DANGEROUS AFFAIR

Cool, Calm, and Collected

On the long drive back to her office, Anabel's mind slipped back to Donald. She wondered if he meant his actions and was trying to send a message or maybe he was just being a little extra and trying to please her. She later settled on the latter and tried to take his mind off him but it was not before she was back right where she started. This was not Anabel's first time seeing Donald, as she is one of his show's lovers but she met him for the first time today. The minute she set eyes on him, her defenses had gone up. Donald was extremely handsome, with short dark hair -not too short though- trim and fit, and all muscle, not an ounce of fat on him, he could beat the best model hands down with little or no effort at all. To top it all, he was cool, calm, and collected. Obviously knows what he is doing judging from how organized his show is.

Her hands shifted on the steering wheel, it didn't do her any good dredging up memories best left buried. As she pulled into the driveway, she made up her mind not to ever bring up Donald's picture again, it was fun while it lasted. As she got out of the car, she saw her head chef, offloading some cartons from a truck, she walked up to him and they exchanged pleasantries. Anabel then thanked him for the role he played in the show as he was one of the judges. She offered to help with the spices that were being offloaded but was excused by the head chef who insisted it was being handled.

"Welcome back, Anabel" Zoey said as she raised her head which was immersed on the screen before her, and saw Anabel.

"Thank you, Zoey," Anabel said, smiling as she walked into Zoey's office dragging her bag carelessly along with her. She came straight to Zoey as she couldn't wait to hear the news.

"How was it?" Zoey asked, she knew Anabel was expecting to hear about 'cook with bel' but intentionally decided to extend the suspense.

"Awesome... And?" Anabel quickly answered and then moved to her real concern as she dropped her bag carelessly on the empty chair beside her.

"It was perfect. There was no issue, none at all" Zoey revealed with so much excitement, as she leaped for joy.

"Oh Zoey, you don't know how relieved I am to hear that" Anabel exclaimed as she embraced Zoey who held her too.

"I can imagine, for a minute I was nervous too but Gab did a really good job. In fact, our accounts have been blowing up massively. They love us, Anabel, they f*cking love us" Zoey said, still excited. They both sat down afterward while Zoey adjusted her laptop so Anabel could see the numbers as well and it was indeed huge.

"That's the best thing I've heard today. What about Gab? Is he still around? I have to see him" Anabel asked as she rose to her feet about to go to Gab.

"Ohh, he left just some minutes before you arrived. He wanted to wait for you though, however, he had an emergency and had to leave" Zoey replied.

"That's alright. I will call him when I get home this evening" Anabel said and sat back down as she opened her bag and brought out a bottle of juice. She offered some to Zoey but before she could even accept or reject it, Anabel had already gulped down the whole content. She made a sorry face to Zoey who burst into laughter instead, obviously, she took no offense, Anabel laughed it off too. They both conclude it was the good news that made her so thirsty.

"What about others? Are they still around?" Anabel asked referring to the other workers.

"Yes, some are still around," Zoey replied tilting her head back and forth.

"Let me quickly see them then. I met a few on the way and they seemed busy, I don't want to distract or disturb them so I just came to see you first." Anabel said while Zoey placed a call through informing them of a quick meeting in the conference room.

"Yes, we are trying to sort out the interns, you know you'd be meeting them tomorrow, right" Zoey replied at the end of the call.

"Ohh, that's true. What about the chef who won today? Still here?" Anabel asked as she picked up her phone and messaged Terry. He had asked her to call immediately after the show, all the extra baggage with Donald made it escape her mind but now that it is all behind her, she could share with Terry in her happiness.

"He should still be around, he asked to join others in the restaurant," Zoey replied, smiling as she watched Anabel giggle while conversing with her husband.

"Already?" Anabel asked finally lifting her head from her phone. She caught watching and smiling at her and smiled too.

"Yes, he is so eager to learn" Zoey replied with so much enthusiasm, one would think she was the one that won or a close friend of the chef.

