TAMING MY BEAUTIFUL WITCH DOLL (TAGLISH)

chapter 3

GWENDOLYN POV

I went back to the kitchen as soon as Wenna and I finished our meal. I smiled as I looked at the file up orders mostly Filipino and Italian dishes, as a chef it was a big accomplishment on my part, the more orders I have to cook means more customers are satisfied and happy with our services.

So, I wasted no time, as I ordered my staff to cut this and that, while I hurriedly started cooking every dish ordered.

Well, cooking is my passion and every time I cook, I always have this creative side of me and the intentions of making people satisfied with every meal they eat and with happiness. So I labor and pour our love in every dish I cooked, simple or fabulous.

After hours of cooking, I felt a little tired and exhausted, I told Rita to ready the turn overs when Cherry went in and announce that I was needed on the CEO office.

I raised my brows and wonder for a second why I am needed there, I can't help to feel nervous, may nagawa ba akong palpak? Oh my or maybe someone was not happy with my cooking? Wag naman sana. Or maybe one of my staff has attitude problem, wika ng isip ko pero nah! Kung meron man attitude problem ako iyon, halos kinakabahan na ako..sa dami ng iniisip ko tuloy but I have a hunch that it is more than that for if problems arises, our manager will dealed with it, ipapatawag lang ako sa Manager Office at hindi sa may CEO office, kasi it will never be CEO's concern na direktahan kaming sabihan, that why we have superiors.

I let out a deep and long sigh, kaya napatingin tuloy si Dylan sa akin, she held me in my hands as if she knows what's running on my mind.

"Relax chef, wala kang ginawa mali, you perfectly cook all the orders, actually almost all the customers are praising you as they paid their meals, they said they would recommend our restaurant to their friends," she told me trying to make me feel better. I smiled at her.

"Kinakabahan lang ako talaga, si Mr CEO na iyon eh," wala sa sarili kong wika na ikinatawa ng mga staff ko.

Olive shakes her head from left to right and let out a soft laugh making all our head turns to her, I looked at her confusingly.

"Why are you laughing?" I asked irritably. "Kinakabahan na nga ang tao." Tumawa lalo ito. "I am serious, Olive! Baka gusto mo ilagay kita sa kawali at i-transform para maging oil! Can you see I am suppressing all my worries? CEO wouldn't call me if there's no issues, ano ba kasi ang ginawa niyo? May mga VIPs, customers or guests ba na nag-complain about our foods and our service, paki-inform naman ako if that was the case! Tatawatawa ka diyan, Olivia! Oh well this is the end of my career!"

"You're so funny!" Olive said laughing even more. "You're so cute, Chef! Relax, everyone knows how excellent you are in the kitchen, I assured you that it's nothing like that, don't think negatively, who knows maybe the CEO has some good news for you that he can't reveal openly that why he summons you to his office."

"Sure ka?"parang bata kong sabi.

"Oo naman," wika ni Olive saka ngumiti sa akin.

"I hope your instinct is right!" I told Olive.

"Nonetheless, I will go now, so take charge Rita."

"Yes, chef," mabilis na wika ni Rita.

I hurriedly went to a dressing room at the far end, next to pantry, I cursed as I rapidly removed my chef suit and put on my dress.

I checked my appearance as my eyes roam and inspect thoroughly my whole reflection at the large mirror, I feel contented and grin as I pick up my bag.

I held my chin up high and said my goodbyes to everyone.

"Good luck, chef," Rita told me.

"Yes, good luck to me," I said in a merry voice, trying to sound joyful and hopeful but who am I fooling for I know deep inside I am not.

I immediately hailed a taxi as I went out of PH building, my mind was in total chaos, though my heart is beating naturally. Did I do something wrong? I asked myself. The thought of CEO firing me makes my body went cold.

Kuya Owen won't do that? A small voice inside my head told me, yes. Mr. Nicolas Owen Decini, our CEO, my higher superior, my boss, and at the same time is also my friend, I called him Kuya Owen when we are not in the office. Actually, I owe him a lot. He was also my benefactor and my mentor, maybe in a way I was feeling scared not of him firing me but of him being disappointed.

I told myself that I have nothing to worry about. Olive was right, I am just overthinking with the situation. But the thought of losing my job makes me sweat small bullets and nervous as hell.

Relax Negra! He's a good man, a reasonable one, he won't fire you so ready yourself for arguments.

I went out of the cab as quick as lightning, then I went to the elevator area and wait for the next lift, I look at the red square box and I saw that the elevator is still on F24, I try to calm myself..

