DANGEROUS AFFAIR

Taking Up Contracts

It's been a week since the last 'Cook with Bel' contest. The new interns are settled in, the numbers online are great and the show's fanbase keeps growing. Anabel and her workers have been busy planning the next contest episode. Ever since, she took her husband, Terry's idea of delegating tasks, things have been a lot easier for her. Her employees are happy and more motivated to work while Anabel and Zoey get to focus on other stuff. Unlike before, when they were burdened with everyone's work. Now, they do more of supervising, Zoey does more of the supervising anyway and then reports to Anabel. The restaurant is progressing as well, Chef Brandon is doing his work more than ever, customers are happy and impressed, business is booming...

Before Anabel's appearance on Donald's food talk show, she and Zoey have been looking into ways to expand the company and reach more people. They have been stuck with no answer each time, they keep revisiting but each meeting ends in futility.

Anabel had gone home early yesterday to spend time with Terry, Ethan has a sleepover with one of his friends, Luke, and what better time to be cozy around the house with no fear their son would walk in or disturb? Luke's mom would be picking both her son and Ethan from school and Ethan won't be back until later in the next day. So, technically, Anabel and Terry had the day to themselves. Anabel wouldn't have even gone to work at all but there were urgent things that required her attention. She promised to make it up to Terry by coming back home very early...

By the time Anabel got home, Terry had made huge and romantic motions, the table was set and enticing. The bedroom was even more tempting, Terry had done so much work, the room looked like one from a five-star hotel. Well, even before this dinner, their room decor is top-notch. Terry hired one of the best interior decors in town. But what Anabel saw before her looked even nicer, she had to ask if he did it or hired someone to help. Terry intelligently avoided the question, he made no comments whatsoever. After asking one more time with no reaction from Terry but smiles, Anabel had no choice but to drop the question. 'There's no point ruining the evening because of a question that didn't matter. What if he didn't do it himself? It's the thought that matters. And if he did, all good.' Anabel thought to herself.

The evening went well, the dinner, the slow intense dance, talking and the s*x — mindblowing... They were about to retire to bed when Zoey's call came in. Terry didn't want her to answer but Anabel wouldn't agree, she politely excused herself and promised not to take long.

"I got it!!! Yes, Anabel, we got it!!!" Zoey yelled over the phone, Anabel had to quickly remove the phone from her ear to a safe distance as Zoey was so loud.

"Okay, I don't know what it is but I can tell from your voice that's it huge" Anabel replied when Zoey finally calmed down.

"Sorry, I was so excited. I know how we can expand and reach more audience. I got the perfect plan this evening as I was leaving the office. Zoey clarified

"Trust me, you are going to love it" she quickly added.

"I trust you and I love it already. So tell me, what is this plan of yours about?" Anabel affirmed, eager to know about the plan that got her assistant so excited.

"I can't tell you on phone, I will give you the full picture at work tomorrow" Zoey replied, the excitement was still evident in her voice.

"Alright then. I can't wait. I'm so proud of you, Zoey" Anabel commended her.

"Thanks. Tomorrow it is then. Sorry, I disturbed your evening. Enjoy the rest of the night" Zoey replied, with a little taunt. She knew about the romantic evening getaway.

"Yeah, you sure did. You too dear" Anabel replied and laughed before ending the call.

Terry asked what the call was about when Anabel got back in the room since she didn't know what exactly to, Anabel reminded him the evening was not about work, Terry agreed and they got back to their romance...

Anabel got up very early the next morning, she had decided not to bother Terry, Ethan wasn't around so Terry should have the day off as well. She got up quietly from the bed, opened the door carefully, and went to the living room silently — she did all that just so she wouldn't wake Terry...

Imagine the shock, when she saw Terry in the kitchen making her breakfast. She was so scared, she almost ran back into the room as she thought it was an intruder. 'But my husband is in the room' she had thought within herself as she looked back several times confused.

"Morning babe" Terry greeted as he flipped the egg and out off the light. He then went over to Anabel and kissed her.

"Are you all right? You look as if you have seen a ghost" Terry asked when he saw the look on her face and it wasn't one of someone who just had a great night.