"That's good. The kitchen could use talents like that" Anabel said and buried her head back in her phone.

"Speaking of talents, he is extremely good. He came top of all in the three rounds. Even before the judges cast their votes, we all knew he was the winner. Everyone was impressed. We are so lucky to have him here" Zoey continued.

"Just as he is also lucky to have us here. The head chef will mold him into something bigger" Anabel said, subtly countering Zoey's last statement, she rolled her eyes while she spoke, Zoey saw this and did the same. They both burst into laughter after this

"That I am sure of," Zoey said amidst laughter in agreement with Anabel.

"Did the other chefs get their letter of recommendation as promised?" Anabel is not the type to allow even the tiniest detail to go, it may look as though she isn't taking notes but she sees everything that goes on around her and would ask questions till she is satisfied.

"Yes, but I told them it would be sent to them this evening or first thing tomorrow morning. You're yet to sign the letters" Zoey replied as they showed her the drafted letter on her screen.

"They are ready for us," Zoey said to Anabel as she got a message that everyone is in the conference room waiting for them.

"Shall we?" Anabel said as she quickly sent another message to Terry, probably informing him she was going off. Zoey stood up and did a 'yes, we shall' royal courtesy. Anabel played along with her theatrics and led the way.

The conference room was filled to the brim, Anabel was impressed with the turnout. Any other day and the majority would have left already. She felt on top of the world as she walked to the front of the room and admired everyone seated. At first, she took a seat, and scanned the room silently without saying a word, she looked at their faces one after another. There was pin-drop silence in the room as they all wondered why the boss has refused to speak. After some minutes of quiet and just looking, Anabel smiled brightly and stood up. She started applauding as she did, Zoey joined a few seconds after, the workers were still confused but they joined too, one after another till the room echoed from the sound of their claps.

"Thank you all..." Anabel said as she finally signaled them to stop

"Thank you all, for every idea shared, every opportunity seized, every minute spent, I say thank you to you all," Anabel said and then took a brief pause, probably for the gratitude to sink in.

"It's your dedication, efforts, and hard work that contribute to the success we had today. Most of you invested extra hours just to see this through. I may not say this enough but you all are my inspiration. Thanks once again for a job well done" Anabel concluded and applauded them again, they wanted to join her but she told them not to, they deserve it and more.

As Anabel applauded them, their faces brimmed with smiles and happiness. It's been a long since they were able to work this hard and it felt really good being a part of a good cause. Anabel is a good and nice boss, although strict at times but an intelligent one. She thought she was helping them by doing their works but they have proved her wrong with their hard work, even in her absence.

Anabel dismissed them shortly afterward while she and Zoey went back into her office and continued with their work. The first thing she sorted was the recommendation letters as she didn't want to keep the chefs waiting any longer. After going through the letters, she signed and Zoey sent them immediately. As usually practiced, all the contesting chefs, winner or not, get something from participating. While the winner gets a paid internship, others get recommended to other prestigious kitchens, schools, or places. The letter gives them an edge over other contenders seeking placement in the same places.

Zoey and Anabel went through her schedule for the next day, she added some changes and they were set to leave when Zoey was informed that there would be a celebratory dinner at the restaurant. Anabel had hoped to celebrate with Terry and Ethan that evening as she knew Terry would have also made plans but she couldn't leave her employees who came through for her. She placed a call through to Terry, telling him she would be an hour late. Terry was understanding and even convinced her the more to stay as dining with her workers is a motivation on its own.

Anabel was expecting a small round table of just a cake and a few drinks but when she stepped into the dining area, she was shocked at the display of great delicacies. The chefs really went out of their way for the dinner, there was so much to go around everyone. The joy on everyone's faces, the cheers, clanking of plates, enormous cakes, made it all emotional for Anabel. What did she ever do to deserve such love and commitment from all these people? She fought back the tears that were now welled up in her eyes as she was ushered to a seat by one of the chefs.

"This is not a dinner but a banquet." She exclaimed as she made a toast...