Aftermath Book Two Crash Series

Chapter Twelve

Aria

            Darius Parker is similar in demeanor to Jaxson, playful, flirty, and a lot of trouble but he lacks the looks Jaxson was blessed with. He isn’t ugly by any means, but he’s a brutal, cutthroat chef that loves to eat and doesn’t care much for his appearance, instead he divots his time to the presentation of his creations.

            He’s softer around the edges in a way you can tell he isn’t fit underneath the chef coat, but he isn’t out of shape either. His jaw is defined, clean-shaven like always with a cocky, competitive smile gracing his full lips as he chats with the guests he has here today, while his production crew dances around the bakery that’s more of a hybrid Hollywood studio/Bakery model.

            He’ll host opened walk-in hours every now and again with a limited menu at discounted prices so different people can experience the gift that is Darius’ cooking. They also love to take a look “behind the scenes” and get autographs and pictures.

         I’m told the locals and tourists alike love it when he opens the doors to everyone, but the lines grow long fast and he typically sells out before he runs out of people waiting. He doesn’t need to host the events ever, he does well enough on private orders and the shows success but I’m glad that he does because of the reassurance his actions give that he’s the person I always believed him to be.

        He’s been my idol so long it’s still strange to stand in the same room but I can’t help but appreciate the smile he’s rocking in the direction of a pretty woman, with rosy cheeks. She’s as in awe in his presence as I was, still am at times. And it pleases me to know that someone I’ve idolized for so long is a real person but he doesn’t disappoint. He hasn’t let the fame get to him, he might be cocky and competitive but he’s still down to earth and respectful.

        So many times you hear about the everyday person meeting someone they’ve looked up to or idolized for as long as they could remember only to realize that they are a piece of garbage that doesn’t deserve the sparkles in your eyes when you think of them. Or the space you’ve given them in your heart alongside the passion they sparked in you from their craft. That could have easily been the case with Darius, I’m grateful it isn’t.

        Stepping under the hot, bright lights shinning on the set I finish tying the apron behind me as I get ready to film. Right alongside Darius Parker himself. It’s still mind-boggling. Earth shifting like the past five months has been. Life-altering. Literally.

              I have been careful to keep my nose out of my phone. Away from T.V.’s and social media because the press has been so wild, not that I can’t even fault them with headlines like;

            Mason Maverick, CFO of Dixie Incorporated, and Billionaire caught up in a serial murder case.

            Fiancé of Mason Maverick and a budding Star on Darius Parker’s show Sweet Treats Kitchen was kidnapped in a brutal attack.

            The headlines sold themselves. The press went wild and my “budding” fame exploded in an instant and I don’t know what to do with any of it. I don’t know how to handle this new life I fell into. Don’t get me wrong, I’m amazed by the response I’ve received already from fans and locals to come to my opening. I have been since I started filming with Darius but since Buffalo, I haven’t been able to keep up with the requests which are beyond thrilling and a lot scary. I still need to impress them with my cooking so they’ll come back. That is if they are there for the right reasons.

            My image and name are all over the tabloids alongside two powerful and well-known men and a crazy serial murderer who happens to be my ex. That’s not exactly how I wanted to get here. I wanted to carve out my own name and prove myself on my own. Build me up from the ground as I’ve always had to do. I’ve never walked into opportunities like this and it eats me up inside that it comes with guilt, pressure, and more fear than if I was doing this on my own.

            It creeps me out just thinking about the types of people that will come for the wrong reasons, none of which have to do with my food but the story behind me. The image the world now sees me as. People that want information on Brian and the conspiracies that have already popped up about him and the murders he committed. I’ve tried to stay away from the internet to avoid the stories after I saw a discussion board on how these people think Brian is still alive and it’s some sort of cover up to hide what the corrupt corporate giants the Mavericks are.

            Or the people that want to chance running into a handsome billionaire or a famous out-of-this-world chef. People that want to take advantage of me rather than invest or support me and my journey. I don’t need everyone’s support I know that, and I won’t get it but I can’t help but dread the incidents I know will pop up when Shirley’s doors open.

            With a chill slithering down my spine I try to shake it off, squinting into the light until I can make out Wyatt’s outline. Once more appreciating his presence as my body relaxes knowing I have some protection.

            Pulling up my sleeves I make my way to the sink to wash my hands, the fingers on my right hand grabbing for my favorite charm on my rose gold bracelet. The scoffed life jacket holds a tracking device I was unaware of until a few weeks ago but has now become another reassurance. Mason can find me always, maybe creepy to some but it reassures me, pushes my nightmares away enough to put on a confident face so I can prove my worth beyond the men beside me.

            Before Buffalo, I was coming on his show once a week as a special guest appearance. The whole episode was focused on us competing for three judges over the recipe of the week. After Buffalo, I needed some time to cope and heal. So last week was my first day back filming and I must have impressed them enough because they asked me to film two episodes this week. It’s the holiday season which is huge for baking, therefore huge viewers looking for a recipe that will impress their guests.

            Today’s show is going to be slightly different; we’re given two hours that will be condensed down into a forty-five-minute special, an hour with commercials. In that time we have to do the most we can using pumpkin. Which fits perfectly with the Thanksgiving theme and has my hands itching to start the timer. I have so many ideas.

            The make-up crew starts flitting around me, brushing at my face and flicking at my hair and apron making me look camera-ready now that I’m a regular. Again, I can’t help but reflect on the vast difference in my life a handful of months can make. I wonder where the next handful will take me.

It’s almost time to start filming, the contest winners are sitting in some seats set up to the sides of the camera men and the crew is getting into positions and starting the count down. I thought I would be nervous but I’m not, I’m excited to get lost in the competition and weirdly and very unexpectedly liking the attention I get under the camera. No one can ever say I don’t have the skill or deserve this spot, not with the camera on me at all times, proving to everyone the real reason why they should come to Shirley’s or know my name. The right reason.

        “Aria,” Darius’ greets as he makes his way to his prepped area, ready for the producer to give us the signal to start.

        “Darius. Are you prepared to lose this one?” I enjoy rattling him, his ego isn’t easily damaged, but he wobbles a little with irritation each time I win even as he smiles with awe and he starts planning how to improve his own dish. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship that keeps us both challenged forcing us to keep upping our game resulting in amazing recipes that melt on your tongues and I can’t wait to see who wins today.

        He raises his eyebrows in a friendly challenge as the producer gives us the signs that were ready to start. Darius reads the intro before we get to the good stuff. We joke a little for the camera as we both get lost in our pumpkin desserts our eyes only leaving the ingredients in front of us to pause and explain our process when the producer pans to each of us for progress reports throughout the two hours.

               All in all, Darius pulls in a win and I swear it’s only because the guests got to judge this time and they had eyes all over Darius and that’s what I’m sticking with.

            Oh well, all the more reason to rock the recipes in two days and pull in a huge win. Soon I’ll have my own adoring, googley eyed fans and it won’t be because of my looks but because my cooking makes them feel and no one can compete with that.