Inhale... exhale... Inhale... I repeated it several times.

I let out a relieved breath when the elevator went down and tried to compost my head.

I was shocked suddenly when the elevator opens and I saw three familiar faces, Kuya Austin and Howell, I knitted my brows as I averted my gaze at them, looks like Howell and Kuya Austin are both surprised to see me but not my boss. I stepped backward to let them out of the elevator.

They attempted to talk to me but my attention was diverted to the man behind them, my heart beats fast as I saw Kuya Owen.

"You’re late! I've been waiting for hours," he said as soon as he stepped out of the elevator.

My face went red. "Good evening, Sir," I said in a formal voice because I am inside the corporate building and I know I should address Kuya Owen formally. "My apologies for keep you waiting, kakatapos ko lang po mag-turnover, I went here as soon as I could sorry if my effort failed."

Kuya Owen looked at me with knitted brows and held my hand then dragged me to the lobby. "Apologies accepted," he said and faced Kuya Austin, who has an amused look. "I’ll keep you updated."

"I will hold on to that" Kuya Austin said and smile at me wickedly "Good evening Gwen."

I was about to reply good evening to Kuya Austin, but before I utter those words, Kuya Owen dragged me away from them, making me irritated, I.wonder why he is so impatient today

"Come on, I'm starving," Kuya Owen told me as if reading my mind "and we need to discuss something."

"Okay, sir," I said flatly.

We walked to the cafe, my face went red as I notice some employees are staring at us weirdly. It's already evening but it's not so late so there are still employees working inside the building. Then my eyes went big as I realize that Kuya Owen is holding my hand.

"Kuya naman, let my hand go. Pinagtitignan na tayo ng mga tao," I said in a low voice just enough for him to hear.

"So malicious!" he exclaimed, he released my hand then give me a harsh stare, I feel uneasy knowing he is somewhat angry.

"Sorry I just feel uncomfortable " I admitted honestly, but Kuya Owen just ushered me at far end table.

"Gwendolyn let me make it care, you are like a sister to me so don't feel uncomfortable whenever I hold your hand, unless someone will get angry" he told me in a calm voice as we deposited ourselves, there is a hint of anger in his voice, gosh I feel like a fish fried over a medium heat.

"I know, Kuya and I'm sorry" I said apologetically and look down, I feel guilty for a moment for making him irritated or annoyed.

Luckily, a very petite but pretty lady went to our side and smiled at us "Good evening sir! Good evening Chef Gwen! May I take your order?"

I smile at the lady. "You know me?"

"Yes, I know you, Chef. Just like everyone knows you here. How can we not know you? You were the most pretty and talented chef of Princess Hera."

Kuya Owen smiled at the lady why I became speechless for a moment.

"Amy stopped praising Chef Gwen, you're making her uncomfortable," he told the lady.

"Oh sorry, I just can't hide my feelings."

"Amy! Amy!" Kuya Owen got her attention. "Now, give me Angus steak, carbonara, then meatballs, peach and blueberry crumbles for Chef Gwen."

"just a moment sir. Chef" Amy inform us then left. I can hear her giggling as she went to the kitchen

My mouth open and close again as I suddenly realized what Kuya Owen had ordered, damn! How did he know those are my favorite!

"Someone told me" he said as f he was reading my mind, then he winked at me playfully, for the moment I wanted to break his neck for making me uncomfortable again.

"Really?" I knitted my brows and look at him accusingly. "And may I know who's that someone?"

"I prefer not to tell you," he said grinning, looks like he is making fun out of me, so I glare at him.

"Let me remind you, Kuya Owen, only a few people know my favorite foods and that few people don't include you," I told him in a thick voice. "Now tell me who told you and please don't keep me in the dark. You're my friend, remember!"

"Negra let me remind you too, I'm your boss! even though technically I'm your friend so when I said I prefer not to tell you. Don't push it, learn to follow orders and try to keep your mouth closed."

"And if I won't?" I said trying to annoy him.

"I will fire you this instant or I will send you to Spain, you choose" he told me on a cold voice, his face is dark

"You're being unreasonable!" I exclaimed not caring if he will fire me but he remained unaffected "So this is why you need my presence here? You're gonna fire me?!"

"Unreasonable? You know me Negra! I don't fire people unreasonably" he said and cast me a irritated look.

"Sorry but you just say you will fire me," I said shyly.

"Gwendolyn, hear me first before you utter something, you know the problem with you, you always think the worst of other people, where is the Gwendolyn I know? You always think little yourself and that negativity of yours will put you soon in an uncompromising situation."

