Chapter Four

"Wow... would you take a look at this kitchen?"

I glanced back at Denny as he came to stand behind me with stars in his eyes and a grin plastered on his face. I had to smile to see him look so eager, but I could hardly blame him. After all, I was pretty excited about our new job as well.

"Yes," I agreed. "It really is beautiful, isn't it?" Of course, for me, there was nothing better than being given a clean slate upon which I could work, and there was no better example than the white room surrounding me. I tapped on the marble counter just to be sure it was all real. "You know, I think I used to have dreams of this kind of place."

"I bet." My companion laughed when he said it, but I didn't find it particularly funny. I kept my hurt feelings to myself, though, and went on smiling. "I mean, it's even bigger than any other kitchen we've worked in."

"Well, well," a familiar voice chimed in, "I certainly am pleased to know that you find this a suitable place in which to work." Our employer paused in order to look around for a moment himself, but after doing so, I couldn't help but notice Mr. Regison appeared unsure of something. "And where is Daniel if I may be so bold to ask?"

"Preparing the dining room," I replied casually. Although I was lying to the man, I had little trouble in hiding it. "I just saw him go to find someone about the table linens."

"Ah, I see." The gentlemen was quiet for a moment while his clear eyes searched my face, and I began to wonder whether or not I let on more than I intended. However, it seemed that wasn't the case at all. "Mr. Makani, I hope you do not find me rude for saying this, but have you not been sleeping very well recently?"

I continued to smile.

"Just a bout of insomnia," I assured him. "There's no reason for you to worry, Mr. Regison, for I can promise you that every last thing will be done to perfection. Sleep or no sleep, I will see to that end."

"Spoken like a true master craftsman," William replied with a faint laugh. "I understand now that I have hired only the very best for this job." Then he turned back towards the door and offered me a friendly wave. "I only hope I can say the same of your brothers, Mr. Makani."

With that, he left the room, and after having only waited a minute for him to leave, I breathed a sigh of relief. Denny did the same. "Is it just me," he asked, "or is that guy really intense?"

"He certainly isn't a man to cross," I said. "Of course," I added, glaring at the back room, "it doesn't exactly make us look good when one of us is late."

Dan only rolled his eyes when he stepped out from the small closet still straightening his tie and slicking back his black hair, but he didn't argue. It was too bad that I had a hard time believing he didn't want to, though. "If he asks again, just give it to him straight," my brother said at last. "I'll take the hit, so you can just forget about it. Okay?"

"Hard to when I end up having to save your ass every time."

"That's what I mean!" he snapped back. "I'm not asking you to make excuses for me, so don't bother."

Denny sighed as Dan and I continued to argue, but he didn't try to stop either of us from doing so. He knew how such things went, and if he did try to do anything, another fight would inevitably start. It was just one more of those things that came with working around family.

"Fine, be the old man," Dan spat. "Just tell me what I've got to do." While I knew it wasn't the attack I thought it was meant to be, I still clenched my fists. He realized what he'd said, but he didn't deny it or try to take it back. "You said something about table cloths?"

"Yeah, back in that closet," I muttered under my breath. "Go see if you can find some with color. A dining room shouldn't look like the kitchen."

As soon as he'd disappeared again, I cursed to myself. I knew I was supposed to be the one holding the three of us together, but for the past few months, I found myself starting most of the arguments. It wasn't like me, or at least wasn't like the 'me' I was in the beginning. The thought made me sigh in frustration, the eagerness I had felt to see the pristine nature of the kitchen having left me.

"Kai, you know he didn't mean it that way," Denny assured me with a pat on the back. "He's not the same when we take on jobs like this... but I'm sure he'll come around after a bit. He always does." He waited for me to nod and offer him a smile, and then he started off for the freezer. "Better see what we've got on hand before lunch, don't you think?"

