Page 7 of Omega's Midlife Love
“Good morning Mr. West,” he said with a nod. “My name is Victor, and I’m Mr. Beischel’s house manager.”
“It’s a pleasure,” I replied.
“Likewise,” he responded. “Come in and we can start the interview.”
I followed him as he led me through several airy and spacious rooms, each filled with the scent of the ocean. Finally he led me to one side, where a richly appointed kitchen opened to several other rooms.
Victor motioned to a set of stools at the kitchen island, and we sat. He took a moment to review some information on his tablet, then he launched into the interview portion, asking me about my prior kitchen experience and education. We discussed my reasons for moving to Harris Cove and my outstanding obligations, such as the possibility that I would have to return to sign papers on my parents’ house when it sold, or to spend a few days with my daughter and her mate when he gave birth.
Finally he stood and motioned to the rest of the kitchen. “Your working interview will be today and tomorrow. Today you will prepare lunch and dinner with the ingredients on hand. I have selected them to get a baseline of your skills as compared to the other candidates, who were all provided with the same selection. Tomorrow you will be given an unlimited budget to create whatever you desire. You will be expected to again serve lunch and dinner, as well as create three sample menus for potential dinner parties. Mr. Beischel expects to entertain frequently in the near future, so he wants to ensure a variety of options that will please his guests.”
I nodded. “Understood.”
“I will deliver all meals myself during this working interview, so that I can photograph them and allow your cooking to stand on its own.”
“Got it.”
Victor looked at his watch. “Mr. Beischel will take his lunch today at twelve-thirty. You have two hours.”
Two hours, and without a clue what I had to work with.
“Twelve-thirty,” I echoed. “Guess I had better get started.”
One side of Victor’s mouth quirked up in a smile. “I’ll leave you to it then. I’ll check back in a bit to see if you have any questions.”
“I do have one, actually.”
“What is it?”
“Am I just cooking for Mr. Beischel for lunch? Are his mate and children out?”
Victor’s face dropped slightly. “It’s just him. No mate or children.”
“Oh…” I didn’t quite know how to respond. “Ok.”
He nodded, and there was an awkward silence for several seconds. “Is there anything else you need to know?”
“Um… if he has any allergies, sensitivities, or preferences.”
Victor chuckled. “There is a piece of paper near the stove with that information.”
“Ah. I guess that’s all for now then.”
“I’ll leave you to it.”
I nodded and watched him walk off. Then I turned to the refrigerator. It was time to find out what I had to work with.