"What are you talking about? I hadn't changed a bit. I am still me."

"No Negra, you have changed."

"I need to be careful" I admitted and look at him "Sorry, Kuya but we are inside this building, and here you're my boss and my direct superior. I am only doing what a rank and file employee should act."

"So, you recognize that I'm your boss and superior? Fantastic," he said mimicking me.

I rolled my eyes and glare at him "of course, haven't I just said that."

Kuya Owen let out a soft laugh "that's better, anyway I have an assignment for you."

"You’re not firing me?" I said in a relief voice.

"Nope, why should I?" he said smiling.

"You are the most amazing person and famous chef I happen to have in my company."

"Oh great, I feel relieved, now care to tell me,"

"I will tell you later, now eat up, you’re getting pale and thin," he remarks and shake his head.

I wanted to force the subject, but our food suddenly arrived. Kuya Owen and I eat in silence. Once in a while I would glance at his direction and he would smile at me. I ate my food smoothly as if trying to savor every bite.

I let out a sigh as I anticipate, damn an assignment?

Then after we eat our food, Kuya Owen smiled at me and says. "I want you to go to Hotel Isabelle. I know its too much to ask for but Austin needs us, needs you. And it's an order Gwendolyn," he said with authority.

I became speechless for a moment. I can't help but to wonder what’s the reason why Kuya Owen wants me to go there? Can I live up to his expectations?

Well New York is just a place but me is still me so without any doubts and hesitations. I gladly said yes.

"Packed your things. Austin will take you there this Friday," he added with a grin, and something told me that I cannot bent his decision.

CREEDO POV

I was on my way to fetch my friend Milo, when I saw a very beautiful lady walking on the side walk, she was smiling as she moves her hips and shakes her head a little, from my observation she was listening to a very upbeat music.

It's the first time, someone caught my eyes for years, I never found myself ogling at a girl I just saw.

She was wearing a sexy dress, not too sexy but it complemented her curves. And her legs! Those are perfect, long sexy slender legs. I wonder what would I felt if those legs are hugging my waist.

I curse and remind myself that I shouldn't think inappropriate of her. I really wanted to know her, so I walked to her and promise to introduce myself but when I was about to go near her, she halted her steps and wave at someone. My eyes are glued to her and I smiled boastfully as I recognize the girl who is walking towards her.

Claire... The little sister of Nero and the real sister of my master's wife friend Wennalyn.

I halted in dismay when they walked briskly and vanished from my sight. My disappointment increased much more when I saw Milo walking toward me.

"Are you okey," Milo asked me and instruct me to follow him.

We walk further then entered a restaurant, I let out a disappointed sigh and shook my head irritably reminding myself that next time I should be aggressive, I might know the girl's name if I hadn't hesitated.

But I was left dumbfounded when Milo dragged me to a table, I saw Claire and the girl I unintentionally ogling earlier, they're sitted comfortably at table at far end.

"Hi, Kuya Howell, Kuya Creedo," Claire said sweetly as she waved at us. Okay lang po ba na maistorbo ko po kayo pansamantala."

I slightly nod at Claire, though I can't fully comprehend what she was saying.

I just hear voices as I stare at the beautiful lady who is also looking me shyly.

Damn she beautiful even more up close.

"It won't take long," Claire assured us, then she introduced me to the girl sitting next to her. "Forgive my ill manner, December. This is my dear friend, Kuya Howell and Kuya Creedo."

"Rogoff, Creedo," I corrected her gaining a little giggle from her.

"Sorry po, hmmm… Mga Kuya, this is December, she's my distant cousin, from mother side," Claire smile and then she talked to Milo.

I smile widely as I look at the girl I fantasized a while ago, she seem shy.

My body lost tract of their conversation, as my heart beats loudly as I glance at December, she talks sweetly and softly as she answers my friend inquiries.

I was lost in a moment as our eyes locked from time to time. It seems that I have been transported to a magical world where butterflies spread their wings widely and beautifully.

I was only back in reality when Milo tapped my shoulder, I could see a teasing smile on his face.

"So, see you around," I heard December said and stand up from her seat.

"Call me if you want anything, Kuya," Claire said and smile at me. "Bye, Kuya Credo.”

When the two girls left, Milo let out a devilish laugh as he shakes his head. "I think you been whipped my dear friend."

I raked my hair in disbelief. And let out a long sigh.

What happened earlier is out of my control, I can't fully comprehend why I can't take my eyes on her.

December what a fitting name to a very beautiful lady... I wish I can see you again...