Knowing me as well as he did, I wasn't all that surprised to find myself so quickly back into the swing of things. Taking inventory was one of the more mind-numbing tasks, but it was one I enjoyed doing. Of course, there was very little I didn't take some pleasure in, so it wasn't long before it was finished. I didn't dwell on it much, though, since there was still so much left to do, and I had very little time in which to do it.

By the time our guests had arrived for their first meal aboard the luxury cruiser, Dan had laid out of the dining room in vibrant orange table cloths, striking white settings, and even long white vases with white orchids. I hadn't bothered to ask where he had gotten them, and it seemed to me he was quite unsure about that as well. He had done a fine job, regardless, since the room had rather sparse beginnings with its modern lines and lack of decoration.

That was precisely why I had kept the meal so simple. However, after seeing what my brother had done, I started to worry about whether choosing a Mediterranean theme would be seen as too predictable.

"I hope that sausage isn't too heavy." Not that I could change it when I'd sent Denny out onto the floor to help Dan serve the small crowd. As Mr. Regison had promised, there were only twenty or so guests, yet I recognized them all as prominent figures. From lawyers to business tycoons and even doctors, they were all made of the meal, though, it was hardly a surprise. "I think the kale and white bean soup can keep them satisfied until the next course..."

"Hey, Kai?" I blinked as Denny poked his head in through the waiter's door. I pulled him inside since I had a feeling him leaving half his person out in the dining room might be thought of as rude, but he didn't seem to notice I had moved him at all. "Is that beef and tomato tart done yet?" he asked. "The soup's going fast out there."

"Good. That means we're doing things right," I assured him before holding out an empty tray. "Start by clearing the dishes out first," I ordered, "but be careful not to rush anyone. We'll served the tarts after the rest have finished."

As always, Denny did what he was told without question, and it wasn't long before I was busying myself with washing dishes. Having decided to prepare a light lunch and the cheesecake cups being chilled and ready to serve as well, I had no qualms about doing the work myself. After all, while it was a job I usually left to the others, they were busy enough without my hassling them any further.

"Cosi รจ davvero lei." I didn't even have to look over my shoulder to know who it was who'd come to join me. Even so, I couldn't help but glance back to see Claire Blanc standing just inside the door, her blonde hair curled and purposely draped over her right shoulder, but I pretended not to notice her. That, of course, was an unforgivable offense on my part. At least it was the only explanation I had for why she felt the need to float across the room and join me at the kitchen sink. "Sieto dedi audiolesi, signor Makani?"

"No, I heard you," I replied cooly. "I just didn't see the point in talking in Italian when we both know English perfectly well if not better. I don't like putting on appearances."

"You certainly are difficult," Claire agreed. "I only wanted to congratulate you on being hired to work for William," she continued. Her voice became more dignified as she mentioned my employer with such familiarity, but I was unimpressed. "I am quite sure you understand what an honor this is... since I doubt you have ever had the pleasure of working for a man of high caliber."

I briefly thought to ask her why she bothered to seek me out when it was clear she admired the man, but I convinced myself it was unnecessary. However, I did have to wonder if the truth behind her wearing so much white was to draw his attention. "You do fancy Jovani, don't you?" I said at last. "It's a very sleek look for you."

"Well, this is a cruise, Mr. Makani," the woman huffed. "An evening gown would look too much out of place." While it was obvious I had offended her, she couldn't help but flaunt herself for my approval. Despite her attitude, it really was a fine piece of clothing. The light knitting was flawless, and although I felt the white was redundant, the thin gold lines that wrapped around her narrow, up her torso, and over her shoulders lent at least some interest. "I appreciate more designers than Jovani," she went on to explain. "However, I will admit he does compliment my own tastes far better than the rest."

"I didn't mean to offend you," I assured her. "It was just an innocent observation, but I suppose we cooks know nothing of fashion."

"You know, the more I hear you speak, the less I think of you," she said, her cold eyes darkening with disgust. "It also seems I have over stayed my welcome here, so I shall take my leave now. Buona giornata a lei, signor Makani."

