Roseline's Pov..
He didn't speak, he just stood there lost in space.
His spoon dropped from his hands to the floor causing everyone’s attention to be on us.
“How does it taste?” I asked after a breath passed and he still hadn’t spoken.
No answer.
He shifted his focus from the dish to me and then back to the dish.
His facial expression was blank.
No words spoken, he just left.
One of the other organizers followed after him, but he didn't even bother to stop or slow down his pace.
He took long strides almost like he was running away from something. Or someone.
Was my cooking bad? Or had I done something wrong?
This was one of my best dishes back in culinary school.
I was sure of it.
I stood still clutching onto my apron.
I could feel everyone's gaze on me.
“With the audacity and boldness she exudes, her dish made the head chef speechless.”
“There must be some kind of record for this.” Another person replied, chuckling.
Their whispers were distant but I could hear them.
My throat became tight and dry.
The organizer who ran after Florian returned, and he locked eyes with me.
They had a puzzled expression on their faces almost like they expected me to have some kind of explanation for what just happened.
I didn’t, if anything I was more confused than he was.
He cleared his throat, “Feedback will be sent to your email, do well to check.”
Then he thanked us and dismissed us.
Well, I'd better start looking for other restaurants to apply to.
Because there was no way in hell I was going to get the job not after what just happened.
I was full of mixed emotions as I returned to Nina’s apartment.
“Hey, how did your interview go?” Nina spoke from the couch where she was all cuddled up with her boyfriend.
I wondered how she put up with him, his mere presence repulsed me.
We never saw eye to eye whenever he was around which was basically all the time.
He clung to Nina like the sleeve of her shirt.
“I might have to send in some applications to other restaurants, I don't think I would be getting the job,” I replied dryly.
“Oh, that sucks.”
Her boyfriend leaned into her ear, “I hope she finds one soon I miss f*****g you in different parts of the house without interruption.”
If that was a whisper he was damn bad at it, because I heard him clearly, which I was sure was his intention.
“Yeah, it does suck.”
“I really hope you find one soon.”
“Yeah me too.” I fixed my gaze on him as I spoke.
“For what it’s worth you do look sexy in those pants.”
“Thanks.”
I didn’t have any clothes since I couldn’t access my own apartment.
I had to borrow hers for the interview.
“Too bad even a nice dress like this couldn’t get me the job.” I chuckled lightly.
“Let’s look on the bright side, at least you aren’t working for a restaurant owned by some mysterious owner who has never shown his face online, to be honest it was kinda creepy.”
“No one knows the owner?”
“Yeah he hasn’t shown his face to the public before, the restaurant is his newest subsidiary to his company.”
“Wow, I didn't know that.”
“Who knows what he does to his workers behind closed doors?”
I let out a deep breath.
“Wait, you're being serious?”
I nodded.
“So you just applied for the job without proper research?”
I didn’t answer, I wasn’t sure if she was asking me a question or if she was stating facts because that was indeed what I did.
“You are joking right?”
“The job offer was good.”
“Roseline!”
“What?” I giggled.
“You are really one of a kind.”
“I know.” She aimed a throw pillow at me but missed.
I was glad to have Nina at least, she was the only friend I knew who wouldn’t judge me based on what I was going through.
I left her in the living room, I felt a bit lighter after our conversation and I was so ready to put the day behind me.
I got into her shower.
I hadn’t even had proper sleep in the past 24 hours and my body was tired as hell.
While I was in the shower I heard the room door open.
I didn’t bother looking as I thought it was Nina coming to grab a few things.
My heart stopped when I heard footsteps approaching in my direction.
I still had soap on my face with some of it covering my eyes.
“Nina?” I called out.
“Nina went to the grocery store to grab a few things she wouldn’t be back in at least the next 30 minutes,” Steve answered.
“What do you want, Steve?” He was still on the other end of the door.
The door was unlocked so I knew a twist of the handle and he would see me completely naked.
“I heard you love to have a good time, so I am here to help with that.”
“Go away Steve, Nina won’t appreciate this.”
“Nina this, Nina that.”
“I am honestly tired of having her, I would love a taste of something new.”
“Don’t come in here, I am warning you.”
I rinsed the soap from my face to see better.
I grabbed a towel quickly and wrapped it around my body.
Before I could reach for the door Steve flung it open.
He had a grin on his face.
“I told you not to come in.”
“Calm down this would be quick and Nina would never find out or suspect a thing trust me.”
“You are disgusting.” I spat.
I sidestepped him to pass, but he grabbed my arm and backed me to the wall.
“What are you doing?”
“You know fully well what I am about to do.”
“I would get you arrested, if you don’t leave me instantly.”
He didn’t heed my warning instead he grabbed me close.
I struggled to free myself from his grasp but he overpowered me.
“Can you believe I forgot my card?” Nina stumbled into the room.
“Thank God,” I muttered to myself, only God knows what would have happened.
“What’s going on?” Nina screamed when she saw us cornered in the bathroom.
I used the opportunity to push Steve off me.
I tightened my hold on my towel, “You should be asking your boyfriend.”
“Me? You came on to me.” Steve replied lazily.
“What?”
“Roseline?” Nina choked out with tears grossing her eyes.
“I am the one in a towel in the bathroom obviously I am the victim here.”
“Get out.” She screamed, fixing her gaze on me.
“I should get out? Really?”
“I don’t want to repeat myself, get out and pack your things.” She yelled louder causing me to flinch.