DANGEROUS AFFAIR

EXTRA ATTENTION

"Alright, Zoey I think we are through here. Right? Or is there anything left to be sorted?" Anabel asked as she flinched and let out a soft breath.

"No, I don't think so. You can go now, we will take things from here" Zoey affirmed with her eyes fixed on the laptop before her.

"Are you sure? Probably we should go after it again" Anabel argued giving out a slight shrug as she doubts if her best was or would be enough.

"Anabel, it's fine, really. You can go, you have gone over it a thousand and one times. If there is any error, I'm sure you already saw and fixed it" Zoey insisted while jotting some things down from the screen on one of the files on the desk.

"Really? I just want..." Things were not looking as good as they had moments, days before and Anabel was about panicking. She lifted her mug and realized she had already downed the coffee. She then looked up to Zoey who quickly stepped in.

"I know, you want the best. But remember we are a team, you have been doing well leaving people to handle things. Give them a chance to really show you their strength today." Zoey muttered as she tossed her pen down and held Anabel's hands. Of course, the last few days have been intense, with everyone on their toes, working tirelessly to make the show a success but Anabel still felt like the show might not do well in her absence. She had never missed any of the previous ones, and that's the main reason why she is being overwhelmed. "Cook with bel" airs every two weeks, so that means they have thirteen days to prepare for each episode. And with the show's huge and growing reputation, Anabel believes every episode has to be better than the last one, meaning more work.

"Alright then. I trust you. And if there is an issue at all..." Anabel finally gives in briefly before sliding back to her worry.

"I will inform you right away" Zoey quickly replied before she does.

"Thank you, Zoey," Anabel said clenching her fists together in gratitude.

"You are always welcome"

"I'm leaving now" Anabel continued while she packed her things into getting a bag, ready to leave.

"I will see you off" Zoey offered as she picked up her things too.

"No, there is no need. You can continue here, I will check on Gab before leaving. He is here, right?" Anabel asked gently pushing Zoey back to stay

"Yes, he arrived not too long ago. I think he is with the chefs" Zoey answered as she sat back and continued her work.

"Alright," Anabel said and left. Before going to Gab, she briefly checked on her other workers, thanked them for their hard work, and also informed them she was leaving.

"Morning Gab," Anabel said Gab who was engrossed with the contesting chefs. The judges were not yet around, so instead of staying idle and getting bored, Gab took the chance to acquaint himself with the chefs instead.

"Good morning bel" Gab replied as he excused from the chefs and walked to Anabel who was standing at a safe distance from them. She probably didn't want to look like she was prying.

"Is everything in place and to your taste?" Anabel asked as she to the chefs and then mouthed some words to them, greeting them. The chefs also returned the gesture.

"Absolutely," Gab replied brimming with smiles.

"Come here, you didn't tell me the contestants are really good. This is going to be a really tough competition." Gab said as he gently pulled her farther from the chefs.

"Well, if you want the best, you have to get the best" Anabel replied, happy Gab was impressed.

"I love it though," Gab added as he looked in the direction of the chefs who were now clustered and talking.

"I'm glad you do. I just came to see you before I leave. Am I free to go or do you need my attention here?" Anabel clarified while quickly scanning the room, likely checking for any detail that has been omitted.

"Not at all. Will you still be coming back here before the end of the day?"

"I should if I finish early there" Anabel replied, as she adjusted her grip on her fancy handbag.

"Alright. See you soon then"

"Thank you so much Gab" Anabel muttered

"I love doing this, it's my pleasure" Gab mumbled, smiling again as they both turned and made their way back to the chefs. Anabel had a short talk with them and then left. The chefs look promising, with their eyes fixed on the prize. The winner gets a paid internship in 'bel cuisines', Anabel's restaurant, and that's a feat most student chefs crave for.

As Anabel drove off to the other tv show, her mind was fixated on her show. She kept praying that it would turn out nice. Terry's call came in shortly afterward, his reassuring words calmed her down a bit.

"Hello, Mr. Stone. Good morning and thanks for having me here" Anabel said as she extended her hands to Donald.

