. you are such a psycho.

Helena: (stands up with a frown) you call me a psycho! Duke you cursed this, we dated for three good years, then after much yelling and crying from me, you decided to propose just few months ago, till today we aren't married yet and you stand there foolishly and call me a psychopath (sigh's as she walks closer to duke) Duke I'm a woman, I need to have kids before the age of menopause, but you wouldn't understand, the truth is you are the true psychopath, how could you keep a lady waiting for so long? you are mentally disabled. you deserve nothing good in life.

Duke: (takes his phone from his pocket) you can come in now.

Minutes later two police men walked into Duke's office and went straight to Helena as they handcuffed her hands behind her.

Helena: (struggles) what is it, what did I do wrong? remove that disgusting thing from my hands. do you know who my dad is?

policeman 1: control yourself miss(holds her firmly on one arm while the second police man held her other arm) you have the right to remain silent. any thing you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney, if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you, Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?

Helena: (struggles and cries out) Duke, duke don't let them take me away. (glares at the police men and shouts) let go of me! (stares at Duke devilishly) Duke my dad is gonna make you pay for this, and tell your father to forget about my dad's promise to collaborate with his insurance company, cause it's over.

Helena is soon dragged out of the office, as Duke exhales in relief, he sit's down and rest's his head on the couch as places his palm on the forehead while closing his eyes.

..... lights out .....

Scene Five

In the kitchen every one perform there duties as duke walked in, they all stopped to great him, expect Rosetta.

Duke: (smiles) thank you, please get back to work.

they all look at him in astonishment as Duke walks towards Rosetta, where she stood preparing chicken nuggets with full concentration.

Duke: (stands next to her) what are you preparing?

Rosetta: (looks at him in surprise) are you talking to me?

Duke: yeah.

Rosetta: (raised an eyebrow) ooh. I'm preparing chicken nuggets. (thinks inwardly) which you already know but just wanted me to say it.

Duke: (inhales with his eyes closed) it smells nice.

Rosetta stares at him in disbelief but later continues her cooking.

Duke kneels down next to Rosetta as she looks at him in shock.

Rosetta: (sees everyone staring as she whispers) what are you doing? get up, everyone is staring.

Duke: (smiles) Miss Rosetta I have wronged you so many times, I called you names and so on, but that didn't stop you from saving my life, it didn't stop you from checking up on me at the hospital, it didn't stop you from protecting me. from the bottom of my heart I want to say thank you and i'm sorry.

Rosetta: (tears drops on her cheeks) it's fine I never held any grudge against. just get up, you are making me feel uncomfortable (helps him up)

Duke: so can we start all over again, on a clean slate? I'm duke, it's nice to meet you.

Rosetta: (smiles) I'm Rosetta, it's nice meeting you.

Duke stares into her eyes as he took her hand in a firm clasp. Rosetta uncomfortably stares at their clasped hands as duke gets the memo and let's go of her hand. every one then gets back to work.

Duke: (pick's up an apron and wear's it on) so what should I help you with?

Rosetta: nothing really, I'm already done with this, I just need someone to taste if it's okey.

Duke: alright then, if you don't mind, can i have a taste?

Rosetta: sure (takes out a clean fork and fetched out of the meal as she fed it to him) how is it? (stares at him in curiosity)

Duke: can I have another bite.

Rosetta feeds him another one.

Duke: can I have a full plate of this?

Rosetta: (giggles) you haven't answered yet.

Duke: this is amazingly delicious.

Rosetta stares at him in a daze.

Duke: what's it?

Rosetta: (joke's) who are you, where did you keep my boss? am I dreaming or something?

They both began to laugh as light fades.

Three months later

At Duke's family mansion Dr. Roderigo celebrates his fifty five years old birthday. It's evening and the mansion is filled with guests, family and friends. Rosetta is seated elegantly, dressed in a sexy but simple outfit. meanwhile Duke makes a speech on the stage.

