Page 120 of Rhet

“Ahh, Ms. Woods.” A cute old man who could be mistaken for Santa’s elf comes to me.

“Mr. Francis?” I stand quickly and walk toward the man.

His round glasses rest on his pert nose above his warm smile.

“It’s great to meet you.” I stretch my hand out to shake his.

“Yes, you as well. You won’t be here long. I just need you help the sou chef to do some inventory. Then check with the florist to make sure the arrangements are up to par.”

I nod, take out my tablet, make notes and follow him down the whitewashed corridor. The pipes rattle and steams bellows out when we pass by. Are we sure we want to hold the event here?

As if he’s reading my mind, Mr. Francis stops at a door marked exit and opens it. I hold back my complaints as I look through the door. There’s a whole new world in front of me.

I step back to look down the dingy corridor then back at the jaw dropping banquet hall. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t this. There’s a huge three tier chandelier hanging in the center of the room, elegant white tablecloths drape the tables, as green topiaries topped them, and a fireplace is at each end of the hall.

“We will be ready before four o’clock,” Mr. Francis says as he closes the door.

I will never judge the book by the cover again.

“This building is about 100 years old; it was used as a food depot in the first world war. It may look old, but she still sparkles like a diamond. Don’t you think?”

“Oh, definitely.” At first, I was worried my dress would be too much for the event, now I’m worried I will be underdressed.

We make our way to the kitchen, and I’m introduced to the staff. I put my belongings into an assigned locker and roll my sleeves up.

“Hi, I’m Carlie. I’m the sou chef and you’re my taster for the day.” A cute girl with deep dimples smiles at me. Her strawberry blonde hair peeps from beneath her cap.

“Taster?” I look around the kitchen, taking in the different plates set out before us.

“Yup. You can wash up in the staff bathroom. Put on the white coat on the back of that chair and come back out here.”

My gaze meets a slice of caramel and chocolate cheesecake. “We’re testing everything?

She giggles. “Yes, dessert included. Now hurry.”

She doesn’t have to tell me twice. I’m in and out of the bathroom in seconds.

Adjusting my chef’s jacket, I walk back to Carlie’s side. “Okay, I am ready.”

“Okay, we are serving a ten-course meal. We will start with hors d’oeuvres.” Carlie takes out a pen and a clipboard.

I want to clap, this is the best job I’ve ever had.

RHET

It’s another quiet day at the office. I sip on my cognac as I sign some documents. Julian sits in front of my desk going through a series of things normally done by Zeeta.

“I’m sick of all these fucking rules,” I grumble to myself.

I have a certain set of unspoken rules. One of them, I don’t sleep with women I have sex with. However, I haven’t had sex with Zeeta but slept with her. It was the best sleep I’ve had in months. She felt so soft. It was a delectable feeling have her warm body close to mine. Fuck all of these sex rules. Needing to be in relationship to have sex is old school. It’s the 21stcentury. Who still does that shit? Next thing, I’ll be asking for permission to take her out. I sigh, wondering what she’s doing.

Fuck. I don’t want to feel like this. This warm feeling, wanting to make sure she’s okay.

“Cian Reed cancelled his meeting with you. Something came up,” Julian says. I heard nothing else before. Shit, I missed half of the things he was saying. I drop my pen and rub the creases in my forehead.

“Would you like me to repeat everything I said since I think you heard nothing?” Julian raises a brow.

“No. leave the folder. I will get back to it,” I say as I stand to look out my window at the city view.

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