Page 20 of Sensuous

“Okay, everyone! Gather round!” Shane announces.

We all make our way over to where he’s standing near the section of the set where we had our interviews yesterday. Maria looks like she’s about to burst with excitement, which could be a good thing.

“Today will be meetings all day with each of you. We’ve written storylines for every contestant, and today you get to find out what they are!” Shane says with more enthusiasm than he usually shows.

Since I already know what my storyline is, I wonder if it’s necessary for me to stick around today at all. I want to get my hair cut before taping begins, and I might even spring for a manicure, even though I rarely get my nails done. This competition is a big deal, though, and that calls for some special attention to how I look.

“So when we call your name, come over and be ready for some great stuff!” Maria says with a big smile.

These two sure do enjoy conflict. I don’t think I’ve ever seen people be so happy announcing they’ve figured out who will be fighting one another.

“Angus, you first,” Shane says to him before guiding the Scot over to where the meetings will be held.

As Emma and I make our way back to our stations, she says, “Brace yourself for this today. It could surprise you.”

“I doubt they did anything more with me. Shane and Maria told me yesterday that they love the conflict between me and Super Chef over there. They want me to keep it going. To be honest, I just don’t know if I can be angry every day.”

That makes her laugh, probably because she’s like everyone else and believes I’m a natural at conflict. “Try to channel anger from somewhere else in your life and then direct it at him.”

Changing the subject, I ask her what’s been on my mind for the past couple days and hope since she’s had experience on a show like this that she has the answer. “So when does any actual cooking happen here? Other than the one dish they had us make, there hasn’t been any mention of actually doing what chefs do. I get that conflict is necessary in a TV show, but aren’t people who watch cooking shows looking for the people on them to cook?”

My question makes her laugh once again. “Ordinary cooking shows, yes. Competitions are a completely different animal, though. Everyone wants to see people fight and get into it.”

Her answer deflates any hope I had that this show will actually focus on food, which is the reason I became a chef in the first place. Other than the odd feeling of dread I have when I have to deal with my boss at the restaurant, I’ve never gotten into even an argument in any kitchen since I began working in them. Who has time for all this drama in the real world? I certainly don’t.

“Kat! You’re up!” Shane calls out from across the room, surprising me.

Emma’s eyes light up with excitement. Squeezing my hand, she says, “Good luck! I hope you get a great story!”

Confused since I already have a storyline, I force a smile for her and walk over to where Shane and Maria sit at a table with a single chair on the other side for us contestants. Both producers look like they can’t wait to tell me something, but I don’t understand because we talked about this already last night.

Before I can ask anything, Maria leans forward and claps her hands together. “I cannot wait for you to hear what we came up with for you. I got the distinct feeling you were worried we were casting you as a villain with the Alex thing, so I just know you’ll be happy with this!”

Had they changed their minds about me being the resident shrew on Chef on Chef? For the first time since Alex and I got into it, I look forward to what may happen on this show.

“I came up with this,” Maria says proudly. “You and Marco! What do you think?”

Unsure what to say, I have to ask the obvious question. “Marco and me what?”

Shane slaps the table and laughs. “That’s what I love most about you, Kat. You are so serious. That’s great!”

Still not understanding what’s going on, I look at Maria and hope to hear something that makes sense. Thankfully, she sees I don’t know what they’re talking about, so she says, “You and Marco will have a romantic storyline. Shows like this can’t run on conflict alone, so we need to throw some sexiness into the mix. I chose him for you because he’s good looking. You two together will look fantastic!”

My mouth drops open in shock, but then a thought occurs to me. At least I won’t only be a villain or a bitch on the show. That’s something. I’m not exactly sure what she means by us together, though.

I can’t help but glance over at where Marco stands at his station checking his phone. He is good looking with sort of scruffy dirty blond hair and blue eyes that make him look likehe’s come right from the beach. He has a nice body too. In the big scheme of things, Maria could have given me someone much worse.

But will it all be pretend, or are we expected to actually be together?

Leaning forward, I whisper, “Okay. About that. Are you saying we have to be together? Like together together?”

That makes both the producers burst into laughter, which I guess is my answer.

“There’s that seriousness again,” Shane says. “I love it! But no, you don’t have to sleep with him or do anything like that, but you will have to act like you feel something for him.”

“Are you happy with what I came up with?” Maria asks, and I can see she really wants me to be pleased with this storyline.

I force a smile and nod. “It’s great. Thank you. At least I won’t just be the mean girl on the show.”

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