(ARIELLE’S POV)
for the ambassador endorsement I’d worked so hard to secure.
It was my first day back since returning home, and a sense of excitement and nervousness buzzed under my skin. Today, I’d be visiting my restaurant site and attending a pivotal meeting with delegates from the prestigious Paradiso Culinary Academy-my alma mater- This was a chance to shape the culinary world in ways I’d dreamed about during those long, challenging years in Italy.
Excitement flowed through my veins as I thought about the benefits that came with the position -an expensive company car, fully funded insurance, and a hefty payroll that would get me rolling in a lot of dollar bills. The perks were nice.
But what I craved was to leave a lasting mark on Paradiso’s menu, its identity, and its patrons. This was my stage, and I was ready to own it.
I slipped into my tailored black dress, the fabric hugging my figure in all the right places. Simple, elegant. With nude makeup to highlight my features and a quick straightening of my hair, I stepped into my white bump heels.
A final glance in the mirror, and I was ready.
In the living room, my mom and Maverick were waiting. Well, sort of. Maverick was engrossed in his drawing book, but they both looked up as soon as I walked in.
“You look stellar, my dear,” mum said, beaming with smiles.
“You look like an angel, Mama,” Maverick added, his small voice full of pride.
I bent down to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. Both of you.” Their quiet but unwavering support had been my rock through everything.
“Go out there and show them what you’re made of,” my mom said, hugging me tightly. Maverick joined in, wrapping his arms around both of us in a classic family bear hug. Outside, Ashley was waiting to drive me. She was playing driver today as she was on work leave.
“You look awesome,” she exclaimed, the moment I slid into the seat beside her.
“Thanks! You too girl-what’s with the leather? Trying to look intimidating?” I laughed, noticing her all-black outfit that screamed bodyguard vibes.
“Well, since I’m playing the role of a driver to you, I might as well play the role of a bodyguard, too,” she teased, turning the car’s engine on.
We both laughed as she stepped on the accelerator and sped off. My phone buzzed. A message from Dwayne.
“Good luck today, ostrich,” the message read. A smile curled on my lips.
Afterward, I returned my phone to my bag and braced myself for the day ahead. Ashley soon pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, and I alighted. “Have a nice time there. I’ll be here waiting,” she called out.
“Thank you,” I yelled back, walking into the building.
The building was magnificent and sophisticated, with everything made of glass. The Italians sure know how to spend on luxury.
Inside, the delegates greeted me warmly.
“Welcome, Arielle,” Dr Rossi, the academy’s dean, said, his Italian accent rich and welcoming, making me feel momentarily nostalgic for the cobbled streets and buzzing markets of Rome.
“We’re thrilled to have you on board,” he added, shaking my hand with a firm grip.
“Thank you, Sir,” I replied, shaking his hand, and that of everyone present in the room.
The meeting commenced quickly, documents were reviewed, and the terms of my endorsement as Paradiso’s new ambassador chef were laid out in detail. There were a few spots I wasn’t satisfied with, so I spoke up, requesting adjustments until everything felt right. After a few hours of negotiations and a lot of signatures, it was official.
Cameras flashed as we posed for photos, sealing the deal.
“It’s official,” Dr Rossi declared after all the processes had been done.
“Arielle Meyers, Paradiso’s new ambassador chef!”
Applaud rented the room, and I beamed with pride. This moment was everything. It was the culmination of my years of hard work and perseverance.
A new beginning it was.
After the meeting, I walked out of the building feeling like I was on top of the world. Ashley was waiting in the car, an eager look on her face.
“How was it?” She asked, opening the door for me.
“Better than expected,” I said, securing my seatbelt.
“You’re a celebrity now, girl. Paradiso’s new ambassador chef,” she teased.
“I know, right?”
We soon hit the road, my restaurant site, our next call. On arrival, I inspected the work process. The construction crew was working diligently and right. Satisfied with the work pace and the job done, I had no complaints. Back in the car, Ashley asked, “Next stop, lunch with Rebecca, right?”
I nodded. “Yup. You’re killing it as my unofficial PA today.”
“PA and bodyguard. I deserve a raise,” she joked, flashing a grin.
“You sure do,” I laughed, reclining in my seat. My first workday back had been smooth so far.
Until it wasn’t.
Suddenly, Ashley slammed on the brakes, and my heart lurched.
Alarmed, I sat up on my chair, my heart skipping a beat. We were involved in a slightly minor collision, and it was the other driver’s fault.
The other driver stepped out, and my eyes widened.
Sofia.
“Fucking bitch!” Ashley cussed, throwing off her seatbelt.
“Ash,” I called, trying to calm her down, but she was already taking off her seat belts. Before I could say further, she grabbed her dark shades, put it on, and stepped out.
I silently watched from the car as
Ashley engaged her in a verbal exchange. But when it got intense, I called out to Ashley. Knowing how hot headed she can be, I was glad she listened to me. FindNovel
“Let her be, Ash. She’s a nuisance, remember? We don’t have to waste our precious time on her,” I said to Ashley when she walked to the car.
“Fine,” she mumbled and returned to Sofia. She said something to her that I couldn’t decipher, before returning to the car and getting in.
Before we drove past Sofia, I ensured I had the car’s tinted glasses wound up. I wasn’t scared of her, but I sure didn’t want any of her crazy dramas. “You okay?” Ashley asked once we were on our way.
“Yeah. It’s just funny how she hasn’t changed a bit.”
“Change?” Ashley scoffed. “Wait until I tell you all she has done. That woman is bad news.”
“Let’s not talk about her,” I said, uninterested in Sofia or anything that concerns her.
Save for that one encounter with Sofia, the rest of my day was drama-free.
Ashley and I arrived at the restaurant where I was meeting with Rebecca. As I stepped inside, Rebecca was already waiting.
“Arielle!” She exclaimed, embracing me tightly.
“It’s been ages!”
“I know,” I said, laughing as we embraced.
We caught up over lunch, chatting about everything from work to personal life. The time melted away in conversation.
“I’m so proud of you,” Rebecca said, her eyes gleaming. “Paradiso’s ambassador chef… I read about it in the news this morning.”
Wow, I didn’t realize it had made it to the news already.
“It’s Arielle henceforth, please,” I said, smiling at her. “Drop the formalities.”
“I knew you’d make it,” she continued. “You’ve always had something special.”
Midway through our meal, Rebecca frowned slightly and leaned closer to her plate.
“I hate to say this, but…… is this supposed to be risotto?” she asked, her tone light but critical. “It’s undercooked. They barely toasted the rice. A little too much salt, too. They missed the mark.”
I couldn’t help but smile at her honesty. The old Rebecca-always the perfectionist in the kitchen. “Can’t switch off the chef brain, can you?”
She blushed, shaking her head with
a smile. “Nope, it’s a curse.” Pushing
her plate aside, she added, “But
have to thank you for all your guidance. I really miss the days we
worked together.”
I leaned in, sensing the perfect moment. “Well, those days can come back-if you’re interested. My restaurant is opening soon, and I’d love for you to be part of my team Rebecca.”
Her fork paused mid-air. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. You’d be perfect.”
“Of course, I’d love to! When do I start?”
I handed her my card. “We’ll talk details soon.”
Rebecca smiled gratefully. “This means everything. Thank you.”
I reached out and squeezed her hand. “You deserve it.”
As we finished our meal and prepared to part ways, Rebecca hugged me again. “It’s good to see you again Ma’am, really.”
I smiled sincerely. “Same Rebecca, same.”
After the meeting, Ashley and I left. It had been a long day, but a successful one. It was time to have some rest.
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