Chapter 0206


    Abby


    It’s been raining cats and dogs all morning, but I’m too excited to care. All I can think about is the


    anticipation buzzing in my chest as I make my way up the walkway to the upscale studio where the


    interviews for the cook-off are being held.


    “Hello,” I say from under my umbre to a security guard leaning against a post, looking bored. “Is this


    the right entrance for the interviews?”


    “Yup,” he says, nodding, and gestures to a set of double doors behind him. “Head in there, take a left,


    and follow the hallway to the end.”


    “Thank you.”


    As I step through the doors, my heart rises into my throat. It’s all I can do to swallow it and force my


    feet to carry me forward.


    I’ve never been on television before. This is going to be both exciting and terrifying, and probably more


    terrifying than the former. But, thankfully, I’ve arrived early and I feel prepared. I’ve spent the past week


    practicing for my questions, and I have my answers ready to go. All that’s left now is to get this


    interview over with, and then tomorrow is the cook-off.


    The cook-off.


    I can’t believe it’s already almost here. In less than twenty-four hours, I’ll be walking into another


    television studio where I’ll bepeting in front of a live audience. Am I just as prepared for that as I


    am for this interview?


    I really, really hope so.


    But at the same time, aside from the interview and the cook-off, there’s another knot of dread forming


    in my stomach—this time, thanks to Karl.


    He’ll be leaving after tomorrow, only returning in a few weeks for the Alpha party, and then leaving


    again.


    I think, in a weird way, I took his presence for granted. I feel a little selfish because of that. All this time,


    he’s been putting aside his extremely important Alpha duties for me. And I have so much to show for it.


    But what does he have? Wasted time? I hope it’s been more than that for him, but I have no way of


    knowing.


    Suddenly, I’m pulled back to reality. Crisp lighting, a monochrome palette, and a faint scent of hairspray


    fill the air as I walk down the hall, my heels clicking on the marble floor—everything about it screams


    professionalism.


    I’m then greeted by an assistant and directed to a waiting area that looks more like a beauty salon,


    I nce around and spot the three other contestants—a tall, rugged man with a European air about


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    him, an older-looking man who doesn’t even nce my way, and an impably dressed man with


    ck hair and a disdainful expression that seems glued to his face. They’re both in the process of


    having their hair done, and a makeup artist waits nearby.


    I sit in the empty chair next to the ck-haired man introducing myself with a polite smile. “Hi, I’m


    Abby,” I say, holding my hand out.


    “Daniel,” he says, holding his hand out without lifting his gaze from the magazine in hisp. I shake it,


    feeling all too awkward as his hand practically crushes mine. When I pull away, I feel oddly vited in a


    strange sort of way.


    I clear my throat. “Nice to meet you. I’m the owner of La Belle Vie Bistro in town.”


    My eyebrows shoot up involuntarily. “You mean Anton? Yes, he’s an incredible chef.”


    Daniel chuckles as if I’ve just affirmed something he’s been suspecting. “I’m sure he is. But cleanliness


    is also crucial in the kitchen, don’t you think?” Content of Drаm??ovels.cоm


    “And you are…?” I ask politely, leaning forward a bit to meet his gaze.