Chapter 3
FOUR YEARS LATER
ISABEL
Today might be the day that Leah would finally fire me.
Leah Campbell had been a culinary agent for a year straight now. She was the best agent anyone could ever ask for, fixing me in different places at different schedules, arranging my deals, and working on my finances. She was the best of the best and I was very lucky to have her.
But she might fire me tonight if she could do that.
My phone hadn’t stopped chiming with messages and notifications from the moment I opened my eyes a few seconds ago. I didn’t like to hurry out of bed seconds after opening them. I liked to process my environment even if it wasn’t something I’d seen all the time.
Reaching for my phone, 1 plucked it from where it was stuck in the flower vase from where I had tossed it hours ago. Taking it out from there, I stared at the screen of the phone, wincing at the ten messages 1 had gotten from Leah.
Scrolling quickly through the messages, I recognized the important ones and read through them.
Leah: Isabel, where are you?
Leah: Oh my God. Isabel don’t tell me that you are still sleeping.
Leah: ! You a
Leah: ! You are sleeping, aren’t you?
Leah Pick up the goddamn call, Chef! People are waiting to eat your tasty delicacies. You cannot mess this up!
Letting out a very loud groan. I tossed my phone aside and forced myself to sit up on my bed. I loved my job but it was times like this that made me abhor it. Times and moments when I had to get out of bed and prepare for work. I had been on a break in the past few days, just tending to my kids and my loved ones, attending the events I’d been invited to.
The door creaked open and my fiery doe–eyed girl walked in, her smile wide and bright when she saw that I was awake.
Four years ago, I had thought that the moon goddess had blessed me with a bundle of joy but I was wrong, she had given me two blessings. Two beautiful blessings.
“Mama”
Emma Payne–Smith was a beautiful replica of me, her tongue sharp and unbridled. A wild firecracker unlike her twin brother, the gentle, quiet, and reserved version of her. Together, they complemented each other.
“My little angel,” I smiled with pride as I pressed k*sses all over her face while she giggled. The door creaked open widely and Ethan in the company of their Nanny, Lillian strolled into the room.
“She slipped past me, Lillian sighed, glaring at my daughter who only giggled. I couldn’t fault her. After all, no one could try to tame the hyperactive Emma Payne–Smith.
“I understand,” I said as I put Emma down and stretched my hand to take my little boy. He wrapped his hand around me, not saying a word while I k*ssed his forehead. He giggled softly and I let them go.
“Go put their clothes on. And pack their overnight bag, Lillian. I gotta prepare. I ordered before moving toward my
bathroom.
1/3
10:57 Fru To May
FI
Chapter 3
I had the quickest shower of my life in a few minutes, I stepped into my walk–in closet with a towel wrapped around me. Seeing the picture frame of my Papa resting on a shelf there, I walked in and k*ssed the picture, shutting my eyes briefly and imagining that he was physically there with me.
Even after a few years, the pain and scars were still fresh.
Each time I looked at his picture, I couldn’t help but be grateful that he was the reason I am here right now and in the position that I’m in.
Four years ago after Logan had abandoned me, betrayed me, and rejected me
s his mate, 1 thought it was the end of the world. I felt our mate bond breaking and for weeks I tried to nurse my pain but it wasn’t easy.
My father and I had to relocate and he tried his best to help me in my pregnant state until he passed away in a hit–and–run accident.
The fact that the case of my father’s accident was closed off and there was nothing I could do hurts me till today.
I know there was more to it but it was suspicious and one day, the truth will be revealed.
“I have another job, dad. Your daughter is doing it. The most sought–after chef in the country now, Chef Payne.” I k**sed the frame again and set it aside.
I quickly put on a polished outfit and wrapped my red hair into a bun; When I walked out of my room; my kids were ready to go. I put them in my luxury car and allowed them to bid Lillian farewell. She wasn’t watching them for the night.
They chattered all through the drive to Adeline’s house. Adeline, a lone wolf.
Adeline was a friend I met two years ago thanks to the moon goddess and she has been nothing but the best friend anyone
could ask for.
Occasionally, they included me in their conversation which I adhered to. Adeline was already waiting outside her apartment building for me and she was quick to wrap the twins in a hug.
“Mama will be back in twenty–four hours, okay?” I k*ssed their ch*eks and hugged them one more time. That was what I always told them. Twenty–four hours even if it always took longer than that.
I wasn’t due for a break in twenty–four hours but for them, I would find time. Even if it meant asking Lillian or Adeline to bring them to me.
“Be safe,” Adeline k*ssed my ch*eks and I smiled at her before darting for
my car.
Claudine was the name of the restaurant I was working at tonight. A highly profiled and very expensive restaurant owned by the renowned chef Genevieve Martins, a woman whom I adored. Chef Martins just wasn’t good, she was the best among the best. Yet when she asked for my help with the work in her restaurant this season, I couldn’t turn down the chef I had always wanted to work with.
Just last month, I won the title of the Legendary Chef of the Year. It wasn’t an easy feat and the media hadn’t treated it like one. They had made sure the whole world who was concerned with cooking knew my name which had made me very popular and an enigma in the sight of the world.
Over the drive, I thought about all the delicacies I had assembled in my mind over the past few days for Chef Martin’s restaurant. When I arrived, I was treated as any Legendary chef would be treated and immediately shown to my kitchen. I had been there to meet with the crew last week so they were all familiar with me. I set to work and didn’t take a break for hours
Working, making delicacies nobody had ever created before, and basking in the adoration of the people around me.
“Chef Payne,
Chapter 3
I whisked around at the call of my name, turning toward the older woman I had always admired. The smile on her face was loud and my face mirrored hers.
“Some of the guests at the private party whose food you had made tonight would like to see you. They want to praise the chef who had made them such tasty meals. She was grinning. It was an honor to even get a smile from Chef Martins and here she was, grinning at me.
“It would be my honor,” I smiled wider as I wiped my hand clean with a napkin. Quickly buttoning up my white attire, I followed her through the place, listening to her impressive talks and compliments while my pride grew. She led me to a little group that settled around one of the tables in the very busy and occupied room.
*Sir, ma’am, tonight. I present to you….” Chef Martins was talking, going on and on while I stood there staring.
Something had caught my attention.
No, not something. Someone had caught my attention..
Black hair wrapped in a man bun, head buried in a phone but those fingers, those builds…they were familiar. My fingers started sweating, and I felt a lump in my throat.
“…Chef Payne, everyone.” Chef Martins pointed to me, my cue to step forward.
The black–haired man slowly raised his head, my heart beating faster. I opened my mouth to say something to the group of people who had demanded my attention but all I did was stare, words failing me.
He raised his head and his eyes ensnared mine.
My chest tightened, heart–stopping as my body went numb in place.
Because seated right there was the silver–eyed man who haunted my dreams in more ways than I could count in the last few years. The man I saw in my son every time I stared at him. The man I dreamt of being with forever. The man who had abandoned me at the altar. The man who broke me and my heart to pieces..
It was Logan.