Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series or its characters. This is not written for any monetary gain, just entertainment.
Chapter 3 of Que Sera, Sera : Encounter
"It was always the same dream", Bella pondered as she walked downstairs from her bedroom to her kitchen. She pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator, and took several hearty swallows as she sat down on a bar stool.
She had had the same dream since about a month after the club incident. It always happened the same way. She would be lying in bed. Strong arms would slide around her stomach, pulling her back into a very warm and muscular chest. She always remembered smiling and snuggling into the warm familiarity. Then, soft lips descended on her neck. Gently kissing the soft, milky skin there. And, finally, a light bite that caused her to shiver.
And then, his voice would speak to her. "It is meant to be, Bella. Stop fighting it and find me; you are wasting your time. Through him, you'll come to me. It is meant to be." That was when she always woke up. Always, just after jerking up in bed, she imagined those dark eyes were still looking at her. Searching her soul.
The identity was not a mystery to her. She knew exactly who it was, but she didn't know why. It wasn't as if she was fighting anything. She had only met Jacob one time at a club. She hadn't seen him again, and she certainly had tried to.
She had gone numerous times to the club, and she had always looked for him. And since then… no relationship ever measured up to the feelings he gave her.
She had dated while in Chicago- pretty seriously with one guy, too. But, that night… she hadn't drank that much, but it had left such an impression on her. It was as if he had glowed or something. He had made her feel with just a glance what other men could not make her feel with months of endless affection.
She had tried to forget about it. And she had tried to just come to terms with the fact that he was gone, and she needed to get over it. But it hadn't worked. Every time she went a while without thinking of him, every time she figured the feelings had just been alcohol induced… the dream came. And at very inopportune times. Waking up with your boyfriend of seven months glaring at you because he heard you saying "I want you, Jacob" was not a comfortable situation. And the explanation certainly didn't help.
"Well, you see, it is a guy I met once at a club. And I have never had anyone kiss me like that. He was a God, I swear. The way he looked at me. That scar on my neck I told you was a bite from a dog? Yea, that was him. It was so erotic… what? No, I'm not into S and M. No, I don't like to be bit. I just… I did that time. Because he knew how to do it. You don't."
Not that she had ever explained it in those words. But she was sure that was how it came across. And it was, frankly, the truth. No one had known how to kiss her or touch her like that since. And she couldn't get away from it. She sighed, opening her fridge. Maybe distracting herself with cooking some omelets would distract her.
Cooking had always felt like some sort of art form. When she had lived in Phoenix, her mother had occasionally tried to cook. It wasn't traditional food though. Her mother liked to try new things. A "fad cooker", she called them. For a whole week she had had to live on only fondue. And her mother had decided to go vegetarian for a period. Then, no carbs for a month. It was enough to drive a growing girl insane.
So, Bella had learned to cook. Otherwise, she probably would have spent most of her high school time home sick with food poisoning or starving. It had been in the kitchen she had been able to relax. Something about the crisp noise that sounded when cutting vegetables or apples…. The smell of rosemary, basil, and other herbs… The warmth radiating off of the stove and slightly warming her face. It had become somewhat of a retreat, and she had found she was good at it.
Looking back on it, it seemed funny to her how that worked. People viewed so many things as chores, but knowing that you had talent at doing something that others weren't as good at… especially if it was something almost everyone had to do… there was something very special about that. It was the one thing that Bella knew she was good at and would please people with. And knowing that she could bring joy to herself and others by doing what others didn't want to and having them enjoy her efforts… it was easy for her to understand why cooking was an escape.
It even took away the dark eyes.
Bella took a deep breath as she buttoned up the white chef's uniform. It was an important night for her. The opening had gone extremely well. And, now, it was the real test.
Her father was going to be bringing by his friend, Billy Black and some of his family. He had been excited to show off his daughter the "famous chef" to them and had made the plans the moment she left. He had called her this morning to tell her the plan.