I said nothing to the woman as she stormed out, her Louis Vuitton heels clicking on the tiled floor with every decisive step, and I only briefly looked back to make sure she was gone. If I had any luck, it'd be the last time I'd see her. I'd had just about enough of her looking down at me. Just because I was a cook, it didn't mean I didn't take any pride in what I did.

At least I had more to show for it than a questionable fashion sense.

Thankfully, there were no further distractions aside from the usual mishaps. At one point, my brothers almost ran into each other, but while Denny all but fell over, Dan was skilled enough that he was able to steady him with one hand. Another problem that came up was a guest being lactose intolerant, yet that was an easy fix given how many options were available. I didn't even remember what was sent out in its stead.

What was most interesting, though, was how I managed to handle the clean up without any trouble.

"Wow, Kai, you didn't have to do it all," Denny breathed, looking around the kitchen. I chuckled to see his eyes widen in awe, but I didn't say anything. He could make it up to me after dinner. "Does this mean we're free to walk around?"

"I don't see why not," I replied with a shrug. "If you want to, go ahead. Just try and keep a low profile and don't go bothering the guests if you can help it." He needed and tossed the towel he'd been carrying onto the meanest count with a quick thanks and even faster good-bye. "Don't run into anyone!"

"You don't need to treat him like a kid," Dan muttered as he came in through the waiter's door. He lost some credibility as he was pushing a white canvas cart which was overflowing with orange fabric. When he caught me staring, he sighed and shook his head. "For being so damn rich, no one every told these people how to feed themselves. Every one of these things need to be washed. Hate to think what all that white's gonna look like once dinner rolls around..."

"Just be grateful you're not the one washing 'em."

"No kidding." He paused for a minute, still keeping his gaze on the bin, but after looking back up at me, he started to smirk. "Didn't Ms. Blanc came back her earlier?" I just rolled my eyes and began finishing drying what little was left of the dishes, but that only egged him on. "I knew she's a snobby bitch, but damn, she's got some legs on her. Don't you think?"

I tired to think back, but I didn't think they were all that great. Sure, they were long and tan, but the same could be said for almost every woman in Italy. It wasn't all that interesting to me. Then again, Dan and I never really had the same tastes- especially if it concerned women.

"At least we'll have something to look at while we're-"

"Ah, Mr. Makani. I thought you might still be here, but I'm still glad to have found you." Mr. Regison was all smiles as he swept into the room, still wearing a blinding white suit as always, and it only grew when he saw Dan standing beside me. "I'm also glad you were able to find the linens," he continued. "I was impressed with your ascetics, and I must stay the white orchids I had readied for you were well placed."

"Thanks." Although I could tell from our employer's face that he'd been hoping for a more eloquent reply, he was never one to complain. It was too unpleasant and not worthy of a proper gentleman.

"I did have a small request for you, however," he went on, turning his attention over to me. "Would you mind preparing an extra meal? I'm afraid we have an ailing guest onboard, and she was unable to join us here in the dining room."

"There's plenty more prepared,"I agreed with a smile of my own. "It's all still warm, so it shouldn't be long. Daniel here can bring it to her as well if you'd like."

My brother glared at me when I suggested it, but he still managed a grin. "It's no problem," he said. "Just give me the room number and a cart. She'll be full in no time."

"Very well," Mr. Regison agreed. "I will leave it to you then, but do not worry about bringing the dishes here. My maid staff can see to that."

With all the arrangements having been made, our employer left us to the task, and it wasn't long before Dan was on his way. I didn't mind being alone, but I had to admit the silence that followed was unsettling. The feeling only grew once I went out into the dining room where the vaulted ceilings and blank walls made me feel even more isolated from the world. Not that I wasn't to begin with.

Unlike Denny, I had no desire to explore the ship, and unlike Dan, I couldn't exactly take a nap. It was frustrating, but even if I wanted to, there wasn't much else I could do. Really, though, the only thing I could think to do was go back to my room and stare at the white wallpaper with the gray diamonds until dinner.

"Well... this is going to be a long voyage now, isn't it?"