Chapter 14. Pass the Test

Sandra leads Jared to her working station. She did not waste any time once they reached along the pile of supplies because she wanted to know how sure the man was in his talent. "okay. Let's start. Cook a dish and all of us will be the judge. If you fail, i won't let you in"

Monica wanted to intervene, but where she was standing was where Sandra had the most control at the moment, and observing Jared's confident expression, she chose to remain silent and observe from the sidelines. The rest of the kitchen staff is on the other side, watching to see how the newcomer will please them.

Jared was looking throughout the ingredients in front of him and on the other counter to decide what he would prepare. As soon as the recipe came to mind, he rolled up his sleeve to his elbow and said, "Sure" to Sandra, who was standing opposite from him on the other side of the counter.

He went into the fridge, and all kinds of meat greeted him. He grabbed the only meat he needed and set it on the counter. He chopped the thighs and returned the rest of the meat because the thighs, combined with the blackberry and orange, are all he needed for the sauce.

While he was busy swiftly moving from one pan to another, everyone in the kitchen was amazed by how Jared moved with ease. He moved with manners and calmness though his hands are busy doing the multi cooking, but his face depicts easiness and swift.

After roasting the duck, he used the leftover duck fat to roast the root vegetables. The fruits he picked are made to be the bright blackberry-citrus sauce.

Everyone present in the kitchen gulped as soon as they smelled the aromatic scent that filled the entire kitchen.

After the cooking, he plated the dish and served in front of them.

"Roast Duck with Blackberry-Orange Sauce. Have a taste"

Sandra was the first one to taste. She picked a small amount of meat and glide it to the sauce then went inside her mouth. The savour dish dance inside her mouth. The rich flavor of roasted duck complements the blackberry-citrus sauce.

"Woah! This is so good!"

"What a divine"

"My goodness. This is so good i can't stop!"

"Delicious!"

The other staff also tasted the dish and couldn't help but salivate more. They wanted to eat more but the dish was only made with one plate. They compliment the dish one mouth after another.

"Are you up for hectic kitchen work? This is a battlefield and time is luxury. The guests are not just ordinary, there are foreigners coming and i don't want to be dissapointed. Can you do it?"

Sandra wanted to make sure that the guests will be satisfied and leave without any complaints. The head chef is in the hospital and the work was put on her shoulder. She didn't want to fail.

Jared stared at the person in front of him and smile. "I want to see the list of dishes that will be served. If i can make them, will you trust me?"

Sandra contemplated for a moment but she eventually passed the list to Jared. His lips curved up as he looked at the list that was in his hand and looked at Sandra.

"I won't dissapoint you"

After a few moments, he began to work and replicate the dishes on the list. While he was working, Sandra walked and stand beside Monica and whispered, "what did he do? I mean, what was his work?"

Monica, who was in dazed managed to answer her friend, "all-around boy, mostly waiter on our previous job"

Sandra's eyes widen in surprised and could not help but exclaimed in a lower tone. "What?! Are you sure he's an all-around guy and not a chef?"

Monica nodded without cutting an eye on Jared. "Why?". Sandra shook her head and respond to her question, "i would've believe you if he is a chef. The dish he cooked are perfect. His knifeworks is controlled and precise, plus his sense of smell is strong. Everything he is doing is exactly like those of a skilled chef"

Monica was stunned. She knew that Jared sometimes help the cook, but hearing the positive praises from Sandra, she couldn't help but admire Jared. If her friend said is true, his talent is a waste for not doing anything. He should be a chef and not an all-around boy, but she also knew the situation he's in and it's not good. She followed Jared before and saw him enter an old  apartment and he even have a job at night in a store.

She wanted to help him by lending him money or help, but she was afraid that Jared would think that she was meddling in his business so she refrain herself from fear of being hated by him.

"If the dinner will succeed, can you hire him?"

Sandra immediately shook her head with a sad face. She took a deep breath and stared at Jared. "As much as i would love to, but we have enough staff in here, and the head chef wouldn't like that. He didn't like outsiders enter his place. We were keeping a secret from him and that is the reason why i agreed for your help"

Seeing Jared's skill, Sandra would openly welcome him, but the circumstances wouldn't let her. The head chef is arrogant and self-centered. Hiring someone as good as Jared, she knew that the head chef will criticized his every move.

Both of them are at loss. With Jared's talent, many restaurants will hire him openly.

'clack!'

The sound of the plate woke them from dazed. The dishes were lined up in front of them.

"Woah! This is so good!"

"I can't get enough of this taste"

This is fantastic!"

Sandra tasted every dishes served in front of them. With the satisfied nod, she puts down her fork and extend her hand with a smiling face.

"Let's work hard"

Jared's lips curved up then took her hand for a shake. "Likewise"

After conversing and preparing for tomorrow's work, Jared and Monica went out. It was already 4 p.m and the sky painted with orange with the touch of pink.

"Thank you for hearing my request" Monica stated, standing beside Jared while staring at the passing cars.

"It's fine. I don't have anything to do anyway. Should i take you home? Though i don't know where you live".

She momentarily stiffens, shaking her head. "N-no. I will take the taxi"

It didn't bother Jared at all and bid farewell. He decided to go back to his apartment for the night while Monica went straight home. Upon opening the door, she was greeted by the figure she always ignored.

The middle-age man lifted his head towards Monica. "Where have you been? Did you went out job-hunting again?" The man firmly said with his voice filled with coldness as he stared at her.

"No, dad. I went out to help Sandra for tomorrow"

"Why don't you help your brother and sister with other business instead of doing miscellaneous jobs"

She rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. "If you wanted me to get married to that guy, at least give me some freedom for myself"

She walked towards the stairs, not minding the sharp gaze from behind her. Her father didn't speak either. She went inside her room and slumped her back on the soft mattress while thinking about Jared.

Her face flushed with pinkish color and her heart never stopped beating fast

That night, Monica slept soundly with a smile.

~~~

MONICA

'tit!' 'tit!' 'tit---'

'blag!'

"Hmm"

I opened my eyes and the morning light from the outside window welcomes me. I adjusted my sleepy vision while rubbing my eyes.

'Tok! Tok!'

The knocking on my door was followed by the sound of a gentle voice from outside my bedroom. "Honey, get up now. The sun is already out"

"I'm up!" I shouted back at my mother.

"Okay. Hurry up, the breakfast is already prepared"

"Yes mom!"

I dragged myself to the bathroom, splashed my face with water and brushed my teeth before going out. I walked inside the dining area and my family already started eating.

I sat down and started eating while my family was discussing business. My brother was helping my dad manage the bank, while my sister is a baker and has her own Cafe. My older sister was recently married while my brother was getting engaged next month.

"Minerva, why don't you take your sister and have her work in your place while she's free" mom suggested and sister immediately looked at me.

"Fine by me, but i don't want to force her to work if she doesn't want to"

'sigh!'

There they go again. Working in the Cafe---

"You can't force her---"

Before my sister could finish her words, i quickly interrupted her. "No! I will try!"

Surprises were written all over their faces, wondering what was wrong with me but i don't care. If i could work with him, i would gladly take my family's offer

'maybe this way i could help him'