So, Bella was sort of nervous. She didn't want to disappoint her father by not having everything going. She looked over the staff in the kitchen. "Okay, guys. Tonight, my father is coming and bringing his friends. I want you to treat this as a VIP. They are from the area, and they could be a good source of income if they like what they get. Plus, I don't want my father to feel stupid for saying that we would blow them away. Everything is to run tip-top tonight, okay?" Murmurs of assent greeted her, and she smiled.
She looked at her second in command, her old friend Luke. "Let's do this?" She nodded to the hostess to go flip the lights on and within 15 minutes, several tables had already been filled.
The night passed normally until eight o' clock. That was when the hostess came in and straight up to Bella. "I just seated your father. A group of nine. Who do you want to serve them?" Bella frowned, glancing at Luke.
He shrugged, "I would say Daniel or Jeff." Bella nodded.
"Go with Jeff. But I want you to tell them to make sure to help him out if he needs it with drinks and carrying out the order." The hostess walked out, and Bella cleared her throat before speaking loudly.
"Get any high pressure things going. My group just arrived." The kitchen became a little louder as the tempo picked up, and Bella sighed. Jeff came in and smiled at her. "Any specials or recommendations for your group? I just got their drink orders."
Bella nodded. "Crawfish Etouffee and Shrimp Bisque. Dessert is going to still be the Crème Brulee tonight." Jeff nodded and went to start getting the drinks together.
A few minutes later, the orders came in, and work kicked into overdrive. Apparently, when she said to treat them like VIPs the staff had decided to take it to heart especially. Not that Bella was complaining. She wanted it to be perfect.
When the final order went out, Bella breathed a sigh of relief. "Wonderful, guys. Thank you! It should cool off a bit right now. If there is anything pressing, do that. But get a drink of water or something."
She grabbed a glass of soda and gulped it down. Jeff walked in. "They seem pleased. Just got six orders for the crème brulee, and your father wants you to come out if you can."
"How busy is it?"
Jeff smiled, "Calming down for sure. I think Luke can manage the rest okay." Bella nodded. She put in the order for the desserts before looking in the reflection of a hanging pot and fixing her hair a bit.
"Gina, put them against the window on the far right, table 30?" Bella smiled at him and nodded. "Thank you, Jeff. Keep the drinks coming?" Jeff smiled and nodded.
"Go get em', Queen Bee." Bella nodded and took a deep breath before pushing the door open. She walked through the restaurant, watching as a few people stopped to look at her. She took the two steps up and walked toward table 30. She saw her father at the far end of the table facing her, and he smiled widely waving.
"Bella!" she heard her father call. The group turned, and Bella looked over the faces. When she saw the one at the opposite end of the table from her father though, she almost choked. Her eyes widened, and she stumbled a bit before walking forward. Looking right at her with a look of shock and something else were the dark eyes that haunted her bedroom at night. "Jacob…" she whispered.
Author's Note: So, here is the latest installment. This story seems to be pacing a bit slower. I have ten chapters written, and I am eager to start on the next one. That will have to wait until after the gym though.
I got a review saying that I actually have a pastry chef in school in Chicago reading the story. Talk about nerve-wrecking! I, obviously, am not a chef. Though I am considering going to culinary school when I move back to the states. I have been cooking Cajun and southern food all of my life, and I think it would be marketable (particularly the Cajun). Anyway, forgive me for any things that might not be true. I am doing rudimentary research, but I have no idea how it is to work in the kitchen of a fancy restaurant. I hope I don't disappoint.
Also, this story is NOT going to be Edward and Bella. I'm sorry for the confusion. Edward will not even be in the story. Or any vampires, for that matter. They have already moved on to greener pastures (atleast 6 months of the year) in Alaska. This story will rotate around Bella and another character from the stories. I've not seen it before, but I thought it could be interesting. Jacob will not be a villain, though. He will just be in a difficult position. I hope this clears everything up, and that the pairing does not stop your reading. Take care and please review!
Btw… for those of you who asked- Que Sera, Sera means "Whatever will be, will be."