#Chapter 54: Cookoff?!


    Abby


    “This… Isn’t a prank, right?”


    Even as I utter those words, I feel like an idiot. But I can’t help myself; I just can’t wrap my head around


    this whole situation. My little restaurant was chosen as one of four finalists for the Alpha gathering out


    of all of the amazing restaurants in the city?


    The rich timbre of Calvin’s chuckle fills the room. “A prank? No, ma’am, this is as real as it gets. But, I’d


    advise you not to pop the champagne just yet.”


    I raise an eyebrow, my heart still pounding hard. “Why’s that?”


    “The selection process requires a cook-off,” he exins. “Each of the four chosen restaurants will


    the honor of catering for the Alpha gathering. It will be quite rigorous.”


    The gravity of thepetition he’s describing does little to dampen my excitement. This is an incredible


    opportunity, and even just being considered feels like a massive win. “So, what you’re saying is that


    there''s a chance, even if it’s one in four?”


    “Exactly. And considering the caliber of dishes you serve here, I’d say you stand a good chance.”


    Calvin’s smile is enigmatic, but it’s clear he’s not just trying to tter me. “If you ept our offer to


    participate, I’ll make sure all the details and requirements are sent to you ASAP.”


    A whirlwind of thoughts race through my mind. The dishes I’d prepare, the strategies I’d employ, the


    possible reactions of the judges. But even amidst this rush, the answer is clear.


    “Of course I ept,” I say, my voice firm and decisive.


    “Excellent. I believed you would,” Calvin nods, pulling out a sleek card from his pocket and cing it on


    my desk. “This is my direct contact. Should you have any questions or need rification, don’t hesitate


    to reach out.”


    I take the card, the cool, smooth texture a stark contrast to the warmth of my fingers. “Thank you, Mr.


    Thompson. I won’t let you down.”


    A glint appears in his eyes. “I’m counting on it.” With that, he rises, the action smooth and full of a quiet


    grace that makes me all the more aware of the significance of this meeting.


    After he leaves, the weight of what’s just transpired hits me.


    The room suddenly feels too silent, too still. I gently shut the door and then, unable to contain the surge


    of excitement, lean back in my chair, covering my face with both hands. A muffled yell of pure,


    unadulterated joy escapes my lips.


    It’s more than just an opportunity. It’s a validation of every sacrifice I’ve made, everyte night I’ve


    endured, every ounce of passion I’ve poured into this establishment. Winning this cook-off would do


    more than just garner business. It would be the realization of a dream, a testament to the love I have


    for the culinary arts.


    The idea of my restaurant’s name being spoken in the same breath as the city’s elites, the increased


    footfall, the credibility—the implications are heady.


    But more than that, it’s the recognition. Every chef, every restaurateur dreams of being acknowledged


    for their craft. And this? This is as big as it gets.


    Even though the road ahead is uncertain, even though thepetition will be stiff, this moment, this


    opportunity feels golden. It feels like the universe’s way of telling me that every challenge I faced, every


    hurdle I overcame, was leading up to this.


    The stakes are high, yes. But the thrill? The thrill is unparalleled.


    Adrenaline pumping through me, I burst into the bar area. Ethan and Chloe are engaged in what looks


    to be an amusing chat, judging by their smiles. But all that is forgotten as I dramatically m both


    hands on the bar counter, grabbing their attention.


    “You guys! You will not believe what just happened in my office!” I nearly shout, my voice an octave


    higher than usual. The sheer excitement makes it difficult to control my volume.


    Ethan’s grin fades to an expression of curiosity while Chloe’s eyes widen. “What is it, Abby?”


    Without pausing for a breath, I recount my meeting with Calvin. “We’ve been chosen as one of the


    finalists to cater for the Alpha gathering! There’s going to be a cook-off and everything!” I can barely


    contain the tion bubbling within me.


    The pair’s expressions morph from surprise to pure shock. “Are you serious?” Ethan gasps, his blue


    eyes searching my face for any sign of jest.


    Chloe’s eyes sparkle with shared excitement. “Oh my God, Abby!” She squeals, wrapping her arms


    around me in a tight embrace. The warmth of her hug only adds to the fuzzy happiness that engulfs


    me.


    “I’m so, so proud of you!” she gushes, pulling away but holding my shoulders at arm’s length, looking at


    me as though she’s seeing me for the first time.


    Ethan clears his throat, a yful twinkle in his eye. “Do I get a hug, too?”


    Laughing, I envelope him in a hug, hisnky frame bending to amodate mine. “Of course, you do,”


    I mumble against his chest. Pulling back, I add, “I’m going to need all hands on deck. This could


    change everything for us!”


    “We’re with you every step of the way,” Ethan promises, his tone sincere. “Whatever you need, Abby.”


    A cacophony of clinking dishes and muted conversation from the kitchen is momentarily overshadowed


    by the sound of a door swinging open.


    From the corner of my eye, I spot Karl, d in his bandana and t-shirt, striding into the dining area. His


    brow is furrowed, presumably from the loudmotion we were causing.


    He takes in the scene, confusion evident in his gaze.


    “What’s going on? Why’s everyone huddled here?”


    My heart does a little flip, and I’m instantly transported back to our stolen moment in the dim kitchen


    The sensation of his lips, his breath against my skin, and the electricity between us makes my cheeks


    flush. The very thought of looking into his eyes threatens to unravel me. I quickly nce down,


    desperately hoping to regain some semnce ofposure.


    Chloe, ever the keen observer, smirks ever so slightly. “You gonna tell him or should I?” she teases,


    nodding towards Karl.


    Gathering up every ounce of courage I possess, I lift my gaze to meet his. His brown eyes are filled


    with curiosity, but there’s also a hint of... concern? It makes it all the more difficult to breathe, but I force


    myself to speak.


    “I… Um…”


    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I’m about to tell him everything when it suddenly hits me: I promised to go to the Alpha gathering with


    him, and if I were to win thispetition, then catering the event would impede on our date.


    I’m not sure how he’ll react, and I especially don’t want everyone finding out about our bet. That’s why,


    in a nervous state, I decide not to tell him.


    “An undercover food critic came and reviewed our food,” I say, a half-truth. “We got a really good


    rating.”


    Karl pauses for a moment, clearly a little confused. But a slow smile spreads across his face, and he


    nods, giving me a thumbs up. “That’s awesome, Abby. Proud of you.”


    Before anyone can say another word, Karl turns around and heads back to the kitchen. I feel frozen to


    my spot as I watch him leave, until Chloe grabs my shoulder and turns me back to look at her.


    “What the hell was that?” she asks.


    I shake my head, avoiding both hers and Ethan’s confused gazes.


    “It’s nothing,” I say, biting the inside of my cheek. “I just don’t want the news to get out just yet.”