"Oh no. I'm sorry, I'm just confused, I thought I left you in the room" Anabel replied still a little shaken.

"Really? I got up half an hour ago. I didn't want to wake you so I was quite as much as I could" Terry clarified and kissed her again, she was more receptive this time.

"Funny, isn't it? I didn't want to wake you too." Anabel said.

"That's so sweet," Terry said as he starts to serve Anabel's breakfast.

"But I was so terrified" Anabel replied

"You don't have to be. It's just me" Terry said, with a tray in hand as he placed it on the dinette table while Anabel took a seat.

"I miss Ethan," Anabel said slowly munching on the food.

"It hasn't even been twenty-four hours yet," Terry said as he served himself and joined Anabel at the table.

"You think so, feels like a decade already" Anable exclaimed.

Breakfast was short, Anabel left to prepare for work afterward. Terry had hoped they would be spending the day together but Anabel had other plans. She had hoped to at first but Zoey's call changed everything.

'I don't want you to leave' Terry had said when Anabel informed him she was going to work.

'Can't you guys do a video call or something? Stay with me please' He had pressed further.

When Terry saw she wouldn't stay, he agreed to let her go with a condition that she would stay for an hour more, Anabel gladly fulfilled the condition.

At the office, Anabel called Zoey straight to her office the minute she settled in.

"So tell me all about this your plan" Anabel asked Zoey even before he could close the door behind her.

"Before anything, how was romantic dinner?" Zoey asked as she took her seat. She knew Anabel couldn't wait to hear about the plan but being who she is, Zoey decided to stall a bit.

"Are you being serious right now? I want to know about the plan you told me about. Thanks for asking though, it was indeed romantic. Your turn now" Anabel quickly answered her. She knew Zoey was deliberately stalling but she wasn't in the mood for jokes.

"Okay so, you know how we have been trying to expand and all that but no plan clicked" Zoey replied, stalling further.

"Really..." Anabel sighed and gave her an intense look as her patience grew thin — if only looks could kill...

"How about we make Donald our partner?" Zoey finally revealed.

"Wait, what? Is that your plan?" Anabel exclaimed almost bursting into laughter.

"Hear me out first. People love you, Anabel, do you know how many new followers Donald's show got just because of you? A lot. Even Donald acknowledged it on his private page" Zoey explained further.

"Really, I didn't notice" Anabel replied, blushing.

"Now imagine we are partners" Zoey continued

"But what will the partnership be about? I'm sure he already has his long lists of guests for his show so what do I have to offer?" Anabel asked still wondering what Zoey was getting at.

"Are you not hearing me? What's a show without followers? Followers do not love boring shows but that is what happens when you keep feeding them the same thing all the time. Donald needs a new twist and that is where you come in, you offer him that twist and in return, you get more reach and audience for our show and restaurant. See?" Zoey explained in detail.

"Zoey, you a genius!!! How did you get this beautiful idea? What inspired you?" Anabel exclaimed. She finally got the full picture.

"The numbers did..." Zoey replied, smiling brightly.

"This is a brilliant idea one will have to put into action as soon as possible" Anabel commended further.

"Does that mean you have accepted it?" Zoey asked.

"Do I have a better idea? No. So yes, I accept it fully" Anabel replied

"Oh my God, I'm so happy right now" Zoey exclaimed as she always does whenever she brings something worthwhile to the table.

"I'm so happy too. What is this twist we are adding?" Anabel asked.

"You and the interns!!!" Zoey answered, throwing her boss into another round of confusion.

"How?" Anabel asked.

"We get two winners every month who ultimately become our interns. Donald's show airs every week, we only need a week in a month..." Zoey explained but Anabel interrupted her before she could finish.

"The two interns and I go on the show, but of me sharing my story, they share theirs." Anabel chipped in as her eyes brighten up.

"Exactly, and by doing this, we get more exposure, our followers will also follow Donald's show. And we also get more interested applicants cause, I mean, who doesn't want to be in the limelight? Also, more people will troop into our restaurant, they will want to know what the fuss is all about and that's good publicity." Zoey explained the full idea and they were both excited.

"I love you so much right now..." Anabel exclaimed as she appreciated Zoey for the wonderful idea.