MR. STRANGER

"Is it gone?" Elvira mumbled loudly. Not moving her face. Her hands tightly grasped on his neck.

He was nervous yet holding her tightly. He gulped hard without moving his head, he rolled his eyes down at Elvira. The sun was gleaming on her skin, flourishing her beauty more. She again wore a light summer dress, a little revealing to add.

He inhaled her pure beauty through his eyes. After taking in enough, he replied, "Yes, it's gone." Keeping his eyes still on the beauty he was holding in his arms.

Elvira slowly yet scared looked down on his feet in the water. There was no sign of any fish. She was still not satisfied. She didn't want to step into the water again.

Somehow the stranger holding her understood her instincts. He moved away from the water. Helping her down on the ground. She was really embarrassed to look him in the eyes.

On the other hand, he was enjoying the situation. No girl has dared to jump into his arms like that before. He isn't some player or womanizer. He is the ice king of the place he owns.

"I'm sorry," Elvira spoke, keeping her head low.

"What is your name?" The stranger asked, keeping his gaze glued to her.

"Elvira." She spoke without realizing then suddenly covered her mouth with her hand. Looking wide-eyed at the stranger who was smirking down at her.

"I gotta go." She murmured under her hands. Turning on her heels, she was about to leave when the stranger suddenly blocks her way.

"What's the rush?" He asked, flirtatiously. Even he was surprised at himself, acting this way. He has never talked to anyone like this before.

What is this girl? Making me want to know more about her.

"I'm sorry for any misunderstandings but I really have to leave now." She spoke facilely.

"Elvira, why are you so uptight? Relax, I'm not going to do anything." He stepped closer to her, adjusting the distance between them.

Her name crisped out his mouth lavishly. She was amazed by his looks and the way he was confident about them. She envied him at that moment. She knew she had great features but she had lost her confidence to live with them.

"My name is Shane. It was a pleasure to meet you." He said, extending his hand to her. She thought for a second before taking in his generous gesture.

"I'm sorry for jumping on you like that." Her freckles hide behind the redness on her cheeks. She got out of embarrassment.

"You can make up for it." He slightly bent down to her face, without leaving her hand.

"I can?" She looked bewildered at him.

"Yes. You can." He said, without blinking. That gave Elvira the wrong idea of what he was thinking. She jerked his hand away and stepped back.

"What kind of girl do you take me for?" She yelled. Making people close to them stare at them surprised. He was even more shocked by her sudden behavior.

She walked away quickly from there. Cursing him non-stop. She reached a nearby restaurant. What the hell was that? Jellyfish? Huh! Creep lier.

"What can we get you, Mam?" A waiter asked, handing her a menu.

She looked through not so carefully and ordered a bowl of cioppino. With a glass of strong wine. She forgot that she wasn't allowed to drink any alcohol during her job.

"Your order, Mam." The waiter came back with all the food and wine.

Elvira had a bolt of anger and pain all at once and to bury them she needed something strong in her veins. She had the food and gulped down the throat-burning wine in one sip.

"Oh god!" She stroked her head with her fist.

Then she left the restaurant to go back to the hotel with those impaired vision. She couldn't forget about the stranger who made her drink like that. She stumbled walked, doing weird things.

Suddenly bumping into someone, "You jerk!" She mumbled poking into his chest. They met again. Is this a coincidence or intentionally created a situation for them to meet again?

"You reek, woman." There was no smile on his face like earlier. Was he mad at her? Probably!

"Don't touch me," Elvira grumbled, fumbling on her feet.

"You'll fall if I let go," Shane replied, holding her arms. Did she cry? He scanned her puffy eyes, feeling guilty.

"Every man is an asshole. You are an asshole. He was an asshole too." Elvira kept lisping, trying to stand straight.

"Who is he?" Shane asked, curiously. What was she talking about? Did someone hurt her?

Without answering his question she blacked out. He sighed letting her lay on the ground. They were standing in front of the hotel. It was obvious she was staying there. As was him.

The next day she woke up on her bed with a thumping head. She groaned in pain without opening her eyes. Suddenly she bumped into the wall, realizing she wasn't at her apartment but at the hotel where she got a job.

Now she was wide awake looking at the time. She has only thirty minutes before presenting herself in the kitchen. Damn! She is going to be late.

She quickly washed up and took a bare shower. Putting on her uniform provided to her she rushed outside.

"This freaking elevator!" She kicked the metal door, without being aware that she wasn't wearing shoes but heels.

"Fuck it hurts!!" She kept cursing, rushing downstairs.

Thankfully, she made it on time. She still had five minutes left on her wristwatch. She opened the kitchen door and chaos-filled her ears.

Waiters and chefs were rushing here and there. Shouting orders. Taking out the trash and filling in the dishwasher. Was she really late?

"You must be Elvira?" A tall man with a slightly dark complexion asked. She nodded and he grasped her wrist, making way to the front parting between other people.

"Attention everyone!!" He clapped loudly, standing beside Elvira. Everyone stopped and glued their eyes on them.

"This is our new assistant head chef. Elvira Pearce. She will be in charge of group B chef." He shouted, without explaining to her first. Everyone carried on with their work again.

"It's your first day, so you being late is accepted. But from tomorrow onwards be in the kitchen an hour before the time. I'm Ned Mack. Head chef. There are two groups of chefs as the hotel is too big to be taken care of. I'm in charge of group A and you are in charge of group B, over there." He told her, pointing to the whole other side of the kitchen. It seemed to be more relaxed at that side.

But what she didn't know was they were the toughest to handle.