"Ohh please, call me Donald" Donald replied as he took her hands and kissed them instead.

"Are you sure that's fine, you know..." Anabel asked referring to his offer of dropping honoraries as it was a work environment and she didn't want to get off on the wrong note.

"Yes, it's fine, really. I like the people around me to be free as much as possible and we can't really be that free if you are being so polite. Can we?" Donald asked still holding her hand while gently stroking it with his thumb.

"Uhm... Sorry I couldn't come before now. Like I told you, my show 'cook with bel' is also today..."

"You don't have to remind me. Cook with bel has a huge following, I mean I love the show as well" Donald interrupted and finally lets go of her hand.

"Really? That's so good to hear" Anabel exclaimed. Like Gab, Donald is also a prominent chef, his show has been a huge success. When Zoey informed her of the invite, Anabel was greatly joyed but later when she realized it was on the same day with hers, she had to decline. The same thing happened the second time, but she couldn't decline the third time as it would look bad.

"Of course, the owner is an extremely attractive woman, who wouldn't adore her, I mean her show" Donald replied and they both smiled

"It's fine. Thanks for the love. So can we go through the schedule?" Anabel added, subtly changing the topic.

"Of course, this way please" Donald answered as he led her into the auditorium.

"Where are the others? Your employees, I mean" Anabel asked, wondering where no one was there.

"I'm sure they are busy with logistics"

"Everyone?" Anabel mumbled

"Uhm... Shall we proceed?"

"Yes, please," Anabel replied smiling again.

"Okay, you know this is more of a reality talk show than cooking. You share your experience about food, journey, learning process, and whatever you feel like the public should know. Then our audience asks you questions afterward" Donald explained

"Are their questions controlled?"

"Not at all. They can ask you any question relating to what you shared and we don't control their question, it may be whatever or from any angle. However, you can choose not to answer. That's if you don't feel like sharing that part of you" Donald clarified.

"Okay, still about the audience. Are they your people from here?"

"Absolutely not, they are total strangers. They book a seat online and we choose at random. It's totally free though." Donald clarified further

"That's nice. Anything else I should know"

"That's basically all about the show. And trust me, you will enjoy it" Donald assured her.

"I know right. It's nice sharing one's story and especially getting an audience, I mean the ones who are ready to listen. That's why I like the idea that you are not paying people to be here. They want to be here, they want to listen and learn, that's really nice and satisfying." Anabel added excitedly.

"Thank you," Donald said while looking intensely into her eyes. Anabel got connected too, she didn't notice this erotic side of him before now. But now that she does, it steered something in her.

"When are we starting? I can see people are starting to arrive." Anabel quickly looked away.

"Very soon," Donald replied, he caught the spark in her eyes. He moved behind her and whispered some words into her eyes. Anabel did not even know when he moved behind her, it was when she felt his close breath that she quickly looked back, she saw his face inclining towards her neck. She quickly moved away and looked around to check if anyone was watching.

"Relax, they can't see you from out there" Donald assured her.

"You think so" Anabel replied, not convinced.

"No, I know so. People out there can not see you from in here, you only can see them. Isn't that beautiful?" Donald clarified.

"Yes, it certainly is but still, I..." Anabel was still not completely convinced.

"I understand you perfectly," Donald said, smiling as he pulled back from her.

The show was outstanding, Anabel had the best time of her life and the audience really loved her as well. It was not surprising as she has that effect on people. Even without making an effort, people just take a liking to her. She dealt with every question thrown at her and each answer ended with a cheer and applause from the audience. Anabel felt immense joy in her throughout and after the show. She was nervous at the beginning of the show, but when it started and she saw how loving and attentive they were to her, eager to hear her story and learn from her experience, she was overjoyed. After the show, Anabel thanked Donald greatly for giving her such an opportunity, Donald thanked her too for honoring the invitation. Anabel left on a good note but not without some extra flirtation from Donald. She didn't put up much resistance on her part as she didn't read much meaning into it, if anything, she enjoyed the extra attention she assumed Donald was like that with everyone around him and couldn't have meant it as well...