Delivery Troubles
As I wait for Newton's arrival, I decide to make sandwiches and lemonade for the other chefs. It's a small gesture, but I know how demanding and exhausting kitchen work can be, especially during busy times like these. As they enjoy their brief respite, I watch with a mix of amusement and pride as they eagerly create TikTok videos showcasing the high-quality kitchen they're privileged to work in. One of them even decides to film for YouTube, capturing the behind-the-scenes action and camaraderie that defines our team.
Feeling a rising sense of anxiety, I step outside again, scanning the street for any sign of the delivery truck. The familiar hum of city life surrounds me, but there's no sign of Newton or his trucks. Frustration gnaws at me as I return inside, the weight of the looming deadline pressing down on my shoulders. With less than two hours until opening time, the absence of the delivery will be a critical blow to our preparations. I resume pacing, my mind racing with contingency plans and possible explanations for the delay.
I stormed into my office and violently jabbed at the keypad of the phone. Ring. Ring. Ring. ""Hi this is Taylor Newton, of Newton Hospitality, leave a message and number where you can be reached and I'll return your call.""
"Mr. Newton, this is Travis Lombardi, I'm waiting on my delivery and you guys are late, you're putting me in an impossible situation. Please be aware that this is my only warning, I'm putting you on notice. If I don't see your truck here within the hour you can forget about any future orders." I slammed the receiver down, frustration boiling inside me. The nerve of Newton to be so late, especially on such a crucial day. My irritation only grew as I realized the impact this delay could have on our operations.
As Lollipop and Travis arrived, I could feel the tension in the air thickening. They were ready to work, but I knew deep down that our situation was dire. All I could do was have them instruct the chefs to prep what little we still had available, knowing that most of our prep was needed for the fresh ingredients that had yet to arrive. It was a frustrating and helpless feeling, watching the clock tick away as our opening hour drew closer and closer, with no sign of our essential delivery in sight.
I heard some commotion from outside, so I poked my head out the back door, only to see my order piled up haphazardly in the alley. The unsigned invoice was flapping away into a mud puddle, and Newton's van was careening down the street, screeching to a halt at the end of the block. My heart sank as frustration and anger boiled within me. This was completely unacceptable.
With a sense of urgency gnawing at me, I hefted a crate of fish, the weight pressing down on my shoulders, and rushed back inside the bustling kitchen. Calling out to the other chefs, I beckoned them to come help me move the boxes out of the stifling weather. Their hands quickly joined mine, and together, we maneuvered the crates to a cooler spot, away from the relentless rays of the sun.
As I leaned over to pick up another box, beads of sweat trickling down my forehead, my cap slipped off, landing with a soft thud on the concrete floor. Instinctively, I whipped my head around to retrieve it, but a movement at the end of the alley briefly caught my attention. A fleeting shadow darted across the alleyway, stirring a sense of unease within me.
Before I could dwell on it further, the sudden screech of tires jerked my focus back to the present as a car careened down the street, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched helplessly, the unsigned invoice flapping away into a muddy puddle.
Gritting my teeth, I shook off the brief moment of distraction and refocused on the task at hand. With determination fueling my movements, I continued to ferry the remaining boxes inside, my mind racing with questions about the mysterious figure I glimpsed in the alley.
"Who does that? I mean really," Mario's voice rang out, filled with disbelief, as I recounted the events of this afternoon's botched delivery.
"I left him a message, but he's definitely going to be hearing about it from me in the morning, and if I don't get some answers, I'll...I'll," I paused, frustration bubbling beneath the surface, "I don't know what I'll do, but no one fucks with me and gets away with it."
"You tell him Alex. Though you may want to know exactly what you'll do before you go on the warpath," Mario's steady presence and sage advice helped to take some of the heat out of my tirade. His words of caution nudged me to consider my next steps more carefully, prompting me to relax the tension that had crept into my forehead.
As I swung the door open, all traces of annoyance dissipated in an instant, replaced by a rush of relief and warmth at the sight of Jasper's charming smile. There he was, reclining on my bed with a soda in hand, engrossed in a classic Clint Eastwood movie playing on the TV.
His presence was like a balm to my frazzled nerves, a soothing reminder that amidst the chaos of the day, there was still solace to be found in the company of someone who cared.
Still, I couldn't shake off the frustration and anger that had been building up inside me ever since the botched delivery. Despite the success of the restaurant's opening and the overwhelming support I had received from everyone around me, Newtons careless actions had managed to throw a wrench into the smooth machinery of my life. It was infuriating to think that one person's incompetence could have such a ripple effect on everything I had worked so hard to achieve.
"Hey there beautiful," Jasper crooned softly. I snorted in response, feeling far from beautiful in my disheveled state. I hadn't even looked in a mirror yet, but I knew I was a mess. I yanked the mask from my face and pulled the sweaty bandana away from my brow with a grimace.
"I think we need to get your eyes checked," I mumbled, trying to lighten the mood as I peeled off my chef's coat and tossed it into the laundry closet.
"I can see just fine thank you, what's got you in such a mood?" Jasper asked, concern evident in his voice.
As I sat in front of Jasper on the floor, I unloaded the frustration and annoyance that had been building up inside me all evening. I recounted the events of the afternoon, detailing how Newton's delivery had arrived three hours late, leaving us scrambling to make up for lost time. I described the chaos in the kitchen as we played catch up, trying to get back on schedule while still delivering top-notch dishes to our customers.
"Service time suffered, and that always gets to me even if it wasn't by much time," I admitted, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "I hate feeling like we're letting our customers down, even if they're understanding about it. Lollipop did his best to smooth things over with the guests, explaining our belief in a European dining schedule to justify the extended wait. It was kind of genius, but still, I can't help but feel like we could have done better."
Jasper listened attentively, his comforting presence helping to ease some of my pent-up frustration. "It sounds like you had a rough night," he sympathized, reaching out to squeeze my shoulder reassuringly. "But from what you're saying, it sounds like despite the setbacks, the overall experience for the customers was just fine. You're just being a perfectionist again."
"Late by three hours Jasper!" I reiterated.
"Sounds like this Newton guy is an unprofessional jerk," Jasper soothed, his fingers working their magic to ease away the tension in my shoulders. I let out a contented sigh and closed my eyes, reveling in the sensation of his touch.
"Yeah, he definitely rubbed me the wrong way," I replied, feeling the stress of the evening start to melt away under Jasper's skilled hands massaging my shoulders. "But I'll deal with him tomorrow. Right now, I just want to relax."
Jasper's gentle kisses on my face made me smile, even with my eyes closed. His affectionate gestures warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for his presence. "Thanks, Jasper," I whispered softly, savoring the tender moment between us.
"You are most welcome, sugar," Jasper replied, his voice warm and reassuring. His affectionate nickname for me brought a smile to my lips, and I leaned into his touch as he placed another soft kiss on my lips.
Feeling utterly relaxed and content, I sleepily crawled into bed and nestled into my pillow. Jasper lovingly drew up the sheet and thin blanket, tucking me in with care and showering me with gentle kisses on my lips. His affectionate gestures filled me with a sense of warmth and security as I drifted off to sleep.
In the haze of drowsiness, I managed to murmur a soft "Good job today" to Jasper before succumbing to the peaceful embrace of slumber. With his comforting presence by my side, I drifted into a restful sleep.