Duke: good day everyone, thank you all for coming to celebrate with us on this special day. A bigger thanks to the best chef in the world, Miss Rosetta and her humble assistant, which is me, for the great cake. thanks. (Rosetta blushed shyly from where she was seated) I have many things to say about my dad, but I will just summarize it or else we won't leave here today (the guests all laughed) my father, Dr. Roderigo is a conquerer. he is a really strong man, and a brave one at that, I know most times we quarrel and i annoy you all the time, well mostly the other way round. (the guests all laugh) but never the less, i love you.

Guests: (meow in affection) awwwwwn

Duke: (looks at his Father's direction) Dad happy birthday to you. (smiles as he raised his glass of wine for a toast) please raise your glasses as we toast to a great man, an icon, a legend in the business world, my father Dr. Roderigo. cheers!

They all replied in chorus as duke left the stage and headed straight to Rosetta.

Duke: hey. cheers?

They clink there glasses

Rosetta: (smiles) so I'm the best chef in the world and you are my assistant?

Duke: of course.

Rosetta: (giggles) don't forget you are my boss.

Duke: point of correction mademoiselle, we work together, as a team. (stares at her for a while) you look really amazing.

Rosetta: (smiles) thanks.

soft music begins to play.

Duke: what will I pay to have a dance with you, my lady?

Rosetta: I.. (hesitates) i don't know how to dance. (forced a smile)

Duke: don't worry I would hold you really tight. (bows slightly, stretching forth his right hand) may I have this dance with you?

Rosetta: sure.

she places her palms on his as they moved to the dance floor and began to dance the tango.

Duke: you look stunning tonight.

Rosetta: (unable to look into his eyes) please stop the flattering.

soon Rosetta is passed over to Dr. Roderigo as they continued to dance.

Dr. Roderigo: My dear Rosetta it seems my son has eyes for you, if you accept him, he would be the most luckiest man on earth. (smiles) you remind me of his mother, sweat, kind, caring and most of all, brave. enjoy your night my dear.

Rosetta just stared at him in a daze, soon the music stopped as they all returned to their various seats, Rosetta goes into the kitchen to take a brake and also drink a bottle of water as Duke walks in.

Duke: what's a pretty lady like you doing here all alone? (walks up to her)

Rosetta sits on the counter top and puts down her bottled water.

Rosetta: I left there to escape from you, but it seems you are unavoidable.

Duke: it's been three months now that I have been asking you out but you have refused me several times. what can I do to make you know that I'm serious about you?

Rosetta: you seem like a genuine guy duke, but I'm not ready to take risks.

Duke: (places his palms on her shoulders) can't you take this risk with me, for love?

Rosetta: duke you just left a relationship, you need to heal.

Duke: heal from what exactly? (exhales) being with you is my medicine. this feeling, I'm feeling inside, is true, it's real.(touches her cheek and stares into her eyes) look me in the eyes and tell me you don't feel anything when I don't this. (kisses her instantly)

They kiss for a while as duke moved back a little giving enough space to look into her eyes.

Duke: do you still feel nothing for me?

Rosetta: (stands up and moves closer to him) I never said i didn't feel anything for you.

(she smiles and pulls him close for a kiss.)

Duke: (stares at her) so does this kiss mean you have accepted to be Mrs Roderigo.

Rosetta: (smiles) no rush, okey? let's take things slow.

Duke: what ever you say. (hugs her tightly) I love you.

Rosetta: (thinks inwardly with a smile) I love you more. you don't know how happy I'm to here does words from you.

She closes her eyes and leans closer to him as she perceives the sweet and distinct odor of alcohol, as well as the expensive floral fragrance he wore, she tightens her embrace, mean while Duke kisses her softly on the neck and caresses her hair.

Duke: you mean the world to me. feel like having you all to myself

Rosetta: (smirks still hugging duke) I feel the same way. funny enough, I always think about you, every single hour and every single night. (Duke chuckles) what?

Duke: are you indirectly pouring out your feelings towards me?

Rosetta: what if I am.

Duke: I love the sound of it. when you are ready for us to get married I please let me know, cause I can't wa....

Rosetta: (interrupts him) shhhhhh. don't ruin the moment.

Duke smiles as he closes his eyes and wraps his arms around her waist slightly tighter.

curtains close

THE END