Chapter 0208


    Abby


    My heart feels like it''s doing somersaults in my chest as I stammer out my words. “You’re—you’re


    Vanessa Greene. The Vanessa Greene.”


    “The one and only,” Vanessa says, her voice as soft as a gentle breeze. She offers her hand, and I feel


    the warmth of her skin as our palms meet. My hand trembles, and I’m embarrassed but can’t help it.


    Vanessa Greene is literally the most renowned female chef in the country. Aside from being a


    bestselling author, she also owns an entire chain of three-star restaurants called ‘The Greene te’,


    which specialize in organic, farm-to-table, gourmet vegan dishes. It’s something that no female chef


    has ever aplished.


    Aside from that, she’s the host of her own cooking show, ‘Brunch with Vanessa,’ and has won


    countless awards.


    It goes without saying that I didn’t expect her to be here. Is she one of the contestants, or one of the


    judges? Surely she’s a judge. Why would they have the most sessful female chef in the country


    “Oh my god,” I mutter. “Y-You’re like my biggest role model. Your book, ‘A Woman in the Kitchen,’ was


    life-changing for me. You have no idea.”


    In the background, I catch Daniel smirking from his chair, like a cat watching a mouse scurry around.


    It’s a look that just oozes condescension, making my stomach churn. The moment’s perfection


    crumbles a bit at the edges, and suddenly I feel like I’m already on stage, being scrutinized by


    hundreds of people.


    But Vanessa’s reaction is as sweet as honey.


    “You’ve read my book?” Her eyes brighten, and it feels like I’ve just been thrown a lifeline. “That’s


    wonderful to hear. It was written for women like you, women striving to make it in this industry.”


    “Make it? I’m barely scraping through,pared to you.” I chuckle nervously, gripping my hands


    together so they stop shaking. “Your restaurants, your awards—it’s like a dream. A far-off dream that I


    can admire but never touch.”


    Vanessa tilts her head, her afro catching the light like a halo. “Dreams are meant to be chased, not just


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    admired from afar.”


    I look up to meet her gaze and see something that I haven’t seen since I walked into this room: genuine


    kindness. There’s no veil of insincerity or secretpetition—just warmth, pure and simple.


    “Say, if you bring your copy of ‘A Woman in the Kitchen’ to the cook-off tomorrow, I’d be honored to


    sign it for you,” Vanessa offers, and the room seems to spin around me. Is this really happening?


    “I—I would love that, thank you so much!” The words tumble out like an avnche.


    I see the makeup artist rolling her eyes, impatiently tapping her foot on the tiled floor. “Miss Greene, we


    need to get started with your makeup. And you,” she looks at me, “need to head to the greenroom.”


    I apologize, flustered. “O-Of course, sorry. I didn’t mean to hold anyone up. It was so nice to meet you,


    Vanessa.” I pull away, my legs carrying me past Vanessa, though it feels like I’m leaving behind a


    moment I’ve dreamt of for years.


    Just then, I bump into Daniel as I hurry past. “Watch where you’re going, fangirl,” he snickers, his


    wordsced with an unbearable smugness.


    “Sorry,” I mutter, mortified and not meeting her eyes.


    …


    “Abby? It’s your turn.”


    The stage lights feel like they''re trying to bore holes into my skull as the assistant ushers me toward the


    stage. The cameraman is giving the cue, and I’m trying not to look like a deer in the headlights. There’s


    that prickly feeling of many eyes on me; it’s like high school all over again, except it’s now being


    broadcast live for the whole world to see. Co?tent оf NovelDrama.Org


    “So, Abby, tell us a little